Dessalines writes to Pétion asking him to sign the act naming him emperor

General Dessalines was at Marchand on 2 September 1804, when he was hailed with the title of emperor of Haïti by his staff and by the 4th demi-brigade. The act of his nomination bears the date of 25 January, but this document is antedated, for on 14 April Dessalines was writing to Pétion to announce the dispatch of this act and to ask him for his signature and that of the generals under his orders. The enthronement was to take place on 8 October at Marchand, but in his impatience Dessalines advanced the date and at the same time had published an act of acceptance bearing the date of 15 February.

Rouzier tells this under the entry Dessalines ou Marchand.