The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-10-06
Highly Important from Hayti.

Highly Important from HaylI,
A NEGRO REPUBLIC DECLARED AN EN-.
pIRE.--An arrival from St. Domingo brings
the highly important announcement that
the Republic of Hayti has become an EN-
pire. On the 26th Of August, after some
unmeaning preliminaries, Solouque, the
President of the Republic, was declared
Emperor; the Legislative council of the
Island having conferred that dignity upon
him On that day he, with his wife and
child, repaired to the Catholic Church at
Port au Prince, where Solouque, aping the
style of Napoleon, placed upon his own
head the imperial crown, and he and his
wife were proclaimed Emperor and EN-
press. Full details of this extraordinary
proceeding will be found in the subjoined
letter:
PORT AU PRINCE, Aug. 26.
1t will astonish all to learn that in the
midst of the revolutions that have been
changing monarchies into republics, the
Republic Of Hayt has become an Empire.
On Thursday last, the Esd inst, rumor
was circulated that Faustin Solouque, the
President. was to receive the title of En-
peror. In spite Of the strange events that
have occurred of late in this country, the
story was scarcely credited, and excited
astonshment among the whole population.
On Friday and Saturday, petitions were
carried for the signatures Of few citizens,
praying that the Chambers and Senate
then convened, would confer the title of
Emperor upon Solouque. The petition
was an empty formula, for the deed would
have been done with or without their con-
sent, as the crown was already made and
the imperial jewel purchased on Saturday
night, and the consent of the Senate was
not given until Sunday morning, at 7
clock.
At that time delegation waited on So
louqe to inform him of their decsion.-
The troops, as is usual on Sunday morn
ing, were under arms for review, and it
was supposed that the new-made Empe-
ror would appear upon the parade ground,
and be proclaimed Emperor by the troops
but this was not the case
The ceremony took place in the Catho.
lie church. Thither the new Emperor
end Empress repaired. Previous to their
departing for the church, the guns of the
different forts were got ready, and at
about 10 O'Clock, A. M. commenced fir
ing, continuing to fire till the close of the
ceremony. In the church an attempt was
made to get up very imposing specta-
Gle, with what success you may Judge,
when you are told that the Emperor and
the whole imperial family are very black,
and this race are not usually very sue
cessful in getting up magnificent specta-
cles On arriving at the church, Solouque
took his seat prepared for him, having a
small crown suspended above it. The
Imperial crown, which had been carried
before him to the church, by one Of his
ex-ministers, was then handed to him.
BY the way, some surprise was felt that the
Office Of carrying the crown did not de.
volve upon the minister of State. Upon
receiving die crown, Solouque rose, and
placed il upon his OWn head, the Empress
and their little daughter kneeling by his
side. The Emperor was dressed in his
usual blue dress, but wore large star to
the fist time. The Empress and Princes
were dressed in lilac silks, richly embroid
cred and covered with jewels. Her Ma
iesty had also head-dress of green cy
press branches.
The crowning having been completes
in this Napoleonic style, a we'll known an
not very reputable Jesuit, created Bisho
for the occasion. went through the cere
mony of conservation; after which thei
maiesties received the homage Of tn
crowd assembled.
After the ceremony of this coronation
was over, deputation of Senators az
peared on the piazza ofthe palace in frol
of which the troops were assembled, an
gave two cheers for the Emperor. Thes
were but feebly responded to be the troops
Indeed all seemed amazed at the pre-
ceedings, and scarcely knew in what wa
TO receive them With the exception {
the imperial family, and those who expet
titles and dignities from them, none al
satisfied. The people dread the name {
Emperor, ever since the cruel days OF tn
, Emperor Dessalines.
have given you briefly an account
this great event, which looks like bu
!. lesque, got up by your Etheopean Seren
IS ders. of the crowning OF Napoleon al
II Josephine. Ridiculous as it may seer
o however, it is every word of it true, and
n is matter of very serious consequence
N this unhappy island.
T. JUDICIARY PRoGRESS.-A propostit
ID will be submitted to the Indiana Conve
J. ton for revising the Constitution of tn