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Black Republic of Letters

Note – Tirésias Simon Sam

Tirésias Simon Sam (1835-1816). Was a Haitian general who served as president from 1896-1902. He continued to work on infrastructure and sought improved diplomatic relations with France and the United States. Learn more about Tirésias Simon Sam.

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Letter from Haiti (From our Special Correspondent) We believe we must remind our correspondents in Haiti that our task is to safeguard the country's interests in Europe, and that as a result, all that serves to divide Haitians—this being one of the lesser faults of our policy—is carefully banished from our program.

We are among those who believe we must heal our troubles in secret, without divulging them in a world that is—alas!—only too given to denigrating us.

Our only policy is to work toward the elevation of Haiti and the Black Race, and we have only one means to do so: cooperation and unity!

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Port-au-Prince, 11 September 1890

My dear Director,

It seems that a benevolent wind has passed over our countryside, we have the highest hopes for the next harvests.The years pass and they do not look any more alike than the days... Heaven owed us this compensation all the same.

The financial situation in the country is in good shape. Drafts sold this week at 5% and there is reason to believe they will continue to go down. We are told that business will conclude at 1½%. Since exchange rate in this country has a fairly straightforward relationship with the political situation, it would be useless to say that everything is perfectly calm when is comes to improvements and reforms, which have been waiting such a long time for their execution.

The Public Works Committee recently presented the Ministry with a project intended to establish an overland telegraph network in Haiti and two submarine cables, one of which would be placed at Cap Haïtien and the other at Port-au-Prince. The government has already contracted with a Haitian entrepreneur, Mr. Elie, barring ratification by the Legislature. The vote in the Chamber was favourable. The Parliament also passed a bill presented by the Minister of Finance concerning increased emoluments for certain administrative officials.

In replacement of General Béliard, named Minister of War and the Navy, General Tirésias Simon Sam was elected senator of the Republic, as well as Mr. Nelson.

A notice emanating from the Minister of Finance, announces that, according to an agreement between the Bank and the Government: 1. the commission of the [illegible] to the said establishment on the monthly values to be paid for [illegible] of the State, is reduced to 1½%.

2. The commission of 11200 to be counted on Solomon government bills, is reduced to 3/4%.

3. Finally, as a result of a special agreement between Messrs. Milot, Scott and Co., the interest on Caisse d'Amortissement bonds issued in their favour has been reduced from 18% to 12% per year.

It seems that some big shots in the Port-au-Prince square have organized a cabal against Mr. Hartmann, the new director of the National Bank. It is even said that the Government intends to protest against his nomination, its choice being Mr. Neuda. Medium-sized business—mainly constituted of our nationals—is completely indifferent to the dispute. What does it matter, in the end, whether Pierre or Jacques directs the Bank: the result is always the same for poor people.

A good, excellent measure was initiated by Mr. Béliard jeune, Secretary of War and Navy. This Minister, in a circular of this past 30 August, invited the financial administrators of the Republic to summon all the shoemakers in their districts, in order to come to an agreement with them on the manufacture of a sufficient quantity of shoes for the army and navy. "Before looking abroad, as usual, the Government," he said, "wants to reach an agreement with Haitian workers." Mr. Bélilard received the most lively congratulations from the Haitian press and public for this initiative. It is hoped that agriculture and all of the other branches of national industry will be similarly encouraged.

I should finally confirm the disappearance of La Liberté of Cap. It is said... but I should remember your recent sage recommendation to stick to the facts. Besides, our young people, with a zeal and a spirit that honours the fecundity of the Race, continually found new organs of publicity. As soon as one newspaper disappears, another replaces it. Thus L'Impartial has recently entered into the fray. the current press does not systematically oppose the government, but it expresses its sentiments with considerable bravado. So much the better! Let's hope that the parliamentary struggles have permanently conquered their place in our customs, and that the century will conclude for us without a return to barbarism—by which I mean civil wars.

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Tirésias Simon Sam