1814, September 18 (Declaration of Peace and Commerce): King Henry Christophe concludes his manifesto by solemnly declaring that he will never interfere with…
1814, September 18 (Declaration of Peace and Commerce): King Henry Christophe concludes his manifesto by solemnly declaring that he will never interfere with the internal government of neighboring colonies. He expresses a desire for peace and the establishment of “commercial relations with all the powers of the world” on the basis of mutual benefit. The King pledges that the Haytian government will protect the commerce of all nations that trade with the kingdom, provided they respect Haytian laws and sovereignty. This declaration was intended to present Hayti as a stable, responsible, and non-threatening member of the international community. By prioritizing trade and neutrality, the King hoped to normalize relations with European powers and their Caribbean territories.