No. 632.
Mr. Thompson to Mr. Bayard.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States,
Port au Prince
Hayti, June 11, 1888.
(Received June 20.)
No. 186.]
Sir: Saturday, the 2d instant, I believe was only
the end of the prologue in what might be called a political drama that
commenced here the 24th ultimo, causing great excitement and trepidation in
this
[Page 888]
city, and which, sooner or
later, must begin again, but with increased vigor. The facts of the whole
movement appear to be as follows: As reported in my No. 181, trouble has
been brewing in Hayti since the wide-spread belief in the illness of
President Salomon. From utterances lately attributed to him it was thought,
should he retire, he would cast such an influence for ex-Minister of the
Interior General Frangois Manigat, a deputy of the people, that he would
become his successor. To counteract this influence those remaining of the
Liberal party joined with others of the National party, in order to be
prepared when the opportunity arrived to combat the candidature of General
Manigat; they had consequently chosen as their candidate General F. D.
Légitime, a senator of the Republic.
Comparisons had been drawn between the two abovementioned. Senator Légitime
being eulogized as a humane man, honorable, brave, and without any prejudice
as to color. Deputy Manigat, by his action when commander of the Government
forces at Jacmel, in 1883, has been called barbarous, blood-thirsty, and
accused of great hatred toward the whites and mulattoes, yet generous to a
fault towards his friends. Both of them are black men. I have known Mr.
Manigat intimately ever since my arrival here. Mr. Légitime I knew by
reputation only.
Referring to my No. 181, I can say, from observation on May 24 last, from
facts gleaned in consular dispatch No. 313, dated September 25, 1885, to the
Department from Vice-Consul-General John B. Terres, from inquiries made by
me and statements given by foreigners and natives, that the general opinion
is, that the same tactics were about to be employed on May 24 past as were
so disastrously put in force September 22 and 23, 1883. In such dispatch
above quoted you will observe how all the fearful disasters of September,
1883, resulted from an attack of some young men to the number of sixteen or
twenty; then the President had said how he could not control the friends of
his government against his enemies. The mob, furious in their drunken frenzy
and lust, burned down stores and private dwellings, pillaged them, and
placed in danger, by their constant use of fire-arms, the lives of men,
women, and children.
Mr. Burdel, minister of France, was at that time dean of the diplomatic body,
and, had he used decision of character, firmness, and moral influence at the
beginning of the disorders, very likely he could have materially bettered
the situation; for when the ultimatum was sent to the palace the effects
might be said to have been magical. Inclosed herein, marked “A,” with
translation “B,” I transmit copy of the speech made by President Salomon in
public audience on May 27 last. It is noticeable that while his excellency
assures the people that all is perfectly quiet, nevertheless he says he will
take measures to chastise the propagators and authors; and, furthermore, he
alleges to have known something concerning a conspiracy menacing public
peace, hence martial law is proclaimed in this city and at this date it
remains in vigor.
Also inclosed, marked “C,” with translation “D,” is an editorial from La
Vérité, an independent newspaper, treating of the situation on the 2d
instant.
As I reported in my No. 185, Senator Légitime and Deputy Manigat each had a
separate vessel placed at his disposal by the Government to convey him from
Hayti, the former to Kingston, Jamaica, the latter to Europe via Santiago de
Cuba.
This treatment of men thought to be conspirators is somewhat novel and rare
in the history of Hayti; but had either one or the other been summarily
dealt with, and particularly Légitime, the great probability
[Page 889]
is that now we would be in the midst of a most
savage and sanguinary warfare. I transmit, herein, with translation,
respectively marked E and F, copy of a published letter sent to the editor
of the Courrier d’Haiti-from Mr. Légitime, while on board the steamer in
which he took his departure. Sending away the leaders of these opposing
factions has calmed the people and we may hope for a short respite from
civil troubles. No doubt President Salomon in his wisdom had to oppose by an
iron will the opinions of his councilors regarding the action he has taken
in not executing either of these men, but by so doing he has shown that he
fully appreciated the necessity, in-order to keep from civil strife, of
following out a line of conduct to pacify the dual political factions and
likewise tranquilize factions and the non-politic natives. As a question of
our present peaceableness, he has done well, but the fear must be
entertained that it is momentary, so to speak, for the danger does not lie
in any outside party; treason is being fostered in his own camp. All depends
upon the President’s health. Let him re-main sound in body as at present;
all is likely then to go well.
Consul General Zohrab, of Great Britain, proposed to the French minister and
myself the practicability of having always here an American, French, or
English man-of war, one or the other, on hand in case of an emergency, as
either in a moment of peril would be equally interested to protect the
interests of the other. I believe such would be a good thing as giving a
certain confidence to foreign residents, for the moment they see a war
vessel of one of the great powers enter here each one feels out of danger.
Commander Heyerman, of the Yantic, informed me that
should he not receive orders to the contrary at Santiago de Cuba he would
return to Port au Prince, as, having been here and made inquiries into the
status of affairs, he thought we would certainly lose nothing by such
representation. Her majesty’s steam-ship Beady is
expected here shortly to relieve the Wrangler, and it
is likely we shall have constantly for a while a French or British war
vessel.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
186.—Translation.]
the audience of may 27. —speech of president salomon.
Here are the words of the Chief of State to the audience of Sunday, May
27, last: Gentlemen: I begin my audience in
saying to you that order and tranquillity is maintained and will
continue to maintain itself whatever be done. The country reclaims
peace. There is only a panic. Everybody is in an emotion, and it
sufficed for a nothing that everybody became frightened. Thus the same
thing happened in 1843, when it was question of the overthrow of the
government of President Boyer, I myself, who speak to you, being in
church I saw the gun of a soldier fall and the charge went off; on going
into the street, as I saw everybody run, I also started off and ran.
But I will own that I was frightened. [Laughter.] Therefore, my friends
of Port au Prince, I invite you to be calm. I take all precaution, all
measures so as to chastise the propagators and authors of the rumors of
the other day. My government expected that rumor; we have even talked it
over in the council, my ministers and myself, the day when it was
decided to suppress the discounting (of Government paper). I knew that
once the public employés were regularly paid there would be some
discontented—those who live by the discounting, the favored of
yesterday. [Here there are cries of “Long live the President of
Hayti.”]
The public mind is for peace—that peace that I have given to the country
at the cost of so many sacrifices. I will maintain it by all means. If a
shot is fired, which is not impossible, for there are persons who are
crazy and foolish everywhere, the sun shall not go down without peace
being restored. Avoid that, for bullets have no eyes; they may strike
any one. It is not the merchants and people who work who are trying to
disturb public order; it is the unclassified people who possess nothing
[Page 890]
and are jealous of the
position of others. I say it, and I repeat it again, never has the
country enjoyed so much liberty and security; never has property been so
well respected and requited.
To-day every poor one is putting a post in the ground: this is a sign of
the security that the country enjoys. I was eleven years minister of the
Emperor Soulouque, and I was reduced during all that time not to be able
to cross the portal. They came to me and made me thousands of
propositions against the Emperor, and I never lent ear to them. It is
only lately that I have come to know “Oakwood” and “The Martyr’s Cross.”
I am acquinted with all that is going on. There is this difference
between the Emperor Soulouque and myself; it is this: The police
informed him of all that was going on, while it is I who give
instructions to the police to watch the conduct of such or such other
individual.
Before coming to a last extremity I take all my precautions. Therefore
let them not try to disturb the public peace, my friends! They say that
I am about to leave the country; to go and be treated in Europe. Nothing
is more false. I solemnly declare that I am not going away. If I have
consecrated all my life to the well being of my fellow-citizens, as
there remains, I will not say a few years, but a few days to live, why
should I not sacrifice them to the country? If I went away it would be a
flight, a desertion, a cowardice. On returning to Hayti I have sworn to
leave my bones here.
The situation is good, my friends; yes, it is good, because everybody
to-day is a partisan of peace. I am alive and they are disputing about
the power! They covet my heritage. [Laughter among the audience.] It is
also to me a question of pride, of self-esteem, and of dignity to
conserve that power. I am, above all, chief of state, and I will not
permit that they vilify the power in my hands. I have taken it from no
one.
To-day is not an audience day, but on account of the rumors that they
circulate and of all that has taken place at Port au Prince the few days
past only, I felt bound to entertain you on the state of affairs.
Order and tranquillity, I repeat it, reigns on all points of the
Republic!
[Inclosure 2 in No. 186.—Extract from “La
Vérite.”—Translation.]
the situation.
Still droll. That is all that can be said. On the whole no one knows much
what there is. Only minds are uneasy; very unquiet even. We have seen
last week a nothing but the population in a Slurry. Last Saturday the
report of a gun caused a I great panic. Unfortunately, it seems to me
that no great precautions have been taken to prevent these reports. The
military and even individuals not belonging to the army are circulating
with carbines on their shoulders. All have cartridges and sometimes
their guns are loaded. It depends on the first comer to frighten
families. It would be more prudent hot to allow the soldiers to go about
with their arms, and ammunition, particularly, should not be distributed
to them only at the last minute. Too much precaution can not be taken to
prevent that order be not disturbed.
Our article of last Saturday has produced a good effect. We warmly thank
our readers for the kindly reception that they gave to it. The paper
will be strong and will end in imposing itself, if it always marches in
accord with the numerous public that reads it. We remain calm and
moderate because we know that one imprudent word may occasion a great
evil. We continue, therefore, to relate the facts with impartiality and
to exhort our fellow-citizens to avoid all bloodshed. The country has
need of the aid of all its children and of all without distinction. We
will never urge on brothers to arm themselves against each other.
This language must astonish the authorities who detest us because we have
never hesitated to examine their acts with independence.
The truth arrives to chiefs of state with difficulty. They are most often
surrounded by persons interested in hiding it from them. They are
therefore always inclined to consider as enemies those who from afar
dare to make them hear it. As for ourselves, faithful to our programme,
we will continue to tell the truth. According to all appearances the
Chief of State was ignorant of the true state of affairs of the country,
or at least of Port au Prince. He must be very badly informed. The panic
of the few days past has doubtlessly revealed to him some curious
things. Now that he is in condition to appreciate the situation we are
certain that he will make all efforts to maintain peace.
He has declared solemnly that he did not intend going away; that he will
not go away. This assurance has tranquilized those who feared anarchy
and the disorders that might follow. It has produced a report very
necessary, a report more accentuated by the news of the near departure
of the two chiefs of parties.
The rumor is current that Messrs. Légitime and Manigat are about to take
a short voyage of pleasure. They were advised to take this change of
air. Mr. Manigat has
[Page 891]
already
asked for a leave of absence, which the house of deputies has granted to
him, in its session of May 28. Will the departure of Mr. Manigat suffice
to completely reassure the public mind? Here we do but echo the
opinions; we do bat relate what is said His with the power to hunt out
the truth in what is being spread about. Well they pretend, the public,
that they are persons, functionaries, who are preparing a blow in favor
of the deputy, Manigat. And these functionaries will continue to cause
uneasiness to families. Mr. Manigat in leaving the country certainly
makes a sacrifice, for which they will be thankful to him. This
sacrifice should not be useless. It should at least serve to calm, to
entirely assure the public mind. Will it be imitated by those who,
wrongly or rightly, they render responsible for the panic of That is
what is being asked in a whisper.
On the whole, the horizon is clearing off. Thanks to the good-will of
all, they will avoid the frightful catastrophe of which the perspective
so frightened the families. And we think that our fellow-citizens will
be wise enough not to cut each other’s throats. It would be fine to
prove to our detractors that we know how to get out of a critical
situation without violence, without cannon-shot! What a joyful spectacle
for the country, if at the expiration of the power of the present chief
we name a new one without putting the country in blood and ashes.
Is it an unrealizable dream? We do not think so. We address ourselves to
all those who sincerely love Hayti; to all the good citizens. They will
encourage certainly the efforts that we attempt to make the law triumph.
No more bloody struggles, no more gunshots. Peaceful struggles, lawful
but sincere. We want to see now where true patriotism is to be
found.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 186.—Extract from
“LeCourrierd’Halti.”—Translation.]
last hour.
We make it our duty to stop our press to publish the following letter
received only at 4 o’clock at our office:
Mr. Georges Dauzon,
Director of Le Courrier d’Haiti:
Mr. Director: Before embarking for a foreign
country and take the irrevocable decision to which I am condemned from a
situation that I have not created and events of which I leave the
responsibility to those who have provoked it, I believe it due to my
honor and my dignity to make known to you that the Government, without
doubt to give me a proof of its high deference, offered me a subsidy to
defray the expenses of my voyage.
I accept the ostracism, but I do not accept the money, for when there is
cause to make a sacrifice for his country the citizen should push
self-denial to the extreme.
It is with regret that I separate myself from my fellow-citizens, but I
esteem that the example of the sacrifice that I accept without murmuring
will give all to understand that one must at certain moments know how to
immolate his personal interests and his most sacred affections on the
altar of his country.
I leave, confiding in their wisdom, happy if the sacrifice that is
imposed on me, and to which I resign myself, could prevent new
misfortunes to my country already so rudely tried. I am not one of those
who have no scruples of trying to raise themselves to power on the
bodies of their fellow citizens and the smoking ruins of their country.
All true citizens, all men of honor, will understand and approve me.
Strong in my conscience and above all of sacrifices and devotion to the
Republic in the past, I feel happy to give it this last pledge of my
love. I am proud to bear to my retreat the harsh satisfaction of having
fulfilled, up to the end, my duty.
Accept, Mr. Director, the assurance of my esteem and of my high
consideration.
D.
Légitime.
In the harbor of Port au
Prince, on board of the New
Voldrogue, June 2, 1888.
