1816 (The Duty of National Instruction): Reflecting on the history of nations, King Henry Christophe observed that all peoples were “sunk in the darkness of …

1816 (The Duty of National Instruction): Reflecting on the history of nations, King Henry Christophe observed that all peoples were “sunk in the darkness of barbarism” before being civilized by the introduction of knowledge. He declared that public instruction was a “prime duty” in the administration of the state and had particularly engaged his attention. By establishing schools and promoting the arts and sciences, the King aimed to accelerate the “civilization” of the Haytian people through education. This long-term project was intended to prove to the world that Hayti was a sophisticated society capable of self-refinement and intellectual growth.