The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-25


the subject without pain and regret
This, sir. is Hsyt, the Hspaniola Of Christopher
Columbus soil, the first discovered first trod first
settled by Europeans in this hemisphere Its history
is most interesting and instructive will not review Il
We have to do with lis present character and con.
diton need not inform this House that the people
OF this island are Free sovereign, and Independent peo-
pie Hayt is Republic, the only independent power
in the Indian Archpesgo-the only Republic off this
continent Its people civilized instructed, and
Christian community having schools and other free in
siitutionsihe Government and citizens holding large
intercourse with other nations.
And yet, Mr. Speaker this Government of ours, this
American nation, the freest Of the Free have never
kDowledged them q nation, sovereignty, an indie
| pendent Republic Nay, we have proudly and sterny
refused to do this One would suppose that the COM
mon sympathies Of freemen might have drawn the two
nations into public relationship But aside from
this consideration which the memoralsts suggest, we
are called TO recognize the independence and ma
onality Of Hayti by the interests Of the country-oi
the people, have said that trade with Hayti was
embarrassed il is subjected to severe discriminating
duties. We are, probably the least favored Of any
people in the ports Of that Republic Tonnage duties
and vexaous port charges discourage and Cypress
commerce there am assured that, but for these i'm
pedments, the trade from this country with that would
4 he greatly extended
Sir. the csnse, the acknowledged cause of all these
endorsements to that trade is found in the fact, ,ha.
we, our Government refuses TO recognise the Co
vernnent of Hayti We stand aloof as if they were
lawless tribe Of saysges. While all other Powers have
long since acknowledged them as an independent sove-
reignty, we refuse to recognize them. Others profit
by their commerce at our expense DENYING them ma
onal existence and fellowship for such is the language
Of department towards the Haytiens we OF course
have representative at the island Of any grade nor
have they public officer accredited here No CON-
mercia relations therefore, exist between the Co
| vernments.
1t has been said that the claims Of American citizens
upon that Government for spoiations or seizures Of
| property great and Of long standng these can
be settled but through the interposition Of this
Government II is also true, that redress has been
sought by the injured individuals Has this Govern
ment ever inerposed, in other csses OF the kind
But the present Haytien Government declines to ex-
anime the claims. Why not then acknowledge its sove-
reignty republic by sending there some sort Of
officer under the commission Of this Government? We
have consul on the island There is indeed So
called commercial agent there. said to have some au
thotty from Government; and shall be obliged TO
any gentleman who will inform me how he is commits
stoned and paidl Whether he is provided with sala-
in an appropriation bill, paid of contin-
gent fund Of diplomatic intercourse
MIR. CAMBRELENG said such agent was paid by
the Government, did he know there was such an
agent before this debate arose.
! Mr. GREsNELL resumed Not paid by the Govern
ment- knew there not nor ever had been con-
sui there, but supposed, and still believe there
commercial agent sent and instructed by the Exc
cutve but not appointed representative from this
directed to the Haytien Government have in my
hands letter purporting to be from such officer
from which ask leave read passage or two:
"Mr. Boyer, in my interview with him, told me that
all he wished from the American Government this
that the Secretary Of State should address official
letter to the Secretary General of Hayti, informing
him of my appointment As soon this done, |
should receive my exequaur, the President said, and
that the ten per cent additional duty charged
vessels OF all nations which have accredited agents.
/ mi diatcl he from mrs he
trade placed the same footing that of any other
nation No formal recognition by Congress asked
for, he told The appointment Of consular agents
is vested in the President alone, and does not require
the confirmation of Congress that OF consul does,
although in fact the instructions Of both exactly the
| same. l beg your particular attention to what am
"h9nt to state as 1t Is subject Of deep interest TO
ano u,ih % nPois""n to our mercantile community.
= IL the American Government comply Pre- ident
Boyers wish, would be the Of greatly increas
ing the present intercourse the value of which
with many and great obstacles constantly thrown
in the way, must be of some consequence many Of
our vessels engaged in it still These obstacles
would be removed and every possible facility given
Our domestic cotton goods could then come into mar
ke and could undersel the shippers from England
Even in the sale Of East India goods could at least
compete with them" a,.
The agent further states that the Haytien Govern
ment consider themselves much aggrievcd by the
United States having accredited agent here that they
wish for no communication with any agent unless he
bring letter from Washington with his commission"
Who does not feel respect and sympathy for Exccu
tive and Government who show such self respect 1t
worthy of that, in trade with Hayti we en-
ploy vessels almost exclusively perhaps not
more than from four six Hayden vessels enter our
ports in year. Besides, we may be allowed to carry
there the produce Of any foreign nation and he admitted
to entry from any foreign port. 1t may surprise
gentlemen to be told that trade with Hayti is
greater and more valuable than our trade with all the
British West India Islands Such is the fact, under all
the disadvantages have mentioned.
Have not powerful motives, then, Of interest,
justice, and good policy to open national intercourse
with this independent Republic "
The gentleman from Virginia (Mr Wise) objects
he the proposition of the memoralists and
contests it on its He does it boldly and man
fully. He first remarks that this is movement to-
wards wholesale amagamaton-tha it is part and par
celof the abolition scheme-social amagama,on. Sir,
does not the gentleman tax his Imagination for this
cepton Are either of the terms in the petition
cannot discuss any question he may raise the ANAL
gamaton of which he speaks, and need only add, If
there be human being that contemplates expects
such results, do not know him. As for abolition, in
the absence of all language and evidence this point
will say and admit that the petition looks to abolition
Of certain character that is to say 10 the abolition
ofnational distinctions founded color Let any
Of candor say what objection there be to such abo
lition Are not national distinctions arising from color
disregarded by every nation earth, unless be
| an exception
Look at the nations Of the world with which hold
diplomatic and commercial relations, and Judge what
has been the rule Of this Government in forming them
II has not had reference to the strength Of the Power
treated with, to the Of civilization and ge-
neral intelligence Of their people. We have recently
treated with Texas. few years ago made treaty
with the Emperor of Morocco, and with the Barbary
Powers. And, il mistake not, have treated with
the Suiian Of Musedt aud some other tribe on The
other side Of the gobe-weak they may be, and. in
some respects, insignificant Their hue complexion
reported to this very dgnifed and scrupuous
/ Government.