Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 7, 1874

No. 380.
Mr. Bassett to Mr. Fish.

Legation of the United States,
Port au Prince, June 6, 1874. (Received June 20.)

No. 314.]

Sir Referring to my No. 305, of the 9th ultimo, I have the honor to state that the United States steamer Kansas, having accomplished her surveying mission on the southern coast of Hayti, returned to this harbor during the forenoon of the 20th ultimo. It so happened on that day that considerable anxiety began to be felt here, because reports had gained circulation that Gen. Nord Alexis, commander of the department of the north, whose position had all along been regarded as questionable, was unwilling to acquiesce in the line of policy adopted at Port au Prince, and had decided to appeal to arms. This rumor was strengthened by the fact that the mails from the north were already three days behind their usual time of reaching the capital. I communicated these rumors to Commander Reed, and suggested to him that if I should find later in the day that they had caused any serious suspicions or anxiety to those in authority here it might be well for him to remain with the Kansas until definite intelligence could be obtained from Cape Haytien. Thereupon I called upon the minister of foreign affairs, Generals Domingue, Lorquet, and others, and found that they all shared in the apprehension that there was a possibility of some truth in the unpleasant rumors. And late in the afternoon I addressed a note (see inclosure) to Commander Reed, recounting’ the result of my visits to the officials above named, and telling him that, in my opinion, the prevailing uncertainty as to the public situation seemed to demand that he should keep the Kansas in the harbor of Port au Prince for two or three days. He readily consented to accede to my wishes in this particular.

Happily, on Thursday, the 28th ultimo, authentic information reached us that Gen. Nord Alexis had at last, and it is said with some reluctance or hesitation, accepted the situation, and fully consented to lend his aid in carrying out the policy inaugurated at the capital, and on the following morning the Kansas weighed anchor for Cape Haytien, the harbor of Monte Christo, where Commander Reed was to make a survey, and Key West.

I am, &c.,

EBENEZER D. BASSETT.

[Inclosure.]

Mr. Bassett to Commander Reed.

Legation of the United States,
Port au Prince, Hayti, May 26, 1874.

Sir: After having had full conversation with the minister of foreign affairs, Generals Dominigue and Lorquet, and other prominent persons here, in regard to the somewhat critical situation of affairs, I am confirmed in the opinion which I expressed to you this noon, that it seems desirable for you to remain with the Kansas in this port until at least Friday morning, the 29th instant. It is currently reported that there is an armed uprising in the north, and no one of those in authority here appears to know to the contrary. Without wishing to be considered in any Way responsible for belief in this report, I venture to say that I think your remaining here for two or three days may be demanded by the uncertainty of the present public situation in this country.

I am, &c.,

EBENEZER D. BASSETT.