, 1889-01-19

Nh10N y AAtHAN AO'"A
on the Haytian Republic. | was SubSe-
quently informed that Legitime had given
up the seized steamer without a struggle
at the instigatiOn of Admiral Luce
1t was further learned that Legltime had
been inaugurated President OF the RepnO'
lie of Hayti on December 10 with great
For a whole day the capital
was the scene Of great rejoicing. Nearly
every house in the town was decorated and
the Haytian flag hoated from many house
tops. After the festivities the newly elected
President of the Black Republic had toturn
his attention to other affairs. He buckled
on his sword and accompanied by his staff
OF six officers, took a lOng.boat to the Yam
tic for the purpose of holding "a consulta-
ton with Admiral Luce.
admiral Luce, on his arrival in>the outer
harbor. transferred his flag to the Eantlc'
which has a draught of bur fourteen feet
and was thereby enabled to make the har,
Dor more readily without danger of
grounding. The YantIc was then run
slowly into the inner harbOr, where
the seized steamer lay at anchor. A
stern line was then attached to her bow
and she could have been drawn out OF the
harbOr at short notice. The Admiral
then dispatched Lieutenant Griffin to
the headquarters of President Legitime
w ~ lhtt IL tIN NNboO ""p 49,
deliye red up before 3 p. M. of the same day
she would be taken by force. Lieutenant
Griffin, however, did not have an OppOr-
tunity to deliver the orders of Admiral
Luce to the black general before the latter
appeared on board the Yantic, accompani.
ed by his staff. Legitime protested against
releasing the Haytian Republic on the
ground that not alone her navigators but
agents had violated the laws. He thought
the seizure made had been a perfectly just
one. and impOrtuned the American admiral
to respect his claims. He said the Haytian
Republic had been seized by his orders,
because Captain Compton, who was in COM
mand, deliberately violated the blockade
of all government ports, carrying aid to the
insurgent general, Hippolyte, and his allies.
Admiral Luce, in reply to the Haytian
generals plea, said that if it could be prov
ed that Captain Compton had committed
d breach of etiquette, or attempted In any
way to interfere with the government OF
Hayti, as it is now exists, the claim would
be acted upon accordingly.
Admiral Luce informed General Legi-
time that he had com TO request the re.
lease of the Haytian Republic, with the un-
Outstanding that the matter be left for
settlement to Minister Preston and the
Government at Washington. He assured
the Haytian Chief that the United States
Government would act honestly and hon
Orahly in the matter, and that if he had
sustained any damages it would be ami.
cably settled.
Admiral Luce, however, gave President
Legitime to understand that if he declined
to recognize the rights Ofthe United States
Government he would be compelled to re-
sort to other than peaceful means.
Although Legitime had been advised not
to give up the ship until the last moment.
he changed his mind very suddenly and
much against the wishes of his followers
the black general told Admiral Luce that
his wishes would be Obeyed, and that he
should officially order the release of the
Haytian Republic. On the morning of
Friday, December the21st, the international
code of signals was set upon stays TO
the masthead of the Haytian Republic and
three American flags were hOisted. At
2.30 o'clock in the afternoon the Galena
left the inner harbOr, and, taking up a
position, saluted, in behalf of the United
States, General Legitime's colours. The
national salute Of twenty-One guns was
fired. Early OH the next morning Admiral
Luce invited General Legitime and staff
to visit the Galena. He was warmly greet.
ed, and responded with a hearty shake
of the hand. Then Admiral Luce and his
company repaired to quarters below,
where Il sumptuous repast was awaiting
III NSAIoI -.0-A