The colonists armed their slaves, joined forces with the soldiers of the Artois Regiment and made themselves masters of Port-au-Prince.

The insurgents then sent a letter to London declaring themselves ready to pass under the suzerainty of the Kingdom of Great Britain in exchange for the conservation of their laws.

[1] Troops loyal to the commissioners commanded by generals Lassale, an European, and Beauvais, a mulatto, then laid siege to Port-au-Prince.

For their part, the representatives Sonthonax and Polverel established their base at the port of Saint-Marc, took command of the navy and attacked from the sea.

The commissioners' ship was badly damaged by rebel cannons and a fire broke out, but it was extinguished.