The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-07-22

fdcto OF Hayti. tbs laws Of nations have Aiways
been respected by her, and piracy has never ex-
isted on her coast, and the United States aud ali
the European nations have shared lucrative
trade with her people, which did not and could
not exist while lisyti was San Domingo, d
French colony.
Besides she has always respected the comfy
of nations, and during the war Of 1918 she
caused her neutrality to be respected by the then
belligerent powers.
The geographical: and military position of the
island of Hayt is such, that it is the interest OF
The United States that it should never become a
| European dependency, but on the contrary, an
independent State which, de facto and dsjure, il
Il already. Hayti has indicated to the world
her unquestionabe love of Independence in her
refusal of the Protectoraie of France, and of the
brilliant offers Of Louis XVIII. made by his
commissaries, Fontanges and Esmangart, on
on the 9th day Of October, 1916, thus adhering
TO the policy which actuated her in lending ma
tersl aid and assistance so generously granted
in 1916, under the presidency Of Potion, to Boil
ivar, when in his misfortune he sought refuge
in Hayti, and by which aid that patriot was ena-
bIed to renew the combat of liberty, and event
ually to establish the independence of his native
land. Thus also was re-asserted the Haytien
policy previously proclaimed, that no political
link can be permitted to exist between Europe
and America except those which are essential
to the reciprocal interest of commerce.
Nor can it he alleged that the origin of the
independence Of Hayti precludes the possibility
of its recognition by the United States mas
much as the national convention of France did
by their commissaries SanthonHx, and Polverel,
proclaim the emancipation OF the slaves of San
Domingo, on the first day of November. 1893,
which ratified by that same body on the 4th
dav Of February, 1884, and after which the in
habitants, having become French citizens de-
Tended its territory to France, under 1'ossant
Louverture in the North, and under Andre Ri
gaud in the South, against the armies of Eng
land and the colonists Of the island, under whose
invitation and treaties that conquest was at
tempted, and with what success the equalization
of Maitland to 'roissaint I.ouverture at the Mole
St. Nicolas if proof
But the first Consul Immediately without any
regard for these important services, attempted
to snbjugate to slavery the same men emanc-
paed by the national convention and who had
by their valor, preserved the island to France
from the then grasping hands of England, and
the Haytiena having tfiumphed over the prowess
of the French armies, became thus an indepen
dent state; was recognized IA such by her for
mer metropolitan power; by Great Britain, and
all the continental powers of Europe, who are
now all duly represented in Hayt, contormably
to the comfy of nations.
Therefore, the petitioners most earnestly and
respectfully pray the Congress- of the United
States to recognise Hayti as an independent
State, and in our relations with her, place her on
the same footing as other Independent nations
Signed by fifty merchants of Boston.