Mr. Peck to Mr. Seward
Sir: At the date of my No. 28, (April 8, 1867,) affairs here were clouded by a doubt as to the intentions of General Salnave, who had just landed in the north from Turk’s Island, and by a seeming misunderstanding between the revolutionary leaders, Salnave, Nisage, and Chevalier.
After a time the purposes of General Salnave began to disclose themselves in a favorable light, and the misunderstanding between him and the other leaders seemed to be adjusted.
About the 10th of April the general started from Cape Haytien with about 4,000 men to come to this place. He was cordially received by Chevalier at St. Marc, and afterwards by Nisage here. He arrived here Thursday, April 25th. His progress through the country was a continual ovation, and his reception by the people here was, to the last degree, enthusiastic.
The festivities of the reception over, the general entered on his duties as a member of the provisional government, and for a time matters seemed to fall into a happy and prosperous condition. But complaints of the provisional government soon began to come up from all parts of the country, and deputations of the people brought, from all quarters, to General Salnave petitions that be would [Page 314] become President, and thus at once terminate the functions of the temporary government, and bring to an end the unrest which was distracting the country.
On Thursday last May 2d, the public was startled by, a publication from General Salnave, in which he declared that the provisional government was failing to accomplish the trust assigned to it by the people, and announced that he had retired from the government. On the same day the other members of the provisional government resigned, arid the country was thus left without a government. On the next day the people of this city came together in great numbers and proclaimed Salnave President. The general refused to accept the office thus thrust upon him, saying that he would not be President until he could be so constitutionally. The people then proclaimed him “protector of the republic.” This office he also refused to take alone. He would, however, assume executive powers conjointly with Nisage and Chevalier. But on the following day, May 4th, he announced in a proclamation his acceptance of the protectorate, giving notice, however, that he would avail himself of the aid of Nisage and Chevalier. He is now “protector of the republic.”
Since the 30th ultimo the constituent assembly has been in session. Its doings are not public, but it is said that it will complete its work of revising the constitution this week; that one of the features of the new constitution will be a provision for a four years’ presidency, and that the assembly will close its work by electing Salnave to the presidency.
The events I have described have not passed without great excitement. The public has continually swayed between the most assuring hope and the greatest fear. At times a violent and sanguinary struggle between the party in the Chevalier interest and the party in the Salnave interest has seemed imminent. But affairs now look promising. Salnave has the masses of the people with him, and is too strong to be disturbed. I take great pleasure in adding that from the day of his return from Turk’s Island he has shown singular and unexpected moderation and discretion. He is daily making friends by his prudence, and his conduct is giving the assurance that his expected occupancy of the presidency will prove a blessing to this distracted country.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. G.