1816 (Governmental Unity and Seals): Every act issued by the colonial government was required to bear a specific title and be sealed with the “seal of the Re…

1816 (Governmental Unity and Seals): Every act issued by the colonial government was required to bear a specific title and be sealed with the “seal of the Republic” to ensure its legality. The Captain-General held the authority to use the “Great Seal” for acts of high importance, while the Prefect and Commissary used smaller departmental seals. This symbolic use of French republican imagery was a constant reminder of the colony’s lack of sovereignty. The Haytian Papers document these details to illustrate the formal transition from French symbols of power to Haytian national identity. This transition is further explored in the collection’s later sections regarding the “Accession of their Royal Majesties”.