Mr. Peck to Mr. Seward
Sir: In despatch No. 25, dated April 6th, 1867, I informed you that public affairs here were in a state of unhappy suspense, by reason of a doubt whether General Salnave, who was at Cape Haytien, and who was regarded by the country as “the man of the hour,” would recognize the provisional government here. I also recited to you sundry current exciting rumors as to the doings of General Salnave—that he was organizing a large army; that he had sent for ex-President Baez, (late of the Dominican republic;) that he was making preparations for a war to overthrow President Cabral, (of the Dominican republic;) and that he was proposing to form a new republic, by the separation of northern from southern Hayti, and the annexation of the Dominican part to it, (northern Hayti.)
The post which came yesterday to a degree dissipated the suspense, by informing the public as follows:
General Salnave is raising a large army, of not less than 6,000 men, in the north, but he has as yet made no movement hostile to the Dominican government, nor has he shown any disposition to divide this country, but, on the orther hand, he seems determined to maintain the integrity of the territory.
He will come here this week, and will probably put aside the present provisional governmenty and establish a new government on democratic principles, eschewing, however, from the government all Geffrardist elements. He has been dealing sharply with peculators and robbers of the public funds at the Cape, and promises to do the same in all parts of the republic.
There will be no opposition to his progress through the country, and the public seems, on the whole, relieved by finding that he proposes to wipe out present things and begin anew.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.