No. 171.
Mr. Bassett to Mr. Fish.
Port au Prince, Hayti, February 17, 1876. (Received March 6.)
Sir: Inviting reference to my No. 414, of the 28th of December last, which touched upon the then existing apprehension of a contemplated revolutionary movement against the authorities of this government, I have the honor to state that what is delineated in that dispatch remains essentially unchanged.
Although, contrary to what has lately been stated in the American and English journals, there has as yet been no actual appeal to arms in any part of this island covered by Domingue’s authority, yet general inquietude and anxiety prevail, and every one appears, not without reason, to be expecting the natural result, in a country like Hayti, of a deep-seated and almost universal indignation against the usurpations and arbitrary conduct of Minister Rameau, who seems to act as if the whole public treasury, the whole country, and every one in it, belonged to him personally. He does not appear to be capable of being restricted in his mad career by any possible argument or persuasion.
The President himself, who is just now absent from the capital on a tour through the north of the republic, equally with the ministers of state, other than Rameau, seems entirely under the control of this one man in every essential particular and detail.
Some of the ministers of state have themselves told me, what has been sufficiently well understood for a long time, that they had no freedom of action either in their respective departments or in cabinet meetings; that everything must be left to Minister Rameau’s pleasure. It is [Page 325] by no superior mental force that Rameau exercises his authority, but men fear for their own personal security under his tyrannical sway. Ministers remain in the cabinet, and there suffer themselves to be made simple scapegoats, to cover the technical responsibility of Minister Rameau in the government’s policy, entirely dictated by himself, merely because of a fear of Rameau’s displeasure. No similar state of affairs has ever before existed in this country since the days of Christophe and Dessalines, not even under the farcical empire of Soulouque. To an American it seems almost inconceivable. But we are all bound to respect facts; and sometimes I am almost inclined to think, from undeniable facts, that Rameau is quite beside himself.
This condition of affairs cannot, in my opinion, possibly continue indefinitely. Therefore, I may reaffirm my conviction that some sort of an armed movement against the existing government of Hayti cannot be far distant. I have even heard that the 26th instant has been agreed upon by those opposed to Domingue’s administration as the day upon which they will make an armed protest—the only remedy left against Rameau’s usurpation.
In anticipation of some hostile movement of that character, my colleagues of France, Great Britain, Spain, and Germany have requested the presence in these waters of national vessels of their respective governments. The two former have already received response to their requests by the actual presence in this harbor of men of-war of their governments. Indeed the actual public situation seems so imminent that, I feel warranted in suggesting that if there be a national vessel of our Government within easy proximity to this port, her commander be requested to touch here at an early day.
I am, &c.,