Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-04-07
PHILADELPHIA, March %.
| lrG"slatedJor the PHILADELPHIA Gazette. I
ADDRESS
HENRY CHRISTOPHE.

president and GenerahssiD,o of fhe land
ana sea forces Of tie state Of Hdyti, 10
ne army and frohie.
Light has just burst out amidst us. and
thanks to beneiicent constitution, the plots
and conspiracies of which YOU we're going
10 be the victims, have miscarried. Atlast
wise collection of laws suitable to our
manners, Climate, usages, has, if may be
allowed the expression, come out of the
Hayti.
In vain had my solicitudc endeavored for
long time to offer you this precious gift;
in vain had convoked the commons to Give
you constitution my cares, far from be-
ing crowned with the wished. for success.
had been but an additional food to factions,
to try to mislead public opinion, and frame
constitution calculated for their interests
ana those OF their proselytes, at the expense
OF the liberty of the people, and of sound
reason.
All or you have been witnesses, O nv
countrymen, of the purity of my DESIGNS
! and the sincerity of my intentions but have
not the villains turned to wicked use this
same sincerity, by fomenting rebellion, and
klndling 4 civil war | was not the one
, that could he inundated by their machina-
! tons, or misled single moment On the
welfare otour country. Ihavc never ceased
day or night to mediate upon the safety of
the country. What have | left undone to
obtain this end What have not done to
battle the secret plots and conspiracies Of
factions?
have been always amidst you, and Won
may certify 1t ever ambition has influenced
my conduct, or sullied my honor Placed
this day by the wishes of my countrvmen
and brethren of arms OIL the summit Of
power, have yielded 10 their desires. and
accepted of that heavy and honorable bur-
then, because they wished to trust it into
my hands, and that / might once more
serve our country. Happy will be, if nv
Efforts be crowned with success, and enable
me to secure the happiness of my country
men
But to obtain that end, my efforts alone
are not sufficient the observance of tho
laws and OF this constitution is also neces-
sary. Your rights are strictly preserved,
and every citizen will find therein securities
Tor has person, property, and that of his fa-
mily.
he fatal consequences of the wars we
have sustained, and still more the bad ex
ample of the French, had thrown RELIGION
into forlOrn situation morals were des-
pissed, and profigate youth gave way,
without remorse, to all the RIGHTEOUSNESS
OF their age public education was dsgra-
ccd, and left to mercenary teachers. il has
Deen necessary to restore religion to its
dignity, to give support to morals, bring il
! INTO repute, inculcate in the minds Of young
people the sacred principles of good man.
ners, and ofreligion, and convince the peo-
pie that without religion and morals, no
human society can exist
Tribunals are also going to insure vour
| interests equity and Justice will hereafter
preside over the decisions dictated by its
ministers. 1t is, above all, by probity and
uprightncss, that it is reserved TO the peo-
pie OF Hayti 20 make themselves be
known. Essentially a trading people by
their situation and the nature Of their com
modities, their equity as well as the objects
OF their commerce must attract TO their
shores the merchants of all nations OF the
earth.
AZ commerce is for us the source Of all
kinds OF riches, it is therefore essential TO
grant to foreign merchants who come 10
seek their fortune in our ports, the same
projection which is enjoyed by our own
countrymen, offer them that hospitalitv
which those necessary men merit TO re-
ccivc.
10 maintain that commerce, and give il
a great activity, the perseverance and ef-
forts ofagriculture ought TO increase. Pla-
ced under the finest climate Of the earth.
Protusely favored with the most precious