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Black Republic of Letters

Note – Florville Hyppolite

Florville Hyppolite (1828-1896) was a Haitian general who served as president from 1889 to 1896. His presidency was marked by infrastructure projects and a conflict with the United States over the latter's hope to gain control of Môle Saint-Nicholas in norther Haiti as a naval base. Learn more about Florville Hyppolite.

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"Letter from Haiti (from our special correspondent)" Translation:Port-au-Prince, 15 August 1890

My dear Director,

The departure of the steamship Nacase has allowed me to send you my previous letter via New York. I will do likewise whenever I have particularly interesting things to tell you about.

We are experience, before autumn, a shower of... portfolios.

General Mompoint the younger, the Minister of War, has just resigned in turn, in order to take a well earned res after a campaign of eight months. The ministry has been reformed thus: Hugon Lechaud to Agriculture and Public Works; D. Trouillot to Justice and Religions; Béliard the younger to War and Navy; Nemours Jean-Pierre the elder to the Interior; Mr. Firmin has remained in Finance and Foreign Relations, and Mr. D. Rameau in Public Instruction.

Mr. D. Trouillot who, last year, was previously named Government auditor in cassation, is well known in Port-au-Prince. He also made many friends, when he was in Cap for many years, under Geffrard, as Government auditor.

Mr. Béliard, senator from the North, has occupied diverse functions at the Customs office in Cap, including serving as director; he was the delegate in command of the Cap arrondissement during the last insurrection.

Mr. Nemours Pierre-Louis the elder has been senator of the North-West for some ten years.

Of the three new members of the cabinet, Mr. Trouillot is the oldest, being over sixty; the other two are in their fifties.

The negotiations with the Dominican are progressing actively. In a few words, here is what is happening: President Domingue, to facilitate relations between the two Republics that share the island of Haiti, had, by treaty, recognizing the Government of Santo Domingo, adopted the application of the free trade of Haitian and Dominican products over the whole of the territory. Furthermore, since the Dominican were demanding a rectification of the border to their advantage, it was decided that all disputes on this subject would be prevented in the future by the payment of an indemnity of 150,000 piastres that the Haitian Government would carry out over eight years.

The treaty of 1874 was never really taken seriously in either country. The proof is that the Dominicans formally contravened it in their most recent Constitution; and they consented in 1882 to conclude another arrangement. However, the Haitian Governments tolerated Dominican products coming into the country duty free, without really concerning themselves with whether or not the same reciprocity was being observed by our neighbours.

Many foreign firms have thus started to bring European merchandise into the country through the Dominican, committing tax fraud.

Members of the Hyppolite Government, who by their anterior relations, found themselves better placed than anyone to recognize these practices, wanted to put an end to it. Inde irae. A Dominican commission arrived in Port-au-Prince to solve the matter. They are said to have demanded the remainder of the indemnity stipulated in 1875; they're asking for the most for the least! A special meeting behind closed doors is taking place. Public opinion is in favour of the maintenance of the Government's decision. We have no doubt that the disagreement will be settled peacefully.

I had forgot to mention the departure of Mr. Douglass, Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States, and of Mr. Bassett, secretary of the same Legation. Their voyage to New York, it is said, will relate to the question of arbitration, which has legitimately concerned the Haitian press. To give a sort of consecration to the Pan-American Congress, Mr. Blaine, had planned to ban Europe from political access, as well as economic access to the Americas. An Arbitration Tribunal would have dealt with all diplomatic difficulties between American States and other nations, whether or not they were a part of the Arbitration Alliance. Most of the countries represented at the Congress refused to thus give up their liberty. Chile made, against the project of arbitration, a resounding protestation.

Mr. Blaine is out of luck! The signatory powers were to ratify the treaty by May 1891. But it is doubtful that this project will live to this time.

It has been announced that the President of Haiti will go on a tour of the South toward the end of September. Clermont Jr., to prepare for this happy event, is getting ready to greet, in a speech "full of feeling" (which becomes the fistula of the doyen of the Haitian press) his illustrious consanguinocrate.

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Related articles:
"The Haitian-Dominican Conflict"
Translation:
For the past few days there have been rumours of war between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Although the latest letters received from Haiti up to the date of 7 August contain no confirmation of this news, it has taken on a certain consistency a ever since an article appeared in the Guadeloupe newspaper Défense nationale, reproduced by certain Parisian papers, and particularly after two dispatches were sent from Santo Domingo to New York, dating 23 August.

Here is the tenor of the most recent of this information:
New York, 23 August A dispatch from Santo Domingo, via Havana, informs us that a troupe of 800 Haitians have crossed the border, and have invaded the southern districts of Santo Domingo. The Dominican government immediately sent a force that pushed back the invaders, and the president, Ulysse Heureaux, summoned the cabinet to deliberate on a declaration of war against Haiti. Count Tasquez, consul-general of the Dominican Republic in New York, heard news of the event, but has not received official word.
This suggests that war has not yet been declared between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as the Défense nationale had claimed, but that on the 23rd of August it seemed imminent.

At the Haitian legation, it is believed that this could have been averted: at least that is what would have resulted from a conversation between an Editor of the Evènement and the Secretary of our Legation.
For a long time, said the latter, products of the Dominican Republic—tafia, tobacco, etc.—have entering Haiti duty free.

About two months ago, General Hyppolite's government resolved to put an end to this practice, and to apply tariffs to Dominican imports. The Republic of St-Domingo looked unfavourably upon—this can be understood from the rest—the new state of affairs which affected its interests. There were, at this time, threats of war; but I believe, since then, an agreement has been reached, and we will not have need to launch a campaign against our neighbours.
The dispute to which he here makes allusion has been related as follows in the "General Exposé of the situation," presented to the Chambers for the year 1890 by the Government of Haiti:
Despite all the precautions taken, a quantity of merchandise and foreign products continues to arrive under the Dominican flag.

Since 1887, we have almost not exported anything to the Dominican, yet imports from there continue to grow in a constant proportion... It has even come to the Government's attention that, for the past six months, no merchandise has been allowed into the Dominican without paying a duty of up to 50% of their value. This it has become impossible for Haitian to go sell products at Dajabon and for Dominican to come make purchases in Haiti, as had previously been customary.

In the face of these facts, the government made the decision to apply a tariff to merchandise coming from the Dominican Republic, just as it is for all foreign merchandise.
An editor of the Paix went to ask General Légitime, who was in Paris, for his opinion on the events.
I do not believe, the president replied, that a conflict between the Haitian and Dominican republics could have political causes. It would have to be a matter of disputes over economic order or customs, as is often the case between bordering countries. A war could not be dangerous because of our political decisions. But the Dominican Republic is not strong enough to try anything against us. We also should not worry about an intervention from the United States, which would go against international law.
Such is the information that the Parisian press was able to obtain on the question that preoccupies us. Now, if we must analyze and judge the value of this information we must admit that it seems, until further information comes to light, a bit exaggerated.

First, it is interesting to note that no telegram coming from Haiti has yet spoken of the Dominican incident. And then, there is in the last dispatch from Santo Domingo, which we cited above, a certain obscurity that troubles our confidence.

It says that a troupe of 800 Haitians "invaded" via the Dominican border. But to what end? If it was simply a tourist excursion, we don't understand why the Dominican government would find it necessary to "push them back" by "force." If, as is logical to suppose, it was a question of enemies, we allow ourselves to admit that this armed invasion would constitute, in and of itself, an act of hostility so manifest that it would seem useless for President Heureaux to summon his Council and deliberate on a declaration of war that was already underway.

Many times we have served as this type of transatlantic canard—heavier even than the legendary canard marseillais—that our readers will forgive us, in the present case, of an excess of suspicion.

In sum, it seems that some diplomatic difficulties were hanging between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

But these types of things happen between all the States of the world. Otherwise, what would be the point of diplomats? These difficulties can be solved all the more quickly because President Heureaux has always had the best relations with the members of Haiti's current government, and in particular with President Hippolyte, to whom he boasts of being related.

We see well what the Dominican Republic would lose in a war; but we do not what they would gain from it. It is incomparably less endowed with men and money than its neighbour; and I terms of politics, the parties are at least as divided there: which is no small thing! President Heureaux can hope, in appealing to the national sentiment, to turn the spirits of his internal politics. But the party would be dangerous: others have lost their place. The only ones who would benefit from a war would be the trouble-makers, those who have made insurrection a sort of specialty; or, otherwise, those honest councillors, always ready to create between us subjects of discord, in the secret hope of fishing in troubled water a good pretext for intervention, or some "rocks without masters" where they will install, for want of a better place, in the proximity of Môle Saint-Nicholas and the Bay of Samaná.

Neither the Dominican government nor the Haitian government wants to make a game out of the other.

G.S. [Georges Sylvain]

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Related articles:
La Lanterne and Vodou
Error and Malevolence
On the 1st of October, the newspaper La Lanterne published, under the heading of Vodou, Curious Haitian Customs, a long article in which it was said that "Vodou with its superstitions remains and will remain, until the end of independence (?) the only religion of the Haitian people; that new temples are springing up even in Port-au-Prince, and a nearly endless stream of sacrifices are bloodying the new altars, around which come to dance, wail and vociferate, before taking part in the final feast, nine tenths of the Haitian population, not to say the totality."

From the first lines, those who know a thing or two say to themselves that the author of this anonymous article must be one of those knights... of the pen, who go to Haiti to carry on their small-scale industry, and return to Europe only to deluge us with insults and slander, after the booty they amassed does not completely satisfy their frightful greed.

To claim that "Vodou, having become all-powerful once again under the presidency of General Hyppolite, is the religion (?) that dominates in the Black Republic today, and that it will certainly play the role in the next revolution (!) that the Piquets played under Salomon," is a falsehood whose malevolence will not be lost on anyone.

Thus are published, periodically, in certain Parisian newspapers, so many absurdities and sheer lies against Haiti, that people are getting used to them. But it is about time we had a greater concern for the truth in Europe.

And if Mister anonymous of La Lanterne wanted to be frank, he would admit that he had merely flipped through the remarkably odious book of Mr. Spenser Saint-John, former English consul in Port-au-Prince—which only reproduced what Gustave d'Alaux wrote in 1848 on Soulouqe et son empire—to find what he served up in the form of news for the readers of La Lanterne.

Vodou, which the first Black Africans implanted in Haiti, has long lost its power and its occult prestige. For twenty years, the succession of different Governments have spared no expense to seek its complete extinction, and the current Government, just like its predecessors, is seeking to erase it down to its last vestiges. While our Constitution guarantees the freedom of religions, this has never included Vodou, which has never been considered a religion in Haiti.

Almost all of the travellers who have visited Haiti—as the writer-idler of La Lantern himself admits—have published more or less fantastical accounts of it. Our anonymous author seems to also have wanted us to take Mr. Meyer's newspaper as a bladder more or less full of fairy tales.

There is an unfortunately large number of foreigners who study the customs of countries in the manner of that Englishman who, after a visit to Ballier, wrote phlegmatically in his notebook: "French women raise their legs so high when dancing!" As soon as a Basque drum resounds in the mornes of the countryside, and the Blacks of Haiti execute a dance that has little to do with the jig or the polka, they talk about the bamboula and start shouting "Vodou!". But in that case, they also dance the Vodou in Batignolles.

The Anti-Slavery Congress, in letting us momentarily forget the odious ridicule that is unendingly heaped on Black people, forced the civilized world to consider its duty toward the slandered race a bit more seriously. There are men who were bothered by this. And that is why La Lanterne republished an old story and spoke of "new temples springing up in honour of the sacred serpent even in Port-au-Prince."

It's all the same! O candid and good Parisian public, you have been forced to swallow so many tall tales!...

Benito Sylvain

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Recent articles:
Haiti and Foreign Products
French shoes
Of all the industries that fight over and share the rich Haitian market, none is more considerable than the manufacture of shoes. The amount of shoes of all sorts sent to Haiti each year is unimaginable.

For this important export branch, French manufacturers, as it happens, have maintained the rank that the incontestable quality of their products assures them.

To the present, two or three firms pass as the exclusive and titled furnishers of the Black Republic; enjoying an exceptional situation, which almost constitutes a monopoly, these firm only slowly extended the commercial advantages that their numerous and faithful clients expect from them. However the merchandise sent sometimes leaves much to be desired, because, as you know, dear readers, a Haitians foot is difficult to shoe, and our compatriots want this operation to be done with style and propriety.

In general, Haitian ladies' shoe sizes are remarkably small; but they have such a high instep, a result of their excessive arches, that they require specially made shoes.

And then, why not say it? Our elegant people have refined tastes; they put a high price on Parisian "superfine" and invent styles that do not lack distinction and originality.

Considering these facts, a large firm in Paris, Maison R. Coïon (124, boulevard de la Chapelle), to satisfy the desiderata of the fine flower of Haitian Society, broke with tradition. it recently sent one of its most active and most intelligent representatives, Mr. Faure, to Haiti, where he was able to judge de visu the situation of the exported products and the new needs of its lovely clientele. It spares no expense to maintain French manufactures at the rank that it has been able to conquer; essentially a friend of progress, it took account of the observations that the people wanted to were happy to offer for the entire satisfaction of all.

Mr. Faure returned to Paris, equipped with the most useful insights, enchanted by the welcome he received from the Haitians for which he asked us to make known his deep gratitude.

It is thus that Maison R. Coïon has assured itself of the most magnificent success with the latest shipments of shoes which it has send to all parts of the Republic. Furthermore, this legitimate success will certainly be doubled by the ingenious initiative that Mr. Coïon took in accompanying his deliveries with a mass of handsome commercial portraits of General Hyppolite, which will be generously offered to the purchasers.

Without a doubt, business is business; without a doubt the merchant and the man of the world are two distinct beings, although sometimes united in the same individual; but Haitians are happy that courtesy and goodwill preside over their trade relations, and they are more willing to go to those who, even in business, find ways to show them some respect.
"Reception of the Minister Plenipotentiary of France by the Haitian Government" Translation:
Monsieur Maurice Ernest Flesch, on submitting on the 7th of August to President Hyppolite, his letters from the President of the French Republic accrediting him as Extraordinary Envoy and Minister Plenipotentiary to the government of Haiti, gave the following speech:
Mister President

I have the honour to submit to your Excellency letters from the President of the French Republic accrediting me as Extraordinary Envoy and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Haiti, the Nation whose votes have called you, Mister President, to occupy the top authority.

Inspired by the sentiments that animate the French Government, I will apply myself to further strengthening, in the interest of the development of the prosperity of both countries, cordial and long-lasting relations, and I am counting on the benevolent support of your Excellency as well as the friendly cooperation of his Government, to help me to pursue this task, in a fruitful and effective manner.

I am glad, for that matter, to have been designated by the confidence of the President of the French Republic to represent France in a country that is so similar to ours in terms of language and institutions, in a way that produces mutual sympathies.

Allow me the opportunity to respectfully offer to your Excellency my sincere expressions of hopes that I am forming for his person and for the Haitian nation.
The President responded to this speech in the following terms:
Mister Minister,

It is with great pleasure that I receive the letters from his Excellency the President of the French Republic, that accredit you as Extraordinary Envoy and Minister Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Republic of Haiti of which I occupy the top authority.

I have never doubted the good wishes of the French Government, though it still gives me infinite pleasure to receive this new assurance from you.

It is my conviction, Mister Minister, that your presence at the head of the French legation is a pledge of harmony and of cordial relations between our two countries. The reputation of loyalty, of uprightness and sincerity that proceeded you here is a sure guarantee for me. You can also count fully on my willingness to facilitate your task in any way that I can.

We do not have much to do in order to succeed in strengthening the ties of good friendship that unite Haiti to France. As you have said well, there is between us a conformity of language and institutions which can only lead to mutual sympathies. What nature and history have done, it will only be consolidated by our common willingness.

I accept with all my heart the good wishes you are forming for my person and for the Haitian nation. I would be bursting with happiness if Heaven, in granting your wishes, also protects His Excellency President Carnot and the valiant French Nation.
Except from the Moniteur,
Official newspaper of Haiti

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Related articles:
"At the Haitian General Consulate" Translation: Mr. A Gluck, our Consul general in Paris, had the happy idea of offering, last Thursday, on the occasion of his nomination, a banquet for his friends and acquaintances who are still here.

As indicated in the letter of invitation, the train was taken at 3:30 at the St-Lazare station; the rendezvous was a at Louveciennes where the Consul's magnificent residence is found. After about an hour of travel, the destination was reached.

While Mr. Hanche, chancellor of the Haitian Consulate, received the guests and addressed some compliments of welcome to the ladies, they were counted visually: no less than fifty Haitians crossed the waiting room and spread out through the streets of Louveciennes.

It was a true procession, through which, it is our pleasure to confirm, no sentiment other than benevolent curiosity could be read on the faces of the many inhabitants crowding around on all sides.

After fifteen minutes—walking, naturally, with the serene majesty of the archbishops—we arrived at the consular villa. Mr. Gluck received us and introduced to Mrs. Gluck those of us who had not yet had the pleasure of meeting her.

"Consider yourselves at home, Ladies and Gentlemen," our gracious hosts said to us.

We gave ourselves the pleasure of believing it for an instant, and here we were taking possession of the house, some settling into the games room, some exploring all of the corners of this vast and beautiful property. At one extremity of the central lawn, where several crowns of rare flowers spread out coquettishly, a superb banner deliciously evoked the image of the absent fatherland. Almost facing it, a Haitian flag, subtly blowing in the breeze, completed the scene and intensified the intimate happiness that filled us up.

Won over by this patriotic emotion, some young Parnassians would no doubt have warbled out some Lamartinian improvisations, when a soft murmur informed us that the table was set and dinner was ready—as were our stomachs.

Mr. Alfred Box had excused himself due to illness. We are, by the way, happy to announce that our Resident-Minister in Paris's health is now almost completely recovered.

6:45. We passed into the dining room. There, three sumptuous tables were set, worthy of the hosts and the guests. The banquet was most joyous. We ate, we drank, we chatted—who could do otherwise at a dinner—with a Franco-Haitian spirit. Needless to say the wine flowed generously.

At the traditional champagne, the Haitian Consul rose a toasted to "General Hyppolite, to the dear old country" that he has "the honour of representing." After him, in succession, Messrs. P.-E. Latortue, Resident-Minister of Haiti in London, St-Armand Blot, Secretary of the Haitian Legation in Paris, Crau, Frédéric Marcelin, President of the Tribunal of Commerce in Port-au-Prince, J.-J. Audain, doyen of the Haitian Press, took the floor to thank the Consul and his charming wife.

At around 8:15, the salons were opened. The people had tea and coffee.

After the hearing of a monologue and a poem, a voice, a whisper (probably the same one that wafted the banner and the flag), murmured: "a meringue!" Immediately, Mr. St-Armand Blot banged out the requested dance on the piano. The master of the house gave the example, and soon numerous graceful couples were swaying and turning in cadence. But suddenly, a glow came in through the window, it grew and illuminated the room, and we looked outside. In the garden, omnicoloured sparklers were burning, and giving a wonderful effect. It was a splendid sight.

But the roman candles crisscrossed the pathways, and the departing song rang out; it was soon 10 o'clock and we could not miss the last train.

We took leave of Mrs. Gluck, who really knows how to throw a reception with the most perfect distinction. Mr. Gluck came back to Paris with us.

This charming soirée, this very select [English in original] gathering, where we were sorry not to see a larger number of our compatriots, set an excellent precedent.

B.S.
The Situation in Haiti The latest news from Haiti is excellent. From the political point of view, security is assured, and we can hope for a long period of peace. The economic situation, which seems to be the criterion of the state of a country at any given time, is feeling fortunate effects from this. The exchange rate has descended to 5, and if this continues there is no reason to believe it will not reach parity. Furthermore, the upcoming harvests are promising the greatest hopes, and this year seems like it will somewhat compensate the poor Haitian farmers for their painful and too often unfruitful labours.

One can only imagine how happy are the hearts of those whose task is to defend the interests of Haiti in Europe at hearing this news. At a time when all eyes are fixed on the Dark Continent, it is sweet to be able to say to the civilized world: notice our efforts to raise the intellectual level of our race! Do not hinder our development work.

This era of prosperity that seems to finally be opening for Haiti will have as a consequence the immediate growth of our credit, which—alas!—has been so weakened abroad. We must, in my humble opinion, sacrifice much to attain this result.

On this matter, it is our duty to publish the following letter from a Paris merchant who has had very extensive relations with Haiti. It has to do with a financial incident which was quite disturbing in certain speculation contexts.
Mister Director,

You know that I am following events in Haiti with great interest, and how much I welcome the efforts of your compatriots whenever, renouncing the strange manner in which they kill each other, they affirm by some vague hope of progress their desire to advance.

The tranquillity that proceeds from the stability of Hyppolite's government permits one to hope for an era of peace, and hence of prosperity, for your country. The great number of Haitians that came to Paris this year, the withdrawal of paper money from circulation achieved recently in Port-au-Prince, the considerable decrease of the exchange rate, all seems to indicate a return of confidence and of the good old days of commerce in Haiti.

Also, we were not even slightly surprised to learn that the bond coupon of your national loan from 1875 had not been paid. As soon as you knew it, on 1 July, a sum of 936,460 fr. was due, breaking down as: 519,262 fr. for the interest and 263,700 fr. for the amortization; 101,778 fr. for the interest and 31,720 fr. for the amortization of bonds. It would have been better to pay this 936,460 fr., instead of letting it be added to the 621,041 fr. that will be due on the 1st of January 1891. There is a question of what prevented Haiti from making this payment, since Haitian finances are in a state of prosperity.

Credit is an extremely delicate thing, it takes almost nothing to unsettle it. Look what the good example in the Republic of Brazil when, in the aftermath of a great revolution, it impose immense sacrifices on itself to make sure it keep its commitments. Haiti's bonds should be at an honourable rank on the European market, and it is unfortunate that this negligence should have been committed.

You direct a newspaper that is called to render the greatest services to your country and to your race, it is therefore your job to reveal over there the effects produced in Europe by certain acts which, as insignificant as they seem, sometimes have grave consequences.

Pardon my frank speech, and I ask that you see it as a sign of my respect for you, cordially... etc.
We infinitely thank this friend of Haiti for the frankness with which he approaches the question he is considering. We would he happy if everyone who is in commercial or other relations with our country would thus offer us their observations and concerns.

The reported fact is not of little importance. The recent difficulties between Haiti and the Dominican Republic are perhaps one of the causes of the delay in paying the bond coupon; one should be ready for all possibilities. But now that this difficulties have been happily levelled, the Haitian Minister of Finance should have already taken effective measures to give satisfaction to our bond holders.
Benito Sylvain

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Florville Hyppolite Image