Martinsburgh Gazette

FRANCE AND HAYTI
The Government of Hayti has, for some time, been threatened with an invasion from France. It appears that 4000 men have embarked in a squadron at Brest, that this squadron was to join another naval force, that the military division would be augmented in the West Indies, and that the whole of the Expedition, assisted by Spain, would then be directed against the existing independence of Hayti. We lay before our readers a London communication which may be considered as putting this question nearly, if not altogether at rest—The article appears in the London Morning Chronicle of the 5th October, and is as follows:

"On the English Stock Exchange, this morning, the Consols opened with great firmness, at 95½, and during the forenoon they gradually advanced to 95 7-8, buyers, and nearly touched 96. About two o'clock, however, it was known that The Courier would contain an article, by no means favourable to the continuation of national tranquility, and the Consols instantaneously declined to 95½. It was difficult to surmise the nature of the news, and expectation remained dilated. until the oracle of information appeared, and the grand secret then became known to all, by the publication of the contents of a letter from Paris, stating that which has been offered to almost every paper of respectability for publication, and which is so infantine that it is wonderful how it could have gained currency in its columns. The Bourbons in 1824 are to reduce St. Domingo with 4,000 men, which the Emperor Napoleon could not do, in 1802, after having sacrificed 35,000 French soldiers. So says the Correspondent of a Member of the Chamber of Deputies, who has access to Ministerial communications. "We give it, however, without any farther pledge for its accuracy," says The Courier. The French part of St. Domingo is, however, not only to be conquered, but according to the wording of this letter, "Spain, claiming part of Hispaniola, it is confidently asserted, will act in concert with France, and probably extend her views to the Gulf of Mexico." The beloved Ferdinand, who has a War Minister, without a regiment, who has a Marine Minister, without a ship, and who has a Finance Minister, without a shilling, is to assist France in reducing the Republic of Hayti to degradation, and is also to extend his views to the Gulf of Mexico.—The Consols again advanced to 95. At this time a great quantity of military stores is actually shipping at Havre-de-Grace for Hayti, on account of the existing Government, which would not be permitted, had the French Ministers any intention of attempting the reduction of its liberties. As soon will France become an appendage to the British crown, as Hayti, or any of the liberated American Republics, return to the yoke of the family of the Bourbons, as both of these events are impossible."

The actual shipping of military stores at Havre, for the use of the Haytien government, is conclusive as to the point at issue, even did not the whole of the rumored intention of invading the Island carry on the face of it rashness and absurdity. We must first suppose the French government absolutely blind to experience, and the evidence of facts before we can believe that it would seriously set about recovering its former colony by an extensive expedition, much less by such a force as that described by the late accounts.—But notwithstanding this view of the case, we see it stated by an arrival at Boston from Cape Haytien that

"An invasion by the French was expected in the Spring, and the greatest preparations were making at the Cape, and throughout the Island, to repel them; every man capable of bearing arms was ordered to be put in requisition."

It may be considered natural and an act of wisdom on the part of President Boyer to prepare for every event. The best way to prevent invasion may be to shew that he is fully armed to repel it. but his preparation is not to be taken as proof an attack being really expected.—He may think, and justly, that preparation will prove the best security of peace.

[Balt. Fed. Gaz.]