Mr. Powell to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Port au Prince, Haiti, August
14, 1899.
No. 621.]
Sir: I inclose a communication addressed to Dr.
Terres, the vice-consul-general, from Mr. Charles Miot, the United
States consular agent at Gonaives.
The facts are, on Sunday, August 13, 1899, General Prudo, of the
arrondissement of Gonaives, impressed into the Haitian army two young
men, one by the name Julian Guillaury, the other a son of Ch. Black. The
fathers of these young men claim to be American citizens. The young men
impressed, though, were born in Haiti.
[Page 397]
General Prudo was written to and informed they
were American citizens and were released. I call attention to that
portion of Mr. Miot’s letter referring to the registering of Americans
in that district.
Mr. Miot informed me that the parents of these young men had not returned
to the United States for many years, their sons had not been there at
any time, nor had they been registered at the consular agency.
In order that the Department may be fully informed in regard to this
class of cases, about 1824 this Republic extended an invitation to
settlers to take up their abode here, granting to them a certain amount
of land. Many residing in Louisiana accepted the offer of the Republic
and emigrated. In 1845 there was another large immigration here. This
also was principally from the Gulf States. Another large immigration
took place in the years 1861, 1862, and 1863. These people came from the
northern tier of the Southern States, with a few from the Middle and New
England States. The early immigrants settled either here or at Gonaives;
those of a later period at Les Cayes, also called Aux Cayes, and other
parts of the Republic.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Miot to Mr.
Terres.
Consular Agency of the United States of
America,
St.
Marc, August 11,
1899.
Sir: I have the honor to make you know the
little incident that gave birth to the two telegrams I showed you at
Port au Prince.
Last Sunday they were beating up for soldiers. Two young men, one the
son of Julian Guillaury and the other the son of Ch. Black, were
taken and put in prison to be incorporated. The two fathers, who are
Americans, came to this consulate complaining about the fact. My
son, Em. Miot, wrote to General Prudo, commandant of this
arrondissement, who put the two men at once in liberty.
But General Prudo used to consider them as Haitians, as they were
born here and have never made any declaration that could make them
known as American citizens.
It would be good to take the names of all Louisianians and children
and make them declare if they intend to be American or Haitian
citizens, so that I might know how to do with them in future.
I am, etc.,
Mr. J. Guillaury brought me his papers, by which I see that he is
really an American citizen. Ch. Black has no papers.
[Subinclosure.]
Mr. Miot to
General Prudo.
St.
Marc, August 6,
1899.
General: I come by the present to beg you
to kindly set at liberty the sons of Ch. Black and that of J.
Guillaury, both American subjects, arrested this morning and
committed to prison.
With the hope that my request will find a good welcome, I beg you to
accept, etc.,
Em. Miot,
United States Consular Agent (ad interim).
[Page 398]
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Powell to
Mr. Miot.
Legation of the United States,
Port au Prince, Haiti,
August 14,
1899.
Sir: Your letter to the
vice-consul-general, Dr. J. B. Terres, in regard to the impressment
of certain American citizens into the military service and their
subsequent release has been handed me.
In reply to your request as to registering those from Louisiana who
emigrated from there, I have referred the matter to the Department.
My own opinion is that when they accepted the terms of the
Government it was with the understanding they should become
citizens. I will be glad if you will furnish me this necessary
information:
- First. When did they come to Haiti; that is, the year? Did
they accept the offer made about this time?
- Second. Have they at anytime since their arrival here
returned to the United States?
- Third. Do they now intend to return? Have they had their
children, when born, registered in your consulate?
Respectfully, etc.,
