The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-12-23
Mr.. Webster to Mr.. Walsh.


We first present. in full, the letter Of instruc
tons from Mr.. Webster to r. M. Walsh:
Mr. Webster to Mr. Walsh
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON, January 10, 1851.
SIR In a circular note to your predecessor
Mr.. b. f. Green, of the 22d of February last
and to the British and French consuIs mt the
city of st. Domingo, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of the Dominican Republic solicited the
mediation of the Governments of the United
States, France, and Great Britain, for the pur-
pose of bringing about a peace between the
Empire of Hayti and that Republic It is pre-
sumed that a copy of the circular was forth
with communicated to their respective Gov
ernments by the two last named functonaries,
for in note to the Department, of the tn
May last Sir Henry l. Buwer her Britannia
Majesty's Minister here, stated that he had
been instructed to represent that the French
Government had expressed its willingness to
cooperate with the Governments of Great
Britain and of the United States, for the pur-
pose adveried TO- and suggested course to be
pursued. Mr.. Clayton replied, under date the
goth of May, that upon the return of Mr. Green
to Washington, his correspondence would he
a charge d'affaires to the Dominican republic,
and that if the nomination should be confirm
ed, the President would be prepared to coop
crate with the Governments Of England and
France in the manner and for the purpose sug-
! gested. The short interval which elapsed be-
tween the return of Mr. Green and the decease
of President Taylor combined with other cir
cumstances, prevented the nomination referred
m and ~ hos 10 hoo
deemed expedient to contde the business on
the part OF this Government to special agent.
You have accordingly been selected to act in
that character. You will herewith receive let
tiers from Sir Henry l.. Bulwer and NJ. Bosle-
comte, introducing you to the consuls of Great
Britain and France, respectively, at Port an
| Prince and the city of st. Domingo. You will
also receive a copy of the instructions which, pur-
suant to orders from his Government Sir Hen
ry proposes to address Mr.. Usher the British
consul at Port au Prince and am assured by
! NJ. BOslecomte, that his Government will ad-
dress instructions of similar tenor to the con-
sui Of France at the same place. The motives
and objects OF the intervening parties are so
clearly and luminOusy set forth in these in
structions that it is unnecessary for me to ad-
vert to them. | entirely concur IN the UieuS
which they express, and erpect that you wiH be
governed By them. On arriving at Port au
Prince, you will accordingly seek conference
with MIR. Usher and the consul of France upon
the subject Of your mission, and particularly
with view of inducing the Emperor Soulouque
to consent to heightened truce or q per-
manent peace with the Domnicans. As in CO.
operating for this end the three Governments
are actuated by philanthropic views, to which
they believe any material interests which all
or either may have in the question are quite
subordinate, you will endeavOr, in all your
communications with your colleagues and with
either the Dominican or the Haytien Govern
ments to keep your mind free from any preju-
dice resulting from color or forms of Govern
ment You will not deny justice to tho En-
peror Soulouque because he and bis sub jects
are of African extraction, and his Government
processes to be monarchcal and you will not
be partial in your judgments in favor of the
Dominican Government, because its officers are
supposed to be for the most part of the Castil-
ian race, and because it claims to be republican
in its form
The material interests of the three countries
however, are largely involved in the restora-
ton and preservation of peace between the
contending parties in St Domingo. France is
a creditor of the Government Of the Emperor
Soulouque to large amount. She cannot
hope for discharge Of her debt, when the re.
sources of his country instead OF being develop
ed by pacific pursuits, and in part at least mp
piled to that purpose, are checked in their
growth, and wasted in war with confer
minous state Great Britain and France are
both interested in securing that great addition
al demand for their productions which mus
result from the impulse to be expected for in
dustry in Haya and the Dominican Republic
from u termination of the war and the United
States have a similar interest both from the
augmentation of their trade with the island
which would then ensue, and from the consid
Grafton that their commercial prosperity is in
timately connected with that Of both Francs
. and Great Britain When, therefore, you shall
have held free and full conferences with YOU
colleagues, and shall have ascertained the re
siprocal claims of the parties to the war, if thu
5 Emperor Soulouque shall insist upon main
tanning n belligerent attitude until all his dc
mands shall have been satisfied by the oppo
, site party, you will unite with your colleagues
in demonstrating against this course on hi
part. IL the remonstrance should prove to b,
: unayailing, you will signify to the Emperor
Q that you shall give immediate notice to you
y Government that the President, icith the con
eurrsnes of Congress, may adopt such measure!
in cooperation r'th The Governments Of Eng
Q land and France, as may cause The 'nterpsntio
0 Of The three polrers 10 be expected : and you wi
r lose no time in communicating the result I
this Department The Emperor should be mad
= properly aware Of tho dangers which he an
u his country may encounter, if he should be vi
l. fortunately advised to reject reasonable term
of paci6cation but you will stop at remor
STRANGE until further orders.
, IT, however, your joint and concurrent rel
: reservations should induce the Emperor So,
}. s0f this undertaking we have as yet caught mel
!. glimpses. Ii is thus referred to in a late number
" The Alexandria Gaxote.
d a manifesto Of General Duff Green developcs
notable plan for the colonization and subjugation
s the island of St. Domingo. Ho proposes to secon
il plsh task which tho French Government sou
years since attempted but which even tho genius
Napoleon could not consummate. But it seems &c
It Greens plan also eontsmpates Interior objects AT
a subjggeting the Hsytiens and dethroning his sab
Majesty, Soulouqus, tho General will next turn b
attention 10 tho island Of Cuba