(HAITI) BOYER JEAN PIERRE (Translation) Rural Code of Haiti

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IMPOSING VIRTUAL SLAVERY (HAITI.) BOYER, JEAN PIERRE. (Translation) Rural Code of Haiti. Port-au-Prince. Printed at the Government Press, July, 1826. Liberty! Equality!. Republic of Haiti. Rural Code. 18 pages. Folio. Original printed self-wrappers, sewn; spine with almost imperceptible archival reinforcement; modern thread. London: Ordered by The House of Commons, to be Printed, 25 May, 1827

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first printing in english of jean pierre boyer''s important "code rural." Jean Pierre Boyer (1776-1850), sometimes called "The Mulatto Machiavelli" ruled Haiti from 1818 to 1843. In 1820, he invaded Santo Domingo, thus unifying the island. However Boyer, one of the four original generals who liberated Haiti from France, still faced a constant threat from France, its old master. France claimed 150 million francs in debt from Haiti in lost property etc. In 1825, with 14 French warships off the coast, Boyer was persuaded to sign an agreement to pay France off over a period of five years. This however proved to be impossible, even after France agreed to reduce the sum to sixty million. As a result, Boyer put into effect his "Code Rural," redistributing the land and binding farmers to what was essentially forced labor in order to raise funds.