Source: http://thelouvertureproject.org/index.php?title=Haitian_Constitution_of_1801_(English)&diff=19995&oldid=9604
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 18:12:18+00:00

Document:
The 1801 Constitution was promulgated on July 8th, 1801 by the Governor General [[Toussaint Louverture]], who sent a [http://thelouvertureproject.org/wiki/index.php?title=Toussaint_letter_to_Napoleon_on_the_1801_Constitution letter to Napoléon] on the 1801 Constitution accompanying this document.
The Saint-Domingue '''Constitution of 1801''' (also referred to as ''Toussaint Louverture's Constitution'') was [[promulgate|promulgated]] on July 8th, [] by the Governor General [[Toussaint Louverture]], who sent a [[Toussaint letter to Napoleon on the 1801 Constitution|letter to Napoléon]] on the 1801 Constitution accompanying this document. The letter and constitution was brought to Napoléon Bonaparte by Toussaint Louverture's friend, the French Colonel [[Charles-Humbert-Marie de Vincent|Vincent]], who had been stationed in [[Saint-Domingue]].
In a July 17, 1801 [[Tobias Lear letter to James Madison|letter to to the U.S. Secretary of State]], James Madison, [[Tobias Lear]] the newly appointed U.S. Consul to Saint-Domingue writes: "''A new and important Symbol Aera has commenced here. A Constitution has been formed for the Government of this Island, by Deputies called together for that purpose by the General in Chief. It was read in public, with great parade, on the 7th instant. The papers which I send you will shew the Addresses which preceded and followed the reading. It is not yet printed from the public. It declares [[Toussaint Louverture|Genl. Toussaint Louverture]] Governor for life, with the power of naming his successor. It is to be submitted to the French Republic for approbation; but in the meantime, it is to have effect here in the Island.''"
Art. 1. – Saint-Domingue in its entire expanse, and Samana, [[La Tortue]], La Gonave, Les Cayemites, L'Ile-a-Vache, La Saone and other adjacent islands form the territory of a single colony, which is part of the French Empire, but ruled under particular laws.
Every change in domicile on the part of the cultivator carries the ruin of the cultivation. In order to repress a vice as disruptive to the colony as it is to public order, the governor issues all policy requirements necessary in the circumstances and in conformance with the bases of rules of police of 20 [[Vendemiaire|Vendémiaire]], year IX, and of the proclamation of the following l9th [[Pluviose|Pluviôse]] of the Chief General [[Toussaint-Louverture]].
Art. 17. – The introduction of cultivators indispensable to the reestablishment and to the growth of agriculture shall take place in [[Saint-Domingue]]. The Constitution charges the Governor to take convenient measures to encourage and favor the increase in manpower, to stipulate and balance the diverse interests, to ensure and guarantee the execution of respective engagements resulting from this introduction.
Art 19. – The colonial regime is determined by laws proposed by the Governor and rendered by a gathering of inhabitants, who shall meet at fixed periods at the central seat of the colony under the title Central Assembly of [[Saint-Domingue]].
The promulgation of law shall take place as follows: In the mane of the French colony of [[Saint-Domingue]], the Governor orders that the subsequent law be sealed, promulgated and executed in all of the colony.
Art. 22. – The Central Assembly of [[Saint-Domingue]] shall be composed of two representatives of department, whom, to be eligible, shall be at least 30 years of age and have resided for 5 years in the colony.
Art. 23. – The Assembly shall be renewed every two years by half; no one shall be a member for six consecutive years. The election shall proceed as follows: municipal administrations nominate every two years, on the 10th [[Ventose|Ventôse]] (March 1st) each of the deputies, whom shall meet ten days thereafter at the chief town of their respective departments, where they shall form as many departmental electoral assemblies that will nominate, each, one representative to the Central Assembly.
The next election shall take place on the 10th [[Ventose|Ventôse]] of the eleventh year of the French Republic (March 1st 1803). In case of death, resignation or other vacancy of one or several members of the Assembly, the Governor shall provide a replacement.
Art. 25. – The session shall begin each year on the 1st [[Germinal]] (March 22) and shall not exceed three months in duration. The Governor can convoke the Assembly in extraordinary meeting; the hearings shall not be public.
Art. 28. – The Constitution nominates the citizen [[Toussaint-Louverture]], Chief General of the army of [[Saint-Domingue]], and, in consideration for important services rendered to the colony, in the most critical circumstances of the revolution, and upon the wishes of the grateful inhabitants, he is entrusted the direction thereof for the remainder of his glorious life.
The Governor [[Toussaint-Louverture]] shall take all necessary precautionary measures to let the Central Assembly know the depository of this important envelope.
Art. 31. – The citizen that shall be chosen by the Governor [[Toussaint-Louverture]] to take the direction of the government upon his death, shall swear in front of the Central Assembly to execute the Constitution of [[Saint-Domingue]] and to remain attached to the French government, and shall be immediately installed in his functions; all shall be in presence of active generals and chief commanders of departments of the army of [[Saint-Domingue]], who all, individually and without delay, shall swear obedience to the orders of the new Governors [[Saint-Domingue]].
Art. 60. – Foreign successors of French parents or foreign parents in France shall succeed them also in [[Saint-Domingue]]; they shall be allowed to enter contract, acquire and receive properties situated in the colony, and dispose as well as the French by all means authorized by laws.
Art. 77. – The Chief General [[Toussaint-Louverture]] is and shall remain charged with sending the present Constitution to be sanctioned by the French government; nevertheless, and given the absence of laws, the urgency to exit from this condition of peril, the necessity to promptly reestablish agriculture and the unanimous wishes pronounced by the inhabitants of Saint-Domingue, the Chief General is and remains invited, in the name of public good, to proceed with its execution in all areas of the territory of the colony.
Made at [[Port-Republican]], this 19th [[Floreal|Floréal]] year IX of the French Republic, one and indivisible.
Given at [[Cap Français]], this 14 [[Messidor]], year IX of the French Republic, one and indivisible.
* [[Toussaint letter to Napoleon on the 1801 Constitution]] - When the constitution was sent to France this letter accompanied it.
* [[Napoléon Bonaparte letter to Toussaint Louverture (1801)]] - Letter in which [[Napoléon Bonaparte]] is critical of Toussaint Louverture's constitution.
* [[Colonel Vincent]] - Charles-Humbert-Marie de Vincent was charged with taking the constitution to Bonaparte.
* [[Tobias Lear letter to James Madison]] - Makes mention of the constitution.
* [[Julien Raimond]] - Served on a 10 person committee to draft the constitution.
* [[Toussaint L'Ouverture and the Haytian Revolutions]] - 1841 speech by McCune Smith.
* Tobias Lear letter to James Madison. (1801). Haiti. [http://www.archives.gov/ NARA - US National Archives and Records Administration], Record Group 59, Miscellaneous Letters.

References: Art. 1

Art. 17

Art 19

Art. 22

Art. 23

Art. 25

Art. 28

Art. 31

Art. 60

Art. 77