The class of persons to which I referred in dispatches Nos. 621 and 622,
of August 14, were those that emigrated here upon an invitation of the
Haitian Government that grants of land would be given them, providing it
was their intention to become citizens of Haiti. Under this invitation
many emigrated from the United States, principally from the Southern
States, and made Haiti their home.
In reference to this particular incident referred to in the dispatches
named above, the parties that claim exemption from military service were
among that class of persons who received grants of land from the Haitian
Government upon their becoming citizens.
I inclose an extract bearing upon this copied from their archives, and a
copy of the law bearing upon this subject.
[Inclosure 1.]
[Extract from Haitian archives bearing
upon emigration.]
Port au Prince, March 26, 1860.
We are desirous to receive amongst us all men of African origin who
are willing to share our fortunes.
The reception given at St. Marc to 120 emigrants from Louisiana is a
proof of the good will of the country people as regards these
persons.
When they arrive here they will find, either to lease or to buy from
the Government or private parties, fertile lands of a reasonable
price. For persons unacquainted with the country, and who have
studied its peculiarities, the system of leases is not to be
despised, the very small annual charge being no obstacle to the
prosperity of their labors. Besides, the Government is authorized by
law to sell all national lands. They possess a great extent of land
in different parts of the country, and will always place their lands
at the disposition of the emigrants. The mode of sale imposed upon
them by law in this case is for cash. In certain quarters these
properties are sufficiently extensive to allow of the settlement of
100 families or more.
[Page 402]
Permission will be granted to emigrants to buy land on their making
the declaration that they wish to become Haitians and on their
renouncing every other nationality.
Our law authorizes the formation of two sorts of companies,
copartnerships, which do not need any preliminary authorization; and
joint-stock companies, whose statutes would have to be submitted to
the Government for their approval. It determines the conditions on
which they exist and their mode of action. Under the control of this
legislation companies could be formed either for exploring the mines
or for the establishment of manufactories, and the Government would
look very favorably on all serious undertakings of this sort.
The Government can not bind itself to the adoption of a protective
tariff. Manufactories would, however, have a sufficient guaranty in
our actual tariff, whose mean rate for the last twenty years has
been 20 per cent upon the value of goods imported. As our fiscal
legislation derives its principal revenue from the customs duties,
it is not to be supposed that the existing system will be given up
for a long time to come.
We have no law on patents. The principle, however, exists in our
civil law as regards literary property, and might, if need be, be
developed so as to afford protection to inventions.
Though the law of the national guard prescribes a monthly review
thereof on every first Sabbath in the month, measures would be taken
not to disturb the conscientious scruples of the members of those
churches which forbid such a use of that day.
The sons of emigrants destined to a religious career will be exempt
from military service. There will be no exception made in the case
of those who may be engaged in secular pursuits or professions.
Provisions of all kinds being always to be had in abundance, there is
no need of dispensing with the payment of the customs duties on
provisions for the use of those who may arrive.
Machines, agricultural implements, and personal effects will be
allowed to be brought into the country free of duty. There can be no
exception made to the general rule in such cases as regards the
disposal of produce by the emigrant.
The Government will engage to provide remunerating labor for honest
and able, but poor, laborers who could not immediately purchase
property. This they would do, either by means of leases or
partnerships, or by placing them in such situations as, by economy
and good conduct, they could in a few years become proprietors.
Lands for schools and chapels would be given by the State.
The emigrants would not be compelled to come to Port au Prince, but
could go directly to that part of the country which they would
choose.
They would, after the settlement of a year and a day in the Republic,
enjoy all the privileges of Haitian citizens.
To make it easy for those needy persons of African origin who would
wish to emigrate to Haiti, the Government has decided, since last
year, to pay their passage at the following rates:
Fifteen dollars Spanish for every able-bodied man and woman; $8 for
children under 12 years of age and for aged persons above 60.
It is well to make known the contracts which are usually made in this
country between agricultural laborers and proprietors. The
proprietors give the land and necessary implements, the others
cultivate the land and dispose of the produce. This is divided
equally between the proprietor and the cultivator. The emigrants
might enter into such agreements if they saw fit to do so.
The Government will always respect the religious belief of the
emigrants no matter to what Christian sect they may belong. They
will never be called upon to defend the Roman Catholic religion,
whether they follow it or not.
The present Government, in its earnest desire to spread knowledge
among the people, has founded and will yet found a number of primary
schools. In these establishments instruction is given cheap, and
even gratuitously, to certain children. The children of emigrants
will enjoy in this respect the same privileges as Haitian
children.
Our laws do not take away from anyone power to leave the country when
he pleases. Nevertheless, the Haitian who abandons his country in
times of imminent danger loses forever the right of citizenship.
Those emigrants who do not care to remain in Haiti will be free to
go back again. Those, however, whose passage the Government may have
paid will not be able to leave the country until after three years’
residence.
These, sir, are the communications which I am commissioned to make to
you.
Fs. Jn. Joseph,
The Secretary of State, of the Interior, and
of Agriculture.
