1799-12-25

The consulate decreed that Vincent, Raymond and General Michel be sent to the colony with the new constitution and a proclamation to the residents.

Name: The consulate decreed that Vincent, Raymond and General Michel be sent to the colony with the new constitution and a proclamation to the residents.
Start: 1799-12-25

Haitian

Pinchinat presented one that was remarkable for the wisdom and grandeur of its views (1). The minister, citizen Parfait, even held a conference, on the 11th, with those who had furnished the memoranda. But with no regard for these memoranda, the consulate decreed on 4 nivôse (25 December) to send to the colony brigade commander Vincent, Raymond and General Michel, to bear the new constitution and a proclamation to the residents. The act of appointment of these envoys provided that Raymond would be employed in the restoration of the cultivations, and Michel in the army, under Toussaint’s orders. Vincent’s place was already in the direction of the fortifications. The only remarkable thing in the proclamation was these words: “The consuls of the republic, in announcing to you the new social pact, declare to you that the sacred principles of the liberty and equality of the Blacks will never suffer among you any attack or modification. If there are in the colony any ill-disposed persons, IF THERE ARE ANY WHO MAINTAIN RELATIONS WITH THE ENEMY POWERS, brave Blacks, remember that the French people alone recognizes your liberty and the equality of your rights!” The envoys were expressly instructed to have the last sentence inscribed in letters of gold on the flags of the battalions of the army of the colony. The minister wrote on his side to Toussaint; he told him in particular: “Remember that the arms entrusted to you must be employed EXCLUSIVELY against THE FOREIGN ENEMY, AGAINST THE ENGLISH.” He further invited him to have the new constitution published. He recommended to him prudence and moderation, to work at calming hatreds and stifling resentments, and to be great by great deeds. Finally he expected from him, by the first dispatch boat, the news of the restoration of peace. All this was very little, in comparison with the hopes that the new government had caused to be conceived, above all by Pinchinat.

Source · p. 124 Joseph Saint-Rémy (des Cayes), Pétion et Haïti: étude monographique et historique, tome 2 (Paris: chez l'auteur, 1854), p. 124; English translation, Rasanblaj.