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Haiti News Media > Haiti News > Michel Domingue - Haitian President Michel Domingue, Haitian President Michel Domingue (b. Les Cayes, 1813 – d. Kingston, June 24, 1879)
President: June 12, 1874 – April 15, 1876
The interim government tightly controlled by general Michel Domingue, Commander in Chief of the Army, organized new legislative elections. A new Constituent Assembly was seated that voted in a new constitution.
On June 11, 1874, Michel Domingue, an old solider of reputed bravery, was elected President of Haiti for an eight year term. The real power behind the President was his nephew and vice-president Septimus Rameau, an educated, conceited politician. Rameau was obsessed by the idea of creating a National Bank. As early as August 1874, a first loan was authorized quickly followed by a second in February 1875. Fraudulent transactions made at the time of those two loans cost millions to the government.
After years of confrontation, domination, and wars, a treaty of Peace and Friendship was finally signed with the Dominican Republic on January 20, 1875.
Political repression did not stop. Generals suspected of anti-government sympathies were hunted down and some killed. Many politicians chose to leave the country.
Bad financial and political administration, onerous loans, crimes and corruption marked President Domingue’s tenure. Frustrated, the people revolted. Jacmel, the northern Department, and Croix-des-Bouquets took up arms. President Domingue and Septimus Rameau considered transferring the capital of the country to the city of Les Cayes for a moment.
On April 15, 1875, trunks full of money were being transported to the port when they were intercepted and looted by the people. President Domingue and Septimus Rameau rushed to seek asylum in some consulates. The President, wounded, succeeded in securing the protection of the French Consul. His nephew was massacred in the streets of Port-au-Prince. Afterwards, Domingue embarked for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died in exile.
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