The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-01-16
HAYTI QUICKLY YIELDS.
Giving Up the Haytien Republic
At Admiral Luce'S Demand.
Hayti's Ship Of War Prepared to
Fire on the American Vessels.

The United States war vessels Galena and
Yantic arrived at Port-au.Prince the other
morning, the Galena steaming into the har-
Dor about three miles ahead of the Yantic.
The iGalena anchored two miles from the
city and waited for the Yantic 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 Dessalines. The
seized steamer Haytien Republic lay at an
chor few hundred feet from the shore, in
the inner harbor. with 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 aboard her quarter
deck, his flag was hauled down from
the Galena and hoisted at the
mizzen truck of the Yantic, as
she sped on her way toward the inner
harbor with her bow pointed straight for the
Haytien Republic lying within a few hundred
feet of the city. When close to the prize
passed a stern line to the anchor chain OF
the Haytien Republic. In this posi-
ton her guns bore directly on 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 gaping muzzles OF the
Yantic's guns.
In the meantime, Lieutenant Griffin, of
tho Galena, had been sent ashore to de-
mand the release Of the seized steamer
before 5 o'clock He was informed by
President Legitiule that immediate atten-
ton would be given to the dispatches,
and an answer sent off as soon as possible.
A few hours afterward word was received
by Admiral Luce that the Haytien Republic
would be turned .; over to than h,m. so1e a
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, q task requiring many hours work:
The cable was finally parted ut 8
o'clock Z. NJ, when the Haytian gun
boat Le Brand RivIere towed her
ou. near the Galena's anchorage. The Yam,
tic on attempting to follow became grounded
on mud bank, and did not get clear until
six o'clock next morning.
All the following day the Galena lay broad
side on to the Dessalines, really to make her
the recipient 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 IN, readi, d.
order be signaled from Fort Alexander.
This fort issituated Immediately in the rear
of Port-au-Prince, at the elevation OF 500
feet, and commands the entire harbor. The
city is also protected by several small forts
and water batteries.
1t was whispered around Portau-Prince
that the American ships arrived Just In
time, as it was the intention Of the Govern
ment to have sold the Haytien Republic to an
English shipping firm. Indeed, oil the con-
tracts were made and the ship was to have
been handed over.
The French Consul expressed his opinion
freely concerning the action of the Govern
ment in giving up the Havtien Republic:
He said they should have held her, and If
necessary he woul Id have aided them ny
sending to Martinique for French gunboats:
An Official visit was made by the Admiral
and his officers to President Legitime and
his Cabinet at the palace. The officers
we're escorted from the deck 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
liest feelings toward the United States, and
entertained the officers in royal style. In an.
swering President Legitime's speech OF well
come Admiral Luce said that it had always
been the policy Of the United States to en-
courage republics, especially those Of the West
Indies, and that the United States took par.
ticular interest in republics composed OF
freedmen.
All the speeches and conversation were
carried on in the French language, in which
all naval officers are fairly proficient.