Le Cap. Christophe publishes his order of the day against Pétion and his associates

As early as 24 December Christophe was fully informed of all the provisions of the Constitution, though at that date it had not been voted. He had been indignant to learn that the president was not left even the right to appoint to civil and military offices, and that he would be obliged, if named, to go without troops to Port-au-Prince, where, he thought, he would have been sacrificed like Dessalines. He had resolved to march against Pétion before the latter had put the finishing touch to what he called the work of his infamous plots. He had gone from La Ferrière to Le Cap on 24 December and had published in the order of the day the following document:

“Pétion, Bonnet, Boyer, the two Blanchet brothers, Daumec, Lys, Caneaux and some others of their infamous accomplices have just thrown off the mask; they have brought their plans to light. They are in open revolt against authority; they wish to establish a Constitution that will put power into their hands and deliver the finances and offices to their disposal. The general-in-chief has just given the order to march to uphold your rights and to preserve your liberty, which they wish to take from you. These villains, once they have reached their ends, will not leave you even the freedom to complain.