Haitian Collection, 1714-1916 | Boston Public Library Archival and Manuscript Finding Aid Database

By Rare Books and Manuscripts Department staff, November 2011

Collection Overview

Title: Haitian Collection, 1714-1916

Predominant Dates: 1783-1839

Collection Identifier: MS Haiti

Extent: 2000.0 Items

Subjects: Dessalines, Jean-Jacques, 1758-1806., France — Colonies, Haiti -- History -- Revolution, 1791-1804., Haiti — Civilization, Haiti — Politics and Government — To 1791, Haiti — Relations — United States, Haiti — Social Conditions, Slavery — Haiti — History, Toussaint Louverture, 1743-1803

Languages: French, English

Abstract

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection dates from 1714 to 1916 (with gaps) and documents French colonial rule of Saint Domingue, the slave insurrection, the beginning of Haitian self-rule, and the development of the Republic. Important figures include Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Toussaint Louverture, Henry (Henri) Christophe, Alexandre Pétion, Jean Pierre Boyer, Donatien-Marie-Joseph de Vimeur, and Julien Raimond. Among the most common topics covered are slavery and the slave trade, commercial activities, and colonial life. In addition, there are several letters that contain events that occurred during the American Revolution. Included are correspondence, financial records, and legal documents.

Collection Historical Note

From 1660 to 1804, Haiti, then known as Saint Domingue, was a French colony located on the island of Hispaniola where African slaves were used to work on the plantations that produced tobacco, indigo, cotton, and cacao. Inspired by the French Revolution, Toussaint Loverture, a freed slave, led an insurrection in 1791 that put an end to slavery in Saint Domingue. In order to maintain French control, in 1801 Napoleon Bonaparte sent an invasion force, but all attempts failed. On January 1, 1804, Jean Jacques Dessalines, leader of the rebels, declared independence from France. In 1806, after the assassination of Dessalines, the country was divided in two: a kingdom in the north led by Henri Christophe and a republic in the south ruled by Alexandre Pétion. In 1821, Jean Pierre Boyer reunified Haiti and in 1825, negotiated an agreement with France which stipulated that France would recognize Haiti as an independent nation in return for 150 million francs (later reduced to 90 million francs). A revolt led by Charles Rivière-Hérard overthrew Boyer in 1843 and a long period political and economic instability ensued that ended with the occupation of Haiti by the United States in 1915.

Subject/Index Terms

Dessalines, Jean-Jacques, 1758-1806.
France — Colonies
Haiti -- History -- Revolution, 1791-1804.
Haiti — Civilization
Haiti — Politics and Government — To 1791
Haiti — Relations — United States
Haiti — Social Conditions
Slavery — Haiti — History
Toussaint Louverture, 1743-1803

Administrative Information

Repository: Boston Public Library Archival and Manuscript Finding Aid Database

Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions:

Items in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. The Boston Public Library does not hold copyright on the material in this collection. Researchers are responsible for identifying and contacting the persons or organizations that hold copyright.

When reproducing material from this collection please include the credit line "Courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library/ Rare Books."

Acquisition Method: The collection was purchased with various funds.

Related Materials:

Rochambeau, Donatien Marie Joseph de Vimeur, vicomte de, 1750-1813. MS 3127

Rochambeau, Donatien Marie Joseph de Vimeur, vicomte de, 1750-1813. MS 3128

For books and pamphlets on Haiti, please consult the Hunt Hispanola History Collection finding aid located in the Rare Books and Manuscripts Department.

Preferred Citation: Haitian Collection. MS Haiti. Rare Books and Manuscripts Department, Boston Public Library. Courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library/Rare Books.

Processing Information: Finding aid written by Rare Books and Manuscripts staff.

Finding Aid Revision History: Updated by Tara Maharjan, November 2011.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Item:

[Item MS Haiti 1: see Item Oversized],
[Item MS Hat2-1: see Item Oversized],
[Item MS Hai2-2: see Item Oversized],
[Item MS Haiti 3: see Item Oversized],
[Item MS Haiti 4: see Item Oversized],
[Item MS Haiti 5: see Item Oversized],
[Item MS Haiti 6: see Item Oversized],
[Item MS Hait 7: Toussaint Loverture, Pierre Dominigue, 1764-1803. Ms. L.S. to Gen. Laveaux; Petite Rivière, 17 September 1795],
[Item MSHait 8-1: Vincent, Charles de. Ms. L. (copy) to Toussaint Louverture arguing against Haitian independence and promulgation of constitution; Alexandria, Va., 7 aout 1801., 7 August 1801],
[Item MS Hait8-2: Vincent, Charles de. Ms. L. (copy) to Toussaint Loverture describing prejudice against blacks in United States and chiding him for allowing others to delude him into issuing constitution and breaking with France; Phildelphia, 17 aout 1801, 17 August 1801],
[Item MS Hait 9: France. Armée. Direction de St. Domingue, Division du nord. Rapport d'une reconnaissance faite depuis le village de la Vega jusqu'a baye de Samanah par les citoyens Barre & Lacroix, ingénieurs de l'estat; Samana, 19 juin 1801, 19 June 1801],
[Item MS Hait 10: France. Commission à Santo Domingo. Premier rapport des naturalistes employés par la commission du gouvernement francais à St. Domingo en mission dans la partie espagnole de Saint Dominque; San Juan de Maguana, 9 janvier 1799. Prepared by Augard, botanist and Advonier, mineralogist., 9 January 1799],
[Item MS Hait 11: France. Armée. Armée de St. Domingue. Génie militaire. Suite de la correspondance de service. Direction de Moulut; Port Républicain [i.e. Port-au-Prince] 24 novembre 1802-12 avril 1803. Ms.D., 24 November 1802-12 April 1803],
[Item MS Hait 12: Tempete, Louis. Testament giving all his property to his former master Louis Barbaut of Paris; Léogane, 12 decembre 1742. Ms.D. (copy), 12 December 1742],
[Item MS Hait 13: France. Armée. direction de St. Domingue. Reconnoissance de la coste depuis le Port-au-Prince jusqu'a L'Anse à Veau; Port-au-Prince, 9 avril 1789. Ms.D.S. (de Vilaire) On condition of coastal fortifications., 9 april 1789],
[Item Hait 14: Meriam. Francis J. Notes on Haitian history and bibliography; Port-au-Prince, etc. [18-?] Ms.DD.],
[Item MS Hait 15: Meriam, Francis J. Notes on bibliography of Haitian constitution; [Port-au-Prince? 18--?] Ms.D.],
[Box 66],
[Box 67],
[Box 68],
[Box 69],
[Box 70],
[Box 71],
[Box 72],
[Item Oversized],
[All]

Box 68

Folder 1a: Raimond, ----, 8 October 1797: Instruction pour le Citoyen Perussel agent particulier de la Commission à Santo yago et Cuba; Cap [Français] 17 venemiaire an 6 98 octobre 1797. Ms.D.S. (Raimond; P----- [illegible])
Folder 2a: Toussaint, L'Ouverture, Pierre Dominique, 1743-1803, 8 November 1798: Ms.L.S. to [ ] Perrussel describing distress of colony and urgently requesting funds from France; Cap [Français] 18 brumaire and 7 (8 novembre 1798)
Folder 3a: Toussaint, L'Ouverture, Pierre Dominique, 1743-1803, 5 January 1799: Ms.L.S. to [ ] Perrussel reminding him that funds sent from France must be deposited in the Treasury; Cap Français, 16 nivose an 7 (5 janvier 1799)
Folder 4a: Trabuc, -----, 28 February 1802: Ms.L.S. to [ ] Perrussel describing revolution led by Toussaint L'Ouverturn at Cap Français; Cap Français 9 ventose an 10 (28 février 1802)
Folder 1: St. Cristaux, Chadirac de., 6 April 1795: Deposition regarding duel with one Joel; Port-au-Prince, 6 avril 1795.
Folder 2: L'Aimable Addell (brig), 1 December 1798: Liste des passagers sur le bricq L'aimable Addell capne. John Brown desiné pour le Cap et Port-au-Prince, expédié par m. Benjamin Nones de Philadelphie; Philadelphia, 1 décembre 1798. Certified by Philippe Joseph Létome, French consul at Philadelphia.
Folder 3: [ca. 1810?]: Projet de liquidation des dettes des colons de St. Domingue envers la metropole, au mayen d'un emprunt a faire à la nation française; [Paris? ca. 1810?]
Folder 4: Perroud, Henry., 1 March 1796: A.L.S. to Benjamin Nones at Philadelphia regarding trade of Saint Domingue; Cap [Haitien] 11 ventose an 4 [i.e., 1 mars 1796]
Folder 5: Boutin,, 8 January 1789: Ms.L. (retained copy) to [François de Barbé-] Marbois regarding administration to Saint Domingue; Paris, 8 janvier 1789.
Folder 6: Lazarre, général de division., 14 December 1847: Ms.L.S. (stamp) to m. de Saint Anthoine on location of government funds; Port-au-Prince, 14 décembre 1847.
Folder 7: DelaLaune,, 28 Novembre: Derniere convention entre mr. DelaLaune er mr Fabry [on distribution of sugar, with estimates regarding building, Negroes and cattle]; [Port-au-Prince] 28 novembre 1794.
Folder 8: France. Conseil de Marine., 18 November 1716: Ms.D.S. (fragment; signed by the Prince L.A. de Bourbon and the Maréchal d'Estrées) regarding commerce of Saint Domingue; [Paris?] 18 novembre 1716.
Folder 9: France. Conseil de Marine., 18 January 1718: Ms.D.S. (fragment; signed by Prince L.A. de Bourbon and the Maréchal d'Estrées regarding commerce of Saint Domingue; [Paris?] 18 janvier 1718.
Folder 10: Bird, Mark Baker, 1807- 1880, 29 February 1868: A.L.S. to Benjamin P. Hunt on possible withdrawal of support by London Missionary Board; Port-au-Prince, 29 février 1868.
Folder 11: Toussaint Louverturn, Pierre Dominique, 1746-1803., 3 January 1799: Ms.N.S. to Citoyen Bernard agreeing to his return to France; Cap Haitien, 3 janvier 1799.
Folder 12: Toussaint Louverturn, Pierre Dominique, 1746-1803., 8 January 1798: Ms.L.S. to Citoyen Vincent concerning swamplands around Port-au-Prince; Cap Haitien, 8 janvier 1798.
Folder 13: Sainte Guieu, Jean, 12 November 1785: A.L.S. to M. Roux relating his situation and profits in slave trade speculating; Port-au-Prince; 12 novembre 1785.
Folder 14: France. Agent à Santo Domingo (Colonie espagnole)., 1 October 1797: Ms.D. (copy): report on commerce to the Second commission from France to the Leeward Islands of America; Santo Domingo, 1 octobre 1797.
Folder 15: France. Ministère des finances., 7 April 1825: Ms.D.: Note on M. de Belleisle's claim of share of Haitian indemnity of 7 avril 1825; [Paris? 183-?]
Folder 16: Dursse, Bernard, 15 May 1769: Printed form filled out in ms.: Agreement to carry merchandise aboard ship, Empereur, and deliver to Mme. de Motmans at Port-au-Prince; Bordeaux, 15 mai 1769.