EEPUBLIC OF HAITI. 



411 



Black Mountains through, the populous communes of Marmelade, Plaisance, and 

 Gros-Morne. 



The Môle Saint- Nicolas, at the western extremity of the northern 'j)eninsula, 

 was the first point of the coast touched by Columbus when he discovered Espanola 

 (San Domingo). It was so named from the long promontory protecting the port 

 like a mole or breakwater, and in 1693 became the chief stronghold of the French 

 in Haiti; but the fortifications v/ere reduced to a heap of shapeless ruins by the 

 earthquake of 1842. In 1764, 400 exiled Acadians received some lands in 

 the district ; but the climate, having proved fatal to most of them, the survivors 

 were removed to Louisiana. A similar fate befell 2,400 Germans, who settled in. 



Fii. 



196. — St. Nicolas Peninsula. 

 Scale 1 : 400,(W0. 



West or (jreenwich 



Depths. 



to 5(X) 

 Fathoms. 



500 Fathoms 

 and upwards. 



30 Miles. 



the neighbourhood about the same time, and founded the station of Bomhardopolis 

 or Bombarde, so named in honour of a financier. Some of their half-caste descen- 

 dants are still found in the district, and a confluence of lagoons in the Mississippi 

 delta still bears the name of " Lac des Allemands," from the remnant of the immi- 

 grants who accompanied the Acadians to Louisiana. 



The port of Gonaives stands on the west coast at the head of Gonaives Bay, 

 where two rivers of the same name and the Artibonite enter the sea. Thanks to 

 its central position between the northern and western provinces, Gonaives has 

 played an important part in the chequered history of the country. Here Toussaint- 

 Louverture embarked for France, and here was proclaimed the independence of 

 Haiti. 



