New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-30
LEGITIME CAME DOWN.
YIELDING THE HAYTIEN REPUBLIC AT AID
MIRAL LUCES DEMAND.

THE HRIrF CRISIS IN THE HARBoR OF PORT'AU-
PRINCE-HAYTPS WAR SHIP WAS WAITING
THE SIGNAL TO OPEN FIRE-THE AD-
MIRAL AND HIS OFFICERS CALL
UPON THE BLACK PRESIDENT
IN HIS PALACE AND EX-
CHANGE coURTEsIEs
PROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
Port-au- Prince Dec 1.-The Gaena and Ysntic
arrived here at 80 yesterday morning, the
Galena steaming into the harbor about three
miles ahead Of the Yantic. The Galena anchored
two miles from the city and waited for the Yanuc
to come up.
Everything was in readiness to meet any hostile
demonstration that might be made, and the
ship was swung so that her guns bore on the
Haytian gunboat Dessanes. The seized steam
er Haytien Republic lay at anchor few hundred
feet from the shore, in the inner harbor, Win
the American flag still floating proudly from her
peak.
When the Yantic came up alongside, she was
boarded by Admiral Luce and his staff. As
the Admiral stepped upon her quarterback, his
flag was hauled down from the Galena and
hoisted at the mizzen-truck OF the iantic, as
she sped on her way toward the inner harbor with
her bow pointed straight for the Haytien Re
public lying within a few hundred feet OF the
city. When close to the prize the Yantc dropped
her anchor and passed stern line to the anchor
chain Of the Haytien Republic. In this posi-
ton her guns bore directly the city. The
inhabitants of the town, who had collected on
the docks in great numbers were much disconnected
by this bold move on the part Of the Admiral,
and gazed with fear and trembling on the gap
ing muzzles of the Yantics guns
In the meantime, Lieutenant Griffin Of the
Galena had been snt ashore to demand the re-
lease of the seized steamer before o'clock. He
was informed by President Legtime that immedi-
ate attention would be given to the dispatches
and an answer sent of soon as possible.
few hours afterward word was received
by Admiral Luce that the Haytien Republic
would be turned over to him. crew from the
Yantic was then sent aboard the seized steamer
and put to work on the anchor. Finding it i'm
possible to raise the anchor in the ordinary way.
it became necessary to separate the cable, task
requiring many hours work. The cable was
finally parted at o'clock. last night, when the
IIaytian gunboat LIE Brand Riviere towed her
out near the Galena's anchorage. The Yantic,
on attempting to follow, became grounded on a
mud bank. and did not get clear until o'clock
this morning.
All day yesterday the Galena lay broadside on
to the Dessalines. ready to make her the recipi-
ent of the contents OF her guns
should the least sign Of hostility be
made on shore The crew Of the Dessa-
lines were also on the alert, and stood at their
guns all day. with the ship cleared for action
and everything in readiness to open fire, should
such an order be signalled from Fort Alexander.
This fort is situated Immediately in the rear Of
Port-au.P Prince. at an elevation Of 500 feet. and
commands the entire harbor The city is also
protected by e,eral small forts and water bat
teres.
1t was whispered around Port-au-Prince last
night that the American ships arrived just in
time. as it was the intention of the Government
to have sold the i.aytien Republic to an English
shipping firm Indeed. all the contracts were
made. and the slip was to have been handed
over yesterday
The French Consul here expressed his opinions
freely concerning the action Of the Government
in giving up the Haytien Republic He said they
should have held her. and if necessary he would
have aided them By sendin0 to Martinique for
French gunboatS.
An official visit made this afternoon by
the Admiral and MS officers to President Legitime
and his Cabinet at the palace The officers from
the Galena were Licutenants Meigs, Sharpe and
Bennett Chief Engineer Mccartney First L'eu-
tenant Russell, Paymaster Martin, Assistant Sur
geon Crandal and Ensign Oman The officers
were escorted from the dock in carriages by the
National Guard who accompanied them to the
palace. where the National Guard Band received
them with the strains Of Hail, Columbia The
President and his Cabinet professed the friend
hest feelings toward the United States, and en-
tertained the officers in royal style. In answer
ing President Legtime's speech Of welcome, Adj
miral Luce said that it had always been the
policy of the United States TO encourage republics,
especially those of the West Indies. and that the
United States took particular interest in rerub-
lies composed of freedmen, as they tthe United
States had recently Iassed through struggle.
the ultimate object of which was to establish tho
freedom of the African race
All the speeches and conversation were carried
on in the French language, in which all naval
officers are fairly proficient
The Yantic leaves here tomorrow for San
tiago de Cuba for coal. The Galena will remain
here for several days, and will then continue her
course through the Windward Islands.