PÉTION, Alexandre (1770–1818). - Lot 239

PÉTION, Alexandre (1770–1818). President of the Republic of Haiti from 1807 to 1818, one of the founding fathers of the Haitian state. Document signed “Pétion,” Port-au-Prince, November 28, 1814. One folio-sized page on laid paper, with a printed letterhead reading “République d’Hayti” and the motto “Liberté – Égalité.” An important administrative and military document addressed to the Treasurer General, in which President Pétion orders the disbursement of funds from the military treasury: “I hereby instruct you, Citizen Treasurer, to pay from the military fund the sum of twelve gourdes to Captain Alexandre Gillot, deputy commander of the Colombier post, in order to assist him in traveling to his post…” A beautiful autograph signature at the bottom of the document, very legible and well-placed, with annotations and treasury registration notes. A document of great historical interest, illustrating the administrative and military functioning of the young Republic of Haiti under President Pétion, at the crucial moment of the country’s institutional consolidation following independence. A truly fine piece, both for the quality of the manuscript and for the symbolic significance of the signature.