New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-18
TIE UNITED STATES AND HAYIL

RIGHT or ASYLUM ASSERTED BY THE AMERICAN
MISIsTER-THE ACT UPHELD BY TEB STATE DE-
PARrMEN'T-AN AMlCABLE SETTLEMENT MADE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16.-Interesting infOrma-
ton regarding the circumstances under which Minister
assett gave protection 20 Haytan refugees is given In
correspondence just published by the State Department
The in which the refugees sought last May, the
right Of asylum is thus described by Minister Bias
sett:
Abou, 3 O'Clock Monday morning a knock came to my
bedroom door and heard unknown voices outside on
opening the door three rushed past me all covered
With traces OF exposure and fatigue. aseed who they
were and ~lat they waited \ br0ad-siondereq
muatto with handsome face, in which were pictured
These Two voug men are niy featiyc~ Bnt said
impatieniy %Aat IN me Wor,d aFe zen dom here al
raVy;r mn IN mil hght MS manly forn "Five of u.s.
continued he. ned them at bay for 36 hours, drove
them back eyadcd them, and fought way here n-
tending 10 keep on 10 town Two OF our number fell IN
mont; not enemies Of society. We are tceing
outside Of the law We seek the ,FoieeTion Of yol
nag" told them did not see how | could protect
them but 10 be frank could not turn them out when
knew tina, within two minutes. II should do So and
close my door behind them, they would be slaughtered
without Judgment or mercy It may be that the instinct
for humanity got the better Of The before
not NV personal friends They had never visited
my house before theirs had merely personal
interest in them. But have faithfully described the
manner in winch they came upon my hands. When day
footy quiet aud went on to the city thinking to be able
during the day 10 sense Out the situation III thor regard
had scIrccy arrived there when dispatch came to
from the Minister. stating that tho Government had
knowledge that certain rebels had taken refuge the
house occupied by You tne) IN the country and that At
desired to know The names VI these persons.
The Haytian Government were greatly annoyed at
Minister Bassett protecting the refugees and showed
their hostility IA a yeXatous This brought ON
them last August the following warning from Mr. Cad
walader acting Secretary OF State, which he addressed
to Mr. Preston, the Haytan Minister at Washington:
You are aware that Mr. Bassot the Minister Resident
OF the United States at POrt-au-Prince has thought
proper into bis official residence certain pOt-
zeal refugees This act on his part has not been approved
by this Department, AZ IL IL not sanctioned by public
law though 1t is In conformity with prccedrnts in that
quarter. The fact, however that Mr. Bassett should
have thought proper tao the responsibility OF har
boring tho referred to- contrary 10 the wishes
not only OF his Government but to those also Of
that 10 which lie II accredited Is NOT conceived TO forfeit
his right not only to protection from violence but also
to "A continuance OF those obseryancea which are
Que TO the diplomatic Representative OF friendly
nation. 1 regret to state, however: that, ac-
cOrding TO Mr.. Bassett's reports 10 this Depart
ment those Obseryances have, In respect to him aud
his legation, been signaly dsrGgarded. He stas that
his abode Is encOmpasscd by armed force and that
during The night especially persons IN his neghborhood
keep shouting apparently on purpose to degree which
makes it impossible for him his family TO obtain
sary rest IL cannot be believed that these anuoyancos
instgated by tho haytan Government and perhaps
may not be aware that they are pracced. However
this be, II Ia expected thai they VIII at once be dis
continued II this expectation should be disappointed
will be regarded unfriendly proceeding on the
part OF the Haytian Government. Indeed tue demon
straons advered to- and all the circumstances make IL
advisable In the opinion OF the President that United
states man-ofwar should visit Prince The SEQ
rotary OF The Navy viii consequently be requested to
order one thither.
Much writing followed, until finally the State Depart
ment informed the HaytIan Government that Minister
Bassett would be- authorized surrender refugees
provided they allowed 20 leave the country safely
This offer accepted, and q formal agreement was
signed by Mr. Fish and Mr.. Preston to that effect.