The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-03
A VERY PLUCKY SKIPPER
HE REFUSES TO HAUL DOWN THE
AMERICAN FLAG.
The Haytians Dared Not Disturb Him
The Blockade Was Invisible--No Tell
ing the Revolutionists-Po Of In
ternational Law Involved.

Port au Prince Hayt, Correspondence Of the New
York Herald,
Since the resignation of President Solo
mon, some months ago, the Republic oil
Hayti has been in state OF unstable
eouilibrium. Gen. Thelemaque was
elected President by q majority vote OF the
National Legislature, in accordance with
the provisions Of the llaytian constitution,
He seems to have been the candidate OF
the three Northern provinces, and to have
been opposed by the two Southern prov
inces, and also by factions at Port au
Prince, the capital
When with an army he took possession
Of the capital his reception was not alto
geiher a cordial one. The larger part Of
his army was left outside the city, while
with small detachment, he made his
headquarters near tho Presidents palace.
Soon after this night attack was made on
Thelemaque's force DO the troops that had
been left in charge Of the palace, assisted
by those opposed to his election. Thele-
maque and several OF his men were killed
in this affair and aprovsional government
was Immediately established, the enemies
OF. Thelemaque being It's most prominent
members with Gen. Legitime atiheir head.
The Northern provinces, where Thelema-
que was very popular, revOlted at what
they declared was conspiracy resulting
in the overthrow and assassination OF
Thelemaque, and they accordingly re-
fused to recognize the provisional gov
eminent Of Gen. Legitime. These PROV
inccs we're then declared by the latter TO
be in a state OF rebellion.
To an impartial observer II might not be
perfectly clear as To which party was in
rebellion, particularly II, rs claimed, tho
supporters OF the provisional government
had inspired the attack upon lhclcmaquo
after he had been constiiutionally elected.
II might be case Of the pot calling tho
kettle black Tor the provisional govern
ment to brand the Northenora M rebels.
But, however this may be, Gen. logi-
times government had possession Of the
national capital aud the control Of the
forces. They had the advantage Of posi-
ton, and, although In the minority, they
were recognized by foreign courts ~ the
government de iacto.
On October 10, the provisional govern
ncnt declared a blockade Of the Northern
port OF ST. Mares, Gonaiycs, Cape llaylicn
and Port de Paix. Our Minister was mott.
fled OF the declaration October 10, but
since there Is no direct Geographic com.
municaion between Port an Prince and
any Of the blockadcd ports. Il was quite
impossible for him tn notify our consuls OF
our merchantmen IN those watoB Several
DAYS necessarily elapsed before the block
AIDE could be known even at the blockaded
ports.
TnE cAITuRE 90 TnE JONES.
Tho American schooner William Jones
was stopped by llaytian gunboat and
warned OF the existence OF a blockade
She resumed her course. making no at
tempt to enter blockadcd port, but Eh,
was, nevertheless, seized the following day
and brought NJ y prize to Port au Prince
No GOOD reason could be gwen Tor her cap
turc. and after being detained ninctccl
davs at Port au Prince, she was rolcascl
upon tho arrival IT the United state
cruiscr Boston. and received damage
amounting 20 $1,000. Her capture wa
evidently a bungling job, for which IN,
provisional government made ampl'
amends.
Tho American steamer llaytian Re
public, left thc United states October
with cargo ior llayti. She touched a
Cane ilaytipn and ut NJ several oihC
ports before thc blockade had been pro
Claimed. u h admitted that she carrie,
Ms passengers between several at thCs
poris holics Of armed men. II b not NJ
unusual thing Tor steamers 30 carry soI
dirrs between the ports ol hlyti. II N
captain Of the steamer knew anythn
about the internal troubles Dc might hav
been, as have demonstrated, quite *
norunt as TO which provinces We're IN n
brllion. The inlricncics OF llayiinn nj
fairs were such as 10 be very puzzling
and there Is nothing 20 show that the cap
tain Of the llaylian Republic knew, q
could have known, the status Of ia
country.
Itisalso claimed that the Haytinn Re
public among her passengers carried ennis
farUs from the North Who landed az diI
icrrnt places, carrying with thum dc
patches aud pfoclamalions melting Oh
people o. oppose the provisional govern
mont Although Some Of these trips wcr
made after the declaration Of blockade,
was impossible iOf Capt. Compton, OF th
llny,ian Republic. 10 have learned II II
existence. owing 10 the lack Ui CDmmunI
cation with the capital.
On October ~. in the afternoon, who
the lllytIau Brpubic WIS about iu pntI
tho l8rbor of ST. Mares, Fuuh11t iu Ne
distance was sron to be- firing guns. Sh
wus out of RANGE, however. hnl hayiu
Ind no previous no,ihcriionot o. h.ockad,
the steamer held her cpurae aud gbipp
o. Mares. There shp learned for ihv hf
time that blockade existed. Aitrr dI
charging passengers and cargo che .ail,
The next morning and was captured Ou
eide ihp hufhOf ly The llJyiIlu guuhn
b,ssl.inos. and taken A. prize to 10
on Prince. II should be- noted that N
entered aud left port ia broad daylight
mak.ngnu attempt whatever 20 cvaic q
gunbolL
When our Minister asked The reason I
her capture ho was told that 10 was 81
forcing the blockade 90 80. Matcs." )
other reason was given.
Coyr-CAfIn rIT rrtvrn
The Prize Court soon arrived Hl a y,
diet, aud declared chat thp llaNBn .
public should b. r1nG.eaiyl. Sc,cl
days before this decision was rendered d
lawyer who prosecuted thc cIsg before d
tribunal published a tcyieW of tho ease
the newspapers over hls signature,
which be strongly asserted chat 6
steamer should be- couhscatcd. The D.
pie naturally took this view nd thu matu
and. owing 10 the peculiar condition
nna.ra, ID would seem that neither
Government nor the Pr.ze Court cot
well gnoro popular olamor OF The DOMAIN
Of the press
Nor DO the proceedings NJ the court
,.sar o.. haWa trHu characterized uV