ABSTRACT
From the testimony of M. Malouet it appears that all outward respect for religion had ceased among the white inhabitants of St. Domingo, and that the churches were suffered to fall to ruin, before this year. Whether it was the fault of the clergy, or of the profane manners of the planters, the fact is certain, and of no small importance, that prior to the revolution in that island, the religious instruction of the Blacks had been grossly neglected. The court of Versailles proposed to remedy the evil by establishing bishops in the islands; but the plan was frustrated by the colonists, who urged the danger of insurrection among the slaves, as they would look with superstitious reverence towards the bishop, and their attachment to him would become so exceedingly great, that if he should make a bad or imprudent use of his influence, insurrection and rebellion might be the consequence.
