Mr. Thompson to Mr. Bayard.
Port-au-Prince, Hayti, September 9, 1885. (Received Sept. 25.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on the 3d instant the jury was impaneled in the case of Mr. A. C. d’Almena and others, now held in the common jail of this city, charged with the purloining of certain mandates from the National Bank of Hayti. The jury are twelve in [Page 537] number, but thirteen constantly sit, the thirteenth to take the place of any one who might be detained from attending by sickness or other cause.
I am informed that the names of the jury were drawn from a list composed of eighty names of the most respectable men in Port-au-Prince, with the right allowed to the public minister, also to the defense, to refuse any name that was unsatisfactory to them. This trial causes a great deal of interest. Indeed, I am told, never has there been so much excitement over a trial in Hayti.
The French minister plenipotentiary frequently attends, while his secretary, the Vicompte de Bondy, and Captain Wyndam, Her British Majesty’s representative, are constantly at the tribunal. I have also attended and found the proceedings of great interest. As soon as there is something definite arrived at, I shall prepare a full report of all proceedings and forward the same to the Department. Thus far all agree that the action of the court has been highly commendable.
I am. &c.,