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Draft:Jérôme Maximilien Sylvestre Prézeau

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Also known as Sylvain Prézeau or Chevalier de Prézeau, he was a notable Haitian scholar, author, and statesman who served under various leaders, including Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines and King Henri Christophe[1][2]. Prézeau was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to parents of mixed racial heritage. He received a comprehensive military education in France, which prepared him for a career in both military and state affairs. In 1798, he joined the Haitian revolutionary forces led by Toussaint Louverture. He became military secretary to General Gabart, and following Gabart’s death in 1805, he took up a similar role under Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines. After Dessalines was assassinated in 1806, Prézeau aligned himself with General Henri Christophe, who later made him a colonel[2].

In 1811, when Christophe declared himself King and established the Kingdom of Haiti, he appointed Prézeau as Inspector of Schools in Sans Souci, granting him the title of Chevalier of the Order of St. Henry. Known for his intellectual acumen, Prézeau served as one of Christophe's three royal secretaries alongside Baron Dupuy and Baron Vastey, both influential figures in Christophe’s administration[3].

In 1814, when France attempted to reassert its influence over Haiti, Prézeau and Vastey were appointed by Christophe's Council of State to defend Haiti’s sovereignty. Prézeau authored three pamphlets, which are cataloged in the British Museum, to articulate Haiti’s position[4][5][6]. He also played a role in the trial of Franco de Medina, a French commissioner accused of espionage for attempting to incite division between Haitians of different racial backgrounds. Prézeau presented the charges and read the judgment before a large audience in the Great Cathedral at Cap-Haïtien[1][2][7].

Following Christophe's suicide in 1820, Prézeau and Baron Dupuy acted to protect Christophe’s family and arranged for his burial at the Citadelle Laferrière. They assisted Christophe’s widow and daughters, ensuring their safe relocation[1][2].[5].

After the fall of Christophe's regime, Prézeau continued his public service. In 1822, Haitian President Jean-Pierre Boyer appointed him to command the garrison at Seibo, in what is now the Dominican Republic. By 1824, he served as aide-de-camp to his cousin, General Borgella, in Santo Domingo. Jérôme Maximilien Sylvestre Prézeau passed away in Santo Domingo on July 28, 1825 [2]..

References

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  1. ^ a b c Ardouin, Beaubrun. "Étude_sur_l'histoire_d'Haïti/Tome_8/3.10".
  2. ^ a b c d e Murray, Daniel Alexander Payne (1912). "Murray's historical and biographical encyclopedia of the colored race throughout the world : its progress and achievements from the earliest period down to the present time". Library of Congress.
  3. ^ Cheesman, Clive. (Ed.) (2007). The Armorial of Haiti: Symbols of Nobility in the Reign of Henry Christophe (Vol. 177, College of Arms manuscript). College of Arms. London. pp.[188-189]. College of Arms. London. pp. 188–189. ISBN 978-0950698021.
  4. ^ PRÉZEAU, CHEVALIER DE (1814). [chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.haiti-now.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/R%C3%A9futation-de-la-lettre-du-g%C3%A9n%C3%A9ral-fran%C3%A7ais-Dauxion-Lavaysse.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOooE8oq9aJgxulKmkzDHKr7fZhgXQ98QWUvdb58ULwS13Qq91Ku_ "Réfutation de la lettre de Général François Dauxion Lavaysse ( Refutation of the letter of General François Dauxion Lavaysse ) , Cap Henry : P. Roux , imp . du roi . )"] (PDF). {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  5. ^ a b PRÉZEAU, CHEVALIER DE (1815). "Réfutation d'un écrit des ex - colons réfugiés à la Jamaïque intitulé : Exposé de l'Etat actuel des Choses dans la Colonie de Saint - Domingue ] . Au Cap - Henry : Chez P. Roux , Imprimeur du Roi ".
  6. ^ PRÉZEAU, CHEVALIER DE (1815). "Lettre du Chevalier de Prézeau á ses Concitoyens de parties de l'Ouest et du Sud ( Palais Royal de Sans - Souci , 1815 )".
  7. ^ ROYAUME D’HAYTI, C O M M I S S IO N MILITAIRE SPÉCIALE. (1814). Procès verbal d'interrogatoires de AGOUSTINE FRANCO, dit MEDINA, Espion français.
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