Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-17
The MaXtlen Republic.

fEy Telegraph ID mo DlhbAlcu-l
WASHINGTON, January l6.-Ihe President
to-day sent to Congress the correspondence
in regard 10 the SEIZURE Of The steamer Hay
tien Republic at Port an Prince. In the
communication to Minister Preston, under
daie Of November y. 1888, Secretary Bayard
| gives afull statement OF the case OF the steam
er a. viewed by the United States. The
SecrctAry says: T1pon examination OF the
record and proceedings in the case the de-
pariment Is led 10 the conclusion that the
seizure and detention OF the vessel
and the imprisonment OF her ofheers
have from the beginning been Irregular
and wrongful; that she should without
delay be- restored 10 her American owners
and her officers released from all detention,
and that adequate compensation should he
made 10 them aud the owners OF the yesseifor
The loss and injuries they have suffered by rea-
son OF the proceedings IN question. IL u I'M
necessary 10 discuss the charge OF attempting
TO run the blockade, upon which allegation u
is understood that the seizure Of the vessel
WIS originally made. Whether any valid
blockade did or diu not exist It
Is clear that the Hayuen Republic bad
and could have had no notice OF H."
The fact that the HaYtIen Republic could
easily have euded the llayten war vessel,
the DesSalnes, VI -. Marie, bad her master
any knowledge Of wrOngdOing on bis part,
!, touched upon, and the treaty between the
United states aud IIlyti IS quoted to show
that, in the language OF the secretary,
.It is manifest that 10 fsr a. proceedings
rest upon the charge Of attempting to run
the blockade. they were I'm clear violation
Of the express terms OF the treaty and wholly
improper and inadmisssble." The legality
Of the tribunal which examined the charges
against the Havtien Republic Is denied, ana
| its proceedings condemned as being entirely
| indeieusibe. The Secretary says II Is unjust
and unreasonable that the merchant vessels
| OF the United states should be made the VIC
tins Of such lawless proceedings. The local
supremacy in Haytt shifts from week TO week
| and from hand d hand 80 rapidly and unex-
| nectedly that II you'd be wholly unreasonable
| and impossible to subject the merchant ma
riRe and citizens Of other countries who
| find themselves so surrounded by factions
contending violently for mastery 10 extreme
penalties because Of their alleged favor 70
| either side or because Of their necessary and
/ enforced scQuicscence Ia the demands OF the
factions locally and Temporarily in power.
| The rights OF person ana property OF Ameri-
can citizens engaged IN business in Haytl
can't be permitted TO become the football OF
contesting factions and their eyanescent
authority, and the protection OF the United
states viii he interpOsed for their Sc
curtv. ~ this Il is not intended 10 include
ease Of deliberate intermeddhng IN local
conflicts, but merely 10 rescue our citizens
who NAV be caught in the eddies OF local
sansu,nary emeutes. Ia conclusion the S.
cretarv saws: ''In view, therefore, OF what
have herein fully laid before you |
desire 10 express, under direction OF
the President, his confident expectation that
without DELAY the steamer Eaytien Republic
will be released by the authorities at Port
al Prince and returned 10 the custody OF
her officers and crew, aud that investigation
NAV be at once commenced 10 ascertain the
injuries Inflicted upon the owners OF the
vessel. and also upon the captain, officers,
and crew. I'm the course OF this Illegal and
most Teerettable interference with thelr
rights"
The history OF the action OF the state and
Navy Department 10 sending vessels TO
Hayti and recovering the Hayden Republic
is given.
Secretary Baysrd. replying on December
/ SIN 10 a note from Minister Preston. writes
| the proposition contained in your note now
under reply, that tue Hayden Republic
should be placed under the guard OF the
| United States man-Oi- war, brought 10 New
| York, and there hbellfi by the HAytien
/ Government In the United states District
Court, is declined, and the decision OF the
/ President, as already communicated, Will be
carried into effect. For testing any rights
/ known the law courts OF the United states
! are open % foreign governments, their agents,
or 70 private parties, and can alone decide
what matters are therein iustifible. NO
greater or more friendly service TO any
government can be rendered by another
| than TO assist In restraining the turbulence
OF anarchy and disorder within is borders
and firmly maintain the standard OF the law.
Guided by this intent and with this sole
| object the Government OF the United states
has proceeded in the ease OF the Hayden
Republic, and will carefully conhne us &c
ton within the canons OF the law OF SELF
preservation to is citizens, In order that they
nav everywhere ind protection under lis
flag when not violating the treatise or inter.
! Il Ia