Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-09-16
9ay,i Inviting Free Negroes.

The Emperor of Hayti has sent two agents OF
commissioners to the United States for the Pur-
nose of learning the sentiments of the free col
ored population in regard to emigration to that
Island, and of making arrangements to facilitate
it. The agents are Paul Emile Desdunes'
colonel in the Haytian army, and Mr.. Moniortr
who is the head Of commercial house at Port
au- Prince. The French language is their YER
uaeuIar. Except in color, 1t would be difficult
to discriminate between them and educated
Frenchmen. They are mulattOes of light color
and pen,lemanly in their department. They
were recently in st. Louis, and the Democrat
remarks:
Their mission is two fold: first to urge upon
the merchants OF New York and Boston the ad'
yantapes which American commerce would de-
rive from the establishment of line OF packets
bstween Port-au- Prince and either Of the cities
and second. 20 ascertain the sentiments OF the
! free NEGROES and the American people general
| Iv Celonel Desdunes, who is the principal
Commissioner, Is not prepared TO specify the IN
ducenents which the Emperor may offer 10 at
tract emigration TO his domlnions- de Will
however, await instructions, and report IN the
meantime upon the best mode OF accomplishing
/ the design Of SOulOuque.
II will be remembered that 4 strong desire has
| been recently expressed in high quarters IN ia
ulaica that the negroes Of Canada should emil
crate TO that IslaBd. A spirit Of hostility on
i the part of the Canadians toward the negroes
I hos 40 manifested itself Bearing these cir
-nInst,pees in mind, together with SOulouque'
nroieet. we should not be surprised 10 see an
/ e16,lus Of the free negroes OF Canada and the
] United States TO the West India Islands at n0
distant day. There they would have ample
.cope for developing whatever capacities nature
/ has endowed them with. Here as the intelll'
gent norton Of them well know, they must al
Wavs remain an inferior and condemned race
for the whites will never admit Of their Partlcl-
nation in any but the lowest voeatlons, anu VIII
l retuse them not only political equality, but Po-
/ Iiti-ai stains of any Kind. In Hayu they would
have no superiors socially and politically, except
tbs aristocracy of wealth and talent, which are
inseparable from the most radical forms OF soeI
/ ety. and which would be as accessible to them
/ as 10 the natives Indeed, It is iair presump'
ton that the energy and manual skill which
/ they have acquired by severe training hnu by
| their contact with American energy and skill
would elevate them rapidly IN their new sphere
Mr. Monfort assured US that Hayti is thorough
/ " republican, and that the imperial system VII
die with the reigning Emperor. The island Il
now enjoying undisturbed peace. Its imports
and exports are increasing annually; and as may
be seen from Mr.. Blair's colonization speech, u
| is n larger consumer Of American commodities
than Mexico or Cuba. Its great fertility Il
known 70 every boy who had read his geogra
phv; and taking it altogether, it mus be de
/ sirabie place for our free negroes who would
/ add immensely to its productiveness, and there
/ by contribute to the increase Of American com
merce and to the Anericanization of the tropi
cal region of the Western hemisphere.
The proPriety and policy of concerted mi
grafton of the free colored population to some
region where they can enjoy their '' inalienabl'
rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of haPPi
ness" is awakening more than usual Interest
among the leading minds Ofthe race. A meet
inc of coIored men was held in New York few
weeks ago on the subject. Mr.. Frederick Doug
lass yIs in the chair The meeting was ad
dressed pr the Eev Mr. Holley, of New Haven
Conn in favor OF Hayti, by 7. NJ. Chester, II
behalf of Liberia; by Rev. II. NJ. Wilson, Rev
W. A. Thompson, and others. Much Interest
was manifested, and a committee of three wai
appointed with power to investigate and cal
other meetings.
Inquiry in regard to HAyti is being made 10y
some of the intelligent cOlOred citizens of tins
city and vicinity, with view to making it theii
future home