It is suggested that to counteract numerous designs prejudicial to
general peace, her Britannic Majesty’s government would cheerfully give
assurances that they do not intend or expect to acquire territory in
Hayti.
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c., &c., &c.
[Translation.]
Mr. Salnave to Chief Justice Chase.
Monte Christo,
November 11, 1865.
Sir: The undersigned has the honor to
address to you this note to call your attention to a question of justice and of progress which cannot fail to
interest you.
We have directed at the city of the Cape (Hayti) a liberal
revolution, having only for its object the overthrow of the
despotism of Mr. Geffrard and to establish in its place the
democratic institutions which constitute the honor and power of the
United States.
[Page 36]
The revolution has resisted for six months all the efforts of the
tyrant, and we were on the point of overthrowing him when he had
recourse to English intervention.
He pushed, by means unknown, the captain of the British war steamer
Bulldog into seeking a quarrel with us, without a plausible motive,
and in consequence to bombard our city. Seeing that we held out
after this bombardment, he caused two other English vessels of war
to come from Kingston—the Galope and the Lily. These two vessels
presented themselves at the cape, with Mr. St. John, chargé
d’affaires of the British government, and without choosing to listen
to a single justification on our part, or to accept any reparation
for what they called an affront to their flag, they demanded a
dishonoring action—that of going on board their vessels to be
deported, and upon our refusal to abase ourselves, bombarded all our
fortifications, and thus favored the entrance of the army of
Geffrard within our walls. It need not be told that if the English
could, in contempt of the law of nations, intervene by force of arms
with the policy of our country, to destroy a revolution which was to
give to Hayti liberty and prosperity, it is because Geffrard has
made them promises about certain portions of the territory of our
island. Such an engagement would be disastrous to the country, and
would break up the American policy of our country, as it has
established the Monroe system, which extends over all the American
nations.
We feel ourselves able to recommence the revolution, and end it in
less than a month, if we obtain from the government at Washington
the succor we need in arms, powder, and other munitions of war. We
have in the country profound sympathies. Our cause is that of
liberty and progress. If your government chooses to sustain us, we
will make it triumphant for the happiness of our country and the
extension of friendly relations with the great American republic. To
obtain this aid, we offer to guarantee to the Cabinet of Washington
the port of Mole St. Nicolas as a maritime station. It is not the
policy of the United States to establish colonies, but a maritime
arsenal in a central position on the ocean cannot but be of great
importance to them. Without detaching the city of Mole St. Nicolas
from the indivisible body of the Haytian nationality, we would come
under obligation to establish a maritime station and arsenal for the
government of the United States of America, to which we would bind
us more strictly still by a treaty of friendship and commerce.
We would be very glad to receive your answer in this respect, if the
proposal attracts your attention. Presented by a man of your
importance to the Cabinet of Washington, it cannot fail of success.
At all events, we ask of you profound secresy
on this overture. If Geffrard should get the least news of it, he
would not neglect to invite the English to the point in question. We
hold out at Monte Christo, on Dominican territory, waiting the honor
of a reply, which we beg you to make as soon as possible. Meantime
we pray you to accept the assurances of our most distinguished
consideration.
Hon. Salmon P. Chase, Chief Justice of the United States.
