Mr. Peck to Mr. Seward.
Sir: Confessing a doubt whether I should add a single line to the already voluminous pages which I send you by this mail, I cannot help asking your attention to two suggestions which seem to me important and urgently called for at the present time.
The first is, that the functions and title of the office held by General Cazneau and myself be changed to those of resident minister, so that we can have direct access to the heads of the governments to which we are respectively accredited.
Experience has made clear to my own mind two facts: First, that an active exercise of the influence of our government upon the two republics on this island is essential, not less to their welfare and progress than to the maintenance of proper relations between ourselves and the Antilles. Second, that this influence cannot be exerted if the representatives of our government are kept at the official distance from the springs of political influence which they now occupy.
To illustrate both these points, the relations between this and the sister republic are now in a crisis. The parties seem to be bent on quarrelling. If anything saves them from such an event it will be the influence of foreign governments, particularly our own. But the influence I exert in this behalf must be effected wholly through the minister of foreign affairs. He is a man of liberal views and realizes the advantages to Hayti of close relations with foreign powers. But his own position in office is somewhat precarious, and partly so by reason of his known good-will towards foreigners; and it would be expecting too much of him to hope that on any question relating to foreign powers he would speak in the cabinet as he would talk in his bureau. Withal, near the President are persons who earnestly hate all foreign governments, our own particularly, who could easily avert any influence which I might circuitously bring to bear on his excellency. Knowing what influences have the President’s ear, I cannot, while I properly respect either myself or my office, go to him directly with any question, however important. My position would be too awkward, if, when I came to the pressing point, he should bow me to the minister of foreign affairs with whom I officially belong.
I cannot but think that if at this moment I could go directly to his excellency, I could do service at once to my country and to these poor distracted republics [Page 517] which would be of incalculable value. And it tries me, when the case is so urgent, to be compelled to stand aloof a sort of wax figure.
The change I ask would add nothing to the expenses of the government, and would cost no material inconvenience in any way. It would be a proper compliment to a sister republic, and would withdraw an indignity which we seem to impose on this government by denying to it the kind of representation we make near other governments, which are less important in themselves, and which occupy much less close geographical and political relations with us.
The arguments which apply to a change of my title apply also to a change in that of General Cazneau. And I am sure that the enlargements of our functions which I ask would greatly extend American influence and usefulness in the Antilles, and would be most opportune at the present moment.
I beg leave to add one more suggestion. It is that it would be well for the department to permit or direct an interview between General Cazneau and myself, in which we would have opportunity to exchange information as to political affairs in the two parts of the island, In conversation we could give and receive knowledge of men, parties, and things which would materially serve us in our respective offices, and would give unity to the representation of our government to the two republics. The importance of unity in the policy to be adopted towards the two governments has induced the Emperor of France to extend the functions of his representative here to the other government. The department will, perhaps, think it advisable to order such a conference as I have proposed. If it should it would be necessary for the person directed to visit the other to have passage in a man-of-war, as there is no public conveyance.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.