1 827.] ;Sketchei of HaytL \ \ 9 



hopes at hand. Although his authority was acknowledged only in a part 

 of the island, he was crowned King of Hayti in June 1811. He at once 

 created a nobility, consisting of no less than twelve dukes, fourteen counts, 

 sixty-four barons, and forty chevaliers, " and surrounded himself with- all 

 the appendages of royalty." 



" Vast sums of money were expended in support of an establishment such as 

 Hayti had, in no period'of its history, ever exhibited. The rich and splendid gar- 

 ments in which the sable monarch occasionally appeared on levee-days, and always 

 on great and important occasions, could hardly be surpassed by those of the most 

 wealthy and powerful rulers of civilized states. His palaces were prepared for his 

 reception with all possible magnificence, and whatever the most unbounded pas- 

 sion for splendour could suggest was procured to decorate the habitations of an 

 uneducated negro. The number of his household corresponded with the magnifi- 

 cence of his palaces. 1 ' 



The " Maison Militaire du Roi" was on a no less pompous scale ; and 

 anyone, merely judging from the " Almanack Roy ale d' Hayti?' would 

 have imagined that the arts and sciences, together with military splendour, 

 commerce, and civilization, had attained the acme of perfection. Christophe 

 was now at the height of his popularity ; but his severity increased daily, 

 and his despotism soon became scarcely supportable. His aversion to the 

 French continued so strong, that the schools he founded were all on the 

 English system, and the use of the French language was discouraged as 

 much as possible. He improved the discipline of his army, and formed 

 several beneficial institutions ; but it would be monstrous to suppose that 

 the Haytians enjoyed liberty during the reign of Christophe. Every office 

 and every individual in his dominions were entirely subject to his will. 

 As a merchant, he claimed and possessed such peculiar advantages as raised 

 him above the fear of competition ; as a soldier, he was the colonel of all 

 the principal regiments ; as a judge he was supreme, for he modified or 

 abrogated the decisions of the courts as he thought proper, while from 

 his own decrees there was no appeal ; and in the distribution of rewards 

 and punishment, his injunctions were alone regarded. Those who pos- 

 sessed property, possessed it only by his sufferance or at his presentation ; 

 and even after he had made a gift, such was the extravagant extent of his 

 power, that he could cancel his own act, however formally it had been 

 declared. His power was, indeed, despotic, and he too often exercised it 

 like a despot. Take, for example, the following facts; they occurred 

 during the latter part of his reign, and at a time, therefore, when it might 

 fairly have been expected, that the rights of individuals were at least 

 beginning to be understood, if not fully appreciated : 



" The Duke of Marmalade, one of the most active and intelligent negroes in the 

 Haytian court, was on one occasion charged with an important commission, and 

 instructed in the manner of accomplishing it. He had no sooner entered on the 

 business than he found that it might be more effectually and satisfactorily executed 

 by varying in a few points from his master's instructions ; and, either from inability 

 or neglect, he ventured to do so, without previously obtaining his consent. Though 

 he faithfully discharged the duty assigned to him, his omitting to follow the pre- 

 scribed directions in every particular excited his majesty's highest displeasure ; and 

 he was instantly ordered to quit the palace, to leave the Cape the following morn- 

 ing, and to take up his abode in the citadel. Notwithstanding his being a duke, 

 a member of the privy council, a knight of the order of St. Henry, and a general 

 in the army, he was here compelled to associate with the workmen, and even to 

 assist in their labour." 



