Notes on Religion and Education. 139 
drunkards, many of them, and living openly with concubines, 
— having no other interest in the well-being of the people than 
is implied in the right of receiving their fees, instead of en¬ 
couraging marriage and discouraging theVaudoux, and teaching 
— not only by precept but example—the morality of the Chris¬ 
tian religion, have brought discredit on its name, contributed 
to demoralize their flocks, and united in adding to Obeah rites 
the ceremonies of the Catholic faith. With a few noble ex 
ceptions, this has been the general character of the priests of 
Hayti. With three or four exceptions, also, these men have 
been whites,— natives chiefly of Corsica; for the simple country 
people have a notion that whites only can be efficient peres. 
(Many of them, certainly, in one sense, have been very efficient 
peres.') Under such a state of things, the moral progress of 
the people must necessarily have been slow. This subject has 
often occupied the attention of past Governments; but the 
only remedy — a concordat with the Pope for the purpose of 
obtaining priests of good repute — has always been an insur¬ 
mountable obstacle in the way. For the Haytian Ruler has 
always refused to abdicate his chieftainship; and the Pope, on 
the other hand, has inflexibly insisted on the absolute control of 
ecclesiastical affairs. This difficulty has at last been overcome 
by the concession, on the part of the Pope, of the most liberal 
concordat that has ever been concluded with the Holy See. It 
provides that the Bishop shall be appointed by the President, 
subject to the confirmation of the Pope; and to this Bishop the 
power shall be given of nominating the priests, subject to the 
approval of the President. It requires that the bishop and 
priests shall give an oath of fidelity to the Haytian Government. 
The concordat has been ratified by the Senate and transmitted 
to Rome for signature. Under Soulouque, and still, (Septem¬ 
ber, I860,) there are only about thirty priests in the Republic. 
There will be seventy when the Concordat is signed and in 
force. The church in Hayti is supported by the fees paid by 
its members for the various rites performed ; and by a trifling 
