New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-05-02
The Haytian Question.

ne eBCeaNOl IS OItcu uIauo W uIiS-
lead the people Of this country with re-
spect 10 Heyti, aud it is even proposed to
get up an expedition on private account to
90 out and conquer the island, teach its
people agriculture, and no doubt, extend to
them the blessings of patrisrchal institu-
tons generally. This is too absurd to be
put forth anywhere where common sense
is not wanting, but for the benefit Of the
fools who may entertain such a project,
we will recall few facts.
Hayti, when she had only half her pres
ent population, was too strong for the
splendid army sent against her by NaPo-
leon, with a distinguished soldier at its
bead. The English forces under Gen.
Maitland were, it will be remembered, no
more successful. The standing army at
present kept up there is 10000 men, but
such is the organization of the empire, that
this force can at once be doubled. Besides,
the Island is naturally impregnable, and
the natives, retreating into the Businesses
of the mountains, might defy and eventu-
ally drive out any force that could be
brought against them. The French Gen
erals declared that they had never known
a country which presented such diificul-
ties to an invader. What then would be
the chance of band of adveuturers who
should 90 ont from the United States on
such on expedition 1t is true it is pro-
posed to go under tho mask of aiding the
DOminicans, but when we remember that
they are only $4,000 in number and the
Haytians a million, the chance does not
seem to be much improved.
But the Haytian Government is charged
with bsrbsrous outrages on American clti
zens, and is even called piratical. AS for
piracy, it is a notorious falsehoOd that
Hayti has been guilty of it, or has per-
mitted it in her vicinity. The fact is that
no act of piracy has ever been committed
on the coast of Hsyti. While the Sp anish
Government of Cuba has seen pirates
swarming in all its waters, and has not
been able to prevent it, this nation of ne
groes has tolerated no such thing. And as
for barbarism, we must say that tho de-
ficiencies of Hayti in this respect are part
ly our own fault. Had the United States
treated her Justly as an independent peo-
pie, and as we should have treated her had
we had no slaves or had the complexion Of
her people been lighter, the ignorance and
superstition of tho island would ere this
have been in a great degreeremoved. But
however this may be, a wsrlike invasion of
the island is not the way to educate and
improve its inhabitants.
And then as TO the outragss on American
citizens. We do not know much about
the earlier claims, bat that connected with
Capt Mayo of the brig Leandor is recent
and the facts comparatively we'll known.
Capt. Mayo was at Cape Hsytien and one
of his own crew denounced him TO the au-
thorities for smuggling. He was arrested
on Dec. S, 1850, and imprisoned to take
his trial. He denied the charge of snug
Cling, but avowed that he had carried
parcel on shore after the Custom House
was closed and it was forbidden to carry
any thing ashore; that parcel he said con-
tanned soiled linen.
When Capt. Mayo was arrested, which
was done in legal manner, the U. S. Com
mercisl A gent, Mr.. J. L, Wilson, interviewed
TO procure his release. Under the laws Of
Hayt the ohense is baiable one, but the
bail must be offered to the Juge d'instruc-
tiOn, or examining magistrate. Though Mr..
Wilson, having long resided on the leland,
ought 10 have been aware Of this, be paid
no attention to it, but addressed his offer of
bail TO the PrOcUreur Imperial, or District
Attorney. This offer, or rather demand,
was not only made to the wrong officer, but,
as the Haytians say, in terms Of great dis
courtesy. The Procurew replied to it in
the language of a dignitary exasperated,
ard refused TO have any farther official in
tercourse with its author. Capt. Mayo, in
the meanwhile, remained in prison till his
trial came on, when be was acquitted and
released. The whole process occupied
something like fortnight, five remember
Alright; ct any rate it was q short time.