The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-23 00:00:00

TEE BLACK EMPEROR.

(From a Visit to Hayti.) he
I heard a story of Soulongue, which is one of the
few anecdotes related of him which do honour t. 0,.
his character or disposition. As it illustrates a trill.'
of the people I will conclude my letter with it. ao.
There was &very old negress at Port-au-Prinee bia
crepid, shriveiled, nearly blind, who, no longer ~,_
to work, procured a precarious subsistence by ueobd
ging. There was also a German merchant, of go i
standing, of whom daily she solicited alms, '7
she never went empty from his store. He had 0c
ca-,ion to borrow 300 dollars from a fellow-count ,-
man. He fell sick, and was robbed of everythn.:
he had. His debtors also failed to meet their obilite
getions. When his note for 300 dollars was deeon
was unable to meet it. Instigated.by
of European birth, the creditor by legal process Port
him in gaol. Public institutions in lHayti erepri-
managed like public institutions elsewhere• heir
soners must feed themselves, or be supPliedbVrtu-
The utue-
friends, or failing to do so—starve.
nate debtor nearly perished with.hunger. ; for-
One day the poor old woman passed by 145 id;
another Pers _.
mer store. " Good day, good white," she said;
but no one answered. She entered, but was '
immediately went up to the
her good friend was in gaol, and why.
She '
peror and walked before the porch. He °aiw old
and, attracted by her decrepid appearance, -lea the*
her to come up. She was too feeble to aseee
stairs. He sent down soldiers to carry her ether,
She was conducted into the audience °has— *
and placed in a chair. , want t 0
" Are yeti the Emperor ?" she asked. "I
speak with the Emperor." is .
`
" Yes, old mother," said Soulouque ; " what '
that you want." an se-
" I come to ask justice," she said, gi ter a ta- .
Palace of the ?el;
Emperor was enraged.
justly imprisoned.' hear
expecte,. -e,„ g 0
1 + hear
The
a plea against his own injustice, but told her
'—
on and he would hear her. oath,
" Sire," she began, " I was a slave in Int ",..one
and you see I am feeble with old age now; 4.,,, -; otif•
longer work, and am almost blind. I have e"—wai a;
fered with hunger. Some time since there. verr:.
petit blanc (little white) who gave to all°. e sof
day. He did not know me. I never did Wio,
favour, but he never sent me away withouthan:ger
He fell sick ; I never suffered so often with meal
as when the petit blanc was sick. When had, and
was sick he was robbed of everything he . debt.
when he was well again he could not pay his
Another white put him in gaol. I know Ind Caw
nt p. He is hungry now, and
pay if he had moßey; but he is poor now an pry
Sirup' ive him liberty again; do justice to the Ps': t
in gaol. -Ati
petit blanc." tor!:
She told his 'Lune and the name of his erect-
The Emperor was eploved. 41l
"Never fear, old de
mothyer m!" he said, "Pi"4ne shall
be done to the petit blanc !" A told het'
He sent a servant for the Empress, ati--, Nag'
the story of the good old negress. She, Zetbefh
moved, and brought her food, and wine, an`Yaienet
When she went from the palace she bau. Os,
in her pocket which she did not bring therei and
Emperor sent for the Procurateur-Geruli,ahe Ger'
ordered hira.to issue a warrant of release. ,ension
man was released, but expressed his apPre'
that be would again be imprisoned. ulenglie•
"Never fear," said the officer, 0
lives you shall never be imprisoned again.
~ while So