Difference between revisions of "Toussaint letter to Napoléon on the 1801 Constitution"

From TLP
Jump to: navigation, search
m (→‎References: fixed link)
m (Reverted edits by 58.81.232.34 (Talk); changed back to last version by Doe)
 
(8 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
Wanting to protect equality and the freedom of slaves from any attempts on it by [[Napoléon Bonaparte]], [[Toussaint Louverture]] had a constitution written for [[Saint-Domingue]], something the Emperor never forgave him for. When the [[Haitian Constitution of 1801 (English)|1801 constitution]] was sent to France the following letter accompanied it. (Bonaparte reportedly never replied to any of Toussaint Louverture's letters.)
+
Wanting to protect equality and the freedom of [[slaves]] from any attempts on it by [[Napoléon Bonaparte]], [[Toussaint Louverture]] had a constitution written for [[Saint-Domingue]], something the Emperor never forgave him for. When the [[Haitian Constitution of 1801 (English)|1801 constitution]] was sent to France the following letter accompanied it. (Bonaparte reportedly never replied to any of Toussaint Louverture's letters.)
  
 
{| cellspacing="3"  
 
{| cellspacing="3"  
Line 10: Line 10:
 
:Citizen Consul:
 
:Citizen Consul:
  
−
:The minister of the Marine {{fn|1}}, in the account he gave you of the political situation of this colony, which I devoted myself to making known to him, should have submitted to you my proclamation of last 16 [[Pluviose]] on the convocation of a Central Assembly, which would be able to set the destiny of [[Saint-Domingue]] through wise laws modeled on the mores of its inhabitants. I today have the satisfaction of announcing to you that the final touch has just been put to this work. I hasten to send it to you in order to have your approval and the sanction of my government.
+
:The minister of the Marine {{fn|1}}, in the account he gave you of the political situation of this colony, which I devoted myself to making known to him, should have submitted to you my proclamation of last 16 [[Pluviose]] [February 5, 1801] on the convocation of a Central Assembly, which would be able to set the destiny of [[Saint-Domingue]] through wise laws modeled on the mores of its inhabitants. I today have the satisfaction of announcing to you that the final touch has just been put to this work. I hasten to send it to you in order to have your approval and the sanction of my government.
  
 
:Given the absence of laws, and the Central Assembly having requested to have this [[Haitian Constitution of 1801 (English)|constitution]] provisionally executed, which will more quickly lead it to its future prosperity, I have surrendered to its wishes. This constitution was received by all classes of citizens with transports of joy that will not fail to be reproduced when it will be sent back bearing the sanction of the government.
 
:Given the absence of laws, and the Central Assembly having requested to have this [[Haitian Constitution of 1801 (English)|constitution]] provisionally executed, which will more quickly lead it to its future prosperity, I have surrendered to its wishes. This constitution was received by all classes of citizens with transports of joy that will not fail to be reproduced when it will be sent back bearing the sanction of the government.
Line 21: Line 21:
  
  
−
Source: {{ Vie de Toussaint Louverture}}<br>
+
Source: {{ Vie de Toussaint Louverture}}<br>
  
 
Translated by Mitch Abidor [http://www.marxists.org marxists.org]<br>
 
Translated by Mitch Abidor [http://www.marxists.org marxists.org]<br>
Line 27: Line 27:
  
  
−
{{fnb|1}}  Minister of ''Marine and the Colonies'' Marc Antoine Bourdon de Vatry, he had the position from November 22, [[1799]] to October 3, [[1801]].
+
{{fnb|1}}  Minister of ''Marine and the Colonies'' Pierre Alexandre Laurent Forfait, he had the position from November 22, [[1799]] to October 3, [[1801]].
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
Line 36: Line 36:
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
−
* {{ Vie de Toussaint Louverture}}
+
* {{ Vie de Toussaint Louverture}}
 
* List of Naval Ministers of France. (2005, September 22). Wikipedia, ''The Free Encyclopedia''. Retrieved 14:50, December 13, 2005 from [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Naval_Ministers_of_France&oldid=23737484].
 
* List of Naval Ministers of France. (2005, September 22). Wikipedia, ''The Free Encyclopedia''. Retrieved 14:50, December 13, 2005 from [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Naval_Ministers_of_France&oldid=23737484].
  
Line 42: Line 42:
 
[[Category:Documents of the Haitian Revolution]]
 
[[Category:Documents of the Haitian Revolution]]
 
[[Category: Toussaint Louverture letters|Napoléon Bonaparte]]
 
[[Category: Toussaint Louverture letters|Napoléon Bonaparte]]
 +
[[Category:Haitian Constitutions|Toussaint letter to Napoléon on the 1801 Constitution]]

Latest revision as of 07:57, 11 September 2007

Wanting to protect equality and the freedom of slaves from any attempts on it by Napoléon Bonaparte, Toussaint Louverture had a constitution written for Saint-Domingue, something the Emperor never forgave him for. When the 1801 constitution was sent to France the following letter accompanied it. (Bonaparte reportedly never replied to any of Toussaint Louverture's letters.)

27 Messidor, Year IX [July 16, 1801]


Citizen Consul:
The minister of the Marine 1, in the account he gave you of the political situation of this colony, which I devoted myself to making known to him, should have submitted to you my proclamation of last 16 Pluviose [February 5, 1801] on the convocation of a Central Assembly, which would be able to set the destiny of Saint-Domingue through wise laws modeled on the mores of its inhabitants. I today have the satisfaction of announcing to you that the final touch has just been put to this work. I hasten to send it to you in order to have your approval and the sanction of my government.
Given the absence of laws, and the Central Assembly having requested to have this constitution provisionally executed, which will more quickly lead it to its future prosperity, I have surrendered to its wishes. This constitution was received by all classes of citizens with transports of joy that will not fail to be reproduced when it will be sent back bearing the sanction of the government.
Greetings and profound respect.


[signed: Toussaint Louverture]


Source: Schoelcher, Victor (1889). Vie de Toussaint Louverture. Paris: Paul Ollendorf. (Available online: Google books) 1882 reprint: Karthala. Paris ISBN 2-86537-043-7

Translated by Mitch Abidor marxists.org
CopyLeft: Creative Commons (Attribute & ShareAlike) marxists.org 2004.


Note 1: Minister of Marine and the Colonies Pierre Alexandre Laurent Forfait, he had the position from November 22, 1799 to October 3, 1801.

See also

References

  • Schoelcher, Victor (1889). Vie de Toussaint Louverture. Paris: Paul Ollendorf. (Available online: Google books) 1882 reprint: Karthala. Paris ISBN 2-86537-043-7
  • List of Naval Ministers of France. (2005, September 22). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14:50, December 13, 2005 from [1].
Retrieved from "https://thelouvertureproject.org/index.php?title=Toussaint_letter_to_Napoléon_on_the_1801_Constitution&oldid=19519"