Naoloeon sends his brother-in-law, General Charles Leclerc, to Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti) in January 1802 to re-establish slavery, which had been abolished by the constitution of the French Republic of 1795, as well as to reduce the rights of free people of color and take back control of the island from Toussaint Louverture.

Louverture has fended off invasions of St. Domingue by the Spanish and British empires, but has also begun to consolidate power for himself on the island.

Before the Revolution, France had derived enormous wealth from St. Domingue at the cost of the lives and freedom of the slaves.

Napoleon wants its revenues and productivity for France restored.

Alarmed over the French actions and its intention to re-establish an empire in North America, Jefferson declares neutrality in relation to the Caribbean, refusing credit and other assistance to the French, but allowing war contraband to get through to the rebels to prevent France from regaining a foothold.