No. 255.
Mr. Langston to Mr. Evarts.
Port au Prince, Hayti , July 18, 1879. (Received August 2.)
Sir: After finishing and mailing my dispatch numbered 178, dated yesterday, the President, Boisrond Canal, having presented his resignation to the National Assembly at 6 o’clock p.m., embarked, with his family, upon a French steamer, La Désirade, which sailed this morning for St. Thomas.
He was escorted from the national palace by his aides-de-camp, followed by a large and orderly concourse of citizens, to the “Bord de la Mer,” where he took a small boat for the steamer.
As he entered this boat, applause, earnest and long, was given him by the dense crowd which gathered upon the shore. He signified, by polite and respectful bows and waving of the hat, his grateful acknowledgement for this demonstration of kindly regard. It is safe to state that it will be a long time before this unfortunate country will see his equal in patriotism and intelligent devotion in its Presidential chair.
At present, the Canal administration having passed out of power, the government of the country has fallen into the hands of the revolutionists. The two political parties of this city stand face to face, neither demonstrating its preference for any particular man for the Presidency, both awaiting the revolutionary army from the north, which is said to be marching toward the capital.
It is hoped that no further fighting will take place; but that some reasonable arrangement may be made without further bloodshed for a provisional or permanent administration of the government.
The tranquillity and order of this city so far, since the resignation of the President, has been remarkable and praiseworthy. The city and arrondissement are now under the management of the commandant of of the place, General Dupréval, assisted by a committee of twenty-two citizens, eleven Liberals and eleven Nationals, prominent members of the two parties.
The considerations which led the President to resign were briefly stated in a proclamation published yesterday evening by General Dupréval. No copy of this proclamation can at this time be secured; but the chief considerations given therefor is the general movement of the north, connected with that of this city.
I am, &c.,