Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-02

fed the various grades of diplomatic represent
tatives, determined their order of individual
precedence by seniority of consecutive resi-
dence near the government to which accred-
tied from date of presenting credentials The
senior in the list received the distinguishing
title of dean or doyen of the CORPS Upon
every occasion of the corps appearing in a
body the dean leads them, presents them and
receives the first honors. At state dinners his
wife is escorted to the table and sits to the
right of the president, while the dean escorts
and sits on the right Of the wife of the presi-
dent or presiding lady.
By virtue of this rule of international
authority and courtesy Stephen Preston, the
envoy of the sister republic of Hayti, occupies
the first place in the corps on ceremonial and
social occasions. He presented his credentials
and was received by President Grant in 1878,
just two weeks before the end of the Presi-
dents first term.
During his residence of sixteen years at the
American capital the dean of the corps has
become widely known automatically and
socially. The life of Mr. Preston has been quite
a romance. Although the diplomatic repre-
sentative of what is often called the Black re-
public, he is of French and English descent His
mother, who died in 1868. was Miss de Iaittre,
descended from one of the old French families
of the island, and his father, who died in 1873
was born in Hayti, during the occupation of part
of the island by the forces of Great Britain in
1913. He was man of high repute in the affairs
of the island having been judge, representa-
tive and senator. He was for many wears a
leading Free Mason, having served as master
of the lodge ''Etaile" and as grand master of
the order. The minister was born at Port-au-
Prince, Hayti. in 1882. In 1S4S his father hay-
ing been accused of being the candidate of the
liberals for the presidency, was exiled from the
island, the coup d'etat of Soulouque having
taken place. Soon after his departure Soulouque
proclaimed himself emperor under the title of
Faustin L. The exiled Haytian senator found
refuge with his family in Jamaica, where he
resided for eleven years. During this time, in
1857, Stephen Preston, the present minister of
the republic and dean of the diplomatic corps
at Washington, married Miss Rose Alberga, of
Kingston, the seat of government of the island,
who was of distinguished family in the earlier
affairs Of the Spanish-American dependencies,
Of the Antilles.
AFTER THE FALL OF THE EMPIRE
and the re-establishment of the republic under
Gen. Fabre Getfrard, in 1885, Mr. Preston re-
turned to his native island. During the civil
war of 1858 go he was sent to the United States
and Europe as agent Of the revolutionists. He
took part in the opposition to Sylvan Salnave
as candidate for the presidency, serving in the
army, 1S60-'63. In 1862 he was also appointed
judge of the court of assizes at Port-au-Prince
During the troubles incident to further poll
teal upheavals on the island, Mr.. Preston per-
formed distinguished military services in, 1867
10 as general of division.
SENT TO WASHINGTON.
In the latter year President Massage Saget
sent him as minister resident near the govern
ment at Washington, and three years after
raised him to the grade of envoy, which high
post he has since held. From 18S4-'6 he was
on special diplomatic duty at London and Paris,
but retained his rank and station at Washing
ton. During this long period of Judicial, mill
tary, and diplomatic service, and particularly
at Washington, Minister Preston has enjoyed
the highest social surroundings through the
popularity of his wife and beautiful daughters.