1816 (The Progressive Increase of Agriculture and Commerce): Compare the followingto Haiti today: King Henry Christophe reported that agriculture, the “princ…
1816 (The Progressive Increase of Agriculture and Commerce): Compare the followingto Haiti today: King Henry Christophe reported that agriculture, the “principal source” of national prosperity, continued to increase progressively through the encouragements and privileges granted to the inhabitants. He noted that commerce, being intimately connected with the success of agriculture, also flourished due to the “protection and security of persons and property” provided to foreign merchants. Numerous vessels from friendly powers were reported to have successfully sold their cargoes in Haytian ports and departed richly laden with domestic commodities. This economic stability was presented as a direct result of the King’s “enlightened” administration and his commitment to the rights of industry.