On stating their claims, the president assured them, that they might take courage; for that the Assembly knew no distinction between Blacks and Whites, but considered all men as having equal rights.

This speech of the president, they said, had roused all the White Colonists in Paris.

Some of these had openly insulted them.

They had held also a meeting on the subject of this speech; at which they had worked themselves up so as to become quite furious.

Nothing but intrigue was now going forward among them to put off the consideration of the claims of the free People of Colour.