1816 (The State of War and Financial Stability): Despite the “enormous expenditure” required by a state of perpetual war, King Christophe reported that Hayti…
1816 (The State of War and Financial Stability): Despite the “enormous expenditure” required by a state of perpetual war, King Christophe reported that Hayti’s finances remained in a “satisfactory state.” The receipts of the current year were sufficient to cover military costs without the government having to resort to “parsimony” or extreme taxation. The King attributed this stability to the nation’s dual identity as “warriors and agriculturists by nature,” which allowed for the maintenance of a massive standing army while simultaneously fostering the “fundamental basis” of wealth through cultivation. This financial health was presented as evidence of the superior administrative capabilities of the monarchy compared to the disorganized Southern republic.