1811 (The Necessity of a Sole Supreme Head): To preserve the nation from the “horrible convulsions” and “fury of factions” that had previously overturned the…
1811 (The Necessity of a Sole Supreme Head): To preserve the nation from the “horrible convulsions” and “fury of factions” that had previously overturned the body politic, the Council of State felt the absolute necessity of establishing one sole and supreme head. They argued that popular bodies often resulted in a “monstrous association” characterized by chaos, confusion, and the perpetual clashing of private interests. Under the protection of a single sovereign, the government aimed to curb the “ebb and flow of passion” and the plots of intrigue that had historically agitated the state. This centralization of power was presented as the only way to provide a powerful shield for the rights and properties of all citizens. By rejecting the model of popular assemblies, the Haytian leadership sought to secure a lasting duration for the state’s newfound prosperity.