Mr. Peck to Mr. Seward
Sir: In my despatch No. 30, of the 6th instant, I informed you that on the 2d instant General Salnave startled the public by announcing that the provisional government had proved itself either incompetent or unwilling to carry out the programme of the revolution, and that, for himself, being, indisposed to be in any sense responsible for its doings and non-doings, he had withdrawn from it; that On the same day the rest of the provisional government also resigned office, giving the executive power into the hands of Generals Salnave, Nisage and Chevalier; that on the next day (May 3) a great assembly of the people of this city proclaimed General Salnave President; that when the general refused to accept this office until it should be given to him constitutionally, the people named him “protector of the republic,” assigning him dictatorial powers, and that, after for a time refusing it, he afterwards accepted the office.
[Page 316]I have now to report the events which have occurred here since the date of my No. 30, (May 6.)
On the 6th instant the constituent assembly, in response to a letter from General Salnave, in which he informed the body that he had in obedience to the popular wish assumed the executive power, passed a decree confirming the authority which the general had assumed, attaching, however, to the confirmation the following conditions:
1st. The general should be personally responsible for public order.
2d. That he should organize and maintain, with faithful regard to the general interests, the different departments of the public service.
3d. That he should respect, and cause to be respected, the liberty of the press and the rights of individuals,
4th. That he should fully provide for the administration of civil law.
5th. That he should make to the assembly a weekly report of his doings.
The decree also required the general to take an oath of fidelity to the laws and institutions of the country. Finally, it permitted him to appoint a cabinet of six ministers.
On Sunday last, May 12th, the general took the prescribed oath, and on Monday, the 13th, publicly named his cabinet.
The six appointees are men of standing, and the public seems satisfied with the choice.
For the last week General Salnave has been ill, and it was only at great risk that he could appear before the assembly to take the oath.
The state of his health has not permitted him to develop his policy, and the public does not yet know what he will do. The few things he has done have, with a single exception, caused general satisfaction, and given promise of yet better things. The only thing from him which has thus far disturbed the public mind has been the arrest of General Montas, one of the best of President Geffrard’s generals, and a man of high reputation for probity and honor. General Salnave declares that the arrest was caused by the discovery of indisputable proofs that Montas was actively conspiring against the government. The public doubt the veracity of the apology.
It is generally thought that the arrest was made with a vindictive motive, and as the subject is attracting profoundly serious attention, this conviction is working seriously against General Salnave. If it finally appears that Montas was conspiring, the arrest will be approved, and General Salnave will make capital by it. But if it comes to be clear that the charge of conspiracy was feigned, the new government will suffer greatly by the affair.
There are, doubtless, some bad men behind General Salnave who wish to have him follow a policy of retaliation. If he does so his own fate will soon be determined. But good men are striving to persuade him to forget the past. If he follows their counsels he will soon have such consideration with the public as rulers seldom enjoy.
I send with this a late number of the Moniteur, the government organ, which contains several items of interest.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.