The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-02-11
From the Eco del Comercio
Faustin I, Emperor OF Haytf.


Faustin I, Emperor Of Hayti.
We believe that most Of our readers will peruse
with pleasure the following sketch of the life Of the
negro Emperor Soulouque.
He was born slave on the coffee plantation of
Mr. Wallet, ono of the old French colonists who
have survived the various revolutions that have
Cured on this island, and who yet still living in
Porto Principe. 1t 10 related that Faustin, meeting
him no, many years ago, said, "Though am En-
peror, ! still recognize you my master" To
which Valet replied, 4" And am proud to consider
myself your msjesty's subject" singular in
stance of the caprice Of Fortune! When the
French evacuated ST. Domingo, Faustin, then free,
entered the army under Dessalines common
soldier Under Petion he fought with Christophe,
and from grads to grade reached Colonelship,
just at the time of the fall of Boyer. His tacturn
manner Ia rare virtue among negroes) caused him
to pass for discreet man, and made him partci-
pator in the different secret revolutions that took
place between the years 1S43 and lS47
Made General of Division, he owed his election
to the Presidency to chance that brought his
name into consideration bsfore the Senate. Two
parties were candidates before that body for the
office; the votea were equally divided, and after
many ballotings the body failed to elect Faustn
reconciled the conflicting interests of the two par.
voted for him because of his color, and the mulat.
toes in consideration of his supposed freedom from
ambition. Too coon, however, the mulattoes
found that instead of Q subservient tool. thew had
elected master
Fausin emerged victoriously from all his diff
cutes and revolutions but his victories were
stained with long list Of the most cruel executions
Perhdlous advisers bound him to his career of VEN
geance; he thought 1t one time of nothing less
than the total exterrnnation of the mulattoes, who
composed very large proportion of the population
The energetic remonslrances of M. Beybaud, Con-
sui General of France, finally drew him from his
murderons course. He appealed at first 10 hi.
feelings Of humanity, and then represented the
fatal results that might be produced by the inter.
ventioD Of Europe, who were becoming disguised
with his course. This last argument made a strong
impression the mind of Faustin, and he ceased
his prosecutions
Faustin had been President two years, during
which time he had occupied himself principally in
conquering the Spanish part of the Island, which
had erected itself into an independent republic,
when, to the surprise of all Europe, he was pro-
claimed Emperor.
1t is the general opinion that Faustin did not
aspire to this position. His ascension to this office
is accounted for in this manner: A certain num-
ber Of citizens met on the Goth of August, 1s49,
and addressed petition to the House OF Represen-
tatives, praying that the title of Emperor might be
conferred on his excellency the President General
Vii Julin, who commanded the garrison, and the
greater part Of the officers who were in Porto
Principe, were secretly in favor of the President,
and manifested the same desire. The House took
into consideration this petition on the 25th August,
approved it, and sent it the same day to the Senate
where saI ,titbnu L.,
in favor Of the Republic. On the Goth, the two
supreme bodies met and carried the nomination of
Emperor to Faustin, and presented him crown
and cross, expressing themselves in terms sub
mssive enough to have satisfied the ancient des.
pots OF Europe. In this manner it that, to the
astonishment Of Faus,n, it is believed, certainly to
the astonishment of the world, this little Republic
became part of an Empire.
Faustin Soulouque, though generally represent
ed to be but fifty is now near fifty-four wears old.
He is of middle stature expanded breast, and broad
shoulders, and is stout on foot he appears less
high than he really is, because of his obesity but
on horseback, as he is good rider, he appears to
advantage. His complexion is black, but hi, fea-
lures have not that stold and savage expression
that is observable in natives of Africa His physi-
ognomy denotes intelligence, and his smile is pleas
ant and attractive When out he wears a green
uniform, perfectly adjusted to his body, sword,
and three cornered hat. Though naturally taci
turn, he speaks occasionally with gayety and al
ways with certain dignity. 1t has been said that
he neither reads nor writes, but this is a mistake
He writes his name in legible manner, and in an
emergency can write a letter. Every night he
reads, without assistance, the history of Hayt
work composed by native of the island, called
Madion, who has recently been made baron.
Since his accession to the imperial chair, Faustin
seems to have learned the nature of his people.
He has created orders and titles of nobility, for
which he has acquired great popularity; for the
natives OF Hayti, were their ancestors, are ex-
ceedingly vain. At present there are two orders
OF cavaliers in the empire: the military order of
San Faustino and the civil, of the Legion of Honor
The Emperor is, in virtue of his office, member of
both.
The titles created by Faustin are those of Prin-
ces, Dukes, Counts, Barors and Cavaliers. The
Princes and Dukes he selected from among his
Major Generals and Vice Admirals the Counts
from among his Brigader Generals the Barons
from the Colonels and the Captains of the Navy
and the Cavaliers from his Lieutenant Colonels.
Nothing IS easier than to form such nobility. To
assimilate, in some respects the civil and military
omces, the Senators, members of the House.
Judges and lntendants are all Barons For the
women, besides the titles which they take from
Their husbands, the title of Marchoness has been
expressly created.