1814, September 18 (The Chimerical Hope of Conquest): The King’s manifesto challenges any foreign power that might entertain the “chimerical hope” of establi…

1814, September 18 (The Chimerical Hope of Conquest): The King’s manifesto challenges any foreign power that might entertain the “chimerical hope” of establishing authority in Hayti by force of arms. He warns that such an invader would have to march over “ruins and carcases” and would only succeed after burying the “flower of its troops” and exhausting its treasure—an outcome he deems ultimately impossible. Even if a conqueror were to prevail, the King argues they would find nothing but a desolate land and a population that had chosen death over subjection. He asserts that no power would do itself the “injustice” of attempting an enterprise so fraught with certain loss and moral disgrace. This serves as a final, stern warning to France and other colonial powers against renewed military aggression.