Details
John Baptiste Belley (1747-1802), Conventional Deputy from Saint Dominique, executed by the French in 1802.
Testimonial to General Etiene Laveaux, acting Governor General, signed by Belley, Boisson, Dufays, Garnot, Mills, Paris 22 Fructidor year 2 (September 8, 1794), one page folio with vignette and imprint at top, red wax seal below, a remarkably early document, signed seven months after the abolition of slavery in 1794, very fine, unobtrusive seal tear bottom left
Translation: .....The general conduct before our eyes has always been of the greatest devotion and patriotism above and beyond the call of duty. No sacrifice is too great in the completion of his great Republican duty. He fights like a lion and withstands all the enemies' efforts without help or means....In one word general Laveaux unites all the voters and the esteem and honor of all good Frenchmen coupled with the hatred of the aristocrats and revolutionaries. He has already several times repulsed with success the enemies of the Republic, English and Spanish and recently he has obtained a new advantage, taking from them an important position....
Toussaint Louverture (1763-1803), General and Statesman.
Letter of passage for an American commercial vessel sailing between Port Republican (Port-au-Prince) to Lanci Veau, signed by ("Toussant") Louverture and Robert Ritchie U.S. consul in Haiti, written partly in English, partly in French, 18 Nivose year 9 (January 7 1801), two page folio imprint on top and stamped seal below, very fine, bearing an intact seal of the United States of America, a very rare and interesting piece from both an American and a Haitian perspective
Translation:.....Permit for the Brig Monticello of Baltimore Captain Thomas Harris to proceed from Port Republican to Lanci Veau with its cargo. Given at General Headquarters, the 18 Nivose year 9 of the French Republic, one and indivisible.
I the undersigned Consul of the United Sates of America resident in this City in virtue of the powers vested in me by a Proclamation of the President of the United States of America bearing date the 6th day of September in the year of our Lord 1800 have granted this Passport to the American brig Monticello of Baltimore of the burden of 166 tons or thereabouts mounting no guns navigated by 11 men commanded by Thomas Harris her cargo consisting of Colonial Produce to proceed from this Port along the Coast to that of Lanci Veau without molestation or detention and to return to this place.
Henry Christophe (1767-1820), General, President and King.
Proclamation ordering the destruction of Cape Hatien, in advance of a French invasion, signed by Christophe ("Hy Christophe") as General and Commander in Chief, 15th Pluviose year 10 (February 4, 1802), imprinted with his name and title on top, four pages folio, extremely fine and of the highest importance
Translation: It is ordered that citizen (name uncertain) go at once to the Paroisse des Maritaroux in order to instruct the peasants. They are being misled, their good faith is being taken advantage of by some flattering proclamations. The actual intent is to send them back to slavery. In one hand is held out beatiful promises, while the other holds the knife that will destroy their liberty. The citizen (name uncertain) will council the peasants to take refuge in the mountains. To drive their animals with them and not leave anything behind that could satisfy or aid the persecutors of liberty. Let the flames devour all that cannot be removed, all that is attached to the ground that is left behind must be destroyed when necessary they must abandon the land where they have lived so that when they (the French), the enemies of liberty come to your land, these invaders retreat, I repose myself in this matter, as I know the zeal of citizen (name uncertain) and of his love for liberty. This will insure the success of his mission.
Cole refers to these dramatic events on pages 85-89, "Christophe set the example. . . he had barrels of tar brought into his house in the Rue Royal. . . and then threw the first torch to set the mansion and its magnificent furnishings ablaze." (Cole, 1967)
Jean Jacques Dessalines (1758-1806), General, founder of the Republic (1804), self-proclaimed Emperor (1806), assassinated 1806.
Document signed by ("Dessalines") whilst serving under Toussaint, ordering certain persons to appear before him, dated 27 Novose year 9 (January 16, 1801, one page 4TO, imprinted with Libert, Egalit, his name and title on top, circular stamped seal below, very fine, browned with age, but clear and the rarest Haitian autograph of the revolutionary period
Translation: Order to the administrators and persons in charge of the dune dwellings to appear before me without delay upon receipt of the present order.
Victor-Emmanuel Leclerc (1772-1802), French General, brother-in-law of Napoleon Bonaparte, autograph letter signed ("Leclerc") to General Rochambeau, ordering citizen Laroque, Captain at Port Republican from leaving his post, 25 Thermidor year 10 (August 13, 1802), 4TO imprinted on top with Libert, Egalit and Arme de Saint-Domingue, quartier d'Estang .2/3 page 4TO, pristine, rare in A.L.S., signed three months before he died of fever on November 2nd
Donatien Maries Joseph Rochambeau (1755-1813), son of Jean-Baptiste, General.
Letter signed to Barbe Marbois, 1st Treasurer of the Republic in Paris, requesting reinforcements, supplies and funds, signed ("DTN Rochambeau"), 17th Frimaire year 11 (May 29, 1803), imprinted on top, page folio, very fine, a remarkably frank and direct letter, Rochamneau surrended to Dessaline in 1803
Translation:. . .events in St.Domingue were keeping you busy and that you were uncertain as to the monetary aid sent on to be sent to this colony. Till now it has been insufficient due to the state of chaos and war which infests this poor land. Reinforcements of all types are absolutely indispensable; we need many men, since the climate here has reduced us to nothing; we need lots of money since the resources of the island diminish daily instead of increase....... shipments of hard currency not "letters of change"....
Alexander Petion (1770-1818), First President of the Republic (1808-1818).
Letter signed ("Petion") as President, to the Treasurer requesting the payment of four Gourdes, imprinted with his name on top 12MO April 14, 1814, fine
Jean-Pierre Boyer (1776-1842), General, Second President of Haiti (1818-42).
Letter signed as ("J.P. Boyer"), President imprinted with his name on top, receipt of message of decree to Chamber of Representatives of Communes, dated February 3, 1819, 4TO.
Charles Franois Joseph Duga (1744-1802), French General, member of the Council of 500, Major-General of the Army of St.Domingo.
Autograph letter signed ("Duga"), requesting the return of documents, on the same page is a four-line autograph document signed by Birthier, imprinted on top Cap 4th Vendemiaire year 10 (September 2), 1801, page folio, crisp, very fine
Translation:. . .Citizens Montbrun, aide de camp to General Hardy, and Maurice, officer...of the same General, took away records from different quarters of this island which commanding General has loaned them...
Jacques Bedout (1751-1818), Rear-Admiral, fought in the American War of Independence in 1777, letter signed ("Bedout"), requests validation of a list of sailors returning to France for convalescents, vignette and imprint with his name and titles above, 21st Florial, year 11 (May 11, 1803), signed aboard ship, anchored at Cap, two pages, 4TO
Jean-Baptiste Brunet (1763-1824), French General
Autograph document signed ("Brunet") informing General Rochambeau that certain undesirables have been persuaded to leave Haiti, , 16th Florial, year 11 (May 6 1803), aux Cayes, page 4TO, very fine
Translation:. . .It was not easy, my general, to convince these individuals to leave....I am relieved and delighted that they are leaving truly, all shady characters of both sexes seem to be their best friends. During the night, I intend to order the arrest of some of these friends and send them to you. They come in all shades and are capable of causing a lot a lot of harm if they remain here...
Testimonial to General Etiene Laveaux, acting Governor General, signed by Belley, Boisson, Dufays, Garnot, Mills, Paris 22 Fructidor year 2 (September 8, 1794), one page folio with vignette and imprint at top, red wax seal below, a remarkably early document, signed seven months after the abolition of slavery in 1794, very fine, unobtrusive seal tear bottom left
Translation: .....The general conduct before our eyes has always been of the greatest devotion and patriotism above and beyond the call of duty. No sacrifice is too great in the completion of his great Republican duty. He fights like a lion and withstands all the enemies' efforts without help or means....In one word general Laveaux unites all the voters and the esteem and honor of all good Frenchmen coupled with the hatred of the aristocrats and revolutionaries. He has already several times repulsed with success the enemies of the Republic, English and Spanish and recently he has obtained a new advantage, taking from them an important position....
Toussaint Louverture (1763-1803), General and Statesman.
Letter of passage for an American commercial vessel sailing between Port Republican (Port-au-Prince) to Lanci Veau, signed by ("Toussant") Louverture and Robert Ritchie U.S. consul in Haiti, written partly in English, partly in French, 18 Nivose year 9 (January 7 1801), two page folio imprint on top and stamped seal below, very fine, bearing an intact seal of the United States of America, a very rare and interesting piece from both an American and a Haitian perspective
Translation:.....Permit for the Brig Monticello of Baltimore Captain Thomas Harris to proceed from Port Republican to Lanci Veau with its cargo. Given at General Headquarters, the 18 Nivose year 9 of the French Republic, one and indivisible.
I the undersigned Consul of the United Sates of America resident in this City in virtue of the powers vested in me by a Proclamation of the President of the United States of America bearing date the 6th day of September in the year of our Lord 1800 have granted this Passport to the American brig Monticello of Baltimore of the burden of 166 tons or thereabouts mounting no guns navigated by 11 men commanded by Thomas Harris her cargo consisting of Colonial Produce to proceed from this Port along the Coast to that of Lanci Veau without molestation or detention and to return to this place.
Henry Christophe (1767-1820), General, President and King.
Proclamation ordering the destruction of Cape Hatien, in advance of a French invasion, signed by Christophe ("Hy Christophe") as General and Commander in Chief, 15th Pluviose year 10 (February 4, 1802), imprinted with his name and title on top, four pages folio, extremely fine and of the highest importance
Translation: It is ordered that citizen (name uncertain) go at once to the Paroisse des Maritaroux in order to instruct the peasants. They are being misled, their good faith is being taken advantage of by some flattering proclamations. The actual intent is to send them back to slavery. In one hand is held out beatiful promises, while the other holds the knife that will destroy their liberty. The citizen (name uncertain) will council the peasants to take refuge in the mountains. To drive their animals with them and not leave anything behind that could satisfy or aid the persecutors of liberty. Let the flames devour all that cannot be removed, all that is attached to the ground that is left behind must be destroyed when necessary they must abandon the land where they have lived so that when they (the French), the enemies of liberty come to your land, these invaders retreat, I repose myself in this matter, as I know the zeal of citizen (name uncertain) and of his love for liberty. This will insure the success of his mission.
Cole refers to these dramatic events on pages 85-89, "Christophe set the example. . . he had barrels of tar brought into his house in the Rue Royal. . . and then threw the first torch to set the mansion and its magnificent furnishings ablaze." (Cole, 1967)
Jean Jacques Dessalines (1758-1806), General, founder of the Republic (1804), self-proclaimed Emperor (1806), assassinated 1806.
Document signed by ("Dessalines") whilst serving under Toussaint, ordering certain persons to appear before him, dated 27 Novose year 9 (January 16, 1801, one page 4TO, imprinted with Libert, Egalit, his name and title on top, circular stamped seal below, very fine, browned with age, but clear and the rarest Haitian autograph of the revolutionary period
Translation: Order to the administrators and persons in charge of the dune dwellings to appear before me without delay upon receipt of the present order.
Victor-Emmanuel Leclerc (1772-1802), French General, brother-in-law of Napoleon Bonaparte, autograph letter signed ("Leclerc") to General Rochambeau, ordering citizen Laroque, Captain at Port Republican from leaving his post, 25 Thermidor year 10 (August 13, 1802), 4TO imprinted on top with Libert, Egalit and Arme de Saint-Domingue, quartier d'Estang .2/3 page 4TO, pristine, rare in A.L.S., signed three months before he died of fever on November 2nd
Donatien Maries Joseph Rochambeau (1755-1813), son of Jean-Baptiste, General.
Letter signed to Barbe Marbois, 1st Treasurer of the Republic in Paris, requesting reinforcements, supplies and funds, signed ("DTN Rochambeau"), 17th Frimaire year 11 (May 29, 1803), imprinted on top, page folio, very fine, a remarkably frank and direct letter, Rochamneau surrended to Dessaline in 1803
Translation:. . .events in St.Domingue were keeping you busy and that you were uncertain as to the monetary aid sent on to be sent to this colony. Till now it has been insufficient due to the state of chaos and war which infests this poor land. Reinforcements of all types are absolutely indispensable; we need many men, since the climate here has reduced us to nothing; we need lots of money since the resources of the island diminish daily instead of increase....... shipments of hard currency not "letters of change"....
Alexander Petion (1770-1818), First President of the Republic (1808-1818).
Letter signed ("Petion") as President, to the Treasurer requesting the payment of four Gourdes, imprinted with his name on top 12MO April 14, 1814, fine
Jean-Pierre Boyer (1776-1842), General, Second President of Haiti (1818-42).
Letter signed as ("J.P. Boyer"), President imprinted with his name on top, receipt of message of decree to Chamber of Representatives of Communes, dated February 3, 1819, 4TO.
Charles Franois Joseph Duga (1744-1802), French General, member of the Council of 500, Major-General of the Army of St.Domingo.
Autograph letter signed ("Duga"), requesting the return of documents, on the same page is a four-line autograph document signed by Birthier, imprinted on top Cap 4th Vendemiaire year 10 (September 2), 1801, page folio, crisp, very fine
Translation:. . .Citizens Montbrun, aide de camp to General Hardy, and Maurice, officer...of the same General, took away records from different quarters of this island which commanding General has loaned them...
Jacques Bedout (1751-1818), Rear-Admiral, fought in the American War of Independence in 1777, letter signed ("Bedout"), requests validation of a list of sailors returning to France for convalescents, vignette and imprint with his name and titles above, 21st Florial, year 11 (May 11, 1803), signed aboard ship, anchored at Cap, two pages, 4TO
Jean-Baptiste Brunet (1763-1824), French General
Autograph document signed ("Brunet") informing General Rochambeau that certain undesirables have been persuaded to leave Haiti, , 16th Florial, year 11 (May 6 1803), aux Cayes, page 4TO, very fine
Translation:. . .It was not easy, my general, to convince these individuals to leave....I am relieved and delighted that they are leaving truly, all shady characters of both sexes seem to be their best friends. During the night, I intend to order the arrest of some of these friends and send them to you. They come in all shades and are capable of causing a lot a lot of harm if they remain here...