Mr. Peck to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Knowing your desire that cordial political relations should be established between the republic of Hayti and Santo Domingo, I take the liberty to inform you in this despatch of some circumstances of recent occurrence which bear on that matter.
Some weeks ago President Geffrard appointed a commission for making a treaty with the Dominican government. This commission, made up of senators, generals, and other prominent men came together, and, after some discussion, concluded that it could not make the proposed treaty, nor in any way recognize the independence of the Dominican government, since the territory occupied by that government belongs to Hayti, by a title in terms affirmed by the constitution of the country.
The treaty project was thus apparently, much to the annoyance of the government, brought to a stand-still.
Yesterday I called informally on Mr. Elie, minister of foreign affairs, and got from him a statement with respect to the treaty matter, of which the following is a memorandum:
It has been and is the wish of President Geffrard to recognize Dominica, and make a treaty with her. Two difficulties are in the way—
1. This government has had no official proof that the Biaz government is rightfully in power, or even that it exists. President Geffrard was officially informed of the adoption of the Dominican constitution, and of the appointment of General Cabral as provisional president. He was also informed that an election to the presidency, under the constitution, would soon occur, and that he should be duly notified of the result. The promised information was never sent, and his Excellency knows only by hearsay that General Biaz is President. Through the same channel he also learns that the elevation of General Biaz to his place did not occur in the manner prescribed by the constitution. This government cannot enter into treaty negotiations with General Biaz until it has been officially informed that he has a right to make a treaty.
2. The constitution of Hayti must be changed before the government can make a treaty with Dominica. That instrument claims the whole of this island as Haytian territory. Until this claim is abated the government cannot make a treaty which will alienate two-thirds of the land claimed. But the government has asked the chambers to change the constitution so that the claim shall be modified, and a bill to that end has already gone through both houses once. It must be passed again at another session, and this will probably be done as soon as the chambers come together, which will be early in April. The two difficulties thus recited being removed, the government will make haste to recognize its sister government and enter into political relations with her. And if, meantime, the United States or any other government chooses to recognize Dominica, this government will interpose no objections.
[Page 511]Mr. Elie’s manner in conveying these statements seemed somewhat constrained and from this fact, joined with the fact that in a conversation on the same subject which I had with him last month, and which I reported to the department, the difficulties in the way of making a treaty were not spoken of, or, if spoken of, received no emphasis, I have been led to believe (and street rumors confirm the belief) that the government is unexpectedly embarrassed over the question in hand, and that it is not certain that Hayti will immediately recognize Dominica.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.