Hello All
When we think of Haiti we think of the latest terrible earthquake disaster to plague the country. It is a complex country of mind numbing problems of poverty and break down of law and order. Haiti's history is tainted with the blood of it people.
However it is a country that has a legend of buried treasure...
Toussaint l'Ouverture, a former slave and leader in the slave revolt,a man who rose in importance as a military commander because of his many skills. Achieved peace in Haiti after years of war against both external invaders and internal dissension. Having established a disciplined, flexible army, l'Ouverture drove out not only the Spaniards, French but also the British invaders who threatened the colony.
He restored stability and prosperity by daring measures that included inviting planters to return and insisting freed men work on plantations to renew revenues for the island. He also renewed trading ties with Great Britain and the United States. In the uncertain years of revolution, the United States played both sides, with traders supplying both the French and the rebels.
The French after many defeats tricked l'Ouverture into surrender and l'Ouverture died in France. Dessalines l'Ouverture's second in command was proclaimed Emperor for life by his troops. He exiled or killed the remaining whites and ruled as a despot. In the continuing competition for power, he was assassinated on 17 October 1806.
The country was divided then between a kingdom in the north directed by Henri I; and a republic in the south directed by Alexandre P?tion, an homme de couleur.
The treasure legend is connected to Henri Christophe (often Henry Christophe) (6 October 1767 ? 8 October 1820) was a key leader in the Haitian Revolution, winning independence from France in 1804. On 17 February 1807, after the creation of a separate nation in the north, Christophe was elected President of the State of Haiti. On 26 March 1811, he was proclaimed Henri I, King of Ha?ti.
However the constant threat of assignation degraded his reason over time where he became a megalomaniac ruler. He taxed the population of Northern Haiti to the point of Bankruptcy. The fear of the French lead Henry Christopher to build the biggest Castle in the Caribbean Citadelle Laferri?re.
The castle cost 30000 lives to build. Henry's regard for human life was irrelevant. It is well known that he had amassed a large fortune and did not trust anyone with it. But like all tyrants his end came up and the long suffering Haitians rebelled against him. Returning to his apartment when his most loyal guards deserted him he shot himself in a upper bedroom of his palace.
The fate of his treasure has never been fully accounted for. Is his treasure buried in his fortress or his palace? The Haitian government and treasure hunters have searched for this treasure for many years.
Perhaps one day some lucky adventurer will discover the secret?
Hardluck
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