Mr. Peck to Mr. Seward.
Sir: It is with great pain that I inform you that another formidable insurrection has broken out in this republic.
On Thursday last a pronunciamiento against President Geffrard was published [Page 521] at Gonaives. The government troops at once accepted the declaration, and with their help the insurgents imprisoned the generals commanding the arrondissement and the place, and captured the steamer Estair, which happened to be lying in the harbor. It is also said that St. Marc is in revolt. By the defection of Gonaives and St. Marc, this city (the capital) is cut off from the whole northern part of the republic. This fact is of great importance, since it will at once open the way hither to General Salnave, who for some weeks has been lying with a force variously estimated on the northeastern frontier. The President, with the greater part of his household troops leaves here for the scene of the insurrection to-day. The government steamer Alexander Petion (formerly United States steamer Galatea) left with troops for Gonaives on Saturday night. Her captain carried orders, it is said, to bombard the town if it did not surrender immediately.
The situation of the government is precarious, and foreign interests are in an exposed condition.
In consideration of these facts, I have written by the royal mail, which leaves to-day, to the senior United States naval officer at St. Thomas, asking him to send a man-of-war here without delay.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.