Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

Communicated and Translated for the F. Republican.

ALEXANDER PETION.
PRESIDENT OF HAYTI,

TO THE PEOPLE AND THE ARMY

I have thought it expedient to enlighten my fellow citizens and the army, respecting my proceedings during the recent events that have occurred in the southern part of the republic; and if I have delayed it until this moment, my motive was to recall men's minds to a point of conciliation and justice. Mildness, and a desire to spare the blood of my brethren have always formed the basis of my conduct; these are the reasons, operating so powerfully on my mind, that have particularly guided my steps, and have prevented me from arriving at the cruel extremity of shedding blood.

In the midst of the agitations by which we have been environed, occupied with the army on the expedition to the North under the orders of the brave Lamarre, disquieted by the movements of Goman in the South, having to fortify ourselves against the projects of invasion by Christophe, frequently disturbed by factions in the interior, exasperated by turbulent and unquiet minds I have experienced the felicity of governing the vessel of state without any violent commotions, of supplying the enormous expenses that the state of things required, and of causing the authority of the government to be respected, at the head of which I was placed by the confidence of the people, without however having ever solicited it.

The arrival of general Rigaud in his native country was signalized by all the evidences of satisfaction that the idea of the misfortunes from which he had just escaped could inspire and of beholding amongst us a new defender of our rights: I received him with eagerness; employed him as a general of division against the insurgents of Grand Anse: and I calculated on his zeal to subdue them; tranquillized on that account, I exerted all my efforts to put the capital of the republic in a situation of security from insult, and to prepare the means of repulsing the army of Christophe, in the event of an attack.

All the citizens of the republic have been equally the object of my most lively solicitude; I have always exerted myself to make them happy, and to distinguish and reward merit amongst them. The army has never been considered otherwise by me, than as forming one: that of the south has been paid & clothed in the same manner, and at the same time with that of the west; the service and marches have not more directly weighed on the one than on the other portion; in the civil administration, the inhabitants of the south have in every way the utmost facility provided for the promotion and security of their interest, and they have enjoyed particular advantages arising from their peculiar situation of being farther removed from the seat of war. They ought necessarily to concur in the public and general expenses for the maintenance of the government; and it was strictly just that they should co-operate, and conform themselves to the vicissitudes of events.

It was under these circumstances, and at the moment when the grand crisis was approaching, by the fall of the Mole, when consequently all minds ought to have been united for the defence of the common cause, that certain individuals of the town of Aux Cayes were laboring to change the form of their government and to establish a primary and tumultuous assembly, the result of which has been the deposing of several public functionaries, and the declaration of a separation from the existing government. The principal object of my attention being the declared enemy of the government, (Christophe) I refrained from using the forces against the authors of this first movement. I calculated that the presence of General Rigaud at Aux Caves, would have re-called the people to tranquility, and I was besides informed the arrondisement of Nippes had not participated therein. It was not until after ascertaining with certainty that the schism was becoming organized, and observing Generals Bonnet and Lys abandoning their posts to go to Aux-Cayes, that I ordered troops to march to the bridge of Miragoane, to concur in preserving the arrondissement of Nippes, and to prevent the effects of a fresh convocation, which was about to meet at Aquin; I even consented to the sending of a deputation of several notable citizens of Port-au-Prince, who preceded the army, in order to expose to the chiefs of this new assembly into what an abyss they were about to precipitate us if they should persist in a proceeding as incomprehensible as rash.-- The conduct of this army, under the orders of the generals of brigade, Delva and Gedeon, was dictated with the respect for property. The inhabitants of the arrondissement of Nippes, far from envying them their property. General Rigaud, who was at Aquin, dictated a written order to Gen. Delva to retreat with his army without the limits of that arrondissement. In consequence, I determined to go myself to the bridge of Miragoane, to confer with General Rigaud: this interview the 2d December passed with frankness and loyalty on my part; there with I represented to him all the reasons which ought to induce an union of all minds. I preferred this amicable method rather than to make use of the forces I had assembled; they were sufficiently imposing, and in disposition to make my authority respectable, if I had been willing to make any other use than what I did I was very soon recalled to Port-au-Prince by the appearance of a deputation from Christophe who apprised of the divisions that existed in our republic, wished to embrace the opportunity of profiting thereby; this event has only tended to confirm me, that the measures of wisdom and prudence I had adopted, and which were in conformity to my principles, had preserved us from greater misfortunes.

I wrote to general Rigaud the 18th December: my letter bears the impression of the purity of my intentions and the sincere desire I have of uniting all hearts in one object: and of not losing the precious moments in our preservation, and of giving scope to the passions of men. I thought it necessary to add some explications in a second letter, dated the 4th January last, and pointed out an assembly at Leogane, of citizens distinguished for their wisdom, to labor in consolidating a mutual confidence and rendering our country happy.

I have to regret that my proceedings have encountered a determined resistance. The inhabitants of Aux-Cayes met in assembly the Department.---It will never enter into the mind of any reasonable being, to approve of principles so contrary to public and private interest. Alas, who does not see all the consequences to be feared from such obstinacy! I cannot persuade myself that it obtains the general consent of the inhabitants of the South, who have too much reason to recollect the accumulated miseries to which they were so cruelly subjected in the civil war, and which they would seem desirous of drawing down afresh on their heads, by a conduct so opposed to their true interests. As the depositary of their authority, I will not cease to watch over the welfare and happiness of my fellow-citizens in general; my prudence and firmness will invariably tend to preserve them from every danger and to maintain those precious advantages of liberty and equality, which constitute the unshaken basis of the state. Seconded by the concurrence of the people and the army, I will take the most proper measure to disconcert the projects of our enemies, and I will consult with pleasure the public opinion respecting every thing that can make us happy.

I have experienced on the part of the generals and the army, in these recent circumstances, proofs of their devotedness to the country, and peculiar attachment to my person, which excite my most lively acknowledgments.

The commandants of Arrondisements and Places, the Inspectors of Culture & the Gardes Nationales, have disputed in emulation of zeal to fly to the succor of the republic and the maintenance of internal peace; their conduct is worthy of the highest praise.

All the citizens have concurred in general to second the government, and have a right to claim our gratitude.

What ought I not to expect, with such means to encourage the mind against every fear of the enemy and of the future? Moreover, in recommending to each individual to hold himself ready to fly to the frontier at the first fire of the alarm gun, it is only to tell him, I call you to VICTORY.

(Signed)
PETION.

Given at the National Palace, at Port-au-Prince, 1st February, 1811, 8th year of the Independence.