Mr. Thompson to Mr. Blaine.
Port au Prince, Hayti, August 23, 1889. (Received Sept. 4.)
Sir: I hastily write this dispatch to catch the mail closing at 2 o’clock p.m. this day.
General Légitime abdicated yesterday at 3 o’clock p.m., going on board of the French ship of war Kerguélen; also the principal members of his cabinet.
The division of the northern army investing the city on the northern side, under the command of General Mompoint, counsellor of state of the department of war and marine of General Hyppolite, the division investing the city on the eastern side, under General Nord Alexis, and the division of the troops from the southern departments, under General A. Simon, operating against the city on the southern side, have just completed their entry into the city and now occupy the forts and other military positions; their entry was made in the most perfect order, quietness reigns, and a general feeling of security prevails on all sides.
General Hyppolite and the other members of his cabinet are expected to arrive here from St. Marc on Monday next.
At this time I inform you that I was the chosen delegate, on the 20th instant, to go to St. Marc, and had full power to make conditions. I then, before the diplomatic and consular body, invited Mr. Garrido, the Spanish consul, to accompany me; he accepted. We returned at 10 p.m., the 21st instant.
The minister of France and the consul-general of Great Britain, although it was stated in the conditions, refused to meet the army of the North in entering. So, at the head of the other members of such corps, and in order to tranquillize the city, I met each division, and am proud to say, by the cries of “Vive le Ministre Americain,” the effect was exactly as was anticipated by those desiring to see peacefulness once more reign in Port au Prince.
Full particulars will be forwarded by next mail.
I have, etc.,