No. 402.
Mr. Langston to Mr. Evarts.
Port au-Prince, June 18, 1880. (Received July 1.)
Sir: I beg to advise you that on the 15th instant it was reported that the government had made important discoveries in connection with a [Page 634] conspiracy in contemplation, which was to have been inaugurated within a very few days, and were making important arrests. Upon inquiry this was found to be substantially true; and during the 15th and 16th days of the month some fifteen or twenty persons were arrested in Port-au-Prince, said to be more or less inculpated in such proposed movement.
Among the arrested are several persons of prominent social position in this city, who, up to this time, have not been known as political leaders, or as having any prominent connection with politics. Mr. D. Lespinasse, an aged, rather learned, discreet, and industrious colored man, the relative of Boyer Bazelais, now in exile, is eminently a representative of the class mentioned.
Whether such persons have, in fact, any connection with such movement is to be determined; but the government evidently believes that they were engaged in organizing conspiracy.
The most prominent, however, among the persons already arrested is Richelieu Duperval, commandant of this arrondisseinent, who figured in such capacity upon the resignation of Boisrond Canal and during the interregnum to the election of General Salomon, and who not only maintained perfect order during the trying period named, but who has been constantly treated and regarded by the administration and the people, up to the time of his arrest, as the chief person who aided in the President’s election, and upon whom he might always implicitly rely. And now he and his friends deny that he has done or said or allowed any actual or proposed utterance or act against the government. It is claimed that his enemies have sought and secured his downfall by deceiving the President.
Hitherto General Duperval has been, in view of his manly and courageous conduct, a very popular and influential man; and the fact that his arrest was made not in his office, nor in the city, but in the country, where he had been sent upon some feigned errand of the government, according to report, shows that it was not deemed wise to attempt his capture where he was within reach of his arms or in the presence of the troops over whom he exercises very great control.
It is now considered, although it is reported that other arrests are to be made in other parts of the republic, and perhaps here, that this proposed movement is entirely anticipated and foiled.
So far, also, this city has remained perfectly tranquil, and the general peace of the country seems not to have been at all disturbed.
It has not as yet transpired what course will be taken as to the trial of the parties already arrested, or what disposition will be made of them. Investigation with regard to their cases may be postponed for some time.
I am, &c.,