Seaports of Hayti. 
165 
quake in 1842, which occasioned the death of five or six 
thousand persons, by the fall of the houses and the subsequent 
fires. There are acres of these ruins still there, — beautifully 
decorated with luxuriant vegetation. Within a day’s ride dis¬ 
tant from “ the Cape,” as it is usually called, are the Citadel 
and Palace of Christophe, — the most wonderful structures in 
Hayti, and the greatest architectural triumphs of the colored 
race. Every visitor should see them. The great Plain of the 
North, of which Cape Haytian is the port, is unexhaustibly 
fertile and adapted to every kind of tropical staples. 
Port de Paix has a population of about 2,000 inhabitants. 
It is healthy and well situated, has a good port and a fine 
country behind it. During the Empire it was a closed port, 
but it was opened to commerce by the Republic. 
Mole St. Nicholas is a closed port. It is a great military- 
point, and was the last place evacuated by the English during 
their residence in the Island. It is not suited for emigrants; 
as the country behind it is barren and rocky. Its population is 
between 1,200 and 1,500. 
Gonaives is a town of 6,000 or 7,000 inhabitants. It is one 
of the most thriving towns in Hayti. Its commerce is consider¬ 
able; derived, chiefly, from its exports of dye-woods and 
mahogany. The plain in which it is situated is admirably 
adapted to the cultivation of cotton. It was from this town 
that Toussaint L’Ouverture was kidnapped. 
St. Mark, at the further extremity of the same plain, and the 
scene of many desperate battles, has a population of two or three 
thousand persons. It is beautifully situated, — very healthy, 
and with a mild climate. It is the outlet of the great Plain of 
the Artibonite, — one of the best localities for emigrants in the 
Island. Two or three hundred Louisiana exiles have already 
settled there and are highly pleased with the country. There 
are among them some of the richest colored planters of Louis¬ 
iana. The Plain of the Artibonite, which extends from the 
Gros Mome of Gonaives to the Gros Mome of St. Mark_ 
