No. 254.
Mr. Langston to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States,
Port au Prince,
Hayti, July 17, 1879.
(Received August 2.)
No. 179.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit, herewith
inclosed, for your consideration, copies of two dispatches, with
translations, received at this legation from the Haytian Government,
together with my replies thereto.
I beg to invite special attention to the subject-matter of the dispatch of
the 10th instant; and to ask most respectfully the instructions of the
Department with regard to it.
I beg also to ask the Department to instruct me as to whether our consular
officers shall be permitted to take refugees. This is a matter of grave
importance at this time in this country, and the attitude of our government
with regard to it should be well defined.
I am &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
179.—Translation.]
Mr. Ethéart to Mr.
Langston.
Port au
Prince, July 7,
1879.
Mr. Minister: Divers Haytians who took part in
the insurrection at Port au Prince, on last Thursday, have found, it is
said, refuge in several legations in this city.
While asking the names of those to whom you have accorded protection
under your
[Page 571]
flag, I believe it
my duty to inform you that the government desires, at the same time, to
be advised with regard to the dispositions upon which you have
determined in their behalf.
Awaiting your acquiescence in my demand, I have the honor to salute you
with the high consideration which is due you.
The secretary of state of foreign affairs.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 179.]
Mr. Langston to Mr.
Ethéart.
Legation of the United States.
Port au Prince, Hayti, July 8, 1879.
No. 56.]
Mr. Minister: Your dispatch of the 7th instant
has been received, and in reply thereto I have the honor to state that
no refugee connected with the insurrection of which you speak has been
accorded protection under my flag.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 3 in No.
179.—Translation.]
Mr. Ethéart to Mr.
Langston.
Port au
Prince, July 10,
1879.
Mr. Minister: I believe it to be my duty to
invite your serious attention to a fact of the greatest importance,
persuaded that conformably to the spirit of the government that you
represent, and to the usages everywhere established, that you will agree
with me as to the measures the most proper to stop the revolutionary
propaganda which seems more and more to emphasize itself.
My government is informed that vessels (embarcations) expedited from the
two insurgent cities (St. Marc and Gonaives) bring every instant
packages to the refugees in the legations. If we admit the right of
asylum, it is upon the condition that the foreign legations would be a
barrier to all communication between those who are sheltered under their
flags and the rebels from without. To tolerate such communications, is
to establish the negation of every principle of public order and
security, and you cannot but know, Mr. Minister, I am convinced, to give
support to these communications of a nature to impart life to the
culpable menaces of the refugees and to give them a certain authority.
This would be, then, you will admit, a strange extension of the right of
asylum, to which every government has a right to object, because, in
those conditions, the inviolable asylum would become centers of
organized conspiracies against the legal power.
In consequence my government has taken the resolution not to permit
vessels (embarcations) sent from St. Marc and Gonaives to cast anchor in
our harbor. They shall be immediately re-expedited with all the packages
which they bear.
We ought not to have any communication with the rebel towns; that is a
right which nobody can contest; and it may be said that this resolution,
which will restore certainly the establishment of order, is exacted for
the guaranty even of the great commercial interests which you are called
upon to protect in Hayti.
This decision having been brought to your knowledge, I hope, Mr.
Minister, that you will notify your agents of the rebel cities in order
that they abstain from sending vessels (embarcations) to the
capital.
Please to accept, Mr. Minister, the assurance of my very high
consideration.
The secretary of state of foreign affairs.
[Inclosure 4, in No. 179.]
Mr. Langston to Mr.
Ethéart.
Legation of the United Stattes,
Port au Prince, Hayti, July 11, 1879.
No. 57.]
Mr. Minister: Your dispatch dated on the 10th
instant, in which you notify me of the resolution which your government
has taken with regard to vessels (les
embarcations) sent from the two cities of St. Marc and Gonaives
to this port bearing packages, has been received.
Reserving all rights that appertain to my government and its consular
officers residing in this republic, and especially for the time being,
with sentiments of highest consideration, I have, &c.,
