Cri des colons contre un ouvrage de M. l'évêque et sénateur Grégoire, ayant pour titre 'De la Littérature des nègres'

by F.-R. de (Fr.-Richard) Tussac

"Cri des colons contre un ouvrage de M. l'évêque et sénateur Grégoire, ayant pour titre de la littérature des Nègres" is a polemical text written in the early 19th century. This work serves as a response to an earlier publication by Grégoire that defended the intellectual capabilities of Black individuals and critiqued colonial practices. The text reflects the perspective of the French colonists, who vehemently oppose the views espoused by Grégoire and others regarding race and morality during a time when debates about slavery and colonialism were increasingly pressing. The opening of the text outlines the authors' indignation towards Grégoire's portrayal of the colonial situation and the supposed merits of Black individuals. It disputes the claims made in Grégoire's work, arguing that his characterizations of the colonists are unfounded and "slanderous." The colons express a sense of betrayal, lamenting their treatment by both colonial authorities and abolitionist sentiments, viewing Grégoire's perspective as both ignorant and dangerous. Through a mixture of anecdote, rhetorical questions, and stark contrasts between the lives of colonists and their enslaved counterparts, the text sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the complex themes of race, identity, and power in the colonial context.