Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

REVOLUTION IN HAYTI.

To the politeness of a gentleman just arrived from St. Thomas, we are indebted for the latest intelligence from the republic of Hayti. The papers furnished, contain an account of the operations down to the 27th December inclusive, on which day the new republican constitution was adopted.

This constitution and the spirited address, prefixed, shall be presented to the readers of the Gazette without further loss of time than is necessary for a correct translation. We have only time this evening to furnish the following.

On the 5th December, 1806, general Christophe appeared on the skirts of Port au Prince, with an army of about 10,000 men, to compel the body of people assembled together, to frame a constitution, to appoint him emperor of Hayti. On his arrival there, he sent a flag of truce, and desired to have conference with general Pétion, commander at Port au Prince, who went out to meet him with what soldiers he had; and instead of a conference, as soon as Pétion came within gun shot of him, his men were fired on by Christophe; when a short engagement ensued, in which there were some officers and men killed on both sides. Pétion got into Port au Prince and kept Christophe from committing any material depredations on the town. As his army was but few in number he thought it most advisable to act only on the defensive, and not pursue Christophe, after having driven his troops out of town at the end of which they had entered it.

Dispatches were immediately sent by Pétion to all parts of the South where they have dominions, for troops, arms, ammunition and provisions, and on the day following there was not a mule to be found, or scarce a man that could bear arms in the town of Jacmel—all had repaired to Port au Prince, to join Pétion's army, carrying with them provisions and ammunition for the occasion. Several skirmishes took place in the course of eight or ten days—during which time, Christophe's army was within two or three miles of Port au Prince, and had several times entered it, but was as often repulsed.

On the 10th of January, news was received at Jacmel, that Christophe had been defeated, and that the greater part of his soldiers revolted and joined the other side: that he had fled for his life: that Pétion's army were in pursuit of him, and no doubt prevailed, but they would overtake him—in which case, death would inevitably be his lot, as they were determined to behead him, and establish a federal or republican government.

On the night of the 10th January Jacmel was illuminated on the occasion. N. B. F. Gaz.