The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-10-13


tiZens:
l. Well convinced, by the cruel experience and
the hiitory of nations, that nation can ONLY be
fuitably governed by an individual, and that he
merits that diitincton who has 10 confoiidate
the edIiice of our Independence and liberty.
>Conildering their long ferries of misfortunes
and viciHitudes, they have determined to allure
the guarantee and fatety of their citizens in a
manner immutable and Interchangeable and that
the turett means of attaining this objea is to de-
cree to that chief, who is alone capable of TO-
vernng and representing with dignity nation, a
title augutt and iacred, which concentrates in
HIM the power of the Fate, and which repoies
IN him the pledges of internal and external tran
guilty.
Coniidering that the title OF governor general
hitherto conferred On citizen ]. J. Delalines,
does not Efficiently fulfill the general within
aimuch as it fuppofes fecondary power, de-
pendant on foreign authority, to whole yoke
we have always been iubfervient.
Without longer fubmitting to the frequent
and obftnate refufal of citizen ]. J. Denalnes,
to accept power which the people and the ar
my have delegated to him from the fri epoch
OF the proclamation Of our independence-and
iince this refufa is contrary to the interefts, the
wifhes and the PROPERTY of the country-we
decree to the afore1aid citizen ]. J. Defalines,
the title of emperor of Hayti--and the right of
chooiing and appointing his fuccefior. Def
rous that this free expreiion of our hearts alrea-
dy refolved on by the people, fhould be offered
with as fhor delay as pofiible for his fanGtion
Done at Port-au-Prince, esth January, 1904,
and firft year of the independence of Hayti.
(Signed)
VERNET, nninjRer of.fnanee.
CLERVEAUX Commanding the diz,iEon
CHRISIoPHE ) Of tie north.
oo and ! Do. Do. e~A
GEFFARD,
. Is GenerHl5 Ct Brigade and Cougsi!ory Of
Stafe--and
200 Generals efdjainguj9ea rank, sJ'e.
february IS, .fcp year Of the inAeben9fnee of
Hayt.
The governor general Of Hayti, to the generals
of the. army and civil and military au.hori-
ties:
CitiSeus,
If any confederation can juftify in my eyes,
the auguft title which your confidence has con-
ferred on me, it is only my unalterabe zeal in
watching over the fafety of the empire, and my
wifhes to confolidate our ente,prize. Let us
not eftace from our minds thofe ftrong remem-
ORANGES which our recent misfortunes have i'm
printed on our hearts.--They will be powerful
preiervatives againit the furprize of our enemy,
and we will fortify ourfelves againf every idea
of indulgence with regard to them. Ifthe mild
er paiiions place men in mediocrity, half mea-
lures aiTet the rapid march of revolutions.
Since then you have judged it the interef of
the fate, that ihould accept the rank to which
you would elevate me, by innpofing on me new
burthen, contract no new obligation towards
my country. have long fnce made all iacri-
fices-but feel that higher, more facred duty
unites me TO her definy--I feel, FAY, that /
ought rapidly to conduct our enterprie to its
determined object, and by laws wife and fuited
to our manners, fnifer every citizen to enjoy in
dividual liberty, without injury to the rights of
Others, or without offending that authority which
watches over our general happincfs.
In accepting this burthen, as weighty as hon.
orable, make myfelf accountable for all the evil
or advantages which may refult from my admin
ftration--But remember that itisduring the mott
ftormy feafon, you have given me the helm of the
vef1el of ftate--I am foldier--war was always
my protection, and whenever the barbarity or
avarice of your enemies fhall bring them on
your flores, will iuftify your choice, and fight
ing at your head, will prove that the title of
your general fhall be always honorable to me.
The iufrious ranl. to which you have eleva-
ted me teaches me that am become the father
of my fellow citizens, whole defender have
been hitherto, but the father of a family of war
riors fhould never lay down his fword, if he
wifhes to tranfmt to pofterity his and
them with combat.
1t is to you generals and folders, who will
afcend after me to fupreme power that addrefs
myfe1f; happy in being enabled to tranfynit my
authority to thofe who have poured out their
blood for their country. Irenounce, yes, for
mally renounce, the unjuh cuftom of tranfnit-
ting my power to my family.
lhall never refpect anceftry, but when the Ia
Tents requifite for good governor are united in
the fubjeet. frequently the head which isfredby
the burning ardor of youth contributes more
effeetually to the Happiness of his country than
the cool experience of age, which temporifes at
the moment when temerity alone fhould govern.
1t ison thefe conditions that am your en-
peror, and deftru6tion to him, who, elevated by
the gratitude of people, fhail afcend the throne
with other fentiments than thoie of the father of
his family.
DESSALINES.
BY the governor general,
Adiutant general
BOISROND TONNERRE.