A VISIT TO THE EMPEROR OF HAITI. 



199 



weighs heavily on the budget. The clergy costs very little ; 

 there are not more than forty-eight priests in the whole 

 bounds of the empire. People have been mistaken when 

 they spoke of the influence of the Jesuits at the court of 

 Port-au-Prince. The Haitian territory is closed against all 

 monastic orders. The Vicar Apostolic, the Abbe Cessens, 

 who has been represented as the agent of the disciples of 

 Loyola, strictly confines himself to the religious duties of 

 his charge. As for the authority of the ministers, it is to 

 be wished that it were somewhat greater. They are men 

 of acknowledged merit. M. Duiresue, minister of foreign 

 affairs, of the interior, of war and of marine, would shine 

 in the most civilized countries. He is a clear mulatto. M. 

 Solomon, minister of finance and of commerce, and M. 

 Francisque, minister of justice and of worship, are jet 

 black. In conclusion, and to resume my general impres- 

 sions of Haiti, I must say, that I found the elements of 

 civilization in a country which has been supposed to be 

 completely plunged in barbarism. In all social relations, 

 I have only had to congratulate myself on the character of 

 the inhabitants. The highways afforded a security which 

 appears fabulous. In the towns, I met all the charms of 

 civilized life. The graces of the ladies of Port-au-Prince 

 will never be effaced from my recollection." 



