Sugar War

Auge froze for several seconds, then suddenly widened his eyes. "You mean that?"

Brisot nodded again. "Absolutely true. His Majesty's edict is on me."

Suppressing his excitement, Auge asked, "Then how much must each Black slave pay for himself?"

Brisot patted his arm. "There are no fees, and no restrictions. My friend, everyone will be completely free."

Auge's heart pounded wildly, yet he eyed him suspiciously. "You're not here to stall for time while an army is on its way to Port-au-Prince..."

"I can swear it before God," Brisot said earnestly. "There is no conspiracy, no army. Slavery in Saint-Domingue has become history."

After confirming it over and over again, Auge finally stopped doubting. He began frantically making the sign of the cross over his chest, but for a long while, he could not speak. The dream he had struggled for decades to achieve had suddenly come true.

Only then did he notice that Brisot was still standing. He hurriedly brought over a chair and said eagerly, "Please, sit. This truly is rather sudden. Can you tell me why His Majesty decided to bestow such great mercy?"

Brisot immediately and patiently explained the King's and the Crown Prince's recognition and practice of the ideals of freedom, equality, human rights, and fraternity. As a seasoned abolitionist, these words came readily to his lips.

Then he solemnly took out the Emancipation Edict and handed it to Auge.

Holding the edict, the latter nodded frantically in excitement. "Long live His Majesty the King! Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!

"Oh, Mr. Brisot, let us go to Parliament and announce the edict at once..."

But Brisot raised a hand to stop him. "Mr. Auge, I'm sorry, but the edict cannot be made public for the time being."

Auge froze for a moment, then