The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-30

Aspect of AaAlss In the MINOR Parts az the
World.s
The stirring intelligence that reaches us from day
to day. from all parts of the West Indies and South
America, begins to assume character not less IN
teresting than the accounts from France, or other
parts OF Europe. We have reduced, to a small
space, all the most important points; embracing the
leading features of discussion, and the contentious
which agitate the peace of the various republics,
colonies and dependencies on the Atlantic, and on
the Pacific Lttr
While the people of the United States are
quietly enjoying peace-although nominally at war
with Mexico-and are absorbed by the news which
reaches them weekly from Europe, and speculate
upon its tendencies, and probable results, they
neglect events of the most interesting nature,
daily enacted almost within the boundaries OF
their own country.
Events IN Yucatan have been in the highest de-
gree interesting, and, if summed up, would make
the groundwork of a valuable work. The Indians
and the native Spaniards have been at war for some
time, growing out of alleged usurpatons of the Ii
berry and the rights of the Indians by the whites.
The Indians, 80 far in the affair, have been the
vicors; and have, by innumerable acts of trcache-
ry and brutality, reduced the whites to an utter
state of helplessness. The cities of Minda, Cam
pechy and Sisal were deserted and taken possess
sion of by the Indians. Up to the last accounts,
which reach to the 7th of May, they had been pur-
suing their bloody course, and had surprised seve-
raj towns, the population of which were resting
on the treaty of peace then under consideration,
and at one time reported to have been ratified by
the leader. The whites appear to have been the
WA go nj
to the United States government for aid, which as
yet has received no definite action from Congress.
The appeal was also addressed to the English 60
vernment simultaneously with the United States
and Spain but OF the three powers, England, by her
representative at Campeachy, is the only one that
has taken the matter up with spirit, and it is
than probable she will exercise dominion and sove-
reignty over Yucatan, on condition OF saving II
from the ruin and destruction which threaten its
existence as free and civilized people. The un-
fortunate fugitives of Yucatan were fleeing in all
directions, and on recent date some twenty ves-
sells OF all nations were on the coast collecting the
unfortunate people from the interior. The repub-
lie will probably sink into dependency of the 60
vernment of Great Britain.
Late accounts from the French portion of the
island OF ST. Domingo are very important; and re-
present affairs there, equally as barbarous as Yucca
tan. All the South portion of the island was in.
revolution against the government, and a war OF
color had broken out at Port au Prince, in which
many Of the principal citizens were killed.
The President of the Hayden (French) portion
of the island, is black and very ignorant man.
Among other offensive measures which he had
adopted, was the prescription of the mulattoes. He
turned out the mulatto ministry, and abolished
the constitution. A deputaton of citizens and
merchants of the highest standing at Port au
Prince, together with the deposed ministry, waited
upon HIM with request to restore the constitution.
Without degnng to reply to this request, the Pre-
sident immediately summoned his guard, and or
dcred them to fire upon the deputation. His or
0era vel
down. Among others who were shot was re-
spectacle physician, who was pierced through the
body by ramrod, which pinned him to gate
post. He was Immediately attacked by soldier
and barbarously murdered.
These sanguinary acts created great excitement
and tumut among the citizens, which was IN
creased by the subsequent arrest and execution, by
order of the Presid ent, OF several who were sus-
pected OF entertaining designs against the govern
ment. A skimish took place between the citizens
and the soldiers of the President, in which prOba
bly, one hundred of the former were killed. A
French man-of war which was in the harbor, and
the house of the English consul, were crowded
with citizens, who had fled from their homes to
the only places of safety. 1t was said that the
British consul had refused to shelter any of the
unfortunate Haytiens. who duplicated In vain the
TO allow the British flag to wave on any other
house; while the consulate of France gave I'M
bounded help to the miserable people, number of
whom were received on board the French vessel
of war In port.
After the skirmish had been stopped, the Presi-
dent caused twelve OF the principal merchants at
Port au Prince to be arrested and condemned to
death. The whole Southern portion OF the island
was in lnsurrectlon against him, and ne lmmedl-
a.ely proceeded South with five thousand troops to
quel 1t, but was driven back.
Mexican accounts we have down to the 10TH
Although very conflicting and confused, we
think there are slight indications OF favorable
action upon the peace treaty. 1t Is stated that
Congress had at last met and the majority of its
members seem TO be in favor OF the immediate
ratification Of the treaty. Herrera 1t IS said, was
elected President, but it was feared he would not
accept. The government at Queretaro had yielded
several points etiquette with regard to our CON-
missoners. One of them was the admission OF
an escort Of sixty men. The commissioners await
the annunciation that they may come:
Guadalupe intelligence reaches the 18th OF April,
and Is also OF much interest. Reading over the
accounts, we are led TO the conclusion, that the
slaves would emancipate themselves, whether the
provisional governmt mt OF France did so or not.
Everything appeared TO be IN the greatest aglta-
slaves had refused to work, under the impression
that their freedom had been declared by the
government of France, and that 1t was withheld
by their owners and the colonial authorities. The
mayor of Pointe-a-Pitre had displayed the flag of
the provisional government, whilst the governor
continue that of Louis Philippe's dynasty. II was
much feared that no further work would be done
by the slaves as such, and as the canes were ripe,
the loss OF their sugar crop would be the result
The slaves in the island of Martinique like those
at Guadalupe, struck work, believing that they
were to be at once emancipated, and the greatest
vigence was being used to prevent an nsurrection.
The new governor of the island, under the new or
der ofthngs in France II is said, had arrived there.
News from another source states that the fighting
had already commenced, and that the black popr-
lalion forced the doors of the Porte des Abymes,
with axes and clubs. All the troops were lmmedi-
ately ordered out, and revolt had very nearly
mia ordS
seen bearing the words" Death to the Whites
and similar threats. The accounts represent a
great want of -four, oil and other provisions.
Jamaica dates are received to the 10th inst
toned, at this place He had taken up his resi-
dence at splendid mansion near Kingston, where
he would remain for few months and then leave
for Venezuela. Information had been received at
Kingston of ten slavers having some time since
left Havana for the coast, of Africa; upon the
strenpfh of which the IL Il M shius A larm