Star.
London, England, 1811-09-28 00:00:00

IIIsm"

RS.

SI. DOMINGO PAP.L.
• -.•
CONSTITUI lON OF THE KINOSONI OF HAYTI.
An Extr.ortlinary Conned being convened to de.
termini vu the changes the State ought ot_tooderso,
the said CAncil consider that the Crinstitution of the
17th February, in the year 4 (1807), which was
.
, • made without sooal compact, and tinting the storms
of civil war, it not adapted to the present condition
of the Island, on the following grounsis: •
That the Constitution mentioned, although soited
•
to the tempestuous ciecum.tances:of the country, lead
many acknowledged imperfections. It secured such
means of enjoyment as the deplorable situation of
things perMitted, but none suited tp the more ;avow-
able condition of affairs, which by the grace of-the
Chief Magistrate, and his sublime and brilliant talents,
are approaching to order, prosperity, and happiness.
'tl'hat in the flourishing state of agriculture, con-
Mice, and navigation, reestablishing morals, reli-
gion, and advancing to the highest discipline the pub-
lic force,, such a prospect of security and permanence
is aiktdeti which justifies the establisharNit of a firm
and stable Government to insure that prosperity.
The said Council judging for such reasons, that it
is necesiai y to ieve,t tie Supreme Authority with all
that constimes the yr indeur, dignity, and power of
M.i.jesty, r slived-
1. The the establishment of an hereditary Throne is the best
expedient for foifillsog los-pow.
2. 'That the throne -.l.a,l'ilescend in the train tine, to the con-
stant excitle,on of temal,s, and that the Sovereign shall he select-
ed from that Illuurious family, unceasingly elevaied to ;tJury
at•d to the good of the country, and that the chief of th-n family
smalls! the person on whom the Sovereignty .haft eievolve; as a
mark of ;visional gratitude, as on bins the political existence or
the manly has depended
• '1 De nation, by its, the MOM of its. will, thus confers this
-I.llidiqinc6n upon that Prince who has maintained its glory,
'MI to srpopt its liberty, its inete‘pend2uce, and Its happiness may
• lie :del! ent.fiti,nl.•
being prtper to create great public Authorities from among
tlkt Officers who have deem: d themselves IQ the honour-and
Rlll verity of the State, as well for the splendour of the throne
as sr the reward of their di-tinguished services, 'the following
la v ts sasieticred by use said Council
TithE I.—OF 'l'llE NUI ItEMtE AUTHORITY.
. 1. The President Henry Cr ristophe, ie declared to be King
it 'Hayti, under the name of Henry. This distil dtion, its pre-
vo,atives, and immunities, shall be hereditary is his family, in
tilt • line of the male and legitimate dewendaos, according to
Sc tiori-y, and to the eitlttron of females.
• C. All the Royal Acts .had be done In the name of the King,
• P`nblislied and promulgated under the Royal Signet.
8. In defect of male children, the heirship shall pass to the
sorest relation of the King, or to the highest tank.'
4. Notwithstanding this law, the .virig may adopt the children
. of any. Prince of his kingdoM, wham he may dunk Di to appoint'
his heirs.
If the King should Dave male children subsequent to such
• adr.priegi:his own tiff-pring will have the prior right.
' 8. Go the dee- ase of the Sovereign, until the-acce Won of the
heir, the affairs of the ktngdcon shall be governed by the Mini-
sters and the P oval Council, who bong Mimed into a General
Council‘tslodi decide. by a majority of votes, dab sectetary of
State registerirg the decisions.
TITLE 11.—OF THE ROYAL ARMY.
7. The Consort of the King is declared Queen of Ilayti.
E. 'I be 'Members of the Royal Family are.to receive the titles
of Princes aid Princes-es, and are to be addressed Most Serene
Highnesses. The presumptive hcir is in hr called Prince Royal.
O. Those 'Princes are Members of the Cuuncil of tae as soon
as they come of age. •
10. Neither the Princes or Princesses shall marry withaut the
tines permission.
lb 'I he King himself is to appoint the (Ayers of his Palace,
In a w.:y suited to the dignity in Isis Crown.
12. 'there shall be establisi-ed under the same authority, Pa-
laces and Castles In such situations of the Kingdom as his Ma-
jesty aLall point out.
TITLE lII.—CF THE REGENCY.
,T 2. The King is a minor until he be 15 years of ago. Duties
kia minority a Regent shall be nominated.
14 '1 be. Regent shall he 25 years of age at least, and shall
either hr cl men from the ntarest relation of the King, to trt
delusion of Lmales, and is de.ret of such relations, trout the
Grand Dignitaries of the kingdom.
15. Should the King not have appointed a Regent, the Grand
Cowie I shall select a person according to the prece.ling law.
17. bill the King la:come o' age, the Regent shall be invest-
,ed with all the attributes of Royalty.
17, But the Regent is not to conclide treaties or peace, *V-
ance, or commt ice, or to make declaration of war, Until he 91:al:
have taken the advice of the Grant, Council, the majority of the
totes of which on such subjects he is to cat ry ;:it•s
18..1 he Regent is not empowered to nominate to the Grand
Digni.ies of the Kingdom, nor to the ra:.k of Centrals and
isdrutrati.
•'46. All the acts•of the Regent arc to he in the name of the
'young King. •

• •1

.

_ - -
• 20, 'the guardianship of the King is entrusted to his mother ;
and it he have no mother, Hight Prince the deceased Kin!, shall '
bare arpointed to this duty. Niitherjhe kr,;ent vr his (Waren
are to have 'the guardianship of the young King. •
TI.TLE -rd? TIIE GRAND AND PRIVY COUNCILS.
21. The -Grand Council is composed of the -Princes of the
anti of the Princes, Dukes, ancil&cris to be chosen by his
•Itlaje.ty, skto shall himself ipterrnine the nor. iber,
22. •I he President of tlse Council is the King himself, and in
hie absence, such noble person as hr !Mall name. • •
, es, .1 pe Wavy Council is to be dlicrse9 by the King from the
icratid Dignitaries of the State.
TirtE V.—tor THE GRAND OFFICERS OF TILE KINGDOM.
24. The Great Officers at the IQtigdont are the Grand Mar-
shals of liar!, and are chosen from among the persouslsol4ing
Vse.rank of Generals, a-cc-cording to"theienier.t. •
• 25 -Thee number is to be assisted by the King himself.
SG Ihe places of the Great °Mara are to be held during life.
117. Unle•s th.ty e•alt be removed by a Royal Order, or from
incapacity, and in lucliC2get they shall preserve their title, their
%tank, and the half of their rritnue.
111'LE 3112 MINISTERS OF STATE.
ES. 1 he King shall nomitiate :Our Minis:cis of State, the
AH-
ni,tcr tvi War atlcl a the Marice, the Miiiister of the limances
and 'of the home Department; the Minister of
.Forclgri
the Minister of Justice.
2P. •flie N!inisters ale Members of the Council, and have votes.
SO. The Ministers reti(!ermg account of their services in per-
son to his Majesty, and receive his commands.
TITLE vii.-LoroATKI.

-----
Si. On the King's coming of age, be is to make oath on the I
vangrlist to OA- Tireiirrice of tht,steat Authorities of tie Klogdotet.
5.2. Ile P. tsge the same on assuming Lis Ittoctiuoa.
SS, The Grtzt (Micas, the Ministern, and the Secretary of
State, are to deliver their oath of fidelity imo the bands of the Kit.c.
TITLE Viii,—()P Tile PROMULGATION CIF TIM LAWS. li
'l4. The promulgation of all the' Acts of the Kinzdont is as
brows:
" By the grace of Gen and the Constitutional. Law of the State,
we King of Hayti do declare, greeting." '
Tlfese public Acts are to conclude as fbllovrs
w We command and order that there Prsients under our Seal
Ise 'directed to all Courts, Tribunals, and Authorities, that they
may be transcribed in their Registers, that they themselves, sod
all others in the kingdom, may observe wad obey the same. The
Minister of Justice is to promulgate this law."
3S. The Decrees of Courts bf Jvorke ate in the following form
By the Grace of Gop, and the Constitutional Law of the!
State, do declare, greeting. (Then follows the Decree) We
son- mend and orderall Officers to put in exicudon the said jttdg
went, to all our Law Agents to sign their name to It, and to all
military commanders io employ their force,if required, to se.
sure obedience to the suite.—lo witness whereof," Ike..
(To be aigned-by the President and Chief,Seereter?.)
The above Constitutional Law of the Realm is
dated from Cape Henry, in the Bth year of Indepen.
dente, 1811, and Iz signed by all the Public Audio.
Tioes composing the Council of State.•

~,f.

~f:~
:~

0,.N...