The New York Herald Newspaper, April 22, 1873, Page 6

Z 4 PIEBALD REPUBLICS. Hayti and Bominica Socially and Politically Contrasted, The African Ahead of the Creole Democracy. POINTS OF SIMILARITY AND DIFFERENCE. Why the Republican Theory of Gov-; ernment Fails There. INTERVIEW WITH LUPERON. Preparations for Revolution in St. Domingo. UNITED STATES SPIES IN HAYTI. The Samana Bay Company in Peril from Invasion. AMONG THE VOUDOU WORSHIPPERS. High Times in the Sable Society of Port au Prince. THE MAGNIFICENT PRINCESS SOULOUQUE. A Leaf from the Arabian Nights. The Folly of Grant’s Annexation Project. PORT AU PRINCE, Hayti, April 2, 1873. Between Poles and Russians, French and Ger- mans, radicals and democrats, husbands and mothers-in-law, there never existed a more cordial spirit of detestation than between Haytians and Dominicans. Both peoples are little better than overgrown chilaren, and they have a silly way of railing at each other which is painfully amusing. When I told a prominent Dominican at Porto Plata that I meditated a trip to Hayti he shook his head and said, “You will be sorry for going. They area dirty set of savages aver there—getting worse every day. Very backward people. i gat and plenty of cannibals among them.*’ native of Hayti said to me before leaving Dominican terri- tory, “Now, you are going where you will see a people of enterprise and intelligence—not like these cowardly and ignorant Domini- cans. Here not one man in a hundred can read and write. Over there you will find a common school system and hundreds of persons who have received an academic education in Eng- land and France. You will find also, that the peo- ple are industrious and that they manufacture something else besides rum, the only thing made by native hands inal! Dominican territory.” This is a sample of the manner these interesting folks talk of each other, and in consequence of the mu- tual ill- feeling there is NO TREATY OF AMITY AND COMMERCE between them. The Dominicans both hate and fear their neighbors, and frighten their children to bed with the dread name of Haytians. The sen- timént of fear on the part of the Bominicans ts not inspired by the superior prowess of the Haytians. On the contrary the former are the better soldicrs, and the latter know it so well that in a contest of equal numbers they invariably decline coming to close quarters, so great is their TERROR OF THE MACHETE, in the use of which no people excel the Domini- cans. Isawa two-minute fight at Monte Christt between a couple of Dominicans armed with machetes, and in that brief time the groand was littered with fingers and ears and pieces of flesh and clothing from various parts of the body. In portions of the island it is rare for a native to have his fullcomplement of fingers. To a Dominican the machete is everything. To cut his toe nails or cut down a palm tree he brings this weapon alone into requisition. In battle he throws away his rife if the enemy happen to be handy and sails in with | his trusty machete. It is the reputation ef the Haytians for making san coche (Irish stew) of their prisoners that makes them appeér so dreadful te their neighbors. It is a pity both races cannot live on better terms for really the FINEST PART OF ©HE ISLAND, that upon the border line, is reduced to the con- dition of a desert, by reason of the international animosity. I rode ‘into a town called Dajabon, on the borders, one evening, and in a collection of Q@bout two hundred houses, built of mahogany, found but one eccupied. The marauding rascals on either side had depopulated this and six other mall towns ona line of forty miles back in the interior. Saget, the President of Hayti, like a sen- sible and intelligent ruler, has been seeking by Various means—at one time through the mediation Of the English Uonsul General at Port au Prince, Mr. Spencer St. John—to inauce Baez to enter into & treaty of amity and commerce between the two Republics, and stop this border warfare, but in vain. Baez wants the condition of hostility kept up to scare the Dominicans into annexation to the | United States. He and his generals represent to the people that annexation is the only measure which will secure them from Haytian invasion and tnternal disturbance. THE TWO COUNTRIES CONTRASTED. Of the two countries Hayti has the larger popu- lation and the smaller area of territory. The Haytians are seven-eighths black and one eighth Creole. The Dominicans are three-quarters Creole @nd one quarter black. In both Republics the Creole is the ruling and aristocratic element. The revenue of Hayti is three millions @ year, that of Dominica one million, In Dominica they manu- facture nothing but rum, and of that universal Grink there is as much imported as there is made Sthome. Everything they wear and use, down to the indispensable machete, is brought from Ger- many and Engian half their provisions are im- ported from America, and even the planks and beams used in the construction of stores and the better class of private dwellings come from foreign hands, In Hayti there are various industries, They have workers in iron, tin, copper, wood and leather. They manufacture first rate saddles and bridles, and they build houses which have some claim to archttectural beauty. Only about five per cent of the Dominicans can read and write, against thirty per cent of the Haytians. The market of Port au Prince displays twenty timesa greater abundance of fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and general provisions than that of St. Domingo city, though the difference of population in favor of the former is only a jew thousands. Neither people kill themselves by hard work; but, of the two, the Haytians are undoubtealy the more industrious, The social and political morals of the two countries re exactly on a par. There are more thieving rascals in the government o1 Hayti, because there is more money to steal; and as for the parce of the marriage tie, it is heid in about equal regard by both races. The 8 cherish a much more ar- dent iove of country the Dominicans, and the fave a far fhe 13 record to point at than their bors. ice they drove the French from their rve their nationality up to the present time. ‘e hear of no application on the part of this ae] despised Bre for annexation to the Unite States or for help from any quarter. The Domini- ante THETIC BACB; A SAD, GENTLE, APA’ * the Haytians” bold, confident, impulsive. former to rally the’ standard of “revolution” cau- tiously and conduct the overthrow of @ govern- ment with comparative humanity; the latter fly to arms without a thought of the cause or the conse- quence, and, when victorious, treat the beaten party with merciless savagery. In the one you trace the phlegm of the Spaniard; in the other the oiatilty of the French. :. wit the last quarter of a century they have each entertained themselves with about an equal number of “revolutions.” The constitutions of both repuolics are nearly alike, with one special difference in the seventh article of the constitution oi Hayti, thabno white man can own property in the country, vote or hold office. Not so with the Dominicans. While not over triendly to foreigner: they allow them to have most of the privileges ot the natives. A strong effort is now being made to amend the seventh article of the Haytian consti- tution, and Mr. Van Bokkeleyn, an American, is taking an active part in Le i the reform, While the Dominican — has three general officers to every half dozen privates, the Haytian has five. In the former there is little attention paid to dress; in the latter dress is everything. We have a Presi- dential review here the first Sunday of every month, at which may be seen three hundred GENERALS DRESSED IN GORGEOUS UNIFORMS (?), and no two alike. One wears a yellow coat with a blue sa8h, another a blue coat with a yellow sash, and soon, When a native becomes owner o! & ge segomr or of any property worth he care of e secures a certificate as “general,” which en- ables him to wear. uniform, and the moment he ets inside of that he can go out in the street and jammer any simple 100k! darkey on the head as long as he likes. The blacks, more especially in the country, have a profound reverence lor a uni- form with ‘cocked hat and fexthers. They are happy to be knocked about like old shoes if it be done by anybedy wearing epauiettes, Tne marshal of a St. Pacrick’s procession would have no trouble in making his way through a crowd of these peo- ple. He could lay about him with his staff and en- Jey a more pleasant immunity from retaliation than he could possibly hope for in Donnybrook fair. The Haytians are not savages, nor have they retrograded so far as the world supposes, I have been AMONG THEIR “CANNIBALS,” and took ha ad with them, and while hunting over the border for the elusive Luperon and his reported army of five thousand invaders, I came with my peon Captain Joe, a darkey, shrewd and brave, all the way from Turk’s Island to a shanty in the night, where they were raising old Harry. “Dems de Voudou folks," cried Joe with terror in his accents. “Never mind, old man,” said I, ‘‘the Voudou peo- ple never touch strangers.” “Dat’s a tack, boss,’ exclaimed a voice from under a mango tree, and Joe was at once made easy in his mind, fer here was another Turk’s islander, @ naturalized Haytian, and a sham be- hever in Voudou. There were thirty men and women in the house, and hal! as many more out- side stretched on the grass in an apparently torpid condition, The festivities had been going on for three days, and these on the outside of the house had been placed hors de combat from too much dancing and drinking. “Is this a Voudou ieast?” I asked, of the natural- ized Turk’s islander, “Yaas, boss, dis am de reel ginoowine Voodoo.” “Where is Voudou himself ?’” “It’s not hisself; it is a image; look right yere,”” and there, sure enough, propped against the wall, with a lot of brown wax candles burning on the table in tront, was a piece of mahogany, carved into the figure of a serpent, When the dancing began they caught hold of Joe, wuo trembled like an aspen leaf, and hauled him on to the middle of the floor. A flour barrel with both ends knocked out was shipped over lis head and drawn down around his legs. At first poor Joe looked the pic- ture of abject fear; but gradually, as the atrocieus fun of the Voudou cancan developed itself, his nose and mouth relaxed into a very broad smile, In fifteen minutes after the dance begun there was less clothing among the men and women than Adam and Eve commenced the world with. THE NOISES AND SMELLS were overpowering, and it required but little imagination to suppose the insane revellers had been dining off fried piccaninny. Alter the dancing came the sacrifice, it was a large, well-fed goat, Poor puck was stretched on the table and amid the oddest sounding incantations was bied and dis- embowelled, the blood being caught ina calabash bowl and handed round, spiced witb tafla or rum, to drink, while yet steaming. It tasted much bet- ter than the milk of the same animal. Joe was rolled around in the barrel after this and made to eat a part o1 the goat’s interior which is usually relegated to the manure heap. I said to te naturalized Turk’s islander, whom I suspected to be a scoiter, ‘Peter, when do they sacrifice the babies 7’ Peter looked both amused and shocked. “Don’t ax me, bess,” said he, ‘dar’s anoder man yere speaks English, and if dey was to hnow what you axed me, dar would be troubie sure.” “But, Peter,” I continued, ‘what is that man with the knife in his hand, handling these babies for in the corner ?"” “Why, boss, dat's jes’ on’y to scare ’em. Dey scar- cifices no babies; nottin’ but chickens and goats. Ifdey was to scarifice a baby dey’d all git shot.”” With one or two exceptions all the men and Women were dead drunk when Joe and I left that night to grope our way by the light of the stars to the road leading to Juana Mende, That babies have been eaten at some of these feasts there 18 no question. it is only two years ago since a woman was shot for consuming the large number of twenty-one; but, from all the re- liable information I can obtain, cases of cannibal- ism are now of phenomenal occurrence. If babies are still used anywhere as festal delicacies it is done in projound secrecy, for the law sets tts face Against cannibalistic practices and Maithusian heresies. THE QUESTION OF SMELL. For hospitality both races are equally famed, though in the choice of travel I should prefer going among the Dominicans who, without being any cleaner in their habits than the Haytians, are more neutral in the matter of smell. The climate of Port au Prince is a few degrees warmer and less pleas- ant than that of any town in Dominica, while the climate of Cape Haytien, in Hayti, is superior to any on the entire island. I doubt if Naples can compete with CAPE HAYTIEN in the matter of blue skies and balmy breezes. It was here in the long age 50,000 Frenchmen settled and called the place ‘Petit Paris.”’, An earthquake came in is42 and buried 8,000 people in the wreck of the wveautiful town. Te visit it now is very like strolling through the ruins of Pompeii, with the exception that the one speaks Cs of the dead past, while the other, rising rapidly from its ashes, strews around reminders of the living present. San Domingo city, the capital of Dominica, is a cleaner place and is richer in historical associa- tions than the capital of this country, but it is as far behind Port au Prince in commercial wealth as Baltimore is behind New York, The soil, scenery and harbor accommodations of Hayti are superior to those of Dominica, The Poth he tase of export from the latter is tobacco, trom the former coifee. Hayti has genutne coal mines. Dominica, so far, has revealed no better fuel than lignite. General Brice, a native of Port au Prince, has commenced a railroad trom here, and will start for the Svates in a few Weeks to purchase his xolng stock. It will be some time beiore a native of the other side of the tsland imitates his example. POOK MATERIAL FOR DEMOCRAQY. As to the fitness of either people to carry on a republican form of government I have a tew words to say. Both countries are Republics nominally— that is, each has an elective President and an elective House of Representatives, and there all of popular government begins and ends. The Presi- dent of Hayti is elected by the Chambers, the members of which obtain their seats after the manner of the owners of pocket feat in Ei land. The President of Dominica can elect himse! as often as he likes, provided the army is on his side, In neither country is there any conception of the real nature of a republican form of govern- ment. A popular vote has no binding efficacy, and the popular candidate for President is he who in- spires most terror by his sword. Every man of the grade of general believes he ought to be President, and when you have two or three hundred in one country cherishing this faith and holding popular suffrage in supreme contempt as a thing of no con- sequence “revolutions” will come and go like April showers, H is my friend GENBRAL LORQUET, civil and military commander of this arrondisse- ment, with the eye of an eagle and the face of a roused lion, before whom all alone armed mobs have quailed and melted away, He 1s in favor of General Dominique for next President because he is senior olticer of the army, and he intimates that his turn as President should follow Dominique as he follows in senivrity, and he swears by the tall top of La Coupe Mountain that unless it does he will try, ike Tretawney’s men, and know the reason why. ‘How can @ country prosper where there {8 80 much uncertainty, 80 much instability, so much plotting and counter Baga ‘the clear truch is neither Haytians nor Domint- cans, nor the Spanish-American races anywhere, understand the science of republican government, and the result of their ignorance is to turn into a positive curse what to us is an inestimable bless- ing. What a rich and delightful land this would be were it governed by the wise and kindly abso- lutism exercised over Brazil by the Emperor Dom Pedro! The bifght of the country is its mock re- publican government, which gives NO SECURITY TO PROPERTY, allows no toleration of adverse opinions and en- courages every weak ambition to lawiess outrages in the name of reform and revolution. If Senator Sumner could only see this country and its people with his own eyes he would shake his head and say as Ido, “Give them a dictator or an absolute mon- arch, for their Republic is @ travesty and a crime against the people.” THE OLD DARKY EMPEROR. Had Soulouque, who reigned here as Emperor Somne years ago, only a trifle more sense and intel- ligence he could have accomplished wonders for the country. He had plenty of backbone and allowed no trifipg with his authority. Capital came and settled here during his reign and there Was ample protection for lite and property, but he was a vain and seifish old chap, and along with saddling a lot of dukes, counts and barons of his creation on the country he grabbed all the surplus revenue on which he could jay his hands, le was and without the loan of a single dollar ora word of sympathy or encouragement from oe of the nations of the world, they have managed to an imperial Bull Tweed and died worth thi lions. They had a king here tn the sloyon H or Bayt over = ears named Christophe, @ maguificent old darky thought agt of shooting twelve men of a morning with his own’ hands by way of an appetizer. A VAST UNDERTAKING. I have been looking at his famous citadel, near » and I am at & loss vo know why it is not put down among the woriders of the world. It covers the tabie @ mountain peak as high as Mount Washington and almost as steep as the That table comprises fifty acres. The Walls are 180 feet high, with room enough on top to march forty men abreast. It had accommoda- tion for 30,000 soldiers and 20,000 civilians. Its arma- ment comprised 3,000 cannon, and there was magazine room for half a million kegs of powder. Over the sige 1 and only entrance was a vast iron tank for meiting lead, and machinery to pre- cipitate the scalding liquid on the heads of a storming party. THE TERRIBLE CHRISTOPHE. Here Christophe resolved to flee with his people, if the French ever again conquered his country. He yoked 100 men to a gun when he wanted it hauied to the top of the mountain. One day half the contingent of @ gun revolted against the ex- hausting labor. Christophe rode up, learned the state of affairs, and there and then this sweet tem- pered King shot with his own hands fifty of the re- volters and made the rest take the gun to the top. He built a magnificent palace at the foot of the mountain and calied it “Sans Souci,” the ruins of which may be seen to this day. Finally this old ruffan was alyzed in one of his limbs and tie news of the happy casualty induce a rising of the pees against his authority. When he heard of this he called for his six brace of pistols and swore not a man of the revolters Should be left alive, but finding himself unable te mount his horse and balked in his vengeance, he turned around and blew his brains out, Now Hayti was never more prosperous than in that King’s reign. He had a law strictly enforced that no boy should grow up without learning a trade or some uselul occupation, Ioleness was prohibited, and as a consequence there was no poverty. Had the King been less inhuman and more enlightened he could have ‘ounded a dynasty which might have come down to this day, strong in the affections of a rich and cente: ted people. A REPUBLIC WHICH PROVES A CURSE. Now what is the condition to-day? A general feeling of insecurity, because no one can tell from one hour to the other what is about te become of the government. Last month twenty-two young men were shot up at Gonaives for starting a cry in favor of Salomon ior President. I landed at Cape Haytian from wschooner, on which Miss Salnave and her younger brother, offspring of ex-President Salnave, who was shot, were passengers. We were about twelve in number, and as we marched in the blazing sun from one general's office to another, at each of which @ look at the passports was demanded, the Salnaves received a perfect ovation, Women rushed out of their houses to kiss Miss Salnave and her brother, and lots of spruce eng fellows offered themselves as an escort. 88 Salnave hasa fine, durable, ebony complexion, and when I heard her greeted by @ sable sister with the remark, “Why, how sunburnt you are,” I wondered it it were meant for sarcasm. A MYSTERIOUS PASSPORT. The authorities were uncasy at the attentfons showered on the Salnave party, and in consequence all the innocent outside passengers came in for much unfounded suspicion, I was the only one without @ passport, but the circular in German, from a meerschaum factory in Bremen which f committed to the inspection of the first toploftical major general did the business teateniy. as some- thing “no fellah could make out” and had better let slide. Young Sainave was ordered back to the schooner on which he arrived, but his sister was allowed to remain. All this youth needed was a little pluck to start a small revolation just then. A DIOTATOR WANTED. All this fretting suspense which so paralyzes in- dustry and drives capital away comes of a repub- lican form of government among a people who know no more what it means than they do the na- ture of the spots on thesun. Give them a Dictator such as Guzman Blanco, of Venezuela, who is now actively litting that country irom the depths of wretchedness and bankruptcy, They have a man in Hayti who could ke her happy and prosper- ous, because he is enlightened beyond his fellows and has a will of iron, if he would only seize the reins of power and put an end to the mockery of law and liberty carried on in the name of a repub- lic, That is General Lorquet, with whom I had an interesting interview. He is a power with the masses. Of the Jacksonian mould— Tugged, stubborn, clear-headed—great confidence is placed in him by all classes. “As long as he commands this arrondissement Port au Prince 1s sale.” Such is the general conclusion. Give this beautiful country a stable, economic and inteili- gent administration, with a lease of power for twelve or twenty years, and there would be no limit to its prosperity. There is really no animos- ity to white egies ashas been so much repre- sented. On the contrary, the people are kind and civil, and in the country parts are affable and ex- tremely hospitable to foreigners, Of course they are mostly black, but It is wonderful how soon the stranger loses sight of the fact and looks beyond ene to the complexion of the qualities be- and it. INTERVIEW WiTH LUPERON. + He Thinks Cabral Has Grown Rusty— His Great Idea of Making Hayti and Dominica One Republic—Preparations for Crossing the Border—Dogged by United States Spics—What the Samana Bay Company May Expect. La Courk, Hayti, April 5, 1873. I have at last found Luperon and had a long talk with him. The report was untrue that he had started with an invading force for Dominican ter- ritory. He had simply made a recennoissance of the border, in company with another Dominican, formerly an officer in the army. Since his return Minister Curiel, of the Baez Cabinet, passed down the valley of Monte Christi and spoke to various meetings of the people, explain- ing the rental of Samana Bay to an Amer- ican company, and broadly stating that the United States government was identified with the enterprise and committed to the protection of Dominican territory. The result of Minister Curiel’s speeches was to stir up a strong feeling against the government, and Luperon showed me a bundle of letters be had just received from Dominicans across the border, requesting him to come along, as they were ripe for revolution. SKETCH OF LUPERON, I was surprised to find this well-known filibuster- ing chief so youthful in fact and appearance. He is but thirty-lour years, so that when he fought to rid Dominican soil of the Spaniards over ten years ago he was barely twenty-two, yet at that time he was a prominent fighter in the ranks of the patriots, He is a well-built, sinewy man, of five feet nine inches, spare in the face, clear and honest in the eye, wearing a small mustache, and show- ing in his manner and conversation much self- poise and decision, He was dressed ina suit of dark gray, heavy enough for the mountains above us, but rather warm-looking in the valley with the thermometer among the nineties. The blood of three races mingled in hig composition. The out- line of the face was Indian, the hair decidedly African and the features suggestively Spanish. He answered every question in a pleasant, fluent way and with an uncommon degree of frankness. 1 had heard he was a great horseman, so we had a trifle of horse talk to start with. He said he once rode the distance between santiago and Monte Christi in six hours, swimming the River Yaque twice upon the way. I believe the road is about one hundred and twenty miles. This is hardly credible. WHAT LUPERON THINKS OF CABRAL, “General,” inquired, “what are the relations between you and Cabral. I shall start to see Cabral ina few days, and should be glad to know beforehand if you and he are on good terms, and also whether he or you hold the superior command, and which of you intends to move on the frontier Orst?” “You overwhelm me,” said Luperon, laughing, “put [ shall endeavor to answer your questions seriatim. There wasa difference between myself and General Cabral, but itis in a fair way to be en- tirely removed. I complained of Cabral’s slowness and lack of co-operation. He has been here now over aan eo and has done nothing. He re- minds me of a man living on his relations and mak- ing no effort to shiftfor himself. Had he co-oper- ated with me a year ago [should have been in St. Domingo city now. I wrote to him to say he was getting old and rusty, and that it was time for him to wake up and be stirring. He had an peg Aon fk play a subordinate part, and bad no title to dictate a programme or suggest a policy. Now, I claim to represent sd policy, THE TRUE IDEA OF THE PATRIOTS in both the eastern and western parts of the island. T feel satisfied the two reise, can be vreught to- gether, and one republic established on this tsland strong enough to be independent of outside ald, and bold enough to resist outside interference. ‘This has beem the dream of my life, and | shall test the force that is in it. As to which of us holds the superior command it {8 renily a matter that should not aflect our relations. My atte tion is directed to the northern, his to the southern frontier, We can co-operate with perfect harmony, without disputing who is first or second incommand, Should we be successful and drive Baez out still there need be no dispute, for the people would be free to decide on a candidate tor he Presidenéy. As far as I am concerned I have no ambition for the place, [ the integrity of my country want to see preserved, I look upon the atrocity of Baez in iv ing a Dominican soil to foreigners oe dese! ot death. Do you imagine our people approve of what has been done? No, Sefior. How ‘would Americans like to have President Grant sell the peninsula of Florida to a party of foreigners and put the money in his own pocket? That would be an analogous case. The people of the eastern part of the island have been swindled, and they mean to have redress, READY TO MOVE ON THE BORDER. As to which of us intends te move on the frontier first I cannot speak definitely. I am ready to start to-morrow. I can coi now; but I might say the armament to the question of transportation and supplies, ‘There is no army in the world needs go little in the way of subsistence as the Dominican. yy can march without shoes and they can live on sugar cane ever go long; but! sho prefer a hundred men well mounted to five times the number on foot, because very much depends on rapidity of movement, Iam waiting to see what my friends across the border are prepared to 1 before I initiate operations. ‘WHO SUSTAINS THE ENTERPRISE. “Allow me to ask you, General, who are your aiders and abettors in enterprise ¢”” “Weil. thatis rather pointed; but! have no Ob- jection to state that several of the promises of as- eee Ihave received come from outside of this island, “Has the Haytian Government promised you as- sistance ?’” “Not exactly, They are friendly and sympathiz- ing and have been at pains to secure karmony of sentiment and action beween General Cabral and se] “‘Have any of the merchants of St, Thomas or Curacoa promised to advance the sinews of war ¢” “There are people in both those pines, who would, no doubt, be willing to pep us; but 1 have not asked them. Not that 1 should be ashamed to request help from them, but I wanted to sce my way clear to the end of this undertaking, belore making application. In case of failure their money would be lost, and my aim is to make failure in the least degree possible.” WHAT THE SAMANA COMPANY MAY EXPECT. “What would you do with the Samana Bay Com- any in case you triumphed and were elected ‘resident 1?” “The first thing { should de would be to institute a rigid investigation Into the manner by which the sale or rental oi the peninsula was brought about, I should compel the company to make a clear, sworn statement of all the property cher new claim to hold under treaty, and all outside of the Penin- sula of Samana, for which they pay no rent and have not paid for in fee simple nor in any other way, I should demand to be returned to the Gov- ernment. I am informed this company ciaims to own more land than is on the face of the treaty, and that Baez has his share hidden away with the rest, Having ascertained this much I should let the people be iully informed of the exact character of the Samana scheme, and then without pressure or intimidation, and in the ireest and fullest manner, take a vote on the ques- tion, In the meantime these American gentle- men at Samana would remain in undisturbed pos- session of their property, Lipp the terms of their agreement and awaiting the honest decision of the Dominican people."” “However, I suppose you are not hostile to the mtroduction of capital into the country after the manner of tXe Samana Bay Company?” “By no means. I should welcome capital from any And every quarter, but I want NO UNDERHAND SCHEMES, in the name of commercial speculations, looking to the destruction of the country’s nationality. ‘om all I can learn this Samana business is a cover for annexation, and to that 1am oppesed and will be opposed as long as Ilive. The people are against an- nexation. The moment Minister Curiel said to them that the United States was behind the speculation a prise darmes was organized along the line and ex- presses sent from several points calling me to take command and lead them against the government. I shall be there time enough.” “If you believe yourself that the United States government is identified with the Samana Bay Company and friendly to Baez have you not some fears of invading Dominican territory and med- diing with this American preperty %” UNITED STATES SPIES WATCHING LUPERON. “On the contrary, the know.edge of the tact that the United States is interfering in this matter stimulates me to greater opposition. If the United States government—or, rather, President Grant— has not an interest still in St. Domingo and is not watching an opportunity for annexation, why do they keep apie around this country, dogging my footsteps? Every move I make is reported at Washington, and I suppose your Secretary of State shares his information with President Baez, But I don’t care. be sare knows my intentions, and the surveillance of American spies will have little effect in preventing me from carrying out my pro- gramme.” “But, General, don’t you think annexation would help the country?” HAPPY WITHOUT ANNEXATION. “No, Sefor. speak as a native—a lover ef my country. We have not all your advanced civiliza- tion; but see how happy we are without it, Our wants are few and easily supplied. We are frugal, temperate and contented. With annexation we might possibly have more peicos of silver to coun- terbalance our loss of nationality, and more me- chanical contrivances to set off against the heart- burning jealousies of alien domination. High as my regard is for America 1 hope I shall never live to see this island annexed to it. That and that alone I shall fight against forever. I see by the HERALD you were kind enough to lend me that a handtul of Indians in California have for some time been keeping at bay the iorces of the government. With a few bundred men how long do you suppose it would take a foreign army to drive me out of the mountains of St. Jean de Goava ? Weill, some- where abeut half a century.” SAMANA A BLIND. “Then you are satisiied the United States gov- ernment means annexation, and is using the Sa- mana Con pany only as a blind?” “That is 1t—as a bind. Now, the people begin to see better where the double dealing is, and they are growing more and more inflamed over the manner in which they have been duped. I see they have a new governor in Samana.” FABENS TOUCHED OFF. “Yes, General. His name is Colonel Joseph War- ren Fabens, a gentleman of great personal beauty and highly uncommon talents.” “Caramba ! Uncommon talents! I should say so. I know the oily Fabens well. He and Cazneau were in business together in St. Domingo City some years ago, but with ‘an ordinary business. He wanted to be dabbling in diplomacy and L Apeergiees and the fellow is at the bottom of ali this annexation agita- tion. But he has no practical brains. To give you an instance. He went into a speculation in camels atone time, and brought some thirty or forty to the island, expecting to acclimate them and propa- gate the species. It was afterwards discovered that he left ali the males in St. Domingo vity, and had the femaies shipped to Monte Christi, 300 thei al I wonder where his brains were en THE LAZY CABRAL, a ey Cabral too old for active operations in the eld ¢ “No, not too oid. He is about fifty-eight, but he is too jazy. Iam not disposed to disparage the General in any way, but he bas left himself open to very unfavorable comment in this country by forever pretending to be on the eve oi doing some- thing and never doing anything. I have been waiting long enough for his co-operation, and if be fails to come to time on this occasion 1 shall con- sider myself bound to agt with entire independence of him. The border people clamor for me to come.”’ PLAN OF OPERATIONS. “Allow me to ask what might be your plan of Operations.’’ “The truth is, [have several plans, and which of them I shall adopt after crossing the line must depend on circumstances, I can cross over to Guayacanas, on the bing River, and be in Porto Plata three jays § after leaving the border. Porto Pinta can supply the sinews of war for an advance on St. Domingo City, and my private opinion is that before I get there Baez will be on his way to Europe, where his money is invested; but then a great deal must be contingent on the action of the peopie, of whem I have strong hopes. If you care to come along I can furnish you with a horse, and pledge myself to a you with three meals of sugar cane per ay. “Thank you, General. The attraction is very | anol but there is really more excitement in New ‘ork. Hoping you may have a pleasant time and enjoy good health on your approaching journey, I beg to say farewell,” and we parted, the General jumpin; Koen from his chair and accompanying me to the head of the stairs. A change of govern- ment may at any moment be ex; in San Do- mingo, and this is the result of a ing such coun- tries with the sham o/ republicanism, BELICS OF SABLE IMPERIALISM. Princess Soulouque and Her Most Magnificent Rig—A Quarter Million Dollars’ Worth of Diamonds, Silks and Sapphires on Horseback—An Imperial Supper—The Arabian Nights Eclipsed. Port aU Prince, Hayti, April 7, 1873, To have a princess and the only daughtef of an emperor for a companion in a three-mile ride is a circumstance not of everyday occurrence in the travelling experience ofa newspaper man. Prin_ cesses are common enough in Europe. They are scarce with us in the United States, except on the stage, andin the West Indies I doubt if there be any other now living except the imperial beauty I accompanied to town yesterday morning. Our Min- ister, Mr, Ebenezer Bassett, who, as you are aware, is not a blonde but a brunette of tue proscribed shade, has as lovely a place of residence outside the steaming city of Port au Prince as may be found im the tropics. Bassett is a splendid fellow and deserves to live in a palace, which, I am happy to say, he does. He stretches his legs of an evening, aiter his work is done, on the imported tiles once trod by the august pedal extremities of the Emperor Soulouqne. In another palace, a few hundred yards above our Minister's residence, em- powered in palms, almond and mango trees, lives the relict of Soulouque, and there, likewise, resides his only daughter, the Princess Soulouque. Count von Bokkelyn, Major Burke, Chief Engineer Bush- nell, of the Haytian Navy, and other guests of the Minister, had ail gone to town when the Princess rode down to the broad piazza where I was sitting engaged measuring with a telescope the character of @ vessel distinctly visible sixty miles away on twe thousand rifles rdinate « bens Was never contented | NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 1873—QUADRUPLE SHEET. the pale silver rim of the horizon. The morning was lovely beyond description, and the whole air was thick with the pertume of the jasmine. THE PIOTURE IN FRONT of the house was all the heart could desire—a busy town below, a peaceful mppling sea beyond, tree clad mountains, scattered clusters of royal palms and vivid patches of varying green, forming a mo- saic in verdure over the spreading lawns surround- ing the dwelling. It was while all this splendid tropical beauty was at its best, and the dewdrops still glistened en the rosebushes, tliat the vision burat upon me which I am about to describe, Mounted on a cream-colored Venezuelan horse sev- enteen hands high, with white mane and tail, was & lady about two shades removed from the com- plexion of anthracite coal. She was dressed as no other lady Iever saw before was ever dressed on horseback. Her rig was unique, novel, gorgeous. Her riding robe was sky-blue silk, and around her waist she wore A SASH OF GOLD that fluttered in a dazzling streamer behind her. Her hat was plumed with scarlet ostrich feathers. Her ample bosom heaved beneath a sapphire brooch as large as a saucer and her ears sustained the weight of $30,000 of diamond brilliants, A necklace of diamonds contributed to the dazzling splendor of her apparel, and its value might be roughly estimated at about $100,000, Her gloves were yellow doeskin, worn with long gauntlets, such as the English Life Guards wear. The handle of her riding whip was studded with ra- bies and emeralds, and the bridle chain of her horse was of solid assteriog sil- ver. Ts was the dead Emperor's daugh- ter, Princess Soulouque, once the bright particu. larstar of the imperial palace and the beloved idol of Port au Prince. She was proceeding to the city and so was I, and as we happened to be acquainted we went together. I wanted to see the effect of all that gorgeous raiment and adornment on the broad plain of the Champ de Mars. She talked with much animation as we rode along through the odorous lanes and pointed with HER RIDING WHIP to the ruins of her father's palace. “And there you passed so many happy days,”’ I cy op) areata co ‘ob- served. “Oh! yes,’? she responded, “happiest of my life; so nice a eee It was (with a sigh) trop de bonheur; but where’s the use to regret?” and she laughed in a@ light, ringing, silvery tone that was music in itself. Soon we were on the soft, green carpet of the level Champ de Mars, and her noble steed leaped exuitingly forward. Then he cavorted around for some ti DANCING A POLKA ON HIS HIND LEGS, after the fashion of the military trained horses of the country. Finally, he made @ break for town, with his quarter of a million of nt, and as he moved like a whirlwind the lovely Princess seemed like a brilliant meteor, wherein all the colors of the rainbow and all the gems of the ocean blended and shone. It had been some time before since the Princess visited the city, though living within @ quarter of an hour's ride. Her appearance was recognized half a mile away, and all the people crowded to the doors and windows, work ceased along the street, the men removed their hats and the women bowed in melting admiration. The en- trance of the Princess created a ‘profonna impres- sion, yet could not help thinking if the same moving picture met the vulgar andirreverent gaseor the folks of some town of Illinois or In- liana the profane remark would have been made— “By jingo, here comes a circas!”? I left the Prin- cess at the residence of a former lady of rank, re- lict ef the Duc de Marmalade. But I must hurry on to the event that wound up the day—the supper at the country palace. There were twenty guests and exactly twenty waiters— the latter dressed in SCARLET OLAWHAMMERS, green silk vests, blue plush breeches and_ yellow stockings. They were as black as the familiar ace of spades and they must certainly have used up a barrel of flour in qoyecring, their wool. They sifted a good deal of this over the guests’ shoulders during the supper. The tea service was a present from the Hore of China and the water pitcher from the Mikado of Japan.’ The walls of the room were hung with tapestry from the Gobelins; the floor was com- posed of porphyr: tiles, and from the ceiling was Suspended a golden censor that filled the room with the most delicious odors. The dinner service was all geld and the tablecloth was a present from the Grand Liama of Thibet. There were twenty- three courses and the whole so elaborate and so utterly different in style from sc aiing of the kina at home as to defy intelligent description. Two hours were consumed at the dinner and samples of the most precious wines of France moistened and illuminated the gastronomic part of the business. Singing birds filled the room and a band of music wrestled with operatic airs on the balcony. Isat next to the Princess, but the pon- derous flounces of her brocade dress kept me four feet from her elbow. I feund her a lady of great common sense, of the most polished manners, highly educated, speaking six languages with fluency and at home in music, painting and sculpture. It was policy, not want oi taste, that suggested the extraordinary rig of the morning. Minister Bassett was a guest and the life of the company. He was ably supported by Count Van Bokkelyn, whose genial stories about yellow fever and its playful caprices were duly appreciated. The Empress was on hand, dressed in rainbow satin, She proved A VERY INTERESTING LADY and her accomplishments all the way up from the kitchen to the salon are too numerous to mention. Her son-in-law, the Marquis Lubin, a gentleman resembling that famous knight of the trowel, Mr. A. Garvey, but twice as large, presided, and made a very jolly host. Chief Engineer Bushnell, the only white man in the Haytian navy, and the ohly one who never gets seasick on a cruise sang later in the evening some of Beranger’s chansons. The Princess and the Count DANCED A MINUET, and “Old hunter was given by the Empress and Major Burke, of Jamaica, with a vim that drew forth applause even from the musicians. The Eng- lish Consul General, Mr. St. Jonn, declined to dance @ hornpipe, so General Lorquet kept the fun up by executing a Highland fling. The evening wound up with a brilliant display 01 fireworks, a torchlight procession and ice cream. The income of the Prin- cess is about a quarter Of a million a year, and the people say she deserves it all, because she knows ow to spend it. SOCIETY IN PORT AU raNoe. is very gay, epecaly: in July ahd August, and a favorite drinkin; song among the white and creole bucks is a French translation of the British India song: “Ho! stand to your glasses steady, *Tis here the illusion lies Hurrah for the dead already, Here’s to the next that dics.” The people are very polite and Frenchy, and if one ceuld forget the color he might easily imagine himself in the Faubourg St. Denis, Paris. They dress in very capricious ways, and it is no uncom- mon thing to see @ man with a pair of patent leather boots and a hiatus in the aft section of m3 mathe ae but still they are a very interesting people. OPPOSITION TO SAMANA, The Splendid Bay of Mancantle—The Bacz Government Willing to Sell Dominican Territory in Lots to Suit Purchasers—The Folly of Annexation— A People Unfit for Union or munion with the Great Republic. * Care HAYTIEN, Hayti, March 30, 1! ; If there be any capitalists still left in Wall street: or thereabouts anxious to compete for fortune| with the Samana Bay Company I would recom- mend them to send in proposals to Messrs, Baez, Curlel & Co., directors of the Dominican govern- ment, for the purchase of Mancapile Bay, which, without being quite as large as that of Samana, is nevertheless a splendid bight of the sea. The finest river in the country, the Yaque, navigable for steamboats eighty miles falls into it, Coffee lands are on the right hand shore and cotton lands on the left, I spent three days exploring the bay, the river and the country around it, and ina circuitous trip of over sixty miles met with but one solitary habita- tion; yet the wondrous soil of the region back from the bay might sustain @ million of people. Curiel, the Minister of Finance, implored me to go and see it, and say that the Dominican government were willing to rent out the bay “and adjoining grounds to responsible parties at reasonable rates.” Being border land it has no attraction for individual settlers, but a company flying the Stars and Stripes would soon stop the bushwhacking amusements that prevail and make the country suit- able for people unused to firearms and accustomed to go to church. Curiel thinks that if this bay were rented out annexation would be hastened and placed beyond peradventure, because if you draw a line from Samana to Mancanile you cut the island in twain. Annexation is THE DARLING OBJECT after allat the palace in St. Domingo city and in the White House at Washington, In the letting out of Mancanile Bay American capitalists will have the preference over all others, It wiil go for less than Samana, but it will pay better, for there is @ natural wagon road extending a hundred miles into the interior, besides the river, which is navigable nearly the same distance, There are six fathoms of water within a jump of the shore around the bay, and, if so disposed, you can sit here ina boat all the day long and watch the sea-cows grazing on the sea clover at the bot- tom, forty feet under your keel. In the beautiful, but deserted valleys, back from the bay—especially that of Saveneta—you ride ip guinea atass as high fy as the pommel of your saddle, The Spaniards found stiver in the mountains, and here my irien@ Oley, the star of promise in the West India Com. pany, fished out the four dollars’ worth of gol@ which stirred up such A FEVER OF HOPE in the breast of Sam Barlow. Why the engincers of the Samana concern neglected to take a look at this part of the country I cannot understand. It ‘was very little out of their way, and Baez, in an impulse of generosity, might, if asked, have thrown tt im for nothing with the’ Samana bargain. Now it 1 likely to fall into the hands of ap opposition company, for Curiel says that Baez is not bound to exclude other purchasers of realestate in favor of the West India Company, On the contrary, he is rather disposed to cut up the whole territory of the Republic into lots and offer it for sale in quantities to suit purchasers. Regarding annexation, your eorrespondent’a thoughts’and conclusions, after Some experience of the country (quite enough for a sound judgment), are that the Republic of the United States will secure no benefit by the acquisition of the isiand, whether it be the Haytian or Dominican part. To aid the material interests of the Dominican people we could do no better thing than annex the island, It would help them much, but it would add nothing our wealth, integrity or prosperity, On the principle of doing good at our own ex- pense to helpless and impoverished nations, we should send around an annexation circular to all the beggarly countries of the globe, telling them that for the favor of their representation on our ~ we should be prepared to pay all their big and little debts, garrison their forts tree of expense, send them the flower of our enterprising people to show them the bi of civilization and the resignation of the Chi lan American spirit to yellow fever and early graves. The United States, 4s & nation, can gain nothing but trouble by the annexation of St. Domingo or ef any West island. These 01 ing ge! if ever apeed oy American hands, will prove like Dead Sea apples, leasant to the eye, but turning to ashes on the ips. ‘Twelve years ago the Spaniards came, at the invitation of ‘the people,” and a large majority vote was given in favor of annexation. The Spaniards, by all accounts, did their best to come ciliate; but awe Oe THE SLEEPLESS SPIRIT OF REVOLUTION was abroad, as it will be for years to come, em- bodied in the persons of a few men (six will make @ successful revolution), and the Spaniards had te fight. They fought reluctaatly. They could have exterminated the natives and held the country, bug they saw the profitiessness of such a cot and, after an expenditure of $40,000,000 in nd a sacrifice of 20,000 lives, they fett the country for ever. Who is te guarantee that there will be no “hotheads” around when we are in possession? Will President Grant answer for the peaceal behaviour and placid contentment of all the brave cavalleros understanding not his Le ag who have a grievance against the foreigners? Sup) my Dominican military friend, Don Cesar de pycock, dislikes the disposition of spoils in the Cas- om House at Porto Plata and calls upon his iriends in the mountaing to get up a “revolution,” what is President Grant todo? Put him down by fire and sword and sow the dragon’s teeth which shall make the soil prolific in something else besides palm and banana trees? Annexation is an admi- rable thing in the abstract, but applied to thia island in a practical form wiil result in dis) te ment. IfSt. Domingo is needed for a navi tion only, it is simple extravagance to entail so great a burden ior such a relatively trifling object. It ia buying a box of soap to wash a pocket r= chiet, Yes, it will have its meritafter all. It make a market for New England manufactures, provided a law is passed excluding the commerce of Germany, France and England. There ts a free field in the country for every sort of private speculation, Let the West India Com have the whole island to themselves they want it, and all the circumjaceut islands besides, Let another American company come down and rent Mancanile Bay, and ry fox. years the moral effect of these commercial ent prizes will be more effectual in giving the country peace, economy, and good government, than ited States bayonets and ships of war. The country will give FORTUNE AND HAPPINESS TO INDIVIDUALS (if they live.) ‘To us as a nation it is incapable os adding a particle of strength, but, on the contrary, would be forever @ source of weakness, What are ITS LEADING PRODUCTIONS ? Mahegany, dye woods, and tobacco; and none of these come to us, jor the reason we don’t want them. Dominican tobacco isthe lowest grade in the world, because its cultivation is neglect ed, fete! in the market only $8a hele when Cuban brit 40, We use walnut in place of mahogany, and tl ve woods afe not worth the cost of freight to us, but they may be to England and Germany. Everything else that grows on any soil grows here, but iu a wild state and not needed in the markets Of the world #0 longas there is an abundant supply of what is properly cultivated to be bad elsewhere. We have about all the soil and all the climates we require on the Continent. Let President Grant, it he likes, address himself to the task of annexing Mexico and all Central America down to Venezuela, but Jet these islands of the West Indies alone to work out their own destiny. Dominicans believe the United States governmént is.at the back of the Samana Bay Company, sheltering it and sworn to Porc the country {rom internal commotion and jaytian invasion. It is to be hoped President Grant is taking no underhand means, such ag'the Samana scheme, for reaching his pet project of an- nexation, Our Republic cannot carry ony. such burden a8 Hayti or St. Domingo, and Senator Sumner never displayed greater wisdom than when he set himself agaist the project from first to last. Americans, however, of all classes will rejoice at the success of any honest commercial enterprise aimed at developing the resources of the country without entangling 0s asa@ nation in its concerns. There is no prejudice to the Samana Bay Company 80 vats as they do not seek extraordinary guaran- tees of support and protection at Washington. If they cannot stand on their own merits then they ought to fall. Yet I do uot see that there need be any apprehension of failure. Samana WILL NOT PAY THE COMPANY for the first two years. They will have to oe at least halfa million betore they become ty started. They have to construct a harbor ant build ane and convenient site for a tor open up the Yuna River, purchase steamboats a1 sawmills, and pay a force of oficials to look after their property. the manner of the manage- ment depends everything. If that be entrusted to the right hands Samana will prosper, and ten years from now it will be a flourishing city. It has a noble bay, large enough for all the navies of the world, and it is only tiresome work to tell that its soil ia rich and prolific. In @ former letter 1 referred to the attractive TRAITS OF THE NATIVE POPULATION, and further experience only confirms me in the be- lief that, making allowance for their ignorance (only five in a hundred can read and write) and isolation, it would be dificult to find a people, so far removed from contact with the recognized civ- ilization of the age, so apt and amiable. But it is not because they are personally 80 preposse! that we should take them within the sacred fol of the Union. On that principle the Esquimaux, who are reputed to be a very gentle and interest- ing race of people, might ask for admision. AsI sald before now, that the initial step has been taken at Samana, leave the work of developing the resources of the country and-giving its qeors such material blessings as we enjoy ourselves to bid enterprise. The Dominicans are jealous of heir Sutonomy; but they are prepared to welcome capital and labor irom anywhere, and with three or four more companies such as this at emp | *], Working in different parts of the island, peace ant plenty would inevitably follow. i THE KNIGHTS OF CARTHAGE. Pears oe eee First Anniversary Celebration at Mae sonte Hall. The Empire City Citadel of the Knights of Car- thage held its first anniversary at Masonic Hall last evening. The Knights of Carthage are members of @ secret benevolent society which has spread with mucn popularity through the West, Illinois alone numbering ninety citadels, while it is only making its first steps on the Attantic seaboard. The only lodges in the vicinity of New York are the Indepen- dent Vitadel, in Jersey City; the Empire City here and another in Hunter's Point. It appeara not to be confined to any _ particular nationality, for Jast evening Germans, Irish and Americans, Lan gtd the ifellowshi; ofthe order. It is stated that the brother) making great steps ahead, and aren Oe pire ¥ Citadel numbers handreds of members. ie re- union last evening comprised not only a 6@ncert but a supper, a ball and speeches. Mauy ladies were present, and, indeed, the rooms were crowded by both sexes, J. E. Lehman, ©... and A. G. Dawes, C.G., made short addresses, Then followed some music on the ed by John Wood, a prayer by John Ham, and sul peauentiy, long recitations and more music, After this the assemblage ad- journed to supper, and then came the ball, which lasted until some hours after midnight. Thus was celebrated the 10,8734 anniversary ot the society, as it is claimed that the Knights of Carth: ‘late from the day when Mrs. Dido, flying from the persecution of her Phwnician brother, measured off the ancient Carthage with the hide of an OX and thereon built up her city ana her fame. ANNUAL ELECTION OF TAMMANY SOCIETY, Very quietly, extremely business-like, and witha unanimity that contrasted strongly with the day of “the Ring,” regenerated Tammany met last night for the annual election of Tammany Society. Very few of the members of the Society were pres ent, and as there was no opposition to the following ticket it was of course elected for the ensuing year, 1873:—For Sachems, John Kelly, John W. Chanler, Samuel J, Tilden, John Fox, Thomas Dunlap, Nathaniel Jarvis, Jr, Abram S- ea aC py 3 es Be ‘a onnelly, James Nicholson, William H. Wicktam. For ‘Treasurer, Arthur Leary. For Sagamore, Charles H. Haswell. For Secretary, Joel U. Stevens, For Wiskinkie, John D. Newman. EE EE