No. 683.
Mr. Thompson to Mr. Bayard.
Port au Prince Hayti, November 24, 1888. (Received December 10.)
Sir: Early on the moaning of the 20th instant the French man-of-war Bisson, with the Archbishop of the Catholic Church, the Haytian minister of foreign affairs, the French minister, and British consul-general, [Page 978] left here for ports in the north, for the purpose of causing a recon ciliation of the two political factions I had been invited on several occasions, both by General Légitime and the minister, Mr. Margron, to go with such commission, but declined, giving excuses of important official business, as I knew full well the bad impression that would be created in the North by the presence even of a French war vessel, apart from any of those above-named gentlemen as passengers on board.
General Légitime, in an interview a week back, informed me that he did not wish the French minister to go to the north, as he feared the contrary effect to that desired would be produced, as those in the north had already on more than one occasion denounced the latter; he then again asked me to go with the Archbishop, British representative, and Mr. Margron. On the eve of departure Mr. Margron called upon me and, again requesting me to accompany them, said he felt my appearance at northern ports would show the people that no treachery was intended, and they would accept overtures with better grace. The 22d instant Mr. Bossignol, counselor of finance and commerce, called at this legation, expressed regrets, as he thought the delegates whom they had sent would be unable to accomplish anything. He said it was the intention of the authorities to write to me on the return of such delegation, if such proved unsuccessful, requesting me, as a final effort to avert civil war, to make a trip with any others of my choice, and begging me to use every influence towards reconciliation. I told him we must hope, and it would be better to form no plans until the departed delegation returned.
Some weeks ago, when letters from here requesting those in the north to put down theirarms and promising any measures to satisfy them for the sake of peace was received by them, they replied, “We want peace, and to obtain it M. Légitime must withdraw his candidature. A bas Légitime!” Yesterday morning, the 23d instant, the Bisson returned. During the day publication was given as to the result of the mission. I inclose herein, marked A, with translation B, copy of the dispatch sent by the delegation from the man-of-war Bisson to the committee of Cape Haytien, and dated the 21st instant. Inclosure C, with translation D, is the reply from such committee, wherein they regret that the delegation did not land, and in an evasive manner refuse to go on board the Bisson as requested. Inclosure E, with translation F, is copy of a letter from the French consular agent to the delegation, stating that, notwithstanding his persuasion, the committee will not visit the Bisson for deliberation. Inclosure G, with its translation, marked H, the reply from the French minister to the consular agent, says they have traveled 185 miles to bring propositions of reconciliation as friends of Hayti; they can do no more. They leave them the responsibility of their refusal. After traveling 185 miles they could not stoop to go on shore, a few yards further only, although sincere friends of Hayti, and outside of any political party.”
This morning Mr. Margron, counselor of foreign affiairs, called at this legation, informed me that the trip north terminated as he expected It would; that when they arrived in the harbor of Cape Hayti the French consular agent came off to the Bisson and, on seeing the French minister, said he advised him not to go on shore with anticipation of being received kindly, if at all, as the people were indignant against buml Then it was they decided to send their communication, inclosed aerein, No. 1. Mr. Margron then said their dependence was upon me, and he desired to know if I would undertake the mission. I could not promise him, but told him I would meet him next week and learn directly [Page 979] then the propositions to offer, the concessions to make, in order to arrive at a logical reasoning as to the possibilities of success, by the envoy, in his efforts to prevent civil strife.
Notwithstanding the above conversation, the authorities caused a publication to the effect that, having tried means of reconciliation and failed, they would proceed to stringent measures. The report is that the authorities, knowing the delegation would fail, had made all of their arrangements of attack, and that now preparations are being made on the frontier for forces to march on to St. Marc.
I have, etc.,