Rawleigh Colston Runs Guns For The Continental Army
Rawleigh Colston was a Virginia lawyer who bought weapons and supplies for the Continental Army in Saint Domingue.
Rawleigh Colston
Rawleigh Colston was orphaned at a very young age, but was placed in the care of a family that offered him a leisurely life.
When he came of age, Colston spent time working in the merchant house of an uncle but later acknowledged he did little work and learned even less.
After living idly for several years, he determined to make something of himself and began studying law under George Wythe at the surprisingly old (for the time) age of 20.
Arms Dealing
After a year of practicing law, Colston grew tired of the industry. This just happened to coincide with the outbreak of the Revolutionary War.
Rawleigh attempted to secure an officer commission in the Virginia Militia, though he was a bit late to the party and did not end up serving in the armed forces.
Colston did end up supporting the Patriot Cause, however, when he was commissioned as an agent in the Caribbean.
Rawleigh moved to Saint Domingue (modern Haiti) where he secured arms and provisions for the Continental Army.
Much like William Bingham, he was able to make an “easy fortune” running guns to supply the Patriots in the Revolutionary War.
Back in the USA
Colston spent almost a full decade in the West Indies before returning to the United States.
He married and moved onto a plantation, practiced law and invested in a land speculation company.
This latter work saw Colston enjoy a lengthy correspondence with President George Washington.
If you’d like to learn more about Rawleigh Colston, check out this letter he sent to Benjamin Franklin regarding their joint attempt to secure supplies from the French during the war: https://founders.archives.gov/?q=Rawleigh%20Colston&s=1511311112&r=2
If you want to read about another underappreciated part of foreign policy during the American Founding, check out this article on William Short:
William Short - Jefferson’s First Disciple
Haiti played an important part during the American Founding.
‘Toussaint’s Clause’ discuss the Haitian Revolution and its controversial place in the creation of the United States.
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