The Alexandria Herald

From Port au Prince. Important.

The letter and proclamation here subjoined were received by the brig Valona, arrived at this port on Sunday from Port au Prince.

Extract of a letter to a gentleman in Baltimore, dated Port au Prince, 20th March, 1823. I hasten to enclose to you a proclamation which has been promulgated this afternoon, and which may be of consequence to our country men. I will thank you to hand it to the editors of the American for immediate publication. There appears to be a difference of opinion here whether it relates to American vessels touching at other islands before arriving at this, or not; but certain it is, that after the first of May all vessels coming from other islands that belong to the islands, will be confiscated, and the vessels belonging to the Republic are prohibited going to any of the islands, or to America.

Since our last, flour has advanced, and at present is selling at $14, but little in market. Rice in demand at $6—Soap $3. Coffee at present 27 to 27 sous, say $19 50 to 19 80 per cwt. on board. Baltimore American of yesterday.

We have procured a translation of the proclamation alluded to, which is in the following words:

PROCLAMATION.

Jean Pierre Boyer, President of Hayti.

Since the foundation of the Republic, the rights of nations have always been scrupulously observed; this government, always guided by the love of peace, and by the honor which inspires a just cause, has never conceived any thing that could, with justice, create a suspicion, that it has been her intention to disturb any of the neighbouring islands.

Nevertheless it is in the greater part of these islands where are concentrated the promoters of the horrid traffic in human flesh, that the republic has always had its most embittered slanders. Their inhabitants, tormented by the horrors of an upbraiding conscience, imagine that they behold Hayti always ready to annihilate them, whilst the Haytians, fully confiding in the supreme being and leaving to him the attributes of vengeance, despise the calumnies of enemies whom a divine punishment will sooner or later overtake.

Thus, laws and regulations at once opposed to reason and contrary to the true interests of those islands, are there in full force to prohibit all communication with this republic, whilst by means of smuggling, which they encourage, they find clandestinely a market to dispose of their produce. Have we not before our eyes our generous conduct towards them when in time of scarcity, they came to us for grain, provision, cattle, &c. and that we carried these things to them? Do we not see every day arriving in our ports merchandize from these islands? Do we not know that the Haytien coasters go and receive from theirs, sugars, syrup, taffia, rum, &c. through the allurement of illicit gain and fraudulently introduce them into our territory contrary to law?

Why then notwithstanding all the advantages which the inhabitants of the neighbouring islands derive from their communications with us, do they not cease to vilify the name of Haytien, and insult our national character by their disgraceful acts?

To so many outrages there must be an end.

We declare to all those whom it concerns, that in order to use reprisals against the enemies & slanderers of the Republic, all relations and communications by merchant vessels or belonging to individuals, between Hayti and the different islands of the Archipelago to the windward and leeward, are rigorously interdicted from the first of May next.

Consequently, all merchant vessels or vessels belonging to individuals that shall enter the ports of the Republic, after the 1st of May next, coming from the aforesaid islands or colonies, shall be seized and confiscated, with every thing that shall be found on board, one half for the benefit of the state, and the other half for the benefit of the informer.

For these reasons, it is expressly forbidden by the present proclamation, to national vessels to communicate with any island or colony of the new world (nouveau Monde) under penalty of seizure and confiscation on their return, one half to the state and the other to the person who will give information of the trespass; and also under penalty of one year's imprisonment to the captain of the vessel seized, and three months to each of the crew; and whereas, from information received, the national flag has been outraged upon the high seas, it is also prohibited under the same penalties as above, to go into any foreign port whatever, until this government shall have adopted proper measures to cause its flag to be respected, and that it may have all the consideration which it ought to enjoy: the said vessels must confine themselves, for the present, to the coasting trade of the country.

We order the armed vessels of the Republic to overhaul all national vessels as also those coming from the islands or colonies above mentioned, that shall approach our coast and transgress in these presents; to capture them; to bring them into the port of the Capital, where the officers and crew of the said armed vessels shall receive one half of the proceeds of each prize.

The present proclamation shall be printed, published and distributed wherever occasion require, and shall also be inserted for three months in the Official Gazette. The civil and military officers shall execute its provisions, each according to his station.

Given at the National Palace of Port au Prince, the 20th March 1823, the 20th year of the independence. BOYER.

By the president, the secretary general, B. Inginac.