Star.
London, England, 1802-02-05 00:00:00

SAINT DOMINGO.

OSCILIo.-.411 THI MANI OP THS FLINCH COLONY
OF ST. DOMIIIOO.—TOVSSAINT LOVVERTUSE,

GlomNos Of ST. DOMINGO.

The molt effential means to improve the morals
of men, the ligament which moll ftrongly bind-
them to fociety, is marriage. In the firtt moments
of the revolution, St. Domingo would not have
ptefented to the world a fpeEtacle of fo much un.;
happinefs, of fo frightful a diffolution of morals,
if the mafi of the inhabitants had been reltrained
by this powerful check, by thole fentiments of or-
der which t.abits of domeftic morality produce in
every heart; by the proper affedion of a father
for his fon, a fort for his father, his wife, and his
relations; if, in fine, there had exifted a fpirit of
family union, the fource of public tranquillity and
happinefs.
It is in confequence of thefe reflation:, confirm-
ed by experience, that I have never loft fight of
this inteietling objed, the exhortatim of my fel-
low citizens to marriage : but as prudence is ne-
ceffiry even in the dirpenration of good, and as the
belt inftitutions are liable to be allured, whether it
be owing to ignorance or ill faith, this natural and
legitimate defire has been accompanied by certain
irregularities. In confequence of the organization
peculiar to the iGand of St. Domingo, the order
which fhould have reigned in its habitations has
fuffered in certain cafes, and might continue to
Puffer injury. It belongs to the prudence of the
Government to arreft abufes deftrudive to the
public prorperity, and to obviate the imputations
which a fpirit of debauchery and lawlefs indul-1
gence might occafion, %chilli cloaking itfelf under
the facred pretext of marriage.
The Governor of St. Domingo therefore decrees
as follows :
I. No foldier mit contrail marriage without the approbation
of elm Govastor of St. Domingo.

a. No cultivator attached to any particular habitation can
efpoufc a woman attached to any other habitadon, without the
eaprefa permiffion of t►e Governor of St. Domingo.

3. No foldier can marry without having previonfly prefect:4
a requcit to the Chief Of6cers of his tarps, who mall be hound
to communicate to the Commandant of the Department, with
a report refpedting the moral charade: of the ipplicant. The
Commandant of the Department Gall there fubjoin his obkrva.
dons. If the reqaelt contains nothing contrary to law, if the
marriage be approved by the parents, and conform to thaob-
ferradons of the faid Chiefs, for which they (ball be refponfible,
I will give my approbation.
4. Every cultivator attached to a habitation, every citizen in
a Rate of " Imes/lit ite " when they entered marriage, Mall make
a declaration before the Municipality of the place in which they
refide. This declaration mall contain their frames, age+, and
quality, the =Menet of the refuel to whola they are attached,
their means of fubaßcuce, and refources of rearing and educat-
ing their offspring.
S. The Municipal Adminiltration arc invited to make
known to me fuch cafes as (being regularly certified to them)
may render the cotinedion inexpedient with that inflict and
impartiality which mould diftinguidi the Magiftraus of the
People, as aro to give me their advice in favour of Inch as
merit my approbation.
6. It is forbidden to Public Officers and Mlnifters of Rel .
rim, to affift at the celebration of any marriage, if the forma-
lities preferibcd by the prefent decree have not been prrvioufly
conformed to.

The preCent decree than be printed, tranferibed
on the regillers of the Adruiniftrative and Judi-
ciary Bodies, read, publifhed; and polled wherever
it (hall be neceffary ; it thall alfo beinferted in the
official Bulletin of St. Domingo.
Done at Cape Francois, the Bth Vendemiaire,
loth rear oth Sept. 18ot
The Governor of St. Domingo,
TOUSSAINT LOUVIRTUNI.