Gazette Of The United States

The following Address from the General Assembly of
St. Domingo, was read in the House of Representatives
of the United States, on Monday last.

TO THE HONORABLE THE CONGRESS OF THE
UNITED STATES.

GENTLEMEN,

IN our letter of the 24th of last August, you
received information of the misfortunes, which
had befallen the northern part of this flourishing
colony. Our whole force, though very limited,
has been levelled against the ravagers, who are
laying it waste; and we have so far accomplished
our ends, as, if not to effect their total reduction,
at least to check the evil in its progress.

That unhappy catastrophe forced the General
Assembly of the French part of Saint Domingo to
embrace every means of safety, indispensable in
similar cases, and rendered necessary by the urgency
of circumstances; in consequence of which,
the shipping in general, and, among the rest,
the vessels belonging to your nation, have experienced
some little delay in their departure.

But, desirous of maintaining the union and harmony,
that subsists between France (of which we
constitute a part) and your States—desirous also
of testifying, as far as in their power, their
grateful acknowledgment of the generous services,
offered and rendered to the colony, by the
brave subjects of the United States—the General
Assembly, in concert with the King's representative,
have in the first place, set aside the Droit
d'Aubaine, in favor of such as might fall victims
to their own zeal and courage. The Assembly
would have wished to abolish it forever, and
to extend the exemptions to the Americans in general,
but this object being a constitutional
point, they intend to apply for it to the mother
country; and we have not a doubt, that she will
eagerly gratify our wishes.

In the next place, having taken into consideration
the obstacles, experienced by Mr. Sylvanus
Bourne your consul in this colony, to the registry
of his credentials—obstacles, which were occasioned
by certain formal defects—the General
Assembly hastened to remove them, and to give
orders that the said credentials should be registered.

Finally, under the constant influence of those
principles of justice and equity, which cement
the union between the two allied nations, and
desirous of corresponding with the views of
France, who will ever hold dear that memorable
epoch, when she saw permanent security given
to the unlimited freedom of a nation, that has
furnished her with the glorious example, for the
recovery of her own rights so long misunderstood—
the General Assembly have, in favor of the Americans,
hastened to take off the embargo, which
the unfortunate situation of affairs had obliged
them to lay on all vessels without distinction.

But in vain would the colony have recovered
her former tranquility, if the means of applying
a speedy remedy to the evil were not to be employed.
The General Assembly have therefore
determined to send to your body two new commissioners,
Messrs. De Beauvois and Payan, who
are provided with letters from the Assembly and
the King's representative.

The General Assembly do not entertain a doubt,
that you will together with a favorable reception
to them, give your assent to the requisitions
which they are empowered to make of you, the
success of which will undoubtedly extend its influence
to the commerce, which the subjects of the
United States carry on with this colony.

With this pleasing hope, we contemplate their
departure, and direct them to the representatives
of a generous nation, the friend and ally of
France since the year 1782, the period when she
fully recovered her liberty.

I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient humble servant,
J. PONCIGNON, President.

Cape-Francois, October 13, 1791.