The road to Marchand. Dessalines acclaimed emperor by the 4th demi-brigade; act and proclamation published.

On 2 September 1804 he announced to the officers of his staff that he would not wait for the ceremony of 8 October and would have himself acclaimed by the 4th demi-brigade, quartered at Marchand. He came out of his palace and showed himself to the troops, and at once his staff cried, Long live the Emperor! The soldiers repeated the cry with enthusiasm. He went back into the palace, and the senior officers of his staff signed the act of his nomination and wrote on it the names of the generals, most of whom were not present. Only later did these affix their signatures; and although the printed text bears the names of all without distinction, several of them never signed the original. This act was at once published at Marchand.