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Since its founding in 1804 when a slave rebellion threw out the French colonial government, Haiti has had few moments of peace. Its attempt to govern itself has been marked by short moments of peace interspersed with terrible political violence. Due to its Caribbean location, the United States has on numerous occasions occupied the island in an attempt to bring peace to the country. This 29 document archive collects the signatures of many of Haiti's rulers since its independence in 1804. As a silent nod to Haiti's violent history, more than half of the men who have signed documents in this lot were either assassinated, deposed or died under mysterious circumstances while leading the troubled country. Spanning more than a century and a half, from 1810 to 1985, this archive is a rare collection that brings to life Haiti's rich history as the first independent black republic.
1.) Letter boldly signed "Henry Christophe", in French, as President and Commander in Chief of Haiti, one page, 4to, February 1810, on personalized, imprinted letterhead, addressed to "General warrior, Chief Inspector of the armies". He writes: "... you will have six infantry officers leave under the leadership of a captain. I invite you to give orders to all the brigade chiefs to recruit a sufficient number of men to transport the munitions of war and food supplies... ". A year after this document was signed, Christophe (1767-1820) became "King of Haiti". After 8 turbulent years Christophe committed suicide with a silver bullet. His son and heir was assassinated shortly after taking power. Document exhibits general wear with a few tiny holes, still about fine.
2) Partly-printed document signed "Petion", in French, as President, one page, 4to, May 17, 1814, on Republique D'Hayti letterhead. Alexandre Petion (1770-1818) served as President of the Republic of Haiti from March 10, 1807 to March 29, 1818 when he died in office of yellow fever. Four holes corresponding to the blank integral leaf with loss to several words.
3.) Letter signed 'Boyer", in French, as President of Haiti, three pages, tall folio, April 18, 1826, on engraved letterhead of the Republique D'Hayti. Jean Pierre Boyer (1776-1850), ruled until 1844.
4.) Partly-printed document signed "Louis Pierrot", in French, as President, one page, tall folio, December 15, 1845, on Republique D'Haitienne letterhead addressed to the Citizen Counselor of State. Jean-Louis Pierrot (1761-1857) served as President from April 16, 1845 to March 1, 1846. Fine.
5.) Partly-printed document signed "Riche", in French, as President of the Republic of Haiti, three pages, 4to, January 1847, on Republique D'Haitienne letterhead. Jean-Baptiste Riche (1780-1847) served as President from March 1, 1846 to February 27, 1847. His reign, though brief was marked by many positive reforms to the country. As a result he died under mysterious circumstances, possibly poisoning. Cut through both pages, edges chipped.
6.) Document signed "Faustin", as Emperor of Haiti, three pages, 4to, Port-Au-Prince, July 1858, on letterhead engraved with the seal of the Emperor. Faustin Soulouque (1782-1867) was President from March 1, 1847 to August 26 1849 when he proclaimed himself Emperor August 26, 1849 to January 15, 1859, until forced to abdicate by Fabre Geffrard.
7.) Partly-printed document signed "Geffrard", in French, as President, one page, tall folio, November 3, 1863, addressed to the Representatives of the State. Fabre Geffrard (1806-1878) served as President from January 16, 1859 to March 13, 1867. Fine.
8.) Partly-printed document signed "Nissage Saget", in French, as President, one page, tall folio, August 26, 1872, on letterhead with the Haitian coat of arms. Nissage Saget (1810–1880) served as President from December 27, 1869 to May 13, 1874. Separations with partial loss.
9.) Partly-printed document signed "Domingue", in French, as President, one page, tall folio, February 17, 1875, addressed to the National Legislation. Michel Domingue (1813-1877) served as President from June 14, 1874 to April 15, 1876. Loss to the right margin.
10.) Partly-printed document signed by four officials of Haiti's brief Provisional Government, in French, one page, tall folio, July 15, 1876. At this point, Haiti was under a Provisional government, lead by Pierre-Theoma Boisrond-Canal, Jean-Louis Hyppolite, Louis Tanis Aine, Antoine-Louis Audain (Sr), and Monrun Arnoux. The document appears to be signed by “Hyppolite”, “Aine”, “Arnoux” and “Audain”. They ruled from April 23, 1876 to July 19, 1876 (this document is signed 3 days prior to the end of this provisional government).
11.) Partly-printed document signed "Boisrond-Canal", in French, as President, one page, tall folio, August 18 1877, on letterhead with the Haitian coat of arms. Pierre Theoma Boisrond-Canal (1832-1905) served as President from April 23, 1876 to July 17, 1879. Fine.
12.) Document signed "Salomon", in French, two pages, on Republique D'Haiti letterhead, September 11, 1885, addressed to the Senate. Lysius Salomon (1815-1888), served as President from October 2, 1879 to August 10, 1888 when he was overthrown. Fine.
13.) Partly-printed document signed "Salomon", in French, as President, one page, tall folio, September 24, 1887, on letterhead with the Haitian coat of arms, addressed to the Secretary of State for Finances. Fine.
14.) Partly-printed Document signed "Legitime", in French, as President of Haiti, one page, tall folio, May 6, 1889, Port-Au-Prince, on official letterhead with the Haitian coat of arms. Francois Legitime (1841-1935), President of Haiti from December 1888, was overthrown in August 1889.
15.) Printed Document signed "F. Hyppolite", in French, as President of Haiti (1889-1896, died in office), one page, tall folio, March 11, 1890, on letterhead with the Haitian coat of arms. Louis Mondestin Florvil Hyppolite (1828–1896), passed away from a heart attack while in office. Fine.
16.) Document signed "F. Hyppolite", in French, as President of Haiti (1889-1896), one page, 4to, June 1891, on letterhead with the Haitian coat of arms.
17.) Document signed "T. A. S. Sam", in French, as President of Haiti, one page, tall folio, April 6, 1896 (his first week in office), Port-Au-Prince, on Republic of Haiti letterhead with a large engraved coat of arms, addressed to the Senate of the Republic. Tirésias Augustin Simon Sam (1835-1916) was the President of Haiti from March 31, 1896 to May 12, 1902. He abdicated the presidency just before completing his six-year term. A likeness of Simon Sam has been featured on several Haitian postage stamps. His son, Jean Vilbrun Guillaume Sam, also became President of Haiti.
18.) Partly-printed document signed "P. N. Alexis", in French, as President, one page, tall folio, September 13, 1904, on letterhead with the Haitian coat of arms, addressed to the Senate. Pierre Nord Alexis (1820-1910) served as President from December 17, 1902 to December 2, 1908. Fine.
19.) Partly-printed document signed "F. A. Simon", in French, one page, tall folio, March 16, 1909, on letterhead of the Republic of Haiti, containing the Haitian coat of arms. An appointment. Francois Antoine Simon (1843–1923) served as President of Haiti from December 6, 1908 to August 3, 1911. Fine.
20.) Partly-printed document signed "Cincinnatus Leconte", in French, as President, one page, tall folio, November 21, 1911 on La Commission d’Enquete Administrative letterhead. Cincinnatus Leconte (1854-1912) served as President from July 24, 1911 to August 8, 1912 when a bomb in the National Palace exploded, killing Leconte and several hundred others. Well worn, especially at the right edge, a couple of paper separations, still completely intact.
21.) Partly-printed document signed "Cincinnatus Leconte", in French, as President, one page, tall folio, April 29, 1912, on letterhead with the Haitian coat of arms. Well worn, especially at the right edge, a couple of paper separations, still completely intact.
22.) Document signed "Tancrede August", in French, as President of Haiti, Three pages, tall folio, April 21, 1912, on letterhead with the Haitian coat of arms. Tancrede Auguste (1856-1913) served as President of Haiti August 8, 1912 to May 3, 1913 when he died of illness, long thought to have been poisoning.
23.) Partly-printed document signed "O. Zamor", in French, as President of Haiti, one page, tall folio, addressed to the State and Justice Departments. Oreste Zamor (1861–1915) served only from February 8 through October 29, 1914 when he was ousted from office. He was executed the following year. Fine
24.) Document signed "Joseph Davilmar Theodore", as President, one page 4to, January 14, 1915, Republic of Haiti letterhead. Joseph Davilmar Theodore (1847–1917) was President of Haiti from November 6, 1914 to February 22, 1915.
25.) Partly-printed document signed "J. Guillaume Sam", in French, as President, one page, tall folio, April 17, 1915, on letterhead with the Haitian coat of arms, appointing a director at Port-au-Prince. Jean Vilbrun Guillaume Sam (1859-1915) served as President from February 25 to July 28, 1915 when he was deposed and killed by a mob. Fine.
26.) Document signed "Dartiguenave", in French, as President of Haiti, one page, tall folio, May 6, 1915, on letterhead with the Haitian coat of arms. Sudre Dartiguenave (1863-1926) served as President of Haiti (August 12, 1915 – May 15, 1922) during the first U.S. occupation, finishing his term in office.
27.) Partly-printed document signed "Louis Borno", in French, as President, one page, 4to, June 21, 1922, addressed to the Secretary of State. Borno (1865-1942) served as President from May 15, 1922 to May 1, 1930. Fine.
28.) Printed Document signed "Elie Lescot", in French, as President of Haiti, one page, 4to, August 18, 1942. on official letterhead with the Haitian coat of arms, nominating a person for a position at Port-Au-Prince. Elie Lescot (1883-1874), President of Haiti from May 15, 1941, was overthrown in January 11, 1946. Fine.
29.) Printed letter of State signed "JC Duvalier", in French, as President of Haiti, as a two page “program”, 10" x 13", October 18, 1985, Palais National, Port-au-Prince, addressed to Leon Febres-Cordero Ribadeneyra, the President of the Republic of Ecuador [1984-1988], appointing an ambassador to that country. With a guilt-embossed seal containing the Haitian coat of arms. Jean-Claude Duvalier (1951-2014) was President (Dictator) of Haiti from April 21, 1971 to February 6, 1986 when he was forced to resign. Worn at the right edge, still about fine.