The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-08-17
Mdependence of Haut;;.

pendence of the French part of ST. Do
mingo, by the government of France, is
one OF those events which cannot fail TO
arrest the attention of the statesman.
The question has been go long in agita-
ton, thai the occurrence does not ex-
cite much surprise but, regarding il
IN political view, il is not among the
least Important of the extraordinary in
cIdents of the time in which we live.
The Island of Hayti, or ST. Domingo,
is one of the richest Of the whole West
India group. II lies between Jamaica.
TO the west, and Porto Rico to The east,
and is 800 miles long, from east to
west, and from 50 TO $50 broad. 1t was
discovered by Columbus in 1892, aud
the name originally given it by hat Gel
ehrated navigator, was HispanIola.--
Hayii is supposed TO be the native In,
dian name OF it. The coast is surround
ed by dangerous shoals and craggy
rocks; and the heat TO the north arc
southeast would be in.upportable for
halt the year, if it were not qualified by
the easterly winds and frequent rains.
The moisture, however, soon spoils the
flesh, bread, and fruits. The Island has
many rivers and mines Of various met
ais. Prior to the treaty of peace be-
tween Spain and France, in 1895, the
eastern part belonged 10 the SpaniardS,
and the western part to the Ere lch.-
BY that treaty, the Spanish part was
ceded to France. 10 the early part of
the French revolution, the westerly
part was subject to the most frightfuI
calamities. To the insurrection of the
negroes was added the contests between
the patriots and royalists. Ia Septem-
Der, 1898, the latter called in the En-
glIsh, who landed, and professionally
took possession of Mole St. Nicholas
and Jereme. Some other places sub
ml!ted; but several of them were re-
taken by the republicans, in 1894; and
In 1898 the English entirely evacuated
the Island. The subsequent history of
ST. Domingo is familiar to most of our
readers. In consequence Of the success
tul revolt of the blacks, the white popu-
lahon that escaped the massacre dispers.
ed, great numbers of them coming 10
the United States. A negro govern
ment was erected under Touissant Lou
venture, who on the French invasion,
under Napoleon, by General lie Clerc,
was enirapped, and sent TO France.
where he died. Two governments
were afterwards instituted-~one of the
negroes, under Christophe, in the mo-
naIchlcal, OF imperial form-another OF
the muiattoes, under Potion, in the re-
publican form. The tyranny of Christie
phe, and the mldness of Potion, present
ed themselves 10 the inhabitants Of the
island IN strong contrast and the result
was an instruction against the auihori.
" OF the former, who, in peril of his
life from his own troops, put an end 10
his existence, and the whole power
fell into the hands of President Boyer
the successor Of Potion, whose gov
eminent is kind of military democ.
racy, conducted with great energy and
considerable ability. The treaty of 10.
dependence with France will, it is said
put thirty millions of dollars into the
pockets of the old proprietors, many oil
whom, or their descendants, no doubt,
reside in the United States.
The delicacy Of France, in the recog-
milton, is very remarkable. She con-
fines herself entirely 10 the French part
of the Island. This may be strictly
proper; for, on the overthrow of N po-
leon, Spain, we believe, BY the treaty
Of Vienna, was restored to her ancient
rights in ST. Domingo, of which she had
been deprived by the treaty of 1896
But, then, it ahows that France means
to .follozO, rather than to lead Spain, in
acknowledging the independence of any
OF her former American possessions.
The recognition is 'emarkable, CHI eff
ly, as being The first acknowledgement.
by any Cabinet, of the independence OF
the blacks, or OF any separate power in
any of the Islands Of the West Indies
What influence it may have on the in.
habitants Of Cuba, Porto Rico, Jamaica.
and other islands, is not exactly fore.
seen although il is clear, that, in the
sequel, these must become Independent,
also, or change masters, or protectors
Without a navy, or even the means o.
self defence on land, from olmidable
Invasion, none of these islands can enjoy
any hing more than nominal indepen
dence. Apart from any association with
Europe, or continental America, they
Can only exist with self government, ii
virtue of a guarantee Of the naval pow
ers. Of all nations, the United State,
have the deepest interest in their poiIi
cal destiny. MAT. Journal.
Hdyti.-The acknowledgment Of thc
Independence Of Hayti by the United
States, is admitted even at the South