New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-17
THE HAYTIEN REPUBLIC MATTER
SECRETARY BAYARD's LETTER DEFINING THE
AMERICAN CASE. WITH OTHER COR
REsPoNDENcE LAID BEFORE

4Sf4ofONDENCEa LAID BEfOhsN
CONGRESS
Washington, Jan 16.-The President to-day sent 70
Congress correspondence in N 4d TO the seizure o.
the Hsytien Republic at Port aI- Prince In com
munIcaton TO Minister Preston under date Of November
g. 1888. Secretary BayaFd gives full statement oil
the case of the Hayden Republic as viewed by the
United States. The secretary says in substance'
"Upon examination Of the record and proceedings In
the case the Department is led to the conclusion that
the seizure and detention Of the vessel and the mprson
ment of her officers have, from the beginning, been
irregular and wrongful; that she should wiinout
delay be restored 10 her American owners and ner
officers released from all detention, and that adequate
compensation should be made to them and TO the
owners Of the vessel for the loss and injuries they
have suffered by reason OF the proceedings in question:
IL is unnecessary to discuss the charge OF attempting
to run blockade upon which allegation IL IS under
stood that the seizure OF the vessel was originally made
Whether any valid blockade did or did not exist II is
clear that the Haytien Republic had and could nave
had no notice of itp
The Secretary calls attention 10 the fact that tho
blockade decree of the Provisional Government oil
Legitime was not resolved upon until OCTOBER To- was
not communicated the Ministers OF foreign Govern
ments until the following day, and was not omciaS
published until october 10. The Of oommnnica
ton, the Secretary says between the Hayusn porH
excluded the supposition that Of the proposed
Aux Cages by October IS, or Jacmel by October IL,
the dates which the Hayden Republic left tho pors
named.
The legality OF the tribunal which examined The
charges against the Hsytien Republic Is next denied
The tribunal the Secretary says, In no sense an
established court for prize causes stipulated In
the treaty but for its special and only authority
the order OF the Provisional President. Legtmo us
proceedings had scarcely feature OF formality and
regularity.
~The place Of seizure the Secretary says, g is
believed from the best information obtainabio oy The
Department TO have been six miles from land but
other Irregularities have rendered II superiuous TO
advert TO this fact" After referring to the coufu-
sion which has prevailed the Government OF
Hayt Secretary Bsyard says: The rights Of person
and property of American citizens engaged In business
in Hsyu cannot be permitted to become tho football
Of conestng factions and their authority,
and the protecting Of the United States Will be
intcrposed for their security
On December Secretary Bsyard addressed letter
10 Secretary Whitney, the result of which, as Is well
known was the sending Of the Yantc and Galcna 20
Port gu. Prince 10 recover the captured vessel On
December Secretary Bayard, replying to note nom
Minister Preston dated December 6, says thai the
Government at the time Il reached It's decision was
In possession OF complete and authentic history OF
the OF the Haytien Republic. and reached Us
conclusions with care and elaboration. CONTINUING,
Inc Secretary SAYS: " Tho proposition contsinra VI
your note now under reply that the Haytien hepuoc
should be placed under guard OF United states man
of-war brought 10 New-YOrk and there lbeled by the
Hayden Government In the United States District
Court, is declined, and the decision Of the President
already communicated, win be carried into effect
For testing any rights known TO the law the courts
of the United States open 10 foreign Governments
their agents or 20 private parties
hundred sheets There are 216 distinct communities
lions, dating az far back as May 90, 1855.