A TRIPARTITE INTERVENTION IN HAYTI, 1851 329 



was ripe for recognition. No charge was nominated by the Presi- 

 dent, but the policy of his predecessor was so far adhered to that 

 Robert Walsh was sent to Hayti in January, 1851, to take his part 

 in the joint intervention. Like the other agents he was authorized 

 to persuade and threaten, and finally " conjointly with your col- 

 leagues, [to] require the Emperor to conclude a permanent peace 

 with the Dominican government, upon the basis which you may 

 jointly prescribe to him, or to consent to a truce with that govern- 

 ment of not less than two years. "^'^ 



Walsh arrived at Port au Prince, the seat of the Haytian gov- 

 ernment, on the 5th of February, 1851. '^■^ He found the interven- 

 tion already started by a note of Raybaud and Usher'^' informing the 

 Minister of Foreign Affairs that their respective governments had 

 "agreed to adopt coercive measures" to prevent a new expedition into 

 the territory of San Domingo. Within a week after the arrival of the 

 American agent another note demanded of the "Duke of Tiberon," 

 the Foreign Minister, a categorical answer to their proposition .of a 

 ^''definitive treaty of peace, or a truce of ten years, between the em- 

 pire of Hayti and the Dominican repuhlic^''^^^ 



The diplomacy of the Haytian government proved itself able to 

 bear the burden of the displeasure of the Powers. When the agents 

 called for an answer to their note they were told that constitutional 

 limitations forbade compliance with their request; then that a com- 

 mittee of four would be appointed to come to an understanding with 

 them.^*) We shall be glad to meet your committee, replied the 

 agents, but our terms cannot be discussed, you have simply to accept 

 or reject. ^"^ The matter is too serious for off-hand decisions, re- 

 sponded the minister, we must know your reasons. ^'^ We are sur- 

 prised, answered the agents, at the repetition of your request, we 

 cannot discuss our terms, but are willing to state oiir reasons. <*^ 



(1) Webster to Walsh January 18. 1851. Walsh, 3, 4. 



(2) WaUh,^. 



(3) December 19, 1850. Walsh, 15. 

 (♦) Feb. 11. 1851, Walsh, 15. 



(5) Feb. 21, 1851. Walsh, 20. 



(6) Agrent3 to Dufrere, Feb. 21, 1851, Walsh, 20. 

 (') Dufrere to Agents. Feb. 24. 1851, Walsh, 21. 

 («) Agents to Dufrere. Feb. 27, 1851. Walsh. 21. 



