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Haitian Declaration of Independence

Introduction

Background

About the document

Further research


Photos of the Hatian Declaration of Independence and Jean Jacques Dessalines’ letter, catalogue reference CO137/111

Introduction

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The National Archives has made the Haitian Declaration of Independence available to downloadPDF file - opens in a new window (CO 137/111 folios 113–117). The Declaration was discovered at The National Archives by Duke University graduate student Julia Gaffield during her research into the early independence of Haiti. The Declaration was found amongst the colonial correspondence relating to Jamaica in our collection, volume CO 137/111. It was part of six enclosures sent by Edward Corbet, HM Agent for British Affairs in St. Domingo, in a letter to Sir George Nugent, Governor of Jamaica, on 25 January 1804 regarding his negotiations with Jean Jacques Dessalines, Governor General and first ruler of Haiti. Corbet had been appointed to reopen commercial negotiations that had been abandoned by Toussaint Louverture, leader of the slave rebellion in Santo Domingo.

Background

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Haiti comprises the western part of Hispaniola, the eastern part forming the Dominican Republic (formerly Santo Domingo). In 1697 the Spanish ceded Haiti, then known as Saint Domingue, to France and in 1777 the frontiers of the Spanish and French possessions were officially defined. Political and physical oppression resulted in slave revolts against French rule, which began in 1791, led by Toussaint L’Ouverture, and continued until the whole island, including Santo Domingo, was declared a republic under the name of Haiti on 1 January 1804. In 1809 the Spanish regained control of Santo Domingo, which in 1844 declared independence as the Dominican Republic.

About the document

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The Declaration

The Declaration takes the form of a printed 8 page pamphlet with three distinct parts:

  • In the first two pages, headed “Liberté ou La Mort” or ‘Freedom or Death’ the Generals of the Haitian Army sign their names to an oath swearing to renounce forever the French yoke or to die rather than to live under its domination.
  • On pages 3 to 7 Dessalines, as General-in-Chief, addresses the citizens of Haiti in an impassioned defence of independence and the destiny of the nation.
  • The final page the Generals of the Haitian Army proclaim Jean-Jacques Dessalines Governor-General for life and swear to obey without question laws issued under his authority.

Further research

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