Constitution of Haiti

( 1801 ) Commentary by Michael J. O'Neal, Ph.D.

“There can be no slaves on this territory; servitude has been forever abolished. All men are born, live and die there free and French.” - Title II, Article 3
“The Catholic religion, Apostolic and Roman, is the only one publicly professed.” - Title III, Article 6
“The Constitution guarantees individual freedom and safety. No one can be arrested except by virtue of a formally expressed order, issued by a functionary who the law gives the right to arrest and detain in a publicly designated place.” - Title V, Article 16
“Any change in domicile on the part of cultivators brings with it the ruin of farming.” - Title VI, Article 16
“The Constitution names as governor Citizen Toussaint Louverture, General-in-Chief of the army of Saint-Domingue and, in consideration of the important services that the general has rendered to the colony in the most critical circumstances of the revolution, and per the wishes of the grateful inhabitants, the reins are confided to him for the rest of his glorious life.” - Title VIII, Article 28
“Every citizen owes his services to the land that nourishes him and that saw him born; to the maintenance of liberty equality and property every time the law calls him to defend them.” - Title XIII, Article 76

Toussaint Louverture (Library of Congress)

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