Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-07-06

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Erfract Of letter. da.ed the 1sfh May,
1916, from an .fRiericGn Gentleman
noay Gt Port-anP li.ce, 70 his friend iil
fhis tozgr.
L astonishes me good deal to see
that the Editors of our newspapers treat
the name os that monster, Christophe. the
Sold saut King OF Hayti. with the shadow of
respect. have observed lately in several
papers which have come TO my hands, eX-
tracts from Gazette published at Cape
Francois as notorious for iIs serv,le devo-
ton TO Christophe, as for its false defama-
ton Of Potion.
The inhabitants residing under both
governments are heartily tired of their
incessant hostility and although they
themselves contributed in no small de-
gree, 10 the origin of their present con-
teniicns, yet the continuance of them,
is principally to be ascrioed to the diff
ference between the characters OF their
Chiefs.
3" Christophe's internal administration
is marked by the most udious tyranny
The civil and social rights Of the people
are totally disreg ardcd. while the slightest
offence against his person or government,
IS punished with the most sangui,ary and
- y
he is narrow, suspicious aud irresolute-Ae
has no uniform, established system of COM
merc,ai regulation, but does and undoes,
ordaiRs and abrogates, just rs suits his ar
bitrary and capricious temper. He scowls
On AL strangers, and looks upon them as
emissarics employed by the French, for the
purpose OF exciting the Blacks to resistance
and revolt. Ii is said that his apprehen-
sion OF the French, and his conviction 81
the instability of power. founded like his
npon terror. Keep him in state of such
perpetual agitation, that he would volun.-
tariiy surrender the Cape to the French,
TO purchase from them protection from the
smothered resentment of his own people, il
he could be confident of security in the ex-
ecution OF the project.
he character md government of Pc
ton, however, are susceptible of more
agreeable portraiture and 1t is but justice
in those, who are personally sensible of the
advantages OF his just and able administra-
ton, TO rescue it from the calumny and as
persion with which his enemies have en-.
deavored TO charge it.
In the discharge of his official duties
Potion is vigilant and interchangeable. The
laws, which are generally wise and salu
tary, are in many instances prepared bJ
the vigor and energy with which he attend.
to their execution. here seldom
complain OF arbitrary exactons, unfoundec
suspicious, or unnecessary restraints ane
the inhabitants are AZ well satisfied and a.
little ncumbered as any people can be
who are perpetually preparing to repel in
yasion. Potion rs high in the esteem anc
affection OF the people, aud there is not,
believe, a man III the island more infleXi
BILE iii his determination to adhere 10 thel,
Cause.
His Douane, which is the only source
OF complaint with the Americans, is ne
ver;heless grounded by = written code, anC
the expedient of filing lis treasury b,
seizuresfdr allGdgsd breaches of the reve.
nue. laws, is never resorted to.-We com.
plain because there is a d ference in the
duties paid by English and American yes
sells but we are promised that both sh
shortly be reduced to the same stand.
ard.
81 AS long as stay here, shall let M
opportunity sip of writing you and as VIZ
get nothing nteres ing here, viii h does no
| come either directly or second hand from
you. shall occasionally fiji up the space
between my dear A" and "your afiec
tomato TT with such local intelligence a.
may possibly sff3rd YOU amusement
Hereafter, if am not too much en- deu
leur, as l am very apt to be when think
OF Norfolk, may entertain you little will
some sketches Of manners, customs, &c
&c. &C."