The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-07 00:00:00

THE FALL OF SOULOQUE,

We all know the time-honoured superstition by
which the fall of empires is attributed to the ap-
pearance of comets, but few we think, are aware
that the comet of 1858 did most decidedly over-
throw an empire, as will be seen from the following
account which we abridge from a most interesting
paper, by the pen of M. Gustave d'Alaux, published
in the Revue des Deux-Mondes :—Souloque it ap-
pears, rose to power, and maintained himself in it
for elev. n years through the agency of the an-
tagonism of colour so universal in the island, and
because he belonged to the sect of the vaudoux, a
kind of African freemasons, by whose means he had
a mysterious and devoted police at his service.
His auxiliaries were the pipets and the zinglins.
names denoting a class of ruffians of the south and
a similar one of Port-au-Prince, who had distin-
gui,,lied themselves in every popular disturbance
by their peculiar talent for rapine and murder.
But as Souloque after all kept them quiet under
his iron rod, the better class had bcoome recon-
ciled to his rule for want of a more eligible one.
Geffrard, who dethroned him on the 14th of Jan-
uary last, is a grip, that is, a mulatto by birth,
but with a black skin, which circumstance gives
him the advantage of being claimed at once by
both castes, and therefore of having it in his power
to influence them both. He had entered the army
at the age of 15, that is, in 1821, was appointed a
captain under Boyer in 1843, and sided with the
mulattos in the revolution of that year, in which
he played a conspicuous part. He was raised to
the rank of general by President Guerrier ; but the
loft er's successor, Riche, who hatedGeffrard, ordered
him to be judged by court-martial (which, in other
words, means shot) for some imaginary offence or
other. But Dupuy, Minister of War, who was un-
willing that the State should lose the services of so
good an officer, looked about him for some fit per-
son to act as president of the court-martial, well
knowing that, as the president voted, so would the
rest of the board, and that therefore Geffrard's life
depended on the choice of a president. After much
consideration, Dupuy fixed upon the most inoffensive
of mortals, commandant of the Presidential Guard,
a fat and jovial fellow whom his friends used to
call Compere Cuaclii, and who was no other than
Souloque himself! —" General," said Dupuy to
him, " the Government is about to entrust you with
a matter of importance ; you aro to preside over the
Court-martial which is to judge General Geffrard."
—" Dear me !" exclaimed Souloque in consterna-
tion at the idea of having to commit a murder.—
" Surely, General," replied Dupuy in a tone of
severity, " you do not hesitate to do your duty ?"
—" Well, I shall condemn," answered Souloque
mournfully shrugging his shoulders.—" What r)
exclaimed Dupuy alarmed ; "do you mean to
say you have proofs of his guilt ?"—" No ; but
since President Riche has ordered." . . .--Du-
puy seeing that he had found more docility than
he wanted, took Souloque to task, and gave him to
understand that it was an acquittal, and not a con-
demnation that was required. The acquittal was
obtained, and this event established a bond of
friendship between Souloque: and Geffrard, which
it required the most adverse fate to break. We
cannot stop to !give a description of Souloque's
Government after his coup d'etat; suffice it to say
that his financial system was the simplest in the
world, since it merely consisted in laying hold of
everything he could get at, and never paying if he
could help it. The details of this system are most
amusingly described by the author of the paper; but
our limits forbid us to enter further into the subject,
except to state that Souloque, finding that his
soldiers, with their pay of one sou per diem, were
idling away their time, thought he would give
them something to do; and aceordingly set them
to work on his:own grounds and buildings, making
them toil from morning to night at the self-
same sou per day, it never entering his mind that
they should be paid extra for extra labour. Nay,
he found this system so profitable, that he ordered
away the whole regiment of the department of the
Artibonite, the only really agricultural district of
his dominions, to make the men work at his plan-
tation •, so that not a single able-bodied man re-
mained in the department, all agricultural labour
was at a stand-still, and the Artibonite River
overflowed its banks, there being nd hands to keep
the dams in order. All this of course created im-
mense discontent, and the people generally looked.
to Geffrard as the probable chief of a future insur-
rection. Geffrard, however, out of gratitude to
Souloque, declined all overtures of the kind.
Matters were in this state when the comet of Sep-
tember, 1858, made its appearance. Now, in the
Island of St. Domingo comets have maintained
their old reputation to the fullest extent ; that of
1811 announced the siege of Port-au-Prince ; that
of 1843, the tail of which, curiously enough, had
been christened Gejfrard's plume by the people,
had ushered in the revolution which overthrew
Boyer; and as soon as the comet of 1858 appeared
with its double tail;which was more distinctly seen
in those latitudes than in Europe the people ex-
claimed : " Geffrard rises in rank • he has two
plumes !" Souloque, seriously frightened, sent for
his confidential sorcerer to consult him on the
comet ; the latter, however, a prudent man, as-
sured him that the comet was only on its way to
South America, and it would create a revolution; in
fact, it was turning its horns towards the conti-
nent. But days and weeks passed, and still the
comet was there, and what was worse, its horns
shifted their position. This created such ex-
citement among the population, that Souloque
was at length obliged to insert an article' in
the Moniteur Haitien, in which, after positively
contradicting the "alarming rumours which had
been circulating for seine days past," he threatened
all those who should dare to propagate them with
expulsion or arrest. But the idea of a revolution
headed by Geffrard had seized hold of the public
mind, and Souloque at length resolved, from a
sense of self-preservation to do away with
Geffrard, although he had formerly saved his
life, and had therefore conceived a strong affec-
tion for him. It was then only that Geffrard,
also acting on his part in sheer self-defence, con-
sented to head an insurrection. How the revolu-
tion was accomplished the reader must see in M.
Gustave d'Alaux's delightful article; we must con-
tent ourselves with the following characteristic
traits. The day before Geffrard was expected to
appear before the gates of the capital, Soulonque
had given orders for a general massacre of the
mulattos. At 4 a.m. of the eventful day his ge-
nerals came to wake him, telling him the enemy
was at the gates. Souloque listened : " Non-
sense !" exclaimed he, "it is the prisoners ! What
o'clock is it ? Only four ? The stupid fellows ! I
had bid them begin (the massacre) only in the
afternoon ! " So saying, he turned round to sleep
again. When at length he was convinced of the
fact that Geffrard was master of the capital he
cried, while slipping on this nether garment (which,
by the by, remained half unbuttoned during the
rest of that eventful day, a circumstance which
rather detracted from the dignity of a scene of
fallen greatness), " Where are my guards ?"
"
" They refuse to march, Sire !" hen," replied
Souloque, after a moment's reflection, with the
completest confidence, " tell General Geffrard to
send me a guard," so convinced was he that the
man whose life he had saved would now protect
him. In this he was not mistaken ; Geffrard did
send him a guard, and had his retreat to the French
consulate protected by a strong escort, which saved
him from the violence of an infuriated rabble. The
rest of his story is known.

MUNICIPAL VIEWS OF ANTIQUITIES.—The fine
equestrian statue of Charles 11. in the Parliament-square,
Edinburgh, first erected in 1685, is, it seems in imminent
danger of falling. from its pedestal, owing to a crack at the
fetlock joint of the only forefoot which touches the ground,
the other limb being lifted, so that the entire weight of the
front half of the statue rests on one foot. A proposal was
a few days since made to the Town Council, by whose pre-
decessors the statue was put up, to repair the flaw. One
member (Mr. Fyfe) objected, stating that he did not see why
tl,e status should be preserved, seeing that Charles 11. was
neither a great nor a good man, and his statue being, in his
view, a reproach to the town, it ought to be allowed to fall
into decay. Another member (Mr. Dick) a veterinary pro-
fessor, took a different view of the question, for though he
did not much approve the statue being there he would put
it in repair, he said, for the sake of the horse. Mr. Mac-
knight, on the other band, thought there was not a finer
equestrian statue in Great Britain, and without more dis-
cussion the necessary repairs were ordered.
THE TRADE OF HARTLEPOOL.—The Customs'
returns for the last three quarters of the year terminating
last month show a state of prosperity hitherto unprecedented,
in the history of this port. This gratifying state is attri-
butable to the vast number of importations and exportations
going on daily at West Hartlepool, and with every pros-
pect of a great increase. So greatly has the business of
the Custom-house been increased in consequence that seven
additional officers have been sent down from London and
Liverpool to aid the already numerous staff of the port.
The number of vessels which have arrived inwards with
foreign cargoes during the period above stated have ex-
ceeded by 135 the number of the correspondineriod of
last year, and there is an excess of about 5(11 in the number
of vessels taking in coals forthe foreign and coasting trades.
The revenue for the same period has increased nearly BO
per cent. The total value of goods exported during last
month alone (exclusive of coal and coke) amounted to
£550,605. A comparison of the revenue returns for the last
nine months with the correspondin perd of last year
shows an excess of not less than X1,210g ,887io
These results are, as before stated, mainly attributable to the progress of
the newly-made town and docks of West Hartlepool, where
ftehaeturimepoof its
stion of timber has become quite an extensive
trade. An additional timber pond has lately
been formed, making a space of about 18 acres in yards and
ponds appropriated to the storing of timber. The great
facilities afforded by the dock and railway company for the
landing and transmitting of goods to all parts inland with-
out the least delay have induced several of the leading tim-
ber Merehants of Hull to transfer portions of their business
to West Hartlepool. Some idea of the never-ceasing whirl
going be imagined from the fact that an average of
seven on may
large steamers from Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Crow-
stadt arrive, are unloaded, robaded, and despatched every
week.

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MONEY AREET AND CITY NEU A.‘,.

CITY, Two O'CLOCK.
The markets for foreign and colonial produce
during the last few days have been very inactive.
The inquiries for tea have been extremely limited,
but n• change has taken place in values. Sugars
have been in moderate demand, but in most in-
stances at lower rates. Coffee, particularly Planta-
tion Ceylon. has been in fair request at about
previous prices ; the superior descriptions of Mocha
and Jamaica, however, have been quite neglected.
There has been an extensive business in the new
crop of fruit, including currants, raisins, figs, and
almonds, and full prices have teen realised. Salt-
petre has exhibited very little alteration as regards
values, only a small amount of business having
been entered into. Tallow has been in better de-
mand, chiefly for home consumption, at about late
prices ; speculative business, however, continues
dull, at 575. 9d. per cwt. for present delivery, and
575. 6d. to 575. 9d. for the end of the year.
Accounts from Liverpool report that the Cotton
Market yesterday closed with rather more anima-
tion, and prices of American advanced 1.16 th per
lb. The sales amounted to 10,000 bales. In the
Railway Share Market business was quiet, and quo-
tations remained steady.
The inquiry for money is steadily maintained,
both in Lombard-street and the Bank of England,
but the market still exhibits quietude and easiness,
first-class bills being negotiated at quotations rang-
ing as low as 23,, per cent. On the Stock Exchange
there is very little demand for loans, which can bo
obtained at exceedingly moderate rates ; but during
the liquidation of the Consol account, which will
take place on the 11th, the inquiry may be tempo-
rarily stimulated.
There were no bullion operations of importance
at the Bank of England yesterday.
An advance is reported in the Indian exchanges,
which will probably lead to increased shipments of
silver, although the demand for that metal is at
present rather quiet. Bar silver and dollars remain
at steady quotations.

The half-yearly meeting of the Commercial Gas
Company took place to day, at which a dividend at
the rate of 6 per cent. per annum was declared.
The `traffic receipts on most of the French rail-
ways continue favourable, showing a steady in-
crease compared with the same period last year.
This movement is attributable to the gradual im-
provement of trade, and it is satisfactory to per-
ceive a similar augmentation in the revenue of the
English railway companies.

The market for public securities continues very
quiet, the transactions for money and account being
exceedingly limited. Quotations, however, are
tolerably well maintained, owing to the favourable
position of monetary affairs, and the absence of
political excitement. Consols have been 95,11- I, but
owing to a few sales they have since receded to
95i

The New India Stock is steady at 1011 y ; ditto
Scrip is firm at 1019 y ; ditto Loan Debentures
(1859) have advanced to 951 1, but the Bonds are
flat at ss. dis. to par ; and Exchequer Bills remain
at 245. to 275. prem.
Only a very small amount of business is recorded
in Foreign Securities, and prices are without any
important change. Turkish 6 per Cents, are 83 to
84 ; ditto New, 69 to 70 ; Danish 3 per Cents are
steady at 85 ex-div. ; Russian 49 per Cents at 671 ;
and Sardinian at 87 ; Mexican has receded to 22-7,-
Messrs. D. Bell, Son, and Co., give the following
as the price of American Securities :

Redeemable. Prices.
United States 6 per Cents 1867-1868
Do. 6 per Cent Bonds
Alabama 5 per Cent. Bonds -
Kentucky 6 per Cent. Bonds lB6B-72
Maryland 5 per Ct. Str. Bonds -
Massachusetts 5 per Cent. Str.
Bonds
Ohio 6 per Cent. Stock
Pennsylvania 6 per Ct. Stock.
Pennsylvania 5 per Ct. Bonds
Tennessee 6 per Cent. Bonds.
Virginia 6 per Cent. Bonds ..
Virginia 5 per Cent. St. Bonds
Boston 5 per Cent. St. Bonds
Illinois Central 7 per
.Cent.
Illinois Central 6 per Cent. ..
Illinois Central 7 per Cent
(Freelands)
Do. shares, 60 dols. paid
Michigan Central 8 per Cent
Do. do. shares ..
Panama 7 per Ct., Ist mort-
gage Str. Bonds, not cony..
Do. do., let. do.
New York Central 6 per Ct ,
not convertible ..
New York Central 7 per Ct ,
convertible, from June 15,
1857-59
Do. do. shares
New York and Erie, 7 per Ct ,
3d mortgage ..
New York and Erie 7 per Ct.,
convertible .

1886

1877
Divers
1886
1888

1883

1864

1883

96} 97f
75 77
92 94
951 96}

100 102
97 98
82 83
84 85
80 82
84 86
84 86

1862

A rather heavy tone has preV;iled in the Rail-
way Share Market, the dealings in several of the
principal lines showing a decline of about 1 to 1
per cent. Bristol and Exeter have receded 10s.;
Great Western, Brighton, North Western, Mid-
land, and South-Eastern, ss. ; and North Eastern
(Berwick), 15s.

The Foreign and Colonial lines have shown very
little animation. East Indian have declined
108. to 15s. ; Grand Trunk of Canada,
Great Western of Canada, and Great Indian
Peninsula were at about previous quotations.
Joint Stock Bank and Miscellaneous shares re-
min very inactive. Bark of Egypt have declined
ss. ; London and Westminster advanced ss. ;
Crystal Palace, Berlin Water Works, and Rhymney
Iron have realised about former values. The scrip
of the Burham Brick and Pottery Company is
quoted at d _a prem.

BRI.TISI FUNDS THIS DAY AT ©ATE O'CLOCK.
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities
India Stock
Ditto, 1859, 5 per Cent.
Ditto Loan Scrip, 5 per cent
Ditto Debentures, 1858
Ditto, 1859
Ditto Bonds, £l,OOO
Mt') under £l,000
Consols for Account (Oct. 11)
I- xchequer Bills, £l,OOO, 1/c1 24 7
Ditto Small, lid
!IRV) £5OO
rams OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Danish, 1825, 3 per Cent.
td-xican 3 per Cent.
Ditto Account
Peruvian 4/ per Cent —
Ditto 8 per Cent.
Ditto Account
Russian, 1822, £ St., 5 per Cent —
Ditto 3 per Cent. 671
Sardinian, 5 per Cent B7
'
Turkish 6 per Cent
Ditto New Loan
Ditto Account
Dividends on the above payable in London.
TWO O'CLOCK.
_ . ..

Consols, Money 96
Ditto Account (0ct.).... 9CI

A letter from Rom© says :—" Prince Napoleon
Gregory Bonaparte, the youngest son of the Prince of
Canino, is about to marry Mary Christina, daughter of
Prince Ruspoli, of Rome. It is Monsignor Lucien, the
brother of the bridegroom, who will perform the ceremony
in the chapel of the Gabrielli Palace. The bride is one of
the most accomplished beauties in Rome. Almost all the
children of the Prince of Canino of the elder branch
are married at Rome. A second princely marriageof willte.e
shortly be celebrated at Rome. Maximo,son
Princess Christina of Saxony,
of the
foreign to marry adaughtere
of the Duchess of Berry. Three hundred menof
foreign regiment left Peruggia at the beginning
the week for Ancona. General Garibaldi, it is said, intendsto
to attack the Pope's troops. He has addressed a speech
his volunteers, in which he declares that in order to secure
the independence of Italy it is necessary to finish with the
Austrians and the elergy, but particularly with the clergy.
At Malbergo, which is a village between Ferrara and Bo
logna' a battalion of the Tuscan army would not lodge in
the barracks because it had been occupied several times by
the Austrians, and they slept in the church, the only one
in the village. Garibaldi was at Bologna on the 28th tilt.,
where volunteers were arriving in large numbers."
Engineers of every grade speak in very eulogistic
terms of the new mill bands constructed out of the patent
vegetable leather as manufactured under the discovery of
the Messrs. Spill, at Stepney-green. It is scarcely ever so
much unanimity is exhibited upon the advent of a material
at once original and likely wholly to supersede other modes.
But when the vast importance of steadiness of action and
durability of fabric is borne in mind, all other considerations
give way. It is not the cost of the driving gear of the vast
machinery of this producing country which occupies the
minds of the manufacturers so much as the time that is lost
in patching, lacing-, rivetting, and looping all the bands in
common use. With the vegetable leather the join once
made is permanent and smooth, and no stretching occurs
to mar the fitness of the bands, and their really comfortable
application to the duties allotted to them.
COLLISION WITH AN ICEBERG AND Loss OF LIFE.
`QUEBEC, SEPT. 24.--The Caroline, Capt. Melott, from
Liverpool, at this port, reports having struck an iceberg,
outside the Straits of Belle Isle. Four of the crew, fearing
that the vessel would go down, jumped into the boat at the
stern, and cut the tackle falls, when the boat went down,
and they were all drowned. The remainder of the crew
sunaseceeded in working the vessel up to near Bic, where she
taken in tow by the steam-tug Queen Victoria, and
arrived here on the 19th inst.