File No. 838.00/1266.
Consul Livingston to the Secretary of State.
Cape Haitien, August 12, 1915.
Sir: I have the honor to report that, owing to the excitement here following the recent events at Port au Prince, culminating in the death of President Vilbrun Guillaume Sam, the commanding officer of the U. S. S. Eagle placed a guard of 20 men at the French Consular Agency where several prominent revolutionists had taken refuge since June 19 when the Government troops retook the town. These men remained at the Consular Agency until August 4, the day following the departure of the principal Government generals. On that day the Nashville landed sixty men and those from the Eagle remained as a part of the landing party. This reassured the refugees and they left the Consular Agency.
General Blot, commander in chief of the Government forces, left for Monte Christi on a Haitian gunboat during the night of the 3d with his family and the most active of his generals and men. Many of the Government troops voluntarily laid down their arms and took refuge in the yard of the Bishop’s residence. Others went aboard the Haitian gunboat Nord Alexis, but a good contingent remained with their arms and marched out of town in the direction [Page 481] of Port au Prince. Those remaining here, about 750 in all, were sent to Port au Prince on board the Nord Alexis.
The Jason arrived from Port au Prince on the 3d instant with a commission composed of Archbishop Conan, ex-President Legitime, Lieutenant Coffee, Flag Secretary of Admiral Caperton, Charles Zamor and Edmond Polynice. The commission returned on the 5th with Dr. R. Bobo and staff, General Bourand who commanded the Government troops at Fort Liberté, Ouanaminthe adjacent territory, and a few other prominent citizens.
The U. S. S. Connecticut arrived on the 6th instant and immediately landed about 63 marines. After the departure of the Eagle on the 8th, the Connecticut landed 108 bluejackets, making a total of about 230 men landed.
Captain Durell of the Connecticut and Commander Olmsted of the Nashville have taken temporary charge of the administration of affairs in the city. Most of the former Haitian employees have been restored to their places, with one American at the custom house and others at the port. They are beginning now to clean up the town so far as the limited means at their disposal will permit. Everything is working smoothly and the people are taking it good-naturedly.
Captain Durell has received instructions to give 100 gourdes to each principal officer and 10 gourdes to each private who comes in and surrenders his arms. Arrangements are being made to carry out these instructions; but word comes this morning from Port au Prince that Dr. Bobo may start a revolt in case he is not elected. One of his emissaries is expected on the steamer that is due here to-day.
Yesterday the accompanying printed translation of the enclosed proclamation by Admiral Caperton was distributed throughout the city and made a good impression.
Commander Olmsted is in charge of the forces ashore.
I have [etc.]