The New York herald., 1872-08-27
How American Citizens are Treated
by the Black Barbarians.
An American Consul Cast Into a Hay
tien Dungeon, Though Innocent.
OUR COLORED MINISTER, BASSETT.
He Does Not Protect American Citizens Because
1T Would Furnish the Greeley Men with
Sensational Campaign Speech"
HIS VIEWS ON THE PRESIDENTIAL QUESTION

PORT Az PRINCE, August 0, 1872.
A few weeks ago an American captain OF a Bos
ton schooner, while on his way from his con-
signee's house after u heavy rain and thunder
storm-such as Is only known In the tropics-to his
vessel, was met by an armed guard who attacked
him in the most brutal manner, dragged him through
mud cutters, and when about mile from the
public wharf released him to hunt his way TO his
snip In this instance, it is sald a week suliced
for a diplomatic excuse. few days ago an eX-
press brought the news from Mragoane that our
Consul at that port was attacked In his store by a
band of armed ruflans upon the shallow pretext
OF searching for counterfeit money. This, your
correspondent is assured, was done
WITHOUT A SHADOW OF PROOF
authority. Packages, desks, safes and the very
flooring of the store were burst open and party of
the men carried Off large quantity OF the paper
money. The Consul was dragged from his store, in
spite Of his protests and te supplicatons OF an In
teresting family only lately arrived in the country,
and finally hurried away amid the yells and eers
of his triumphant captors TO prison In the INTERIOR
twenty-five miles distant from Miragoane.
AT the present rate OF exchange tht actual value
of $40 bill is six cents; but it has taken, not q
long time ago, $4,000 to buy silver dollar. sam,
prove to the readers OF the HERALD what state OF
political and national decadence and degradation
is compelled to resort to such money issue for its
preservation and safety Upon charge OF coun-
zen and representative is now lingering in
A HATEFUL HAYTIEN DUNGEON.
met our Minister yesterday and inquired of him
what he intended to do in this new imbrOglio. He
replied, "What have already done, sir-mantain
our Consul's integrity and insist upon his release.
if l have to send to Samana for of
war;" 'Indeed," replied l, "unless our govern
ment decided upon bringing show OF force to bear
upon this benighted people. as the British, French
and Germans have dOne our citizens and cOnsuls
had better quit the country
''ln that case there would not be much use OF
Minister"
The Excitement About tho Arrest of tho
American Consul-Respect for the Britt
ish, French and Germans, but Contempt
for American Citizenship.
PORT AU PRINCE Hayt, August 13 1872.
The excitement and concern which the arrest
and imprisonment of Mr. Charles F. Teel, the Con-
sui of the United States at Miragoane by the
Haitcn authorities at that place, together with
the strong Indignation expressed by our citizens
ut our want OF protection, led your correspondent
to call at the United States Legation and learn from
our habile and courteous Minister the facts OF the
case. found Mr. Bassett very busy In the midst of
a noisy crowd Of sailors trying to appease them On
recognizing me he approached. and after saluting me
in his usual Off-hand manner invited me to enter
his sanctune sanctoruna. After few compliment
ary remarks l informed him that had called to
hear what was being done in the Teel case, as a
great many unfrendly criticisms were passed by
foreigners generally upon what they termed his
naction in the matter For conciseness give the
interview as it occurrcd:-
MINIsTER-Since I met you the other day re
ceved reply from the Foreign Secretary to my
demand for Mr.. Teels release, but his reasons for
efusing to accede to it were trivial that re-
peated the demand in more peremptory terms. To
this despatch | have also a refusal, and have,
therefore, referred the matter with my views to
Washington.
CoRREspoNDENr-Our citizens complain, Mr.. Min.
ister that when British, French or German sub.
ect is illegally imprisoned by the Haytien authOri-
ties he Is not only Immediately released upon the
first application OF his nations Representatives, but
he is generally indemnhed for any loss or injury
which he may have sustained; but
| WHEN AN AMERICAN CITIZEN Is ILITREATED
and imprisoned, albeit tunder the slliest preteXt he
remains unnOticed until he is discharged by mer-
| cenary Judge.
MINfsTER-There may be some truth in this feel
| ing. but you the English, French and Germans
have each in their turn punished the temerty OF this
| people For my part should be sorry, as cOlored
man, to be the instrument to bring violence
| to bear upon this already unhappy country; but
out reason, seem to fear that until we have given
Hayti signal lesson it will not realize the great
| ness Of our country nor consent to grant us our
| CORREspoNDENT-But instead of leaving our Con-
sui at Miragoane to rot in filthy prison until YOU
| hear from Washington, why do you not call to your
aid the "moral support Of q man-ofwar? 20
| MINISTER-Because scarcely think such course
|
as feel confident Mr.. Teel will be shortly released.
| Besides do not desire to
| FURNISH THE GREELEY MEN
| with a sensational campaign speech.
| CORREsrONDENr-Mr Tecl is ] believe, under
criminal charge. Is there any reasonable ground
| for his detention?
| MNIsTER-Nonc whatever. Mr.. Teel. like all mer-
chants in Hayt, sells largely for the wretched paper
money in circulation and like every other merchant
is liable TO receive some false money among q
large amount OF payments. | really cannot myself
distinguish the false from the good money, and I
m ~ m val
often the government experts are themselves de-
ceived. In a Of half million OF dollars which
Mr.. Feel had in bis possession only three four
thousand have been declared false, and the author
tiles themselves admit now that this is small
percentage in so large sum. am determined to
reject any verdict which the courts may render
against Mr.. Tee for the purpose of covering or
eyadng is e responsi0ity for the
for am convinced OF this Rentleman's integrity
COEREsPoSDENI-You referred just now, Mr..
Minister to the Greeley men. Have you any Objec-
ton to give me your views upon the approaching
Presidential election
MN1sTER-Well, sir,
AN FOR GRANT
because he fought and gained the battles which
gave freedom TO three millions of my race; be-
cause he represents the party that sent him to
accomplish this great and noble work, and
because he may be called the foster parent OF the
Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments But these
arc no. my only reasons Tor being in favor Of hls
reelection. / consider General Grants continue
ton in Office for another term virtually neces
sary and important to the black man in the South
and the only safeguard for the amendments TO the
constitution.
CORRHsPoNDENT-But Mr. Greeley has been
lifelong republican, much older aboltionst than
Grant, and man Of great ability. -,
MINSTREL have high respect for Mr.. Greeley's
republican and abolitlonst principles, as also ior
his ability; but cannot separate MN rom ms
present supporters, who have always been the
enemies of my race. feel certain Grant Will poll
ninety per cent Of the 100000 coiored votes next
November. -
CoRREsPoSDENr-will you go home to take part
In the campaign
MINIsTER-f shall not; for the cry would be raised
that my voice is only an additional shrek OF the
neyitable Ofice-hOlder. But shall urge my friends
to support the ticket which clothed them with
manhood.
GREAT DEFALCATIONS
are reported to have occurred In the Currency
Substitution Commissioners Office. IL Is stated
that over 500 600 600 HERALD reader this Is only