1 22 Sketches of Hayti. [A UG, 



period of which wo arc speaking, the power of- the chiefs was absolute. 

 Every individual who aspired to do more than exist soon became sensible 

 of the impediments which oppposed him. To the stranger, and even to 

 the native, the interior was almost as a " sealed book." The European 

 and American merchants felt the difficulties of their situation most keenly ; 

 but they consoled themselves, as they generally do in places where the 

 principles of trade and civilization are not properly understood, with the 

 expectation of realizing a profit proportionate to their annoyances ; and 

 their anticipations were sometimes fulfilled. Since this period, however, 

 the condition and prospects of Hayti have altered. Her independence 

 has been formally recognized by the mother country ; and she is not the 

 pnly land watered by the Atlantic which has recently assumed the title of 

 a free state. Her natives have their right to liberty confirmed to them ; 

 but it still remains to be seen whether they set so just a value on the boon 

 as to institute a permanent and well-regulated form of government. 

 Hitherto they have only talked of freedom, and been subservient to 

 those 



" That palter with us in a double sense 



That keep the word of promise to our ear, 



And break it to our hope." 



The following Sketch, by Mr. Harvey, gives an idea of the manners 

 of the black and coloured population : 



"I had just finished my breakfast, when a mulatto entered the room, introducing 

 himself sans cerimonie, by announcing, ' Monsieur, je viens vous rendre visite j' 

 and before I could ask his name, or the object of his visit, he had seized a chair, 

 seated himself by my side, and begun his discourse. It would afford a very imper- 

 fect idea of his speech, to describe it in general terms : it should have been heard, 

 delivered as it was, with an unceasing rapidity, accompanied by the most violent 

 gestures, and a continual change of position. 



" Drawing near me, and looking full in my face, he commenced, ' Sir, I am 

 exceedingly happy to see you at Cape Henry ; for I like all Englishmen. I hope 

 you purpose making a considerable stay in the island : you will, I assure you, find 

 it extremely pleasant.' Then, endeavouring to look very shrewd, though unfor- 

 tunately his countenance hardly admitted of that expression, he proceeded, 'Sir, 

 I have seen a great part of the West Indies, but have found no place comparable to 

 this. All the other islands are disgraced by slavery. Here, Sir,' with an air of 

 triumph approaching to the ludicrous, c here we are all free and equal. Our 

 king, Sir,' rising suddenly from his chair, and striking the table violently with an 

 old cocked hat, * he is one of the best, as well as one of the greatest of men. The 

 whites in the other islands laugh at him ; but,' he continued, throwing his hat, 

 apparently in great anger, to the farther corner of the room, * if they knew him, 

 they would find him a superior man to the very best of them. As a proof of this, 

 Sir,' resuming his seat, and placing his fore-finger in a parallel line with his nose, 

 -* see what he has done : I have never been in Europe ; but from all I can learn, 

 you are not better governed there, than we are. Cape Henry, for example, where 

 will you find a place in which order so strikingly prevails ? I have no doubt, Sir, 

 you will be highly gratified with your visit. In short,* again rising, elevating his 

 voice as he rose on his feet, and stretching forth his hand, as though about to deli- 

 ver some weighty saying, * in short, Sir, this is the country of liberty, and inde- 

 pendence : Our motto is, La Libertd, ou la mart : and destruction to those who 

 shall ever lift the sword against us. And now, Sir,' once more resuming his seat, 

 speaking in a half- whispering tone, with a look of great self-satisfaction,* let me 

 congratulate you on your arrival."' 



Mr. Harvey gives some account of the interior of the island, and seems 

 to think that the condition of the negroes has been materially improved 



