CHAP. V. to those which have raised other heroes, in times when heroism was the popular care. 1804. Hayti erect ed into an Jean Jaques Whether the design originated from the similar event which empire under had taken place in France, or had birth in the magnificent ideas which arise in a state bursting from the clouds of adversity into glory, is not determined; that it had an exalted basis is certain, and it was conducted in a manner comportable with the simplicity of the earliest institutions, and the refined elegance of modern courts. General Dessalines having formally agreed to accept the dignity of Emperor, a meeting of the constituted authorities took place on the 8th of September at Port-au-Prince, to arrange the time and manner in which the will of the people should be executed; when that day month was fixed upon for the coronation, and a Programa* issued, of the different forms and ceremo nies with which it should be attended. A procession was formed representing the different functions of the state, depicted so as to shew how they affected its interest, thereby producing a grand and impressive picture, highly descriptive of the manners and principles of the people. In this procession, Education took the lead, as the first and most prominent local good; the Arts next, as little inferior; and Agri * See the Appendix. culture 1804. culture the third, as partaking of the first class, and at the head CHAP. V. of the second; Foreign and National Commerce succeeded; then Justice and Legislation; followed by the Officers of Health; and last of all the Military. A superb amphitheatre was erected on a martial plain; when Jean Jaques Dessalines was declared Emperor of Hayti, amid the thunder of cannon, which was re-echoed as an acknowledgement by the Marine of other nations, in the harbour. The Church sanctified the event by a solemn Te Deum, and the day concluded by public rejoicings, apparently the most sincere that ever greeted a similar occasion. СНАР. CHAP. VI. On the Establishment of a Black Empire, and the probable Effects of this Colonial Revolution. Probable colonial re SUCH, then, with the close of the year 1804, was the end of CHAP. VI. this eventful revolution, in which the Imperial dignity was the re- 1804. ward for the courage and experience of the Chief, who, profiting effects of the by the misfortunes of his brave and good predecessor, had more volution. successfully combated his enemies, those enemies who were weak enough to consider it possible, nay, easy to reduce to slavery a powerful body of men who had for some few years enjoyed a state of the most perfect freedom; nor can it be asserted that his title is in any way inferior to that of the extraordinary man whose laurels have been sullied in the attempt to subdue him. The recurrence to the earliest state of the new world for the name and character of the government, with the advantage of more than three hundred years experience, is an idea which could not originate in mean or untutored minds; nor is such the CHAP. VI. the character of any of the present rulers of Hayti. With respect 1804. to the future policy they may chuse to adopt, time alone can effects of the determine. Should they adhere to the basis on which they have volution. founded their proceedings, and remain unmolested by European Probable colonial re powers, they may arrive at the most enviable state of grandeur and felicity; but should any evil spirits obtain a footing amongst them, and interrupt the harmony which may otherwise be maintained, by occasioning factions to arise from old contentions, or new divisions, the frequent consequence of overgrown wealth or dominion, they will in all probability fulfil the prediction of Edwards, by becoming "savages in the midst of society, without peace, security, agriculture, or property." But, in either case, their reduction to their former situation is impossible; and though Europe waste her armies, and exhaust her navies in the endeavour, the blacks of St. Domingo will be unsubdued; and if they cannot repel the invasion of a reiterated and extended force, they will cut them off, as hath been already observed, with a scythe more keen and rapid than that of time. Every year and every day has been, and will still continue, to be pregnant with experience to them, and no power on earth will be able to reduce them, while their population will continue to increase in a vast proportion. The writer has reiterated these sentiments for several years, and through a period in which their confirmation appeared more than doubtful; his opinions were disinterested, and unmingled with any prejudice, either local, political, or pecuniary, and every event has tended to strengthen them. 6 Should |