The Kentucky Gazette

PHILADELPHIA, May 14.

Translation.

Extract of a Letter from citizen Hedouville, Agent of the Executive Directory at St. Domingo, to citizen Letombe, Consul General, near the United States :

Cape Francois, Floreal 2d, sixth year, (21st April, 1798.)

I hasten to inform you of my arrival at St. Domingo --It was my duty immediately on my arrival to turn my attention to our supplies, and I had reason to think that the neutrals, informed of the discussion that took place in the legislature with regard to the transporting of English merchandizes, might, after these rigorous adventures be afraid of directing their speculations towards the French ports of the Colony of St. Domingo. I hasten citizen Consul, to remove their fears, with regard to this point, and declare that I shall take for a rule of my conduct towards neutrals, the arrêt of the commission of the government of the 27th Vendemaire last. (18th October last) Therefore I invite you to make known my intention to the merchants and to assure them of the faithfulness of my promises.

This colony is already in a situation well calculated to attract hither the merchants. Flattering as the idea I formed of its restoration may have been, it was far below reality. The plains, which I crossed in travelling from Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Dauphin) to the Cape, promise already abundant crops. The neutral merchants, in transacting business with the government or with individuals had never a prospect so encouraging in this colony. With regard to commerce, my principles are, that it ought to be free from all shackles, that there ought to be no preference for any one, that all ought to be subject to the same laws and to the same conditions, and I shall be invariable in their application.