The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-10-30

over 200 men, besides 800 stands Of arms which
we picked up on the field, and which we made
the prisoners carry to Miragoanes. We had
seven men killed and I9 wounded, while there
were over 90 OF the Solomon party killed, and
number wounded, whom We let 60, the slightly
wounded helping their more seriously wounded
mates. II there was 4 Surgeon with their COM
mand we saw nothing of him, but We had two
very efficient doctors with US.
This affair caused great rejoicing among the
TevolutiOnists. Jeremie had been taken, Aux
Cages had como in and formed a Revolutionary
Committee, and recruits were pouring in from
all parts. 80 that the army in camp numbered
over 1000 men, mostly muattoes, and could be
doubled on any expedition. Now was the time
to move on Port au Prince. But Bazelais waited
to hear from tho Northern peninsula, whence
he had sent agents. LII we had moved at this
time there is no telling what would have been
the result, but felt con 6dent of making ten
strike, as We would have been joined by nearly
everyone in the nGghborhood of the route.
The average peasant in Hayti who does not
work on a plantation can live off his little yam
| and cane patch and wild and tame fruits, but
when he wants to purchase anything he has to
get permit from the General of ACCOMPLISHMENTS
to cut timber. He then goes in the woods and
cuts loRwood, fnstc, mahogany or whatevor is
wanted, obtains help aud gets it down to some
little bay or inlet OF the coast. He then goes
to n store in the nearest seabOard village and
tolls what he has got and gOeta is sent up
there to get his stuff for which he is paid in
goods. As he makes his living so easy, has no
circuses or camp meetings to employ his mind,
he Is
DYING OF ENNUI
most of tho time, and halls q revolution as a
Godsend to furnish amusement gets out his
old gun, and tries to go with the party which
promises success or will pay the best.
One great cause of Hnytien troubles Hes in
the fact that they are trying to sustain form
OF Government in advance of the age. They
call themselves tho Haytien family" and
the Government holds most Of the property
for the people. When the French wero driven
out, the largo plantations were put in charge Of
Government officials, the Republic sequestrat-
ing all the estates, and the Government holds
them yet When President is elected the
best OF these plantations are given TO his strong
est friends. They gather the crops and keep
about one fourth of the net produce. sending
tho balance to the Government. Hero the
Minister takes another fourth for himself and
fourth for the President, 80 that tho public
receives one-fourth, or perhaps less, of the pro-
ceeds of its estates. 1t would be far better to
rent ont or sub.divide aud sell these large plan
tations, and thus remove cause for peculation.
But here comes the difficulty.
The Haytiens, being a family. will adopt no
one, and emigration is not allowed. Property
caHhot ne SOFA 70 foreigner. ana Foreigners can
never become citizens yet the Government has
permitted certain French creole families and
others TO lease property for long terms. If
they would only revoke their foolish laws,
permit emigration and naturalization of for.
eigners, and sub-divide and sell the Govern
ment lands, they would attract the attention OF
capitalists and others, and great many pro-
Rresstve colored men from the United States
would get thus to develop the wonderful re-
scources OF the island aud teach its people
moderation and selfgovernment. 1t would
then, probably in the near future be an island
OF wonderful wealth, and likely place itself
under tho protection of tho Stars and Stripes.
May. June and July were frittered away. q
few Skirmishes only taking place. Solomon
had purchased a large steam-y yacht which
formerly belonged TO Leon Say, the French
banker, fitted her up as gunboat, named IL
the President Salomon. aud she aud the
Liberte prowled up and down tho coast, oc-
casionally exchanging shot or two with us
Ito be dpRsi,ued)