iquely prepared for his role in history. Although a slave, he became educated and well-read, managed his master's affairs with great skill and became respected by masters and slaves alike for his diplomatic abilities. "His presence had that electrifying effect characteristic of great men of action" (147). In addition to his great leadership and organizational qualities, James stresses that Toussaint was a man of unwavering integrity, with an "unwarped character which abhorred the spirit of revenge and useless bloodshed of any kind (156)". "All things considered he had been singularly humane He had fought the British and the Spaniards and strictly observed all the rules of war" (236). Although Toussaint's absolute ruling was somewhat controversial, James gives him much credit for his moral principles. "Personal industry, social morality, public education, religious toleration, free trade, civic pride, racial equality, this ex-slave strove according to his lights to lay their foundation in the new State. In all his proclamations, laws and decrees he insisted on moral principles, the necessity for work, respect for law and order, pride in San DomingoHe sought to lift the people to some understanding of the duties and responsibilities of freedom and citizenship" (248-249). Toussaint did not obtain power for the sake of power; he "saw early that political power is only a means to an end" (248). He worked tirelessly to bring salvation of San Domingo through the restoration of agriculture and expected the same level of dedication from his followers. According to Toussaint, "Work is necessary it is a virtue, it is for the general good of the state" (155-156). In essence, James tries to show that the success of the Haitian revolution was not a mere consequence of fortuitous events. It "would be vulgar error to suppose that the defeat of the English and the Spaniards [was] inevitableIt is sufficient that but for [Toussaint] this histor...
