Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-01-24

He was born slave on the Coffee estate of Mr..
Wallet one of the old French settlers who has
viyed the various revolutions and irruptions which
have occurred in the island, and who now lives at
Porto Principle in the Western part of Hayt 1t is
not long since the two met, when Faustin said
although by circumstances | am Emperor still
regard you my MASTER . And |, SIR replied
MIR. Wallet lam yonr subject" curious exam
pie of the caprice of fortune
When the French evacuated San Domingo Faus-
n being free, enlisted SOLDIER Dessallines
Under the command of Potion he defeated Chrstophe,
and grade by grade, was promoted, until, just as
Boyer fell from power, he was made Colonel. His
reserved manners (rare virtue among negroes) made
him pass for very discreet man, and gave him a
participation in the secrets of the various conspra-
cies which were concocted from 1843 to l647
Promoted General he owes his election as Presi-
dent to casualty which brought his name to the
notice of the Senate. That body becoming equally
divided between the candidates, none was able to
obtain majority, when Faustin stepped in and won
both parties to himthe full blooded negroes voting
for him account of his color, and the mulattoes
supporting him because they believed him free from
ambition. But soon they discovered that in place of
tool for their particular schemes they had elected
master. This was the origin of the bloody trans
actions which took place In April 1913.
Faustin, by the energy of his character, came out
victorious but his victory stained by long list
of cruel executions His treacherous advisers were
the first in this career of vengeance he meditated
nothing less than the total determination Of the mu-
lattoes. who compose fifteenth part Of the whole
population. The energetic remonstrances ofNIr Rev
land the French Consul were finally successful in
turning him from such horrible course Indeed,
after appealing to his humanity he pointed out tn
fatal results which such sanguinary proceedings
would have upon the governments OF Europe. This
last consideration made great impression upon
Faustns mind, and he ceased the prosecution.
Faustin had been President two years, during
which he occupied chiefly in the conquest of the
Spanish portion of the Island which had been cree
ted into Independent republic, when, to the
prise of the world he was proclaimed Emperor.
1t is the general opinion that Fausn did not soil
cit the honor The event was ACCOMPLISHED in the
following manner
number of citizens, civil and military met on
the 20th of August 1949, and sent in a petition to
the House of Representatives asking that the title of
emperor be conferred on his Exceliency the Presi-
dent General Vii Subin, who commanded the gar
risOn, and the majority of all the officials in Porto
Principe manifested the same desire. On the 25th
the House took the petition into consideration they
approved Off and sent it, the day, to the Sen
ate where it was also sanctioned, without single
voice being raised in favor Of the republic On the
Goth the two Supreme bodies of the State, confer
red the title OF Emperor upon Faustn and presented
him with crown and cross, expressing their sub
mission in the same manner would have been done
to any OF the ancient monarchs of Europe 1t ought
to be understood that this title is not servle mi
tation of the style Of Napoleon; in Hayti it only
serves to designate an authority to which more re-
spect is due to the name of President, and which
brings to mind among the inhabitants, the grateful
recollection of Desallines, who proclaimed En-
peror in recompense of his eminent services
Faustn Soulouque is really ga years of age though
he is represented as being only so. In personal APP
pearance he is of middle stature full breast broad
shoulders and big waist on foot he appears shorter
than he really is account of his obesity but on
horseback he appears to great advantage for he is
an excellent borseman. His color is jet black but
his countenance has not that stupid and strange ap
pearance, which is noticed among some of the native
Africans. His looks manifest intelligence and his
smile is attractive In his uniform of general he
wears d dress of green. fitting tight to his body
epauets of gold adorned with twelve silver stars
star on his breast which for the time being is of
paste, sword and trcocked hat. Although ma
turally taciturn, he speaks prudently and with dig
nifty. 1t has been said that he can neither read nor
write, which is untrue. He writes his name in a We
ry legble manner and in of necessity is able to
write a letter. Every night he studies the history
of Hayti without any ones aida work from the pen
of native of the Island named Madion who not
long since received the title of Baron.
He is more sensitive to ridicule than an American
and the caricaures of his person published in Lon
don and Paris annoyed him. The sudden change
from slave to minister and to sovereign SO fire.
quent in Asia, has happened in America.
Faustln seems to have comprehended the part he
ought to play since his assent to the throne he i'm
medatey created orders and titles of nobility which
has gained for him much credit for the natives of
f1aytl, IKE their ancestors have certain degree of
vanity in their blood.
At present there two orders of knighthood in
the Empire the military order of st. Faustin. and
the civil OF the Legion of Honor. The Emperor
is grand master of both and has created grand cross
es preates and knights
The titles which Faustin has created are those of
prince, duke, count baron and knight The princes
and dukes he has chosen among his chief generals
and vlce-admrals the counts from among his briga-
der generals, and cavalry Chiefs the barons from
among his maj generals, colonies and ne-of-bat-
tie ship captains, and his knights from among his
frigate captains.
Nothing was more simple and easy than the crea-
ton of this nobility In order to assimilate in degree
the civil and military appointments senator's mem
oers OF parliament judges and magistrates they are
all made barons. The wives of these in addition to
their husbands titles, were created marchioI esses
taustins first decree created four princes and 81
dukes The princes were generals Pierrott Luzare,
Soufraut, and Bobo. They were at the same time
named Marshals of the Empire and received the
compilation Most serene hi hness" and of High
ness" To the title of Duke is annexed the compel-
latlon Of Your grace" . Your highness," together
with the name of some estate or part of the country
Our readers will have forgotten the effect which
some Of these titles produced when the news of their
creation received such for instance as that of
the Duke of Marmelade, Duke of Lemonade Sc
These titles had reference the foreg sweat
meats and drinks; but to certain country estates
which may yet be found on the old maps of Santo
Domingo.
When the Emperor was told of the rdicule with
which his titles received in Paris he said The
French laugh at my Marmelade and Lemonade with
out remembering that they have prince of Peas
Prince de Pois and duke of Broth, due de Bouil-
Ion
All the princes and dukes are knights of the order
of st. Faustin, and of the Legion of Honor Anoth-
q 76n6 of am