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1804-04-14

Dessalines wrote to Pétion from Marchand, sending a document for his signature and the signatures of his officers that would give Dessalines the imperial title.

Haitian

Here is what Dessalines wrote from Marchand to Pétion on 14 April, concerning the subject that occupies us:

“I dispatch to you, my dear general, one of my aides-de-camp, bearer of a document that requires your signature, if you judge it proper; you will have it signed by the generals and corps commanders of your division,

“That done, my aide-de-camp will remain with you at Port-au-Prince; you will send one of yours to General Jean-Louis François, who, after signing and having the senior officers of his garrison sign, will send this packet to General Geffrard by one of his aides-de-camp; yours will remain at Aquin to await his return.

“You will write to General Magloire to repair to Léogane so that, on the return of your aide-de-camp, he may sign the said document.

“I am not having the general officers assembled at this moment, because their presence is too useful in their commands for completing the works of the fortifications.

“You will order all the commanders of the places through which your aide-de-camp passes to furnish him as many mounts as he shall need, by reason of his mission. I must receive the packet here within ten days. I have the honor to salute you,

“DESSALINES.”

Source  ·  p. 62 Joseph Saint-Rémy (des Cayes), Pétion et Haïti: étude monographique et historique, tome 4 (Paris: Auguste Durand, 1857), p. 62; English translation, Rasanblaj.