Unwilling to capitulate to the Indigenous Army, Ferrand retreated into the neighboring Captaincy General of Santo Domingo and began serving as its governor, successfully resisting a Haitian invasion in 1805.

By 1808, the Peninsular War resulted in the Spanish reconquest of Santo Domingo, and Ferrand committed suicide during the Battle of Palo Hincado, bringing an end to French rule in the colony.

By 1803, the French were on the verge of defeat by the Indigenous Army, and Ferrand retreating into the Captaincy General of Santo Domingo (which Leclerc's troops had occupied in 1802) instead of capitulating.

[1] From 1803 to 1808, Ferrand served as the governor of Santo Domingo, establishing a paternalist regime which as a result of a decree issued by Napoleon respected Spanish customs and practises, including existing laws and the institution of slavery.

He implemented several economic measures during his tenure as governor, including prohibiting all trade with Haitians, encouraging the harvest of precious woods, especially mahogany, promoting agricultural pursuits such as the production of sugarcane, and declaring Santo Domingo's ports to be free ports in order to encourage trade with foreign nations such as the United States.