The Present State of Hayti (Saint Domingo) with Remarks on its Agriculture, Commerce, Laws, Religion, Finances, and Population

by James (Merchant) Franklin

"The Present State of Hayti (Saint Domingo) with Remarks on its Agriculture, Commerce, Laws, Religion, Finances, and Population" by James Franklin is a historical account written in the early 19th century. The work serves as an analytical exploration of Haiti's socio-economic situation following its revolution and independence from France, offering an evaluation of the country's conditions and the veracity of previous representations of its state by advocates of Haitian independence. At the start of this account, the author shares insights regarding his motivations for writing and the context of Hayti during the revolutionary era. Franklin expresses skepticism towards the overly positive portrayals of Haiti's progress post-revolution, suggesting that these views are overly romanticized. He proposes to provide a more grounded analysis, drawing from his own experiences in the country. The introduction discusses the contrast between the hopes pinned by advocates on the new republic and the stark realities of poverty and inefficiency that Franklin suggests still plague much of its populace and governance, including deeper discussions of agriculture, the economy, and various societal challenges faced by the nation.