#Haiti's Declaration of Independence

__________________________________________________________________________

[Declaration of Independence, Hayti, 1 January 1804]

 

Liberty or Death.

==============================

Indigenous[1] Army.

------------------------------------------------

TODAY the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred four, the General in Chief of the Indigenous army, accompanied by the Generals, Chiefs of the army, convened in order to take measures that are to extend happiness to the country.

            After having made acquainted the assembled Generals, his true intentions, guarantee forever to the Indigenous people of Hayti, a stable Government, object of his deepest concern; which he’s made in a speech to make known to the Foreign Powers, the resolution to pronounce the country independent, and to treasure a freedom consecrated with the blood of the people of this island; and after having received their opinion, requested that each of the assembled generals take the oath of never to give up to France, to die rather than live under its domination, and to fight until the last breath for independence. 

(2)

The Generals, imbued with these sacred principles, after having unanimously committed to the well-defined project of independence, all swear to posterity, to the entire world, never to give up to France, and to rather die than to live under its domination.

            Made in Gonaïves, this 1^st. January 1804 and the 1^st. day of the independence of Hayti.

            Signed, DESSALINES, General in chief[2]; Christophe, Pétion, Clervaux, Geffrard, Vernet, Gabart, Division Commanders; P. Romain, E. Gerin, F. Capoix, Daut, Jean-Louis-Francois, Ferou, Cangé, L. Bazelais, Magloire Ambroise, J. Jques. Herne, Toussaint Brave, Yayou, Brigadier Generals; Bonnet, F. Papalier, Morelly, Chevalier, Marion, Assistant-Generals[3]; Magny, Roux, Chiefs of Brigadier; Chareron, B. Loret, Quené, Makajoux, Dupuy, Carbonne, Diaquoi aîné, Raphaël, Malot, Derenoncourt, Officers of the army, and Boisrond Tonnerre, Secretary.

                                 _____________________________

Translated from French to English by:  Figaro Joseph

April 1, 2010, Denver, Colorado, USA

---

[1] The term ‘Native’ can also be used.  The authors of the document were referring to Black and mulato Haytians. 

[2] The French “General en chef” can also be translated as Commander in Chief.

[3] The French version of “Adjudans-Generaux” could be translated to Warrant Officers, which is an unlikely term that they would use or task they would have given the context.

Posted via email from The Haitian