1812 (The Veneration of King Henry): Prince Sanders transitions in his work to a more explicit defense of the King’s character, invoking the “Genius” of his …
1812 (The Veneration of King Henry): Prince Sanders transitions in his work to a more explicit defense of the King’s character, invoking the “Genius” of his country and the spirit of “Truth” to guide his pen. He aims to carry the “glory and the virtue of a Henry” to the remotest climes so that his name is never pronounced abroad without veneration. Sanders argues that the King’s actions for his people and for posterity prove that the African race is capable of producing “extraordinary beings.” The text seeks to dismantle the “yoke of prejudices” that suggested Haytians were incapable of sophisticated governance or moral excellence. By focusing on the King’s “good qualities,” the author attempts to secure international respect for the Haytian monarchy.