But what truly tipped the balance in favor of British intervention for many planters was the fear of slave liberation. … Turning to the enemy was a reasonable and a pragmatic choice for the planters. In the end, however, instead of saving slavery, it created the conditions for its final destruction. In making themselves traitors to the Republic, they opened the way for slaves to become citizens and defenders of France. The planters pushed the beleaguered Republican commissioners to find new allies. Like the Spanish, the French turned to the rebel slaves.

Dubois, Laurent, Avengers of the New World_ …, loc. 222