' 8 
 

 \ 
 
1» ' ^ • 
 
 M FLOWERS COLLECTIC^Í 
 
 llü^AL COa>E OF HAITÍ* 
 
 THE-Chamber of the Rcpresentatives of Communes, orí 
 Ihe proposition of ihe Presideiit of Haíli, and having heard 
 ihe Heport of its Commitlce of the interior, has pasocd the 
 six foUowing laws, constituling the Rural Cede of Haiti; 
 
 LAW, No. I 
 
 ON THE GENERAL ARRANGEMFNTS RELATIVE TO 
 AGRICULTURE. 
 
 Anide 1. Agriculturc, being the main source of the pros- 
 perily of the siate, shall enjoy the special protection and en^ 
 couragement of the Civil and Military aulhorilies. 
 
 2. The citizens, of the profcssion of agriculttire, cannot be 
 taken oíF from their pursuits, except in the cases pointed out by 
 law. 
 
 3. All the citizens being bound to give their aid towards 
 supporting the state, either by their services or their industry ; 
 those who shall not be employed in civil offices, or called outon 
 military services ; those who shall not be engaged in any bu- 
 siness subject to the pütent ;* those who shall not be employed 
 as working arlificers, or as domesiic servanls ; those who shall 
 not be employed in the cutting of wood fit for exportalion ; 
 and those, in fine, who shall not be able to show that they 
 possess the means of subsistence, shall be bound to cultívate 
 the earth. 
 
 4. Citizens of the agricultural profession shall not be at 
 liberty to quit the country, in order to reside y\ cities or towns, 
 without the authorizaiion of the Justice of Peace of the 
 Commune they wish to quit, and of that of the Commune 
 where they mean to fix ihemselves ; and the Justice or 
 Peace shall not give his authorization, unti' he has assured 
 himself that the applicant is a person of good behaviour, 
 who has correctly conducted himself in the cantón he desires 
 to quit, and that he has the means qí subsistence in the 
 
 * A tai 80 natnad impoícd on mcrchanís, ihopkeeperr tr&de«men. Ac 
 
nOUAL CODt Of flAlTI. 
 
 town where he wibhes to reside. AU who bhciU not con- 
 form to ihese rules, shall be considered and deall wilh as 
 vagrants. 
 
 5. The children, of eilher sex, -whom llieir parents (them- 
 sclves engaged in agriculture) shall desirc to send inlo ihe 
 cilies or lowns to be apprenticed or educated, ave not tobe 
 received either by mastcr workmen, or by leachers of public 
 or prívate schools, without a certifícate of the Justice of 
 Peace, which certifícate shall be granted at the request 
 either of the proprietor or principal renter of the place, or 
 of the oflSccr of the rural pólice, or of the fether or the 
 mother of the child. Every contravention of this rule 
 shall subject to a fíne of 25 dollars, to be paid by the 
 persou v/ho sball havc received the child without authoriza- 
 tion. 
 
 6. R-ecruiting for the army can only take place by order 
 of the Prcsident, and it sliaíl not extend to citizens engaged 
 in agriculture, unless the Chief of the íState, induced. by a 
 pressing danger, shall give orders to that eífect. 
 
 7. No shop, either wholesale or retail, shall be established, 
 and no commerce in the produce of the island shall be carried 
 on in the country parts on any pretext whatsoever. From 
 this rule are excepted raw sugars delivered to the refíneries,. 
 and molasses to the distillcries, and cotton in ihc seed when 
 sent to the mili to be ginned. 
 
 8. Nevertheless ihe patented travelling pedlers, residing 
 in, and going from, cities or towns, niay, while travelling 
 over the country, sell provisions, foreign merchandize, and 
 hardware.* 
 
 9. The houses or cottagcs which prívate persons have 
 already erected interior of the (H:>m muñes, in situations where 
 there is no regular townshíp, but merely a collection of cottages^ 
 whethcr for their ovvn accommodation or to Ict to others, shall 
 be subject to the same tax, on the valué of the rent of those 
 houses, which is payable in cilies and towns. In future, 
 howevcr, no coltage shall be erected in the country, wheve 
 there is no recogniscd townshíp, except wlicn conncclcd with 
 a rurrd cstablishment. 
 
 10. No proprietor of land bordering on the sea shall pos- 
 sess boals or vessels except for the transport of his produce 
 
 • The artidcs 7 and 8 seem framrJ in the absurd spint of many of our own 
 oíd laws. They are probaWy intended to secure the revenuc by confining the 
 «alo of taxftble oommoditieí and the lesidencecf tsspd (patented) tradcrs to tba 
 
 
UURAL CODE OP HAITÍ. 3 
 
 to ihe iieighboring city or town ; and for this he shall have, 
 from thc Jusiice ot' Peace of the Commune, a license which 
 shall be delivei-ed gratis ; and on no pretence shall ihese boats 
 be at libcrly lo carry on the coasting trade of olher ports, or 
 of tlie adjacenl lillle islands, ñor the business of fishing except 
 for the exclusive use of ihe planiation. 
 
 11. All ihe fines and forfeitures imposed by the Rural 
 Code, shall be ínHicted by the .lustices of Peace when not 
 exceeding the valué of lüO dollars, and, when they excced 
 tliat sjm, by the civil tribunals. The half of thc said fines 
 and forfeitures shall beloiig lo the pnblic treasury, the other half 
 to the informer. 
 
 12. On the day of the festival of agriculture, (the first of 
 May,) parlies of cultivators from each section shall atlend, at 
 the place vvhere the Conncil of Notables meets, wilh samples 
 of their produce. The Council of Notables, iu the presence 
 of all the aulhorities, shall crown the cultivator who shall 
 have besi cultivated his farm, in each ¡Section, and in each 
 kind of culture ; and he shall receive a prize of encouragement, 
 Exact deíails of these proceedings s-hall be drawn up and made 
 public. 
 
 1;J. Every year, on the first of September, the Council of 
 Notables shall address, to the President of Haiti, a circumstan- 
 tial report rcspecting the stale of agriculture in each Com- 
 mune, acci rapanied by their observaiions as lo the best means 
 of improving it. 
 
 14. Af the end of the year, the Commandants of Depart- 
 ments shall, in like manner, render tlie President of Haití 
 an account of the state of agriculture in iheir respective de- 
 partments, and also of the statc of the roads and high- 
 v/a\s. 
 
 LAVV, No. II. 
 
 ON THE GENERAL ADMTNI.STIÍAT10N OF THE DIFFERENT 
 
 AGRICUJ,TURAI> ESTABLISHMENTS. 
 
 ClIATTER ]. 
 
 Rules relating to the administra tion of agricullural establish- 
 
 ments as respccts iheyropiielors tf tha soil. 
 
 Section 1. — Of Land/narhs, Boundaries, and 
 
 Es ahlishments. 
 
 15. All the landed properties situated in the country, and 
 pioceeding from granls made by the State, whether under 
 the title of National propcrty, or under that of partial gift, 
 which have not vet been surveyed and measiired, ranst be so 
 
4 UURAL COUt: OR HAITÍ. 
 
 within thc space of one yeai- from the dale of ihu promul- 
 gaiion of ihe present code, under penalty of a fine of one dol- 
 lar, for every currenu of land, to be paid by ihe proprietor. Wilh 
 a view to the duc execiition of this regulaiion, the Justice of 
 Peace of ihe Commune shall, afterthe lapse of the above inter- 
 val, on a declaration being made lo him of the facls, employ a 
 surveyor duly commissioned, to measure and draw a plan of ihe 
 unsurVeyed grounda al the expense of the delinquent grantee : 
 when ihe amount of the fine shall be fixed, and levied togelher 
 vvith thc expense of the survey. 
 
 16. From the date of thc promulgation of this law, no 
 sale of propeny, siluated in the country, can be execuied be- 
 fore a notary, i'f that properly shall not have been previously 
 surveyed, and the boundaries previously recognised by the 
 title-deeds . ñor in any case can a partial sale take place un- 
 less the land shall have been previously surveyed. Notarles 
 acting in contraveiiíion of this article shall incur the penalties 
 of the law. 
 
 17. All grants of land made previous to the promulgation 
 ofthe present code, and on which, in a year from that lime, 
 no settlement shall have begun ; and all grants made subse- 
 queni to that time, on which, in a year from the date of the grant 
 no settlement shall have commenced, shall revert to the domain 
 of the State ; and the title-deed shall be given up and sent back 
 tolhe Government. 
 
 18. To carry the last regulation into eíTect, the ofíicer of 
 Rural Pólice in conjnnction with the Coiincil of Agriculture, 
 shall report to the Justice of Peace, and military command- 
 ant of the Commune, the uncultivated state of the grant ; 
 and these, afler ascertaining the correctness of this Report, 
 shall examine and subscribe it, and then address il to the 
 .Commandant of the Department, who, after having obtained 
 proof of the fact, shall withdraw the lille-decd, and send it to 
 J,he Government. 
 
 19. A settlement will be considercd as begun, when 
 there shall be a garden cultivated according lo 1 he rules es- 
 tablished by law, and the extent of which shall be dnly pro^ 
 porlioned to the number of cultivators attached lo the pror 
 perly. 
 
 20. The proprielors of cultivated lands, which are conti- 
 guous to each other, shall be bound, al their common expense, 
 adequately to fence their properties. Any one refusing to do 
 so shall be compellable by course of law. 
 
 ^1. The proprietors of rural estales are bound to cause 
 
IlUllAL CODK 01" HAITÍ. O 
 
 to be fLxed, during any surveys made at ihcir requisilion, solid 
 landmarks iii iron or iu masonry work, or in durable wocd, un- 
 dcr paiii of a ñne of ñvc doUars for every lai)dmr»i--lv which niay 
 be wanling. 
 
 22. The proprietors wbo shall bave ncglected to cxecute the 
 preccdiiig rcgulaüon, shall be buund, bcóidcs pa^ñng llic fine, 
 to pay the artificer wbo shall be employcd, by the orders of 
 the Juslice of the Poace of the Communc, to fix ihe requi- 
 sita landmarks. 
 
 Section II. — Of íhc obIigaiiot;s imposcd on the. piopiietors 
 vr udmiaislrators of rural property. 
 
 23. Tt is specially forbidden to cut dovvn the wood on the 
 crest of niouiitains and for a hundred paces of their descent, or 
 at the bead or in tiie environs of springs, or on the baiiks of 
 rivers. '1 he proprietors of lands watered by springs or rivers, 
 miist surround the bead of those springs, and plant the borders 
 of the rivers with plantain-trees, bamboos, and other irecs cal- 
 culated to promote coolncss. 
 
 24. When a proprietor inlends lo set fire to new wood, or 
 to a field of oíd canes, or to savannahs, or to any other kind of 
 field, he shall be bound, tweniy-four hours before, to apprise 
 all ihe neighbors bordering upon him, of his intention, under 
 the penalty of paying for all the damage which the fire may 
 üccasion. 
 
 25. As soon as a fire shall break out on an estáte, the 
 neighboring proprietors a id cultivators shall be bound to re- 
 paír thither, in order to assist in arrcsting iis progress. 
 
 26. It is forbidden to kindle a fire in the savannahs or 
 in the fields or gardens of plantations, without the express 
 permission of their proprietors, renters, managers, or con- 
 ductor s. 
 
 27. There must not be kcpt on esíates approprialed lo culti- 
 vation, manufactures, and other establishments, any more cattle 
 iban are icquired for carrying on the work of thern, or for the 
 use of the proprietors, managers, conductors, rciitcrs, or culti- 
 vators : and these animáis must be kept during the day in herds, 
 and at night in pcns or enclosed in fields. 
 
 28. Animáis ofthe horse kind, horncd catilc, svv-ine, &c. 
 approprialed lo brceding, cannot be kc[)l cxcejít on breeding 
 eslablishmenls, according to the law rclating lo such establish- 
 ments. 
 
 2Í). No proprietor, rcnter, or manager of a plantalion can 
 cstablish on his estáte a system contrary l > thnt cstabHslied 
 bv law. 
 
ti KUUAL CODU 0> HAITÍ. 
 
 ;}U. No compaiiy or association of cultivators, ñxed on the 
 sanie plantatiun, símil be allowed to rent the whole of the eslate 
 on which the}' reside, iu order ío manage it by ihemselves as a 
 partnership. 
 
 31. The cottages or dwellings of ihe cultivators must be 
 built on one and the same poiul of the plantation to which they 
 are altachcd. 
 
 Chapteu II. 
 
 Of cultivaíion generally. 
 
 32. The principal branch of cultivaíion consists in the rais- 
 iug of plañís and tiees yielding pruduce for cxportaiion to 
 foreiga counlrics, grain of all descriplions, and all kinds 
 of füod and root.s, designed for ihc subsistence of the popu- 
 lation. 
 
 33. All who carry on this principal branch of culture, 
 are not subject to tiie territorial and land tax, except on the 
 gross produce fit for exportalion, which they shall have 
 got in. 
 
 34. The secondary branch of cultivaíion, consists of the cul- 
 ture niercly of pot herbs, of flowers, of fruit-trees, of provisions, 
 and of loddcr, wheii the growih of ihese takes place on estates 
 which are not eslablished for carrying on the principal branch of 
 cultivaíion. 
 
 35. Those whose establishinent is especially directed lo the 
 secondary branch of cultivaíion, are subject to the territorial 
 and land tax on the estimated valué of iheir produce in each 
 six months. 
 
 3(>. On every rural establishment, they shall be bound to 
 cultivate provisions, grain, fruit-trees, such as the bread-tree, 
 &c., suílicient for the sustenance of the perscns employed 
 the re. 
 
 37. All the gardens, whether they produce provisions or 
 grain, must be carefully attended to, under the responsibi- 
 lity of the proprietor, rentei, or manager, who, in case of 
 neMect, shall be condemned to a fine of from threc to fifteen 
 doUars. 
 
 38. On every plantation the cultivators attached to it, 
 and who work for a fourlh of the produce, shall be bound 
 to have, for their personal use, a garden of provisions, 
 which they shall cultivate during iheir hours or days of 
 repose. 
 
 39. With this view, the proprietors, rentéis, or ma- 
 nagers, shall he. bouod to place at the disposal of th<? cul« 
 
RURAL CODK Oi HAI'l 1. I 
 
 tivators, ihe land uecessary for ihc fürmatioii of ihuir prívate 
 garderis. 
 
 40. The dikes, reservoirs, atid conduils wliich serve to 
 supply aiid distribuía the water rcquired for ilie inliabitaiUs, 
 bolh lor irrigation, and for every ollier usefnl piirposc, sliall 
 be kept in order l>y all ihe parties inieresicd, who shall 
 be boiind lo conlribute lo llie laboius necessary lo ihal 
 end. No one can reíiise lo share in ihese labours ; ñor can 
 he aliénate liis neiglibour's share of ihe water withoul lus 
 consenl. Every one ac.ing conirary lo these rules shall 
 pay afineof fiom ten to filiy doll^rs, and shall be bound lo 
 repair al his own chargc ihe conduii vvhich he shall have ob- 
 slructed or deslroyed. 
 
 41. Whei) on any rural property ihc produce of ii shall 
 be on ihe poinl of beiiig paclved in sacks, bales, casks or other 
 packages, ihe oíficer of ihe Kural I^olice of vhe íSeclion, shall 
 have líie righl of examining it, to salisfy himsclf ihal ihere is 
 no fraud ; and when ihere is, he shall stop ihe dolivery, 
 and immediaiely reporl the malter to ihc Juhlice of Peace 
 of ihe Commune. Jf ihe produce has otily bcen badly pre- 
 pared, he shall suspend lis reinoval, and obligo the parlies lo 
 clean it anew. 
 
 42. The Jnstice of Peace, on receiving ihe report, shall 
 appoint skilful persons lo examine the produce, and if fraud 
 should be proved, ihc produce shall be forfeited to the 
 Slate. 
 
 43. The produce intcnded for cxportation, cannot (juit the 
 plantation to be carricd lo ihc cities or lovvns, and delivcred for 
 sale, vvilhout a permil froni ihe proprielor, when he resides on 
 ihc estale, or when he does nol reside, from the officcrs of the 
 Rnral Pólice of the Scciion. The permil shall be furnished 
 gratis, on unstamped paper, by ihc officer of ihe Pólice, who 
 shall be bound lo regisler il. 
 
 44. All produce removed in conlravention of ibis regula- 
 tfon, shall be seized on the way, and lakcn to llic Justicc of 
 Peace of the Commune, who shall ascerlain whethertlic pro- 
 duce has nol been slolen, in order ihal it may be senl back lo 
 ihe proprielor, andihal the presumed ofi'ender may be prose- 
 ciíled. If il should appcar that the proprielor himself had 
 failcd lo furnish the permil, he shall pay a fine of from Lhree- 
 lo five dollaps. 
 
8 IIUKAL CUÜ¡¿ Of HAITÍ. 
 
 LAW, No. III. 
 
 (.'OXCERMXG THE MUTUAli CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE 
 rUOrHIETOHS ORPRLNCII'AL UKNTEHS AND THE CULTIVA- 
 TORS OR LAliüRERS, AND THE RECIPROCAL OBLIGATIONS 
 OF BOTH. 
 
 Chapter i. 
 General legulations. 
 
 45. Those persons uho sl)all iiul be in llie actual service 
 oí" ihe Siate, as soldicrs, meclianics, or otherwise, and whose 
 profession il is lo cnkivale thc ground, or to ciU titnber for 
 e.xporlatiori, sliall be obliged for ihcir mutual securily, lo en- 
 icr iiito a reciprocal crigagenienl wiih ihe proprieior or cliief 
 reiiler of llie rural properiy, or of tlie woodland, whcre ihey 
 are lo exercisc iheir indusiry. The conlracl niay be enlered 
 inlo eiiher collecüvely or individuaÜy, al ihe pleasure of ihe 
 coiitraciing parlies. 
 
 -16. The duralion of these contracts cannot be for a shorter 
 lime ihan Iwo years, ñor for a loriger time than nine years, 
 in ihe case of ihe secondary branch of cullivalion and manu- 
 factures; ñor a shorter time than three years, ñor for a ionger 
 than nine, for the other branches of cullivalion ; ñor for less 
 ihan six monihs, ñor Ionger ihan a year, for the culling of wood 
 for exportation. 
 
 4r. The conlract shall be made on stamped paper, before a 
 Nolary, who shall preserve a minute of it, and who musí ex- 
 press clearly all the coiidilions entered inlo by the conliaciing 
 pariics, vvliü shall be al liberty lo raake such slipulalions as 
 they shall judge suiíable, provided these do not coniravene the 
 regulaliiins of the prcsenl code. 
 
 48. Every proprieior, renier, or manager of a plantation 
 who shall iherc receive or admit of any cultivalors, vi^ilhout 
 makiiig wiih them the coDlracr, required by the !wo preceding 
 anieles, shall be condemned for the first offence to a fine of ten 
 dollars for every person so received wilhoul a conlract, and to 
 double that sum in case of a second offence ; and besides this, 
 ihe proprieior, renter, or manager, shall not be able to bring 
 any nciioü at law, agamst ihe cultivalors who may have failed 
 lo fidfil iheir verbal agreoments. The same rule will apply lo 
 wood cntters íor exportation. 
 
 49. Every conlracl entered into wilh a cultivator, whose for- . 
 mer conlract shall not have been lerminaied, shall be nuil and 
 void ; and thc cultivator, who shall have entered into this se- 
 cond conlracl, shall be sent back, at his own expense, lo the 
 properly on which lie had engaged himself, and shall be sub- 
 jecl lo the fine fixed by the last article. 
 
RUKAL CODE OF HAITÍ. 
 
 60. The headmen of parties contracting to work for half 
 of the produce shall shave. in an equal proporlion of half, 
 with the principal proprielor of the plantatioii, in all they shall 
 reap on ihat particular estáte, in the way of fruit, provisions, 
 pulse, grain, aud produce of every kind. 
 
 51. Whenever, on sugar plantalions, the labor shall be 
 done for half of the produce, the proprietor, before the divi- 
 sión is made, shall deducí a fifth par of ihe gross produce, 
 as an equivalen! for the hire of machinery, utensils, catlle, 
 &c., employcd in carrying on the work, and for the expense 
 of repairs. In the culture of olher articles the aniounl 
 of the expenses causcd by the rent, or by the charge of 
 carrying on the u'ork, shall be deduclcd previous to the di- 
 visión. 
 
 52. The Cultivatorscontracting with the laborers for a fourth 
 part of the returns they produce, shall have foT their share 
 a fourth part of the gross of all they raise. They shall 
 enjoy tlie vvhole of what they raise on their own prívate gar- 
 dens, cultivated by themselves duriug their hours or days of 
 rest. 
 
 53. Whenever, in the great plantations of sugar, coffee, 
 cotton, and Índigo, the season shall require that the labor 
 should be pressed with activity, the diíTerent associations 
 laboring for half, employed in the same plantation, shall 
 mutually assist cach other in their labors, giving and repaying 
 to each other an equal number of days' labor. The 
 adrninistrator of the property shall regúlale ihis kind of mu- 
 tual aid. 
 
 54. When the producís or crops, whatever they be, shall be 
 prepared and collected, vvhether they proceed from laborers 
 working for a fourth, or associations laboring for a half, they 
 cannot be removed from the property where they where grown, 
 until a división shall have taken place between the proprietor or 
 chief renter, and the cultivator laboring for a fourth, or associa- 
 tions for a half of the produce. 
 
 55. Upon sugar plantations, the división of the shares 
 coming to the cultivators shall be made after the grinding of 
 each piece of canes. On the plantations where they onlv 
 cullivate provisions or grain ; or cut wood for firewood or 
 for charcoal, or for cabinet work or building; or raise fodder ; 
 or are engaged in other irregular works, the división shall 
 be made to the workmen only every six months. On 
 other plantalions, as of coffee, collón, cocoa, Índigo, &c., 
 the división shall take place at the end of the respective 
 crops. 
 
10 niiRAL COI>je OF JIAlTf. 
 
 56. When the periods arrive for dividing the proceeds 
 among ihe cullivalors, ihe officer of the Rural Pólice of ihe 
 Section in which the plantation is siiuated, shall be called 
 by the proprietor, chief renter, or their maiiager, lo witriess 
 the división. The accounts of the articles manuíactured, or 
 oihcr produce reaped, shall be exhibited, with a ceriificale 
 of the price current, and one from the purchaser of the com^ 
 modities nientioned in the last article, The Hst of persons 
 entitled lo share shall be settled, and the proceeds shall be 
 reckoned up. 
 
 .57. Each of the co-sharers shall be inscribed in the distri- 
 bulion List, according lo their slrength and the activity and 
 the time they have vvorked, eiiher in the first, secood, or ihird 
 class. And the money lo be shared shall be divided into 
 quarter shares, half shares, and whole shares. The Conduct- 
 ors of the laborers contracled for a fourth of the produce^ 
 and the headmen of the associations laboring for a half, shall 
 each have three whole shares. The head sugar-boilers, the 
 head wagoners, and, in shorl, the head of each departnrient 
 of labor, shall have two shares. The good vvorkers of the 
 firsl class, whcther men or women, shall have a share and a 
 half; ihose of the second, one share ; those of the third, three 
 quarters of a share ; children from Iwelve lo sixteen years 
 of age, who have made themselves serviceable according 
 lo their capacities, and the oíd people who can only work 
 modcrately, half a share ; and children from nine to eleven 
 who have been occupied according to their age and strength, 
 and infirm persons, shall have a qiiarter share. The 
 broken money, arising from the formation of the shares, 
 shall go to augment the portion of those laborers who shall 
 have displayed the greatest punctuality and perseverance in 
 iheir labors. 
 
 58. There shall be furnished lo the laborers daily tickets, 
 to show the days they are presenl at work. Every week these 
 daily tickets shall be withdrawn and replaced by weekly tickets, 
 which shall be brought into account when the división of the 
 money, arising from the crops, lakes place. 
 
 59. In no case shall the oííicer of the Rural Pólice of 
 the Section wiihdraw, from the share divided, any part for 
 himself. He shall prepare k written statement of the divi- 
 sión ihat has been made, which shall be addressed, along 
 wiih the documents in Veriíication of ií, to the Council 
 of Notables of the Commune. there to be referred to, if ce* 
 cessittv 
 
ii\;rai. code uf haití. I i 
 
 (jO, Proprietors, renters, or managers, cannot give a per- 
 mit lo a ciiltivator or under-tenant lo travel m the same 
 Commune, and lo absent himself froni his home and his la~ 
 bor for more ihan eight days, wl)ich permit shall be deli- 
 vcred gralis on unslaniped paper, and examiiied and subscri- 
 bed by liie ofíicer of ihe Ivural Pólice. When a permil 
 is reqiiircd for a longer time, the proprietor, chief rentcr, 
 or manager, shall refer the matier lo the Commandant of the 
 Commune. 
 
 Caapter II. 
 
 (f the Obligatíon of Proprietors, Renters, or Managers, to- 
 ivards tlie CuUivntors. 
 
 61. Propiiclors or Renters cannot give a permit, cannot 
 employ, except in agricultural labor, and in such labor as is 
 connected thercwith, the ciiltivalors who shall have contracted 
 vvith them. They are bound to behave to them as good fathers 
 of families. 
 
 62. Proprietors or chief renters shall furnish, al their cosí 
 and charge, the tools and implemenis of husbandry for the 
 cultivalors contracting to work for a fourth of the produce. 
 These lools cannot be renewed unless it is shown ihat they 
 have been worn out or been in the service of the proprietors. 
 The cultivatoi', however, who shall lose the tools supplied to 
 liim, shall be bound lo replace them ; and if he does not, others 
 will be furnished lo him, the valué of wliich shall be retained 
 oul of his porlion of the income. 
 
 63. The proprietor, or chief renler, shall be bound to fur- 
 nish wiihout expense, to the cultivalors working for a fourth, 
 the means of conveying their shares of ihe produce to the place 
 of sale. Those associated for half shall ronvey it thilher al 
 t'heir own charge. 
 
 64. When the proprietor or chief renler undertakes to 
 sell, or cause to be sold, the porlion of the produce coming 
 to the cultivalors for a fourth, or to the associalions labor- 
 iíig for a half, he shall be bound to furnish clear, legal 
 proof of the price currenl of the articles at the time they 
 are sold, and to produce, at the lime of dividing the proceeds, 
 the certifícate of the purchaser, as well as ihe altesialion of the 
 price currenl. 
 
 65. When ihe parí of the produce coming to the cultiva- 
 lors working for a fourth, or for a half, shall be sold by the 
 conduclors of the workmen, or the headnien of the associa- 
 *¿ong, iheae shall \ye cqually bound ío furniph proof of ihe 
 
12 RURAL CODE OF HAITÍ. 
 
 pnce current of tlie article at thc moment of sale, and to 
 exbibit the ceriificate of ihe purchaser, (as fixed in the last 
 anide,) in order to show ihat the co-siiarers receive fair- 
 ]y that part of the produce of their labor to which they are 
 entitled. 
 
 60. In no case can the proprictors or cliiefg renters deduct 
 any part of the share coniing to the cullivators working for a 
 fourth, or to thc associations working for a half, in order to pay 
 the nianagers ; their salaries shall be placed lo the account of 
 the proprielor or chief renter. 
 
 67. Proprietors or renters shall be bound, under penalt}'^ 
 of a fine of fromfive tofifteen dollars, lo agree beforehand with 
 a medical praclitioner if ihere be one in the Commune, to 
 look after their cullivators, and furnisli the necessary medi- 
 cines ; these medicines being ñn^nished gratis to the culliva- 
 tors contracling at a fourth ; but being paid for al cosí price, 
 when furnished lo associations working for half, or to under 
 tenants. 
 
 68. Proprietors and chief renters and rural proprietors, 
 must look to it that the infant children on the properly be well 
 taken care of. To this end one or more females shall be ex- 
 pressly appointed lo the charge, the remuneration for whose 
 atiention shall be paid by the cullivators, in proporlion to the 
 number of their children. 
 
 Chapter IÍI. 
 
 Of the ohligations of tJ¿e Cultivrtors towards the Proprietors, 
 Renters, or Managers. 
 
 69. The cullivators shall be obedient and respectful to the 
 proprictors and renters wilh whom they have contracled, as 
 well as to thc managers. 
 
 70. The cullivators are bound to execute, with zeal and 
 punclualiiy, all l,he agricultural labors which shall be required 
 of them by the proprietors, renters, or managers, wilh whom 
 ihey shall have conlracted. 
 
 71. The cullivators, whatever be the nature of their con- 
 tract, shall be bound lo devoto their whole lime to ihe la- 
 bors they have engaged lo perform, and on no account to 
 leave them. They shall not be at liberty to absent tiiem- 
 selves from their habitation, except from Satiirday morn- 
 ing to Monday at sunrise, without, the consent of the pro- 
 prietors, chief renters, or managers, On all the other work- 
 ing days they shall be bound lo have a permit from the 
 proprielor, chief renter, or manager, if they are not going 
 
UURAL CODtí bV 'AKll'l. _ 13 
 
 out. of ihe Commune. R it if ihey are, ihe pcrinit sliall be 
 cxamined and subscnbcd by the oüícer of the Rural Pólice of 
 ihe Secüon, and by the Ccmmandant of the Place. 
 
 72. The cullivalors working for a fourth, or associalions for 
 a half of the produce, shall be bound lo prepare, and pul in a 
 State fit for delivery the portion of the produce bclonging to the 
 proprieior or chief renier, and lo convey that produce to the 
 place for delivery, the proprietor or clnef renier furaishing the 
 ineans of transportation. 
 
 Chapter IV. 
 
 Of the under contracts, behü' en the Jarmers contracthig for 
 hulf, and the cultivators emploT/ed by thcm. 
 
 73. The sub-tenants, and the hcad men of associatcd parlies 
 upon the planialious, shall have ihe power of foriuing sub-con- 
 tracls directly wilh the cultivalors ; but ihcv shall continué re- 
 sponsible lo the proprietor or chief renier' for the acts of ihe 
 sub-contracting parties. 
 
 74. 'J'he number sub-contracting cannot exceed ten for each 
 sub-lenant or headman of an association. 
 
 Chapter V. 
 
 Of the rules relating lo such as, bcing in the service of the 
 y^y-é rcpublic, reside and labor on rural properties. 
 
 75. Soldieis in active service, or other persons in the em- 
 ployment of the State, may make arrangements virith the pro- 
 pnelors or chief rcnlcrs, and wilh headmen of associalions, 
 workuig for half, or under tenanls, to labor in cultivating the 
 ground, either for a fourth or a half, or as sub-tenants. In ihis 
 case, they shall be subject to all the obligations which thcy 
 shall have contractcd, and which shall be compatible wilh iheir 
 public duties. 
 
 7b. When soldiers, or olhers in the service of the State, who 
 have fi\ed iheir residence on a plantation, shall not luu'c con- 
 tractcd wilh the proprietor or renter of that properly, they may 
 slill make arrangements wilh him ciihei vcrbally or in writing, 
 lo work by the week, by the month, or by the job. al such price 
 and on such lerms as shall be agreed between thcm, bul thcse 
 soldiers shall be bound lo give their assistance, wiihout any 
 payment on that account, in all the labors connccled wilh 
 the conduits for irrigalion, and wilh the other wells and 
 cislerns, as well as the fences and cnclosures of the gardens 
 and savannahs, and the general maintcnance of good order on 
 the propertv. 
 
14 UUUAL CODE OK HAITÍ. 
 
 77. When tlic soldicrs, or olhers in thc service of the State, 
 sliall not act agrceably to ilie Iwo last articles, in regard to 
 <lie proprietors or chief reniers, they rnay be sent avvay from 
 llie propcrty. 
 
 7b. Thc soldiers, or others in the service of thc State, who 
 sliall conlrací wiih proprietors or reniers to work for wages, 
 by the wcek or ollierwise, raiist respcct and obey the said pro- 
 prietors, rcnters, or managers of the propcrty on vvhich they 
 shall labor. 
 
 79. When soldiers, or others in the^ service of the State, 
 .shall havc been required by the proprietor, chief renter, or 
 manager, to work by the day, by the week, or by the job, 
 or otherwise, in a fíeld cultivated by laborers for a fourth, 
 or to assist in the manufacture, or gatheriiig in of the crop 
 of produce, the wages paid to this descriplion of laborers 
 shall be deductcd from the mass of the proceeds of ihis 
 labor bcfore the fourth, coming to the cultivators, shall be 
 dcducled. 
 
 80. When laborers, such as are spoken of in the preced- 
 ing article, shall be required, by the headman of an asso- 
 ciation working for half, to assist them in their labors, the 
 wages paid to them shall be deductcd from the portion com- 
 ing to the associated body, before the distribution of it lo 
 ihat body can be made. — If tliese laborers should quil of their 
 own accord thc work for which they have been engaged, be- 
 fore the end of the week, they shall have no claim for the time 
 they shall have worked during the former part of the same 
 week. 
 
 Chapter VI, 
 
 On the vietJiod of termina lirig d^fficulties hetween pro'prietors, 
 reniers, managers, cultivators, assuciated ptrsons, sub-te- 
 nants, ^c. 
 
 81. When differences shall arise between agricullural pro- 
 prietors, principal renters, managers, and cultivators, associates 
 for half, iir sub-tenants, the parties shall first carry their com- 
 plainls or claims before ihe oíficer of Kural Pólice of the Sec- 
 lion, who, assisted, if need be, by the Council of Agricuhure 
 of the quarter, shall forthwith eniploy himself in amicably 
 tcrminating thc differences, as far as they may be within his 
 province. 
 
 82. In cases where the differences are of a nature not to 
 be decided by the oííicer of the Rural Pólice, assisted by the 
 Coimcil of Agriculture, he shall cali upon the parties to choose 
 arbiters, within the Seclion, to settle and decide their diífe.p 
 enees. 
 
nUllAL CUD£ ÜK li.uri. 15 
 
 S'.i. !n cases where tlic differcnccs cannot ihus be seltled by 
 arbilralion oii ihc ^pol, or where \\\c pariies sliall nol liave na- 
 med arbiiers, llie officer of vlie Rural Pólice sliall wail lili ^a- 
 Inrday or Smiday in order lo send the pariies belore tbe Jiis- 
 tice of Peace of ihe Coinmuiie. The vvhole imist be conclu- 
 ded within six days at mosl. 
 
 84. The Jusiice of Peace shall be obiiged to decide ihedif- 
 ference, and shall nol be al iiherlVj under pain of beiiig pnnish- 
 ed for a denial of Jusiice, to allege the silence of ihe law orí 
 the case broughl before bim for bis decisión. 
 
 85. The liisiice of Peace shall be bound lo prononnce with- 
 in iwenly-four hours, al ilie ulriiosi, afler the appearance of ihe 
 pariies. 
 
 LAW, No. TV. 
 
 COi\CEKM,\G Br.'EEDING FARMS. 
 
 Chapter i. 
 Of (he estabJishment and ai iriiriUtrution of hreeáing farms. 
 
 b6. Brecding farins cannol be established excepl u\ places 
 sufficienlly disiant, nol less al ihe leasl than a league, from the 
 planlalions cnllivaled for produce. 
 
 87. In fiiiure, in order to establisli a breeding farm for liorn- 
 ed caitle, il is necessary lo be a proprielor of al leasl fifly car- 
 reaux* of land provided wiih the necessaiy pasturage ; and for 
 hogs twenty-five curreaux. 
 
 8W. The number of keepers on breeding farms cannot ex- 
 ceed five men, compri.sing ihe inasler keeper, ihey having with 
 ihem iheir wives and children. 
 
 89. Every keeper of a breeding fartn, wbo shall find in tbe 
 herds comtnilled lo bis care, or in the savannahs of ihe breeding 
 farnn on which he is employed, any slrange animáis, shall be 
 bonnd lo give notice of ihenn foiihwiih lo ihe neighboring cat- 
 tie keepers ; and if ihese animáis should nol belong lo iheir 
 caitic pens, ihen notice of them shall be given lo ihe officer of 
 llie Rural Pólice of the Seclion. 
 
 90. Afler ibese slrange animáis have remaincd three monibs 
 in ibe savannah of a breeding farm, wilhoul beiíig r.-claimed bv 
 iheir üwners, ihey shall be taken by the caiile keeper before the 
 Jusiice ol Peace of the Commune, in order ihat ihey niay be 
 conducted lo ihe pound. 
 
 vn. As soon as an animal on a breeding farm shall appearto 
 be aliacked by a coniagious disorder, ii musí, under pain of 
 
 * A carreaucontaiot about three acres 
 
15 IILRAL CODE OF lUYTl. 
 
 a fine of ten lo Ivvenly doll.irs, pa3'able by the catlle keeper, 
 be separfiled and shuí out froin all comiiiunicaiion wiih ihe 
 othci callle, in order lo be laken proper care of lili ils cure or 
 dcalh. 
 
 92." Every animal dving on abreediiig farm of a conlagious 
 disorder shall be burnl or bnried. 
 
 93. Ii isforbidden on pain ofa fine of len lo iwenly dollars, 
 payable by every oífender, lo ¿ci fire to ihe savannahs of brecd- 
 ing farms wiihoul permission of liie ofíicer of ihe Ruial Pólice 
 of ihe Cominune. 
 
 94. When il shall happen ihat callle dio on the planialions, 
 ofordinary maladies. or by accident, if ihe proprielor or chief 
 renter of llie breeding farm is not present, ihe master keeper 
 shall be bound to oblain an atieslalion of the dealh of the ani* 
 mal from the officer of the Rural Pólice, or from some of the 
 neighbors ; and the skin, havmg the stamp or mark, shall be 
 produced lo ihe proprielor, olherwise ihe keepcr *hall be bound 
 lo replane ihe animal. 
 
 95. The animáis, not onlv ihose of ihe breeding farms, but 
 ihose which are employed in the work of planlalions, cannot 
 be siamped excepl wiih casi stamps ; and il is forbidden to 
 make marks on these animáis by ihe hand. 
 
 Chapter II. 
 
 Of the controcts betumeen the proprietors o»* renters of breeding 
 
 farms and those employed on thtm. 
 
 96. The proprieiors or renters of breeding farms cannot re- 
 ceive on their farms any keepers or other persons, unless they 
 have previously contracled wiih them agreeably lo the article 
 47, of I.aw III. 
 
 97. The obligations imposed reciprocally on rural proprie- 
 iors or renters and the culiivators, shall be common lo the 
 proprieiors or renters of breeding farms, and all employed 
 by them, in all ihat coricems good order and ihe General Pó- 
 lice. 
 
 98. Neither the master catlle keeper ñor any other callle 
 keeper can receive on the breeding farm where ihey are 
 employed, animáis or catlle belonging to other people, 
 wiihoul the consent of the proprieiors or renters of the 
 farms. 
 
 99. Neither the master callle keeper ñor the other keepers 
 shall be al liberty lo remove or sell any animal of the farrtí, 
 wiihoul having, in writing, the consent of ihe proprielor or 
 renter, and wiihout a permit on stamped paper from the 
 
ÍIUKAL COUtí OF UAITI. 17 
 
 ofíicer of the Rural Pólice of ihe Sectioii, who sliall be bound 
 lo regisler ihe pevmit with ihe slamp of thc animáis. 
 
 LAW, No. V. 
 
 ON THE CARE AND MANAC3EMENT OF THE ANIMALS, AND 
 THE DAMAGE THEY MAY DO IN THE FIELDS. 
 
 100. Cattle belonging ío cultivators, shall be kept in herdi. 
 with ihose of ihc proprietor ; and thc keejiers shall be paid 
 thcir salary, half by the proprietor, and half by thc cul- 
 tivators. 
 
 101. It is forbidden to mutílate, maim, or kill beasts of bur- 
 den, or horned cattle, found in the cultivated land, or gardens, 
 having leaped over or forced íhe fences. 
 
 lO'-i. It is forbidden likewise to wound or kill sheep found in 
 cultivated gardens, or enclosin-es. 
 
 103. Pigs and goats, found in cultivated gardens and cnclo- 
 sures, may be,killed. 
 
 104. The animáis enumerated in Articles 101 and 102, 
 which may be found in cultivated gardens, shall be conducted, 
 wilhin twenty-four hours alter their seizure, before a Justice 
 of Peace, to be sent to the pound of the Commune, if 
 within that time the owner do not withdraw them from the 
 pen of the plantation in the gardens of which they may be 
 found. 
 
 105. The ofíicer of the Rural Pólice shall, within twenty- 
 four hours after a declaration by the partios interested, be 
 bound to draw up a written statemeni of the damage done by 
 the animáis, and send it to the Justice of Peace, unless the 
 due compensation is voluntarily made to the owner of the da- 
 maged gaitlen. 
 
 106. The oíhcer of the Rural Pólice shall take care 
 to send the written stateraent to the Justice of Peace, in due 
 form as above, that the said Justice may decide according to 
 law. 
 
 107. The keepers who shall have sufí'ered íhe animáis 
 mentioned in Article 27, to escape, whcn committed to their 
 chargc, shall be bound to pay thc expenses attending their 
 capture, according to the tariíTestablishcd by law. 
 
 IOS. Proprictors, renters, or managers of plantations, are 
 expressly forbidden to make use in any manner for themsclves 
 of the cattle, taken in iheir gardens, during the lime thy shall 
 remain in their pens before being sent to the pound : any 
 violation of this articJe shall be puüi&hed by a ñne of from five 
 to fifteen dollare. 
 
 3 
 
18 RURAL GODE OF ilAlTÍ. 
 
 109. The seizurc of ihe animáis mentioned in Arlicles I Oí 
 ríiid 102, in gardens, when they are conducted lo ihe pound of 
 ihe Communc, shall be paid for as foUows : — For each of the 
 liorse kind, ene dollar ; for each ass, sevciitv-five cents ; for 
 each honied animal, one dollar and a half ; and for each ram or 
 sheep, iwenty-five cents ; ■ene half to belong. lo the seizor, and 
 one half lo the rural guards. 
 
 110. When the animáis seized in gardens shall be wiih- 
 drawn from the pen of the plantaiion, bcfore being sent to 
 the pound, there shall tlien be paid, and only to the persons 
 Avho have taken them, half the penalty fixed by iho last Ar- 
 ticle. 
 
 111. When an animal seized in a garden, and sent to ihe 
 pen of the planiation, happens to die by accident, or otherwise,- 
 during the short time it remains there, or while passing to the 
 residence of the Justice of the Peace of the Commune, the 
 officcr of the Pólice shall be bound, by witnesses, to ascertain 
 the cause of the death of the animal. 
 
 112. When the death of the animal shall have been caiised 
 by negligence, want of food, or violence, the proprietor, renter,. 
 or manager of ihe plantation shall pay its valué, as eslimated 
 by arbitrators named by the Justice of the Peace of the 
 Commune. The sum thus paid, shall be sent to the public 
 administrator of the district, to be paid to the owiier, should 
 he appear, or, failing this, into the treasury. In all cases, 
 the damage done by the animal shall be paid for out of these 
 proceeds. 
 
 113. When animáis seized in gardens, by virtue of Article 
 104, shall be taken to the Justice of the Peace of the Commune, 
 to be sent to the pound, if the owner consents to pay the damage- 
 done, and the expenses of seizure, before they enter the pound, 
 the Justice of the Peace shall acquiesce. 
 
 114. Persons conducting herds of cattle from one Commune 
 to another, whether to market, or for agriculture, shall be 
 bound to próvido themselves with a permit, stating the kind and 
 number of animáis they are conducting, their description and 
 marks. 
 
 115. The permits shall be delivered either by the Com- 
 mandants of Communes, or given by the owners and examined 
 and signed by the Commandant ; or upon certificates furnished 
 by the officer of the Rural Pólice of the Sections from vi^hence 
 the animáis come. These permits shall be registered by 
 those who delivered them, and seen and signed by the Com- 
 mandants of all the Communes through which the herds may 
 P;a5s 
 
kUUAL CÜDE ÜF HAITÍ. 19 
 
 iltí. The cüiRluclors of herds, whcii niet by ihe Rural 
 Pólice or ihe gend'armerie, shall be bound, on demand, to 
 show tlieir permits ; and whf;re ihc jiumbcr of animáis, or 
 iheir dcscription, shall iiot agree with ihc statcment in ihe 
 perinit, they niay, should any cause of suspicion appear, be 
 arrested, and conducied to the nearest post, with the animáis, 
 in oider to be brought beforc the Justice of the Peace of the 
 Comnume. 
 
 117. If the parties brought before the Justice of the Peace, 
 cannot prove iheir right of propcrtv in the animáis fov which 
 there is no pennit, and if tliey cannot give good securily for 
 ihcir bringing back the proof of properly wilhin a time to be 
 -allowed them, not exceeding fiftecn days, the)' shall be sent 
 to prisoh, and the animáis to the pound. 
 
 118. Within a month from the day of the arrest, the Jus- 
 í\ce of the Peace shall be bound to write to the Justice of 
 the Coramune from which the person imprisoned may have 
 come, or to the oñiccr of the Rural Pólice of the section, (if in 
 the same Comnuine,) to obtain information both about the 
 person and the animáis stopped : which information, on be- 
 ing received, ghall^be forwarded to ihe public administrator, 
 with the written statcment of the Justice of the Peace, to be 
 used as the ground of charge against the suspected person, 
 should cause appear for prosecuting him. 
 
 L.A.W, No. Vi. 
 CONCERNING THE RURAL PÓLICE 
 
 TiTLG FlRST. 
 
 General Regulutions. 
 
 119. The Rural Pólice embraces all which belongs to the 
 inanagement and the prosperity of rural property. 
 
 120. The Rural Pólice is conducted under the superin- 
 íendence of the Commandants of Departments, and of the 
 Comraandants of Communes, by officers of Rural Pólice 
 
 ■ placed in the Sections of each Commune ; by the rural guards, 
 by the gend^armerie, and, at need, bv detachineiUs of troops of 
 the line. 
 
 121. The Justices of the Peace exercise also the Rural 
 Pólice in the cases pointed out by law 
 
 122. Tlie Councils of Notables of the Communes, and tliC 
 Councils of Agriculturc, are to assist, at need, all the authorities 
 in perfectly maintaining ihe superintendcnce of the Agricultu- 
 lal Pólice. 
 
20 RURAL CODE Oí' HAIfí. 
 
 TiTLE SeCOND. 
 
 Of thc Superiníendeiice. 
 
 Chapter i. 
 
 Of fhe Mgh superintendeiice of ihc Commajidanis of 
 Dppartmints. 
 
 123. The Military Commandant of thc Deparlment having 
 ihe general supcrintendcnce of the agriciütiire of the Deparl- 
 ment intrusted to him, imites the authority ncce?sary for 
 giving activity to agriculture, and is responsible, líít, for tho 
 decay of cukivation withia the extent of his comniand ; 2d, 
 for the execution of the whole or part of the Rural Codo 
 within the extent of his Department ; 3d, for the negligence 
 of the Commiindants of Communcs under his orders, rela- 
 tivo to the snperintendence of agricult\ire in the Commiines 
 confined to them, jDrovided he shall not have checked that 
 negligence. 
 
 124. The Comnaandant of the Departnaent is bound to 
 make, once in every year, a circuit through all the rural Sec- 
 tions of the different Communes composing the department, 
 in order to satisfy hiniself personally of the execution of the 
 lavvs, of the progress and state of industry, and make a detailed 
 report upon the subject to the President of Haíti. 
 
 125. This annual report, which must be made hy the 
 Commandants of Departments to the President, shall state 
 the number of plantalions kopt up in every Section, their 
 kind of cultivaüon, their improvement, or their decay, together 
 with the condition of the roads and ways, both public and 
 prívate, 
 
 Chapter II. 
 
 Of the Superintendents of the Commandants of Places and 
 
 Communes. 
 
 126. The Commandant of the Place or the Commune 
 has the cultivation of the Commune intrusted to him. íf 
 he has under his orders cantons or parishes which form mili- 
 tary posts, the Commandants of these posts have the partí- 
 cula'- oversight of thc cultivation of the district subject to their 
 command. 
 
 127. The Commandant of the Commune is responsible 
 for the decrease of cultivation within the sphere of his com- 
 mand, if it proceeds from the neglect of any branch of the 
 public service. 
 
 J28, The Commandants of Places and Communes are 
 
RUllAL CODE or IIAITI. 21 
 
 boiind tü makc, tlircc limes in the ycar, tlic circuit of ihc diíTcr- 
 ciit Scctions lindcr thcir command. 
 
 líJO. The Commandant of ihc Cotniminc, in liis civcuils, 
 shall visit thc frardens of produce and provisions, tlic fcnccs, 
 and thc ncw planlations. He shall cnlcr iiito all thc details 
 pointcd out by the Rural Codc, ascerlaining whelher thc offi- 
 cer of the Rural Pólice of the Scction hasl'ulfilled all thc du- 
 ties imposed upon him by the law. He shall reprcss vvliatcvcr 
 acts of ncgligcnce and irrcgularity he shall observe ; and of the 
 wholc, an account shall be drawn up in the prcscribcd form, for 
 each Scction ; a duplícate of which shall be sent to thc Com- 
 mandant of the Department. 
 
 ClIAPTER III. 
 
 Of the Rural Sections, of the Officers of the Rural Pólice, 
 of the Rural Guaras, and of the Managers and Co7iduc- 
 tors of Plantations. 
 
 Sect. 1. — Of the Rural Scctions. 
 
 130. The Communes shall, by an express regulation of 
 ihe President of Ilaíli for each Mililary Department, be di- 
 vided into agricullural Sections, of aboul fonr leagues each ir» 
 the plains, and in the mountains according to the nature of the 
 ground. 
 
 181. Each Section siíall have i's proper ñame; and its 
 limits and boundaries shall be fixed. 
 
 132. After the Sections are formed, the Commandant of 
 the Commune, the Council of Noiables, and one of the pri- 
 vale surveyors, shall prepare in triplícale, upon sheets endor- 
 sed by the Justice of Peace, scliedules of ali the rural proper- 
 lies situated in each Section, wiih thc ñames and designation 
 of the proprietors, the extent of each propeny, and tiie kind of 
 lillage carried on there. One of ihese schedules sliall be de- 
 positad in ihe office of the Commandant of the Commune, 
 one wiih the Council of Notables, and the oiher in the hands of 
 the officer of the Rural Pólice of ihe Section. 
 
 133. The Council of Notables shall furnish to the Justice 
 of Peace of the Commune a coliated copy of thc schedule 
 deposited wiih ihem. The Commandant of the Comnnme 
 shall furnish to the Commandant of thc Department, a copy 
 of the same schedule deposited in his office. The Com- 
 mandant of the Department, after having connected the 
 schedules of thc planlations of all the Sections of the Com- 
 mune forming his Department, shall draw up a catalogue of 
 ihe wholc, a ceriified copy of which he shall addrcss'lü the 
 President of Haíii. 
 
22 Ill^liAL JODE OP HAITÍ. 
 
 ];]'}. Tiic ofiíccr uf ihe Rural Pólice shall íí'wc noticc lo 
 jhe Couim;ir¡(Jaiil oí ihe Couimune, oí' evcry cliange of pro- 
 pcrly of a rural cslale siiualed in ihe Seclion, and of every 
 cliangc of cuhivalion, who sliall note il in ihe rol! deposiled in 
 liis office, and shall give noticc of illo ihc Commandanl of 
 ihe Dcparlment, who sh.all likcwisc inscribe the changc on 
 ihe roll il) his h.iiuls, and infurní ihe Governmenl of it. 
 
 135. The Cüuncil of Agricullure^ of the Section, shall 
 give ihe same, noticc lo ihe Council of Notables of ihe Com- 
 munc ; and the Council of Notables, afler having noled it, 
 shall inform the Juslice of Pcacc, who shall cause ihe change 
 lo be inscribed on ihe copy of tlie roll in his office. 
 
 136. Evcry ycar, between the first and fiftecnih of Feb- 
 ruary, ihe oflicers of the Rural Pólice of each Seclion, shall 
 receive from the agents for ihe financial deparlment of their 
 Coramune, a certain mimber of siamped lists of population 
 in blank ; which ihey shall bo bound lo furnish lo the proprie- 
 tor, renler, or manager of each plantalion of the Section, 
 before the end of llie monlh; receiving the price of the slamp, 
 which shall be paid over lo the agen!. Tliis assessrncnt 
 shall be made as foUows : — The siamped list of population 
 for an cslale containing ten carreaux of land, shall be iwelve 
 and a half cents ; for those having eleven to Iwenty-one car- 
 reaux, twenly-five cents ; for twenty-one carreaux, and upwards, 
 fjfty cenls. 
 
 137. The proprietors, renters, or managers of planlalions, 
 shall be bound to return the plantalion list fiUed up in the man- 
 .ner there poinled out, to the oííicer of the Rural Pólice, at the 
 latcst on the 20th of March following, under penalty of a fine 
 of fifleen to fifty dollars for each neglect. 
 
 138. The oííicer of the Rural Pólice of each section shall 
 be bound, on the 5ih of April at the laiest, to send in all the 
 population lists of liis Seclion, or to note the ñames of the 
 defaulters, to the Council of Notables of each Commune, under 
 penalty of suffering himself the fine imposed by the preceding 
 Article. 
 
 139. On the first of May every year, the Councils of No- 
 tables of every Commune shall addiess to the Government the 
 original population lists which ihey have received, in virtue of 
 the preceding Arlicle. 
 
 Seo. 2. — Of the officers of Rural Pólice, and of the rural 
 
 guaras. 
 
 140. In every Rural Section, a military oííicer of subaUern 
 rank (from sub-lieutenant lo caplain) cíiosen by the Presi' 
 
KVRAj, coui; wr ii.Ai'ri. 23 
 
 denl of Haíii, shall be slaiionecl, \vho sliall be charged willi 
 the superinlendeiice of ilie Sectioii, and iis Pólice. 
 
 141. Theofíicer of the Rural pólice of ihe differenl Sections 
 shall be indepei)dent ofeach olher, and shall havc no relalion 
 cxcept. vvilh the Commandants of the Commune and of the 
 Department inidcr whosc orders ihey were placed: they shall 
 correspond moreover vviili the civil authorilies, and shall pay 
 deference to their requisilions. 
 
 142. The dweliiníT of the officer of the Rural Pólice shall 
 be íixed in the centre of his Seclion, and near the public road 
 which traversos il. 
 
 143. The oílicer of the Rural Pólice is especially charged 
 to catise agricnhnrc to pro^^per in ihe Section coníided to hinr, 
 and to cause the law and property lo be there respected. He 
 is responsiblc, in iheextent of his Seclion, 1. for the due exe- 
 cution of the Rural Codo in what is withiii his province, as 
 well as all otheracts of the Government relalive lo the agricul- 
 ture, or the Rural Pólice. 2. For every ncglect in the super- 
 inlendence of and manual labour of the plantations of the Sec- 
 lion. 3. For all vagrancics, disorders, and breadles of Pólice 
 in the Section, when he has not repressed them, or reported 
 Ihem lo the superior authoriiy. He shall lake an oalh before 
 the Comtnandanl of the District, previous to entering on the 
 dulies of his office. 
 
 144. The Officer of the Rural Pólice shall havc under his 
 orders, at a fixed station, threc rural guards, one oí whom 
 shall be of the rank of quartermaslcr, and perform the func- 
 tions of secretary ; one of the rank of brigadier ; and the 
 olher a simple dragoon. These rural guards shall be sworn ; 
 ihe oath shall be taken before the Commandant of the Depart- 
 ment. 
 
 145. The officer of the Rural Pólice shall be bound to make 
 ihe circuit of his Seclion, and visit each plantation in it once a 
 week. 
 
 146. The officer of the Rural Pólice shall be ready to at- 
 tend lo the calis of the proprielorí^, renlers, or managcrs of 
 plantations, by day and by nighi, or lo scnd rural guards there 
 lo enforce the law, and to maintain order. 
 
 147. One of the rural guards shall rcpcat every week, on 
 each plantation of the Section, the visit of the officer of the 
 Rural Pólice, so thai the plantations shall be visiled al the least 
 calcidalion twice every week. 
 
 148. When the officers of the Rural Pólice, or the rural 
 guards, in their ordinary rounds, shall arrive upon a planta- 
 tion, they shall address them.selves first to the proprietor, if 
 
í.'! liniAL coui; oF haI'I'í. 
 
 prcsenl, or in iiis absonce, lo tlie cliief renter, or to the mana" 
 ^er, aiicl *liall iuquiíe if every ihing i.s in order : aflcr lliis for- 
 maliiy, iliey sliall sel lliciiiselves lo inspecl ihe laboiirs, lo sa- 
 tisfy ihciiiiselves tlial ihese proceed properl_v ; ihcy sliall alsp 
 sce whellicr all ihe labourers are at woik ; and lliey shall in- 
 qiiire ihe causes of ilie absence of sucli as are nol al work, and 
 sliall acl accoidmg lo ]aw. 
 
 149. When an oñicer oí ihe Rural Pólice of ll)e Seclion, is 
 prevenled by any lawful cause iVom inakingthe circuit and visit 
 rcquired by anieles 145 and 146, he siíall be bound lo give no- 
 lice ihereof lo ihe Coinmandanl of llie Commune, who shall 
 replace liim by an oíricer ol ihe gend'armerie, or of ihe Iroops 
 ofllieline quariered in ihe Cunimune, while ihe impediment 
 lasls. 
 
 150. The officer of ihe Rural Pólice, who, wilhout lawful 
 hinderance, shall ncglecl lo rnake ihe rounds and visilsrequired 
 by ihe anides 145 and 146, shall sutfer a punishtnent, lo be in- 
 ílicied by ihe Commandaní of ihe Coinmune ; and in case of his 
 repealing ihe neglecl, he shall be reported lo ihe Commandant 
 of ihe Deparlment, who shall be bound lo bring him lo ihe no- 
 tice of ihe President of Haíii. 
 
 151. Ev(?ry Sunday niorning, ihe oíiicer of ihe Rural Pólice 
 shall be bound lo presenl hin:)self in person, or send one of his 
 rural guurds, wiih a vvrillcn report, lo the Commandaní of ihe 
 Coniniune, lo inform him of whaiever remarkable may have 
 occnrred in his seclion. 
 
 152. The officer of ihe Rural Pólice, and ihe rural guards, 
 shall receive iheir pay and allowances, according lo iheir 
 ranks, vvhenever ihe lioops of ihe hne in aclual service shall 
 be paid. 
 
 153. The Siale shall supply lo ihe rural guards arms, ac- 
 coulremenls, andclolhing, as lo ihe troops of ihe line.i 
 
 154. The uniform of ihe officer of ihe Rural Pólice, shall 
 be a green coal, wilh flaps lurned back, collar, cuíTs, and facings 
 red, whiie lining, while biUlons half arched, wilh a cornucopia 
 surrounded by ihe cap of liberly, and for a legend, Repiiblique 
 (T Haití, and a cocked hal. They shall also bear in si I ver ihe 
 epauleiles and fringes of iheir ranks, wear while waislcoats 
 and panialoons, and horsemen's bools. Tljal of ihe rural guards 
 shall be a jackcl of ihe same colour and makc as ihe officers of 
 ihe Rural Pólice, wilh ihe marks of, iheir ranks in lace of 
 silver or while worsled, and plaled helmets. 1'he arms shall 
 be ihe dragoon sabré, carlouche-box, and blunderbuss ; ihey 
 shall wear a red shoulder bell from righl lo lefi, wilh ''forcé 
 de la loi, wriuen upon it in blue lelters. 
 
IIUÍIAL CODE OV HAiTI. 25 
 
 Sect. 3. — Of Manaprers and Conductor s of Plantations, 
 
 155. Upon every plantalion where ihe proprietor is not 
 residenl, and where ihere is no cliief renler residen!, ihci-e 
 shall be a manager appointcd by tiic proprietor or chief 
 renler. 
 
 156. The proprietor or chieí" renler, afler having chosen such 
 maoager as he picases, shal! enler inlo a mutual contract wiih 
 him, before a notary, ihe lernfis being such as ihe partios may 
 agree upon: afier which ihe manager shall be made known lo 
 ihe officer of the Rural Pólice of ihe Seclion. 
 
 157. Every proprietor, or cUief renler of a rural propeity in 
 cullivalion, not residing upon il, nnd who shall not have appoint- 
 ed a mannger for ihe properly, shall be subject, if the nuniber of 
 cullivators exceed ten, to a fine of from len to fifly dollars, 
 according lo the exleni of the property. Wlien the number of 
 laborers does not exceed ten, the management may be inlrusted 
 lo a conductor. 
 
 158. The duties of the n)anager are lo snperintend, in the 
 inlerest of ihe proprietor who employs him, ihe laborers of the 
 plantalion inlrusted to him. 
 
 159. The managers of plantations are answerable tolhe pro- 
 prieiors, or chief renlers, for every neglcct or abandonmcnt of 
 labor where ihey are employed. They shall in such case be 
 prosecuted by the parties eiilitled. 
 
 160. The manager shall have the respect of all the laborers 
 of the estale where he is employed. 
 
 161. Upon an estale where the fields or gardens are divided 
 among associations working for half, or among sub-lenanls, 
 each headman of such associalion, and each sub-lenant, be- 
 comes the conductor of his own working parly, or of his asso- 
 cialion. He is answerable for the labor of his associates. 
 
 162. The duties of the conduclors are, to cause ihe work lo 
 be done, by ihc laboring parties inlrusted lo ihem, under the 
 direction of the proprietor, chief renler, or manager. 
 
 163. The conduclors shall be answerable for all neglect 
 of work; for all absence, without lawful authorily, of ihe la- 
 borers ; and for all disorders and vagrancies of the laborers ; 
 when ihey shall not have reponed the same to the competent 
 aulhorilies. 
 
 164. The conduclors shall be paid from the proceeds of the 
 produce raised by the laborers ihey direct, according' lo article 
 57, oflaw No. 3. 
 
 4 
 
■26 ni'UAL conE of íiaiti. 
 
 Chapter IV. 
 
 Of tke Cowicil of Agricullure in Ihe Rural Seciioiis. 
 
 165. On ihe firsl of May in every year, being the day of tlie 
 Festival of Agricullure, ihe Commandant of each Commune, 
 ihe Justice cf Peace, and the Council of Notables, shall con- 
 jointly select froin eacli RuraT Section, three of the most respect- 
 able citizens, being proprietors, chief renlcrs, or managers, to 
 form the Council of Agnculture of ihe Seclion. 
 
 166. The selectioii of the members of the Council ( f Agri- 
 culture shall be immediately commiinicaled, by the Command- 
 ant of the Coinmune, to the Commandant of the Department, 
 who shall communicate it lo the Government. 
 
 167. The members of ihe Council of Agricullure shall be in- 
 office for ene year only ; bul they may be re-elecled each year, 
 if they have sbown zeal in the execulion of iheir dulies during 
 ihe former year. 
 
 168. The Council of Agriculliire being composed of per- 
 sons cultivating the soil, and inteicsted in tlie preservation of 
 good order in the rural administration, each of the members is 
 bound, wilhout essentially deranging his own affairs, lo inquire 
 into ail ihat passes in his Section, in order to report to the Coun- 
 cil cf ÍSütables. 
 
 169. 7'he business of the Councils of Agriculture is, 1. To 
 see ihat the laws relating to cultivation, are nol infringed in 
 iheir execulion. 2. To endeavor, by new experiments, and 
 by maintaining concord among al! those interesied in culliva- 
 tion, lo increase progressively its resulls. 3. To communicate 
 to the Council of Notables, and to ihe military aulhoiities, 
 every abuse or neglect, which may occur in ihe Seclion whicb 
 ihey inhábil. 
 
 170. The members of the Council of Agricullure are to cor- 
 respond, individually or collectively, with the functionaries or 
 authorities with whom they are required lo have relations. 
 
 171. The office of a member of ihe Council of Agricullure 
 is honorary. 
 
 TiTLE TlIIRD. 
 
 Of the Rural Pólice. 
 
 172. The Rural Pólice is lo be specially adminislered by the- 
 officers charged wiih the Rural Sections of the Communes, 
 assisted by rural guards. 
 
 173. The Rural Pólice has for its objecls, 1, To repress 
 vagrancy. 2. Order and assiduily in ihe labors of the field. 
 3. The discipline of the laboring population. 4. The inaUing 
 and repairing public and prívale road.s. 
 
IllJK.VL CODE OF HAITÍ. 27 
 
 Chapter i. 
 
 Of fhe Repressvm of Vagrancy. 
 
 174. AU persons ulio shall not be proprietors, or lenters of 
 the land on which they are íixed, or vvlio shall not have con- 
 Iracted with some proprietor or chief renter, shall be reputad 
 vagrants, and shall be arrested by ihe Rural Pólice of the 
 í^eciion in which they may be found, and carried before the 
 Juslicc of Peace of the Commune. 
 
 17;3. The Jusiice of Peacc, aftcr interrogaiing and hearing 
 the "person brought before him, shall niakc known the law 
 which übüges him lo employ hiinself in agricultural labor ; 
 and after tbat notice, he shalí detain him in prison, until he 
 shall have contracted according lo the terms of the law. 
 
 176. The Jusiice of Peace shall take care the person ar- 
 xcsled shall niake his own choice of ihc proprietor, or chief 
 renler, or sub-tcnant, or beadman of an associalion, wilh whom 
 he may conlract. 
 
 177. If after eighldays'delcnlion, ihe dclained has not taken 
 measures for engaging in agricultural employment, he shall be 
 sent lo ihe public works, lor cleaning ihe city or lown Avhere 
 the pnson is siluated, and there he shall l:e employed unlil he 
 determines lo conlract lo engage in rural labor. Any person 
 •who wiihdraws any of ihese detained persons from ihc public 
 
 works, to employ them in privale work, shall be subjcct to a 
 ñne of fifi y dollars, of which a moietv shall be paid lo the de- 
 tained person complaining. 
 
 178. If ihe person arrested be a minor, the Jusiice of Peace 
 shall inquire for his parenls, and send him to join ihem, to follow 
 their condition of life. 
 
 179. After ihree months from tlie publicalion of this Code, 
 rigor shall be employed again¿l delinquenls. 
 
 l.'^O. Every person fixed in the counlry as a cultivalor, who 
 shall on a working day, and during the hours of labor, be found 
 unemployed, orrunning aboul, or lounging on the public roads, 
 shall be considered as idle, and shall in conscquence be ar- 
 rested and taken before the Jusiice of Peace, who shall send 
 him to prison for twenty-four hours, for the first offence ; and 
 shall send him to public labor in the lown on a repetition 
 of it. 
 
 181. The officers of the Rural Pólice, shall take care that 
 vagrants and idlers do not conceal themselves under the garb 
 of soldicrs of the different corps. When they discover, in 
 the Sections under their superintendence, men whom they 
 -do not personallv know to be in active service in the corpE 
 
28 RURAL CODE OF IIAITI. 
 
 whose uniform they wear, ihey .«hall arrest tliem, and send them 
 to the military commandant of ilie commune, to ascertain if 
 the individual arrested wiih the uniform of a corps really belongs 
 lo it. If the party pvove not to be a soldier, he shall be piit in 
 prison, according to Article 175, until he cnler into a contract 
 to labor in agriculture. 
 
 182. The officers of the Rural Pólice, shall take care that in 
 the respective Sections under iheir command, no pcrson shall 
 livc in idleness. To this end, they have authority to oblige 
 such persons as are employed in labor, to give account of tíie 
 nature of their occiipations ; and if they cannot prove that they 
 cultívate the soil, or are employed on breeding farras, according 
 to the Lavv No. IV., they shall be considered as without a 
 living, and shall be arrested as vagrants. 
 
 Chapter II. 
 
 Of order and assiduity in rural labor. 
 
 183. The labors of the field shall commence on Monday 
 morning, not to cease until Friday evening, (legal holydays 
 excepted). But in extraordinary cases, when the interest of the 
 cultivators as well as of the proprietors reqnires it, work shall 
 be continued until ÍSatiirday. 
 
 184. On working-days, the ordinary labor of the field shall 
 commence at day-dawn, and continué until mid-day, with the 
 interval of half an hour for breakfast, which shall be taken on 
 the spot where they are at worL In the afternoon, ihe labor 
 shall commence ai two o'clock, to continué until sunset. 
 
 185. Pregnant females shall be employed onlight work only, 
 and afterlhe fourlh monthof pregnancy, they shall not be Hable 
 lo work in the field. 
 
 186. Four months after deliverjr, they shall be bound to 
 resume labor ; but they shall not be at work until one hour 
 after sun-rise, to quit it at eleven o'clock, and from two o'clock 
 until one hour before sunset, 
 
 187. No eultivator fixed on a rural property, shall absent 
 himself from ihe labor assigned him, without the permission 
 of the manager, in the absence of the proprietor or chief 
 renter, who shall not give this permission unless the case be 
 urgent. 
 
 Chapter Til. 
 
 Of tJif, discipline of the laborers. 
 
 188. The laborers upon rural properties shall be obedienl 
 lo ihc conductors of the woi-ka, to the headmen of associa- 
 
RURAL CODE OF HAITÍ. 29 
 
 tions, to ihe sub-tenants, chief renters, proprietors, andniHim- 
 gers, vvhenever ihey are called upou lo exccute ihe labora for 
 wliich they have cunlraclcd. 
 
 189. Every act of disobedience or insult, on thc part of a 
 workmaii, commanded to do any work which he has cngaged to 
 do by a reciprocal contract or agreement, shall be punished 
 by imprisonment, according to the exigency of the case, 
 and according to the decisión of the Juslice of Peace of the 
 Communc. 
 
 190. Salurdays, Sundays, and Hoh'days, being at the dispo- 
 sal of the cultivators, they shall nut be pcrmitled, oii working 
 days to quit thcir work, to indulge in dancing or feasting, 
 neither by night ñor by day. Ofl'enders against ihis rule, 
 shall be subject to three days' imprisonment for the first offence, 
 and to six days for a rcpetition of it. 
 
 Chapter IV^. . 
 On thc t?iak¿íig and repmiing Public Roads. 
 
 191. Thc public roads shall be kept up and rc})aired by 
 the laborers, in turn, of tbe vvhole ¡Section they pass through, 
 whenever their slate of injury may vequire repair. The pri- 
 vate roads shall in like manner be kept in order by the cnl- 
 tivators of ihe eslates of the Section, who aro in the habit of 
 using them. 
 
 192. Whenever a public or private road needs repair, the 
 officer of the Rural Pólice shall give nolicc of it to the Com- 
 mandant of ihe Commune. 
 
 193. If the repairs are of small importance, the Com- 
 mandant of the Commune shall order them to be done. But 
 if they require many hands, he shall give notice of it to ihe 
 Comraandant of thc Department, that it may be promptly 
 acceleratcd. The Conncil of Agriculture of the ¡Section shall 
 inform the Council of Notables of the work which is lo be 
 done. 
 
 194. The nnmbcr of laborers necessary for any particular 
 repair, shall be taken from the plantation rolls menlioned in 
 article 132, in proportion to the laboring population of Cach, 
 which is bound to assist in thc work. 
 
 195. Those proprietors who have not four laborers at- 
 lached to their estáte, shall, in no case, furnish more ihaii onc 
 laborcr for the repairs of roads. 
 
 196. Every cultivator ordercd to work in repairing thc 
 roads, who shall not come to that work, shall ])ay a ñne of six 
 quarter dollars a week, or be imprisoned for one vveek, and 
 this shall not exempt him from working tlic week following. 
 
30 RURAL CODE OF HAITÍ. 
 
 197. Every proprietor, or chief renter of a plantation, who 
 liaving received a demand for laborers, shall not funiish 
 tliom, shall be Hable to a fine of three dollars for each laborar 
 not furnished ; half the fine to be paid lo the chest of fines, 
 and half lo be employed in replacing the laborers. 
 
 198. Laborers called out to repair the roads, shall bring 
 ihe tools and agricultura} instruments used on the plantation, 
 otherwise the oííicer of the Rural Pólice shall furnish thein 
 wilh tools with wliich he is to be supplied by the administra- 
 tion, and upon the report of its being raade to the Justice of 
 Peace of the Commune, he shall sentence the proprietor of 
 ihe plantation to which the defaulters naay belong, or his re- 
 presentative, to reimburse to the administxation double the valué 
 of the tools fLirnished. 
 
 199. When means of iranspoit are wanted for the repair 
 of public or prívale roads, the estates having wains or caris 
 shall send them ; in default of wains or caris, caltle shall be 
 supplied. 
 
 200. The supply of eight beasts of burden, shall be equal 
 to one cart with its team. 
 
 201. No person shall, for his prívate interest, take from 
 the repair of the roads, those who are sent lo vvork upon them. 
 Every one contravening ihis order shall pay fifty dollars for 
 each laborer so withdravvn, even for one day. The director of 
 the work shall cali over ihe laborers every morning, to ascertain 
 iheii presence. 
 
 202. The laborers ordered on the public roads, shall pre- 
 sent themselves on Monday morning, and not lo quit whilethe 
 work shall last, until Friday evening. 
 
 Passed in the Charaber of commons, at Port-au-Prince, on 
 the 21st of April, 1826, 28d year of Independence. 
 
 MuzAiNF, President of the Chamber. 
 Pre. Junga, andAíiDouiN, Secretarles. 
 
 The Senate decrees the acceptance of the Rural Code of 
 Haití, which shall be sent, within Iwenty-four hours, to the 
 President of Haili, lo have his execution, in the manner fixed 
 by ilie Constitution. At the National House at Port-au-Prince, 
 Ihis 4th of May, 1826, 23d year of Independence. 
 
 P. RouANEz, President of the Senate, 
 Gayot, and F. Dubreuil, Secretaries. 
 
RURAL COÜE Oí- IIAITI. 31 
 
 tn fhe ñame of tlie Republic. 
 
 The President of Haíti orders, lliat the al)ove Laws con- 
 slitiiting the Rural Code of Haíti be sealcd vvith the Seal of 
 the Republic, and be published and executed. 
 
 Given at the National Palace of Port-au-Prince, this 6th of 
 May, 1826, 23d year of Jndependence. 
 
 BOYER. 
 
 By the President, B. Inginac, Secretary-General. 
 
 LETTERS ON HAITÍ. 
 
 The Lelters which follow are from the Working Man's Ad- 
 vócale, the editor of which paper introduces the first of them 
 by saying — " The following leller from an inteUigent and phi- 
 lanihropic soulhern genileman (ihough a large slaveholder) now 
 travelhng in Haiii, will doublless convey niuch information lo 
 our readers respecling the present pohtical condiiion and natu- 
 ral advanlages of ihat inieresting ísland. The statenients of 
 the writer may be implicilly relied on." 
 
 LETTER I. 
 
 Puerto de Plato, Haiti, ISth Sepi., 1835. 
 Mr. George H. Evans : 
 
 Dear Sir — When I left New York, about a uionlh ago,with 
 the iniention of spending the hot season of suminer under the 
 cool shade of the planiaiii and royal palm-lrees, fanned by the 
 sea bicezes of the lieahhy and tempérale climate of Haili, I 
 promiscd lo convey lo you, as soon and as inlelhgibly as I 
 could, a Irne dcscriplion of whi\t I saw in my progreás ihrough 
 this Island ofLibeily, which, allhough hardly two weeks' sail- 
 fromTsew York, musí bccomc of greal })ohiical imporlance, bul 
 is now quite unknown oven by ñame, lo nine-lenths of our New 
 York citizens. 
 
 On the 3d inst, being ncarly 20*^ N.lat., wc madc the Island 
 of Haili. Il resembled liie Caiskill moiunains, only more ex- 
 tended. On the 4th we sailed inlo a harbour on its N. sidc,- 
 
:Í2 LKTTERS UÜ HAITÍ. 
 
 called Puerto de Plata, where we found American and foreigil 
 
 í^liipping anchored befoce a prelly, scallered-looking small town 
 of oiic siorj' honses, somelhing aboul ihe size of 8t Augustine. 
 
 We landed soon afler, amidsl logs of mahogany, in which, and 
 lobacco in bales, tnost of its export consists. The poor ap- 
 pearance of ihe lown was amply compeiiáated for by ihe rich 
 verdure of ihe waving cocoa-nut and naajeslic palm-trees, grow- 
 
 ng on ihe genily rising plain which lies beiween the town and 
 the mounlain, (called Torre de Isabella,) nnajeslically rising 
 behind il, lo ihe height of ihree thousand feet, and richly cover- 
 cd wilh trecs to the lop. 
 
 This aft.ernoon and next day, T was occupied in walking 
 aboul lown, and gardens in iis vicinily, and in cultivating the 
 acquainiance of ils inhabitants, who received me as a whiie 
 slranger, wilh great civility as well as hospilalily. They con- 
 sisled of while and black, (ihe laller predominated,) speaking 
 Spanish, French, and English, as languages common lo all, ihe 
 Spanish rallier ihe mosl, and ihe wliile parí of the populalion 
 very mnch resembled ihe Minorcian populalion of St. Augus- 
 tine. The beauliful and nch plain on which the town is bui t, 
 of ivvo miles in exlenl and gradually rising lo ihe foot of ihe 
 mounlain of La Torree, contains firsl the lown and gardens, 
 and ihen some small farms, cuhivaled wilh sugar cañe, coífee, 
 oranges, mangoes, corn, yams, polaioes, cassava, and all kinds 
 of fancy produce, to snit the market and for the supply of the 
 lown. The low lands beiween ihe sea and the mountains, ex- 
 lend lo the easl and lo the wesl as far as the eye can reach ; 
 and if the soil is a fair sample of the soil of ihis Island, which, 
 from all ihat I can hear, is probable, ihere is nolhinglhal I have 
 ever seen in any counlry, not even the low lands of the Missis- 
 sippi, ñor ihe alluvial deposiis of Guiana in Soulli America, 
 equal lo ilin ferliHly. The sugar cañe grows to a prodigious 
 size, and lasls for Iwenty years withoul replanting. The plan- 
 tain, as food for man, is ihe richest of nature's gifls, and also 
 perpetuales ilself, wilh lillle allenlion, for an equal period of lime 
 wilhoul replanting. Groves of cocoa-nul and royal palm-trees, 
 the most rnagniíicent of nature's produclions, shade the ground 
 wilh llieir waving lops, and furnish food for counlless numbers 
 of wild hogs, callle, &c., wnld guinea fowls are also very abun- 
 dant. fith Seplember, being Suiíday, I this morning went to 
 hear mass performed in a very large church of one slory, which 
 safe mode of building, I presume, is on account of earthquakes 
 that sometimes happen here. The audience was large and 
 most respectable, the female part especially was devout, and 
 
LETTERS ON HAYTI. 33 
 
 would bear comparison, in poinl of good looks or dress, with 
 any of our white congregaiions in i\ew York. In the evening 
 I went to hear an oíd style Meihodist sermón, by an English 
 m¡ssionary> where most of our poor American colored emi»- 
 grants were assembled, to heai* ihemselves denounced as fit 
 subjects for a very necessar}^ personage, now dormant in fash» 
 ionable Ufe ; but all went off well : we liad no mob. 
 
 18lh. I have now becn here ten da3^s, and liave closely exa- 
 mincd the country on horscback, for Iwelve leagues of coast 
 and three leagues inland, to the summit ridges, where they 
 cut mahogany ; no sentry has ever iiailed me; no olficer of 
 pólice has ever inquired inlo my bnsiness, or vvhat I wanled. 
 I brought no leller of introduction : whichever way I Ira- 
 vclled, I have been lieated wiih hospitality nnd attenlion, 
 and all possible kinduess rendered lo n)e volunlarily and 
 wilhout reward. I have liad a hearly wclcome cvery where, 
 abundance lo cal, and a place lo hang my hammock al night, 
 from black and poor colored people, who live isolaled, upon 
 small farms of one famüy, scallered wiihin the rich, uncut 
 fore^ls of Haiii, where iheir living in simple abundance and 
 wilh little labor does not detract froin llieir natural kindness of 
 heart, which sustains iheir praciical moral mcrii of character ; 
 for nolwitlistanding our fashionable propensily for vilifying 
 the meril of color, no one has ever ciled one soliiary insiancc 
 of a breach of honesly, or honorable hospiíalily to any white 
 man or otlier person. A single unarmed foolman is the otily 
 conveyance of money remiilances from here to Port-au-Prince, 
 a distance of nearly one hundred leagues, mostlv through 
 solitary woods ; bul no instance is rccorded of eilher robbery, 
 murder, or insull. Furlher commenl upon natural kitidness of 
 heart is needless. I have not heard of any other insiance 
 similar in any country, or under any governtnent — here every 
 appearance indicates perfect freedom and equalily witlioul law 
 or re¿lraini ; yet no one trespasses upon the strictesi laws of 
 decorum and poliiet)ess. 
 
 Many of our pseudo rcpublicans openly abuse Haili, its 
 people and government ; bul here they read our newspapers, 
 and daily accounts of mobs, and persecuiion of color, without 
 any symptorn of resentment or angcr against the cilizons of 
 those vciy couniries where their color is outlawed, and wlio 
 enjoy every proieciion, both of person and property, in Haiti. 
 Although many familias heie are white in all their relaiions, 
 I have never seen ñor heard of any slighi or symptorn of «a» 
 tural prejudice againsl color : indeed, as a whiie man, I feel 
 
 5 
 
34 LETTERS ON HAITÍ. 
 
 ashamed lo receive such kindness and hospitality from the very 
 people, whorn piiblic prejudice, or ralher fashion or jealousy, ir> 
 New York, would exelude from oblaining necesáary refresh- 
 ment al an inn, or fiom travelling in any public conveyance 
 or vehicle, or even lo walk the sireets but as ouilawed mis- 
 créanla. The stale of sociely here proves very clearly lo me, 
 that oLir main argiiment to excuse our persecuiion of color, 
 (natural prejudice of caste,) if unsupported by law, soon mells, 
 and is dissolved by our moral relaiions, if let alone, like any 
 other legal privilege. Privileged grades of sociely are neces- 
 sary lo the existence of a regal arislocracy, or of a popular 
 democracy or oligarchy : annul ihe privileges and tliese govern- 
 raents become republican, or of equal laws, This government 
 of Haili approaches nearer lo puré republicanism than any 
 other, now in use or on record. Ahhough ilie aggrcgate popu- 
 lation of ihis island may approach lowards a million of people, 
 yet it is hardly possible lo íind a servanl lo hire, vvhich is easy 
 to account for from ihe circumstance thai every colored person 
 of good characier is a citizeñ from ihe moment of liis arrival, 
 and upon applicalion to llie Commandanl, can have as much 
 good íand, gratis, from government, as lie thinks he can culti- 
 vate ; therefore no one will hiie, and the qiiantity of popula- 
 tion and small farms of one fauíily each, iü fast increasing, 
 To gain Information where every thing is new, J have reposed 
 bul litlle in the shade since my arrival, but the air is delighl- 
 fully cool every nighl and morning, and during the day, while 
 travelling, I have suffered but hule from heai, as our roads 
 lay ihrough lofty ihick woods, the shade of which completely 
 excluded the solar rays. We generally have had a refreshing 
 shower every day. and I feel my iieallh much improved since 
 my airival from New York, ñor can I iiear of a single inslance 
 of sickness any vihere, ahhough this is called the sickly 
 season ; and if I can judge from the number of children playing 
 aboul m the slreeis and houses, the population musí be in- 
 creasing very rapidly. In a few days 1 propose coniinuing 
 my journey wesl, lowards Cape Haitien, formerly Cape 
 Franjáis, and wil!, from ihence, commimicale whal may seem 
 new. 
 
 I remain, &c. 
 
LETTER3 ON HAITÍ. 35 
 
 LETTER II. 
 
 Cape Hailieiiy 29th Sept. 1835. 
 Mk. George II. Evans, 
 
 Dear ¡Sir, — In my last letter, from Puerto de Plata, I en 
 deavored lo give you a sliorl descripiion of llial place and its 
 viciiiiiy. Since ihal time I have rodé on horseback, in corn- 
 pany vvilh ene person and a guide, lo this place, where I now 
 ain in gQod lieahli, a distance of iwo liundred miles or more, 
 cliiefly wiihin a few miles of l!ie coast, ilirough an uninler- 
 rupted scenery of the most romantic order, sometimes over 
 ievel and very extensiva prairie paslurages, woll peopled wilh 
 ihe finest catile I ever saw, mixed here and ihere with flocks 
 x)f sheep and goats, and every where aboiinding witli wild 
 guine;i fowls; at other times we crossed clear and rapid 
 streams of water, coinnig from boiween the mountains, silu- 
 ated a few miles furiher in the interior, and of a height sel- 
 dom Icss ihan one, or more than ihree thoasand feet, and 
 thickly wooded lo the lop. This space between the sea and 
 liie moiintains, of abotit iwo or ihree leagues wide, is a rich 
 alluvial valley, gradually rising from tlie sea to the foot of 
 the mountains, which are also very fertile and well wooded, 
 and lay convenient for cultivation. This valley of ievel land 
 is internipied in two places by mountainous ridges, which ex- 
 tend down toihe sea, one iminediately below Puerto de Plata, 
 the otlicr at Point Isabellique. In most places the luxuriant 
 growlh of timber was tJiickly interspersed wilh the elegant 
 royal palm, and covered a decp soÜ of incomparable richness 
 and feriiliiy, mostJy convenient lo water power for machinery. 
 That part of the island formeily Spaiwsh, terminales at a 
 Jñourishing and romantic lillle town called Laxavon, which 
 is watered by tJie river Massacve. This river foimed ihc 
 bonndary Une belvveea the formcr Spanish and French pos- 
 sessions of St. Domingo ; it falls into the sea a small dislance 
 easl of Fort Danphin, now Fort Libertié, which lies fifteen 
 miles to the S. W., and is a very exlensive well laid out town, 
 conveniently waiered by a clear river, whicii flows partly 
 around it. The houses are elegantly built of stone, and 
 covered wiih French liles; many of them, however, have 
 Leen taken down and removed, to fnrnish malcriáis for other 
 buildings. Its hrrrbor is excellcnt, and superior, I believe, 
 to any oiher on the whole island. Here begins the famous 
 Plain of the Cape, 36 miles distant, through which its wide, 
 Ievel, and well laid oiit ruad, bordered wilh high, shady log- 
 wood hcdges, still exists : in some parts it passed over pas- 
 
36 LETTERS ON HAITÍ. 
 
 turage or prairie Imds, but, generally, the massy remains of 
 extensive slone bnildings indicaied ihe valué of ihe soil of its 
 formcr sugar planlalions, now raoslly grown up vvilh woods. 
 Maiiy oíd plantations are slill more or less under Üie culliva- 
 tion of sugar, but ihe extreme scarciiy of hands to hire, ren- 
 ders the extensive cullivation of that staple at present iin- 
 praclicable. 
 
 Passing ihrongh the Aí^ery rich and extensive alluvial plan- 
 tations of the Grand Riviere, we arrived al Cape Haitien, 
 abüul nine miles distant from it. This City (formerly Cape 
 Fran9ais,) is built on a level plain, just under a romaniic 
 mouniain, of perbaps 2000 feet high. Tlie great extent and 
 magnificent remains of eleganl and extensive stone bnildings 
 indícale its former weallh, founded upon the richness and ex- 
 tent of its soil, when it stood the peerless Mistress of Ameri- 
 can opulence. It seems now recovering a liille its importance, 
 which will no doubt keep pace vvilh the present increase of 
 populalion and cultivation ihroughout ihe islanil. 
 
 Excepiing Salurdays and Sundays, the great market days, 
 when all is alive with well dressed good-looking people, few 
 persons are to be se.;n in ihe slreels. This is ovving lo llie 
 great scarcity of domestic servanls, who dan ernploy tiiem- 
 selves more profilably upon their own lands, liberally bestow- 
 ed by government, whose policy it is to discourage all nega- 
 tive and unproductive occupalions, 
 
 I will now cióse ihis lelier by a few observations upon the 
 people inhabiting the counlry beiween Puerto de Piala and 
 Cape Haitien, iheir complexión, moral habiis, &c. In that 
 pan formerly Spanish, that language is slill relained, though 
 ihe French is generally understood, and musí soon predomí- 
 nale, as ihe law requires ihat all records and public docu- 
 menis shall be kepi in French. A great tendency lo while 
 is also observable in the complexions of ihe people, which 
 seem to be changing very fast by intermixiure wiih color. 
 Soon afler crossing ihe river Massacre, the French language 
 predomínales, or ralher the Creóle, for boih are spoken and 
 generally understood, The complexions of ihe inhabilanis, 
 too, are generally darker, indicating a greaier predominancy 
 of A frican blood, bul no general color can be said lo charac- 
 terize any seciion. The extremes of white and black, when 
 divesied of all legal preference as in Haiti, are more com- 
 monly found in conjugal unión than olherwise, and as no dis- 
 tinciive predilection of color has yet manifesled ilself, the 
 nalional complexión is coniinually changing, and must finally 
 depend upon the sources of populalion from whence the color 
 Í8 derivad. 
 
LETTERS ON HAITÍ. 
 
 37 
 
 Ifoundno tavern or pubüc honse on ihe whole road— we 
 lodfred wherever circnmslaiices reiidered it most convemeril 
 lo slop Every where we found graUíilous hospiiality and 
 welcome, wiih an abundanl supply of wliolesome provisions, 
 such as pork, fowb, honey, coin, cassava bread, and dehcious 
 planiains and fruií. Tlie lonesome and romannc woods 
 were inlerspersed vvith small fanns of one family eacli, all 
 livincT in careless abundance, and full of heallhy children. 
 Sonie of ihe towns liad a n:iorc fashionable and mihiary ap- 
 pearance, and it seemed lo be a general cusionciof every 
 Comniandant lo assume ihe prerogalive right of offering 
 hospiialily lo slrangers, and where we met, nol only a friend y 
 welcome, bul genleel and fashionable accommodaiions. No 
 tale of robberv or personal insult could be heard ot. 1 he 
 houses of ihes¿ farms are of ihe mosl simple constrnclion, wilh 
 posls of durable wood sel in the ground, and waulcd or enclosed 
 wilh palm-n-ee clapboards, and generally covered wilh ihe same; 
 Ihev were mosily open, so as lo allow a free circulaiion of ihe 
 cool breezes of ihis healihy climale. I neither have seen ñor 
 heard of one instance of sickness as yet, ñor any kmd of in- 
 disposition, in my whole roule. They appear lo be a heallhy 
 and good-looking people, and in ihe lowns fashionable, w.lh 
 raanv women of exccllenl beauly. I could d.scovcr no preju- 
 dice'of casie, allhongh whiies seemed raiher lo be treated ^/nh 
 mosl deference, wh.ch I imputed eilher lo iheir bemg consi- 
 dered as more helpless, or iheir being snpposed lo have ihe mosc 
 monev ; bul all seemed lo mix logeiher equally in socie y. 
 whiclí was regulaied by ihe condilions of ihe individuáis only. 
 Mv nexl communication wiU probably be daied from Port- 
 au-Prince, and wiU coniain such new raatier as may grow out 
 
 of furlher observalion. ,c n ju^ 
 
 I remain, very respeclluliy, &c. 
 
 LETTER III. 
 
 Port-au-Prince, Oct. I2th, 1835. 
 
 Mr. George H. Evans— 
 
 Mvlasl lelter was from Cape Hailien, which we lefl on 
 horseback for Gonaives, a dislance of aboul 05 m.les lo ihe 
 wcsiward wilh one colored a.lcndanl. The lirsi parí of our 
 way was up llie beauuful vale of the Cape and nver Salee, 
 Ihrough ruiiis of exten.ive masón work. and oíd plantafons, 
 now bul lillle cult.vaied. The road ed towards the con- 
 "p cuous and elevaicd palace and village of Sans Soucie, 
 
38 LETT..RS ON HAITÍ. 
 
 siUiated near llie top of a well-cultivaled mountain on our left. 
 Afler leaviiig tliis plaiii, and ascending a modérale eleva- 
 lion, vve carne in siglu of ihe iine plain and harbor of Limbe, 
 ¡nto wliich a beaniiful river of ihe same ñame falls, up ihe 
 valley of the soiith branch of wliich, wiih many crossings, we 
 ascended lo ihe small and romaniic valley of Cape Coc, sur- 
 rounded by richly wooded hílls ; l)ere we were hospiíably en- 
 terlained for llie night : early nexl morning we conünued our 
 route up lilis romaniic valley, ihickly seilled vviih small coífee 
 farms of one family each lo ils lop, from whicli we had a 
 very inieresling view of the happy vale which we liad just as- 
 cended ; ihen crossiiig ibis heiglil of land, and descending a 
 few miles wesierly, lo ihe oiher or maiii branch of ihe Limbé 
 river, upon which is siuialed iha lively village of Plaisance, 
 whose heallhy and elevaled siiualion, wilh its ferlile fields 
 and well-slored gardens of fruit and vegelables, afforded an 
 inleresting piclure of subslaniial plenly amid tropical ease 
 and fecundity. Leaviiig this valley of ihe river, we ascend- 
 ed another elevaiion, lo the height of land al the escalero 
 or ladder, down which we descended ihrough a grand chasm 
 composed of perpendicular layers.of limesione rock fringed 
 wilh calcareous cryslals, many hundred feet in height, al ihe 
 foot of which we liad a view of the river and very extensive 
 plain of the Gonaives, which lay before us. T.he lown is 
 aboul six leagues distant from ihis place, on our way lo 
 which, we again saw many massy remains of collón and sugar 
 planlations, whose coslly masón work indicaled the intrinsic 
 valne of ihe soil for the cullivalion of which they had been 
 erected. 
 
 We arrivcd at ihe lown of Gonaives about 4 o'clock, P. M. 
 It is slill imporlanl, and derives some beneíil from its salí pond. 
 The fine mahogany, floaled down the greal river of Arlibonile, 
 lying a few miles lo the soulhward, loads a greal many vessels, 
 and conlributes also lo ils prosperily. 
 
 The small coasler in which we were crowded, for two days 
 and tbree nighls, on our passage from (aonaives to Port-au- 
 Prince, along wilh a good many Hailien passengers of difler- 
 cnl shades and sexes, bul all upon an eqnal footing, af- 
 forded a good opporlunity for displaying the manners and 
 esiimaling ihe degree of civilizalion ailained by this new 
 pcople, of whom the female part seemed perfeclly at their 
 ease, and full of laughier and good humor. The male part 
 was more musical, and oflen, in the inlervals belween sto- 
 ries of wars and ballles, in which ihey had liad an opportunily 
 
l-EITERS ON HAITÍ. 39 
 
 of showing their prowess, (for all llie Haitiens are soldiers) ex- 
 ercised llieir iine voices in singing favorile airs in good lasle, 
 and some national songs wiih greal melody and effect. I 
 heard nolhing like vulgarily or abusive language ainongst 
 ihem. 
 
 On the mil Oct., we lancíed al Port-au-Prince, which be- 
 ing ihe seat of Government, is considered ihcí capiíal of Haili, 
 and being Sunday, llieir grcat market and parade day, made 
 it a novel sighl for a siratiger froni the American Slates, 
 The superabundant variely of provisions of every description' 
 for the supply of ihe ensuing week, broughl in profusión by 
 great numbers of small crafr., and innumerable iiorse and 
 jackass loads of all kinds of tropical fruit and country pro- 
 duce, chiefly conducled by women, mixed wiih sotne good-- 
 looking men, all of whom vvere coloured, whose dark and ro- 
 busl arms, conlrasled wiih their clean and snovv-white cloihes 
 of tlie females, all full of gayely and gocd heallh, gave no 
 unfavorable idea of the happy circumslances and substantial 
 prosperiiy of this agricuhural communiíy. I vviU lake this 
 opporUinily to say, tliat 1 have never before, in any country, 
 seen such general indicalions of personal cleanlincss and tasle 
 in dress, as I have observed among ihese Haiiien women, 
 amongst whom, ihe easiern customs of ablulion, handed down 
 from their African anceslors, are religiously observed ; ñor do 
 I ihink thai thcre is any civilized country now known lo us, 
 where substantial freedom and happiness, unalloyed by licen- 
 tiousness, or any dread of injury to person or property, are 
 enjoyed to ihe same exlcnl as in Haili ; íor, wheihcr yon reside 
 in the tovvns, or iravel alone through ihe couniry or over the 
 mounlains, by night or by day ; wliether you are armed or 
 unarmed, while or black, on fool or on .horseback, loaded vviih 
 doubloons or with sour oranges, you are equally safe from 
 injury. I can hcar of no inslance of exception. 1 must now 
 have travelled by land more than 300 nules ihrongh the in- 
 terior, and mosily in company wiih a genlcel drcssed man of 
 color; and I nalurally expected that a white person, and 
 especially a stranger from the United States, would experience, 
 from the lowcr ordcr of peoplc al least, vvho were all colored 
 or black, and living under a colored government, some small 
 slight or sign of neglect, or have his feelings in some way 
 insullcd by their resentment, for I nalurally felt conscious of 
 ihe persecution and open war now carrying on against them 
 inlhe United States, which I had just left ; bul I musí confess 
 ihal I felt humbled and ashamed at the undeserTed respect and 
 
40 LETTE«S ON HAITÍ. 
 
 deference with which 1, as a while man, was every where 
 Irealed and received. 
 
 Oct. 17, — Tliis day I had a long and familiar interview 
 uiih President. Boyer, who is a very inielligenl and sensible 
 man, and I ihink of great inlegrily and painotism. He is of 
 ihe middle size and ralher dark complexión ; his manners 
 are easy and polite ; inany of his generáis and miliiary offi- 
 cers vvere near his person, and, being Sunday, seven regi- 
 menls of regular iroops, besides some cavalry, wiih fine music, 
 were reviewed on a very exiensive and even parade ground 
 behind the Government House ; this is a part of 33 regiments 
 of regular infanlry and one regiment of Cavalry, besides 4 
 regiments of arlillery, &c., all paid by governmenl, now com- 
 posing the standing army of this island ; but while vve admire 
 the officers, men, their clothing, arms, and discipline, &c., 
 all excellent in a miliiary point of view, we cannot help re- 
 grellingthe cause of this display of miliiary pomp and expense 
 in a time of peace, caused, it is said, by the fear of enemies 
 from without : but as this danger seems gradually subsidmg, 
 while the agricullural capital and populalion of the island are 
 rapidly increasing, in a short time it is probable that the 
 standing army, now said lo be diminishing, will be reduced to 
 the actual wanls and iniernal circumstances of the government. 
 The navy is small, and consists of a few vessels of war and 
 revenne cutters, merely to assist in the transportalion of 
 government stores, and the proteclion of the revenue. The 
 mililia troops are well armed and all mustered in uniform once 
 every three monlhs ; they consist of one hundred thousand 
 eífective men, but as their musier takes place on Sunday, and 
 in the parishes where they reside, no time is lost by their 
 miliiary parade, 
 
 The ciiy of Port-au-Prince has an excellent harbor; it is 
 moslly built of wood, and situated on a regular declivity, 
 having high land aback, whose springs and rivulets supply ils 
 numerous fountains with abundance of excellent water ; 
 ihe lowermost fountain, which is built out in the harbor, 
 where the water is of sufficient depth, supplies the vessels 
 with water without unloading ihe casks, Its streets are broad 
 and regularly laid out with side walks, moslly uhder cover of 
 plazas, where many well-dressed females sit and enjoy the 
 cool breeze before their numerous shops of various wares, 
 for the supply of customers. There are three large market 
 squares, embellished with fountains, &c., and the streets near 
 .the harbor, whexe the custom-house is, indicates a good dea] 
 
LETTERS ON HAITÍ. 41 
 
 of commercial buslle, by the discharging of numerous coast- 
 ers, and loading and unloading of 15 or 20 foreigii square 
 rigged vessels, wliich usually are secn in porl at ihc same 
 time. I have heard of no lale census of the populaüon of 
 Haiti, but the general eslimale of inhabitaiiis is abovit one 
 million, and it certainly is increasing most rapidly. The 
 exlraordinary fertihly of its soil, fiued for all sorts of produce; 
 the convenient lemperature of ils climate, which, al the sea 
 side in summer, generally rangos from SC^ lo S0°, and in 
 the interior betwcen 75^^ and 85'^ Fahrenheit ; (in winler it is 
 ten degrees lovver ;) ils exlreme salubiity, ils convenienl silua- 
 lion for commerce, bolh as relates lo Europe and to Norlh 
 and ¡áoiith America, logelher wilh all the West India Islands ; 
 ils numerous and spacious ports and harbors, caiinot fail, 
 under ils prescnl free and wcU organized govcrnment:, of 
 bringing it, in a few years, lo a stale of cnviablc prosperily ; 
 lo say ihai riches would increasc its happiness, would be con- 
 Irary lo human experience, for I doubi wiieiher in the known 
 world another example of a counlry of such exlcnt can be 
 foimd, vvhere ihere is so liille crime, and so lillle human suf- 
 fering as now exisls within ihe Island of Haili, which cxults 
 in freedom and plenly ; and it would be flaltering lo humanily 
 to see it prosper, afler sacvificing so many lives, and fighting 
 its way ihrough such exlraordinary obslacles, lo liberly and. 
 indepcndence, which il now tcmpcralely cnjoys, without abuse 
 or licenliousness. 
 
 Oct. 26. — As I have now been travclling in ihis Island for 
 two monlhs, and sludying the theory of its siluation, I will, 
 by way of closing my remarks, give you the following abre- 
 vialed view of my information. 
 
 The Island of Haili is aboul ISOloagues in lenglh, from 
 east to wesl, ils norlh sidc leis in 20° norlh lalitude, ihe sea 
 coast generally is low, the soil exlrenicly rich, but rising gra- 
 dually for several leagues inland, becomes more sleep, and 
 terminales in mountains richly wooded to ihe top. These, by 
 arresling the clouds, and rain, give rise lo numerous rivers, 
 which, after irrigating ihose rich plains below, fall into the 
 surrounding ocean. These ridges of mountains are of great 
 extent, from east lo wesl ; ihe central rangos bcing from 5 
 to 7000 feet high, are inlcrseclcd, lenglhwise, l)y wide val- 
 leys of rich land and exlensive paslnrages belween ihem, 
 walered by large and rapid rivers, convenient for floating 
 down mahogany, and other produce, four of which, especially, 
 after runninc longiludinally for pcvcral lumdred miles earh, 
 
 6 
 
42 J,ETTERS OS HAITÍ. 
 
 * 
 
 between those diífercnt ranges of moimtains, and intersecíing 
 ihe streams of the whole interior fall into ihe sea al four oppo- 
 site parts of the island. 
 
 Ovving to the great extent of this island, and the ■vvant of 
 capital, the price of lands is extremely low, and many superb 
 and costly oíd plantations, with all their improvements and 
 imperishable buildings of brick and slone, together with their 
 valuable mili streams and water privileges convenient to 
 towns, are to be purchased for a small part of what the im- 
 provements alone would cost. No country, perhaps, in the 
 world is so little annoyed with noxious animáis or insects ; 
 very few flies or musquetoes ; very few birds of prey ; no wild 
 carnivorous animal bigger than a rat, ñor any venomous snake 
 or reptile, is to be found upon it. 
 
 In short, it is a most salubrious place of residence, and of- 
 fers every variety of climate, and I can see no opposing cir- 
 cumstances to the immediate development of the natural power 
 and weallh of Haiii but its want of capital, the introdiiction 
 of which mnst depend upon the policy of ils government, 
 which, from every appearance,'1s now fast approaching towards 
 the accomplishment of that object. 
 
 LETTER IV. 
 
 New York, 13/A Aot;., 1835. 
 Mr. George H. Evans : 
 
 Dear Sir — I here endose sundry interrogatories pnt to 
 the President of Haití, with his answers thereto. I wrote 
 three letters to you from Haiti, one from Puerto de Plato, one 
 from Cape Haitien, and one from Port-au-Prinr,e, and now, 
 ihese interrogatories. I remain, &c. 
 
 Translatiojí of a letter from the Secretary General oflhe Re- 
 public of Haiti, to a vilizen of the United l^íates, in answer 
 to a If.tter to his EocccUency Jean P. Borier, President of 
 that Republic, requiring inforrnation upon the suhject of emi- 
 grants Jrom the United States. 
 
 Sir — His Excellency, the President of Haiti, orders me ta 
 answer the questions contained in two letters,. which you ad- 
 dressed to him on the 15th of this month of October, lb35, 
 regarding the introduction into this republic of some people 
 of African descent, who propose emigrating from the United 
 States of America, where they now inhabit. 
 
 On purpose that the answers may reply fully to the ques- 
 tions, 1 shall, Sir, arrange the translations of these questions in 
 the same order as you have placed ihem. 
 
LETTEUS ÜN HAITÍ. 43 
 
 \&t Ques. For how Icng a period of time, and upon what con- 
 ditioDS, could such einigrants contract with their servants 
 abroad, as mcclmnics or agriculiural laborers in Haiti, so that 
 such contract s riiay be held legal, and gnaranteed by the Haiti- 
 en Governmenl, aí'ler the arrival of llie parties in Haili, and 
 how many woiking days in each vveek, and liow many working 
 hours each day, would be held legal in said contract ? 
 
 Ans. To answer your first question, Sir, í refer you to the 
 Law No. 3, pago 1 1, of the Rural Code of Haiti, of which I 
 now send yon a copy, and to legalizo any contract passed in 
 a forcign country between the ernigrant and his servant, it 
 will be snfficient ihat they appear, upon their arrival in Haiti, 
 beforc a Justice of Feace, and that ihey rautually declare that 
 the clauses set foith in the contract have been conscnted to 
 of their ovvn free will ; and that the parlies are mutually will- 
 ing to execiite them according to their form and tenor. All 
 legal acts can be executed by virlue of the laws of the Re- 
 public. 
 
 2;/ Qnes. At what age could hired servants enter into such 
 contraéis in their own behalf, and for how many years after- 
 ward, and what would be considered as a reasonable com- 
 pensation or gratuity over and above such services ? 
 
 /1/Í5. To the second question I answer that the fixed age af 
 majorily is 21 years, or that of -emancipalion, which are 
 clearly established in our civil code — they give the right to 
 onr cilizens, or to those who are constitulionally enabled to 
 beconie such, lo contract in their ovvn proper ñame and be- 
 half, and the arlicle 46 of ihe Rural Code fixes the duration of 
 the lime for which they can cop.iracl, wheiher as agricullur- 
 alii?'.s or mechanics.* 
 
 3(¿ Ques.' By what authority could children under age b« 
 bound, and until what age would such agriculiural apprentice- 
 ship be binding in Haiti, upon those apprentices, so as to in- 
 derntufy llie emigrants for the passages, losses, ácc? 
 
 Ans. To the 3d question í answer, that the falhers and 
 moiheis, and, in their absence, the parents in direct line, and 
 in their absen e, the guardians or lutors, can contract for such 
 minors, and bind tliem until the age of majorily or 21 years. 
 
 4th Ques. Would ihe governmenl of Haili be disposed to 
 graní lands to such emigrants near a landing on ihe coast, where 
 and how much ? 
 
 Ans. I answer lo ihe 'íih question, that since ihe Ist of 
 
 ■* The extent is 9 }'pars— nt 15 ypars the)' can contract throiigh ihe .ict of their 
 piu-ents or ([guardians for 9 years, and in the same way children may be bound 
 tin'il 'il ycni. A note or bond in::y bo taJiín íroni the party aa a furth«r «•- 
 #Tjnn' {nr th* fulfilmont o( mch cnntmrt».- 
 
44 LETTBRS ON HAITÍ. 
 
 May, 1820, the lavv has put an end to gratuitoiis commissions 
 of lands which composed a part of tlie piiblic domain ; but 
 ihat the government of Haili iiow renls or causes lo be sold, 
 such lands as belong to the Siale, so thal such eniigrants as 
 have a right to become Haitiens, according to arlicle 44 of llie 
 Constiluüon, may either rent or purchase such lands as ihey 
 wish, wiiether it be from the Republic, or from the individuáis 
 who possess them. 
 
 5th Ques. Wüuld any dulies of innportalion be charged by 
 government upon such properly belonging to emigrants, as 
 was not for sale, but nierely iniended for the agiicullural or do- 
 mestic purposes of such emigrants ? 
 
 A/is. To answer the 5lh question, I will say lo you, ihat 
 no duly of importation or enlry will be imposed upon the 
 moveable properly of emigrants iniended for their own use, or 
 for their agricultural pursuiís, or for the exercise of their me- 
 chanical professions. 
 
 Qth Ques. Would colored* emigrants be allowed to purchase 
 land and lócate themselves any where wilhin the Island of Hai'ti? 
 
 Ans. The question pul by the 6th arlicle will be answered 
 by that given to ihe 4lh arlicle. The descendanls of African 
 emigrants may lócale themselves wilhin ihe Republic, any 
 where ihey may judge most suitable lo iheir inieresls, and 
 may hold real properly when, after one year's residence in 
 Haili, ihey become cilizens of the Republic. 
 
 7th Ques. How long a time would emigrants be allowed to 
 go or come as foreigners before they were Hable to the duties 
 and constraints of cilizens ? 
 
 Ajis. I answer the 7lh question, that entrance into the Re- 
 public being free, to every one who will submit to the laws, 
 the Africans or their descendanls who intend lo emigrate may 
 go and come freely, in doing their business, as foreigners, but 
 from the lime they may determine to remain wilhin the lie- 
 public, they ought to conform themselves to the 14th article of 
 the civil code, for ihe security of their future righls. 
 
 Sth Ques. Would government be disposed lo grant a license 
 to a foreign vessel to enler or anchor in any hay or harbor on ihe 
 norih side of ihis island, under the direclion of a colored emi- 
 graní, for the purpose of examining lands, and choosing a place 
 for setUement ? 
 
 Ans. In answer to the eighth question, I am ordered to tell 
 you, that instructions will be sent to the military authorities all 
 round the shores, on the northeast side of the Republic, to per- 
 nnit emigrants for Haili to land, to visitthe country and to ex- 
 
 * The word coloured means every person not white. 
 
LETTERS ON II.VITI. 45 
 
 amine snch land sas may appear snitable fnr their pnrposcs, and 
 to seiile upon lliem, according to ihe arrangcments which they 
 may make with their several proprielors. 
 
 9th Qucs. Wüuld apprenticcs, inirod\iced inlo Haití as be- 
 fore meniioned, be liable lo the same niilitary duiies as otlier 
 free emigrants, wlio liad contracied no obligalion of labor be- 
 fore their introduclion? — Wkat wonld be the diities of bolh ? 
 or either ? — Conld eilher of them be forced into ihe regular ar- 
 niy withoui their own consent? 
 
 Ans. Finally, sir, to answer your 9ih question, I am ordered 
 to tell you, that neilher the emigrants ñor any person of Afri- 
 can descent, whom they may brmg along with them to worU, 
 wheiher as mechanics or cuhivators, will be in any manncr 
 required or held liable lo do military dnty as regular soldiers 
 of the Republic. Wiih regard to the proprielors, after one 
 year's residence, they will be considered as forming a parí of 
 the Miliiia in the district where they reside. I ought to ob- 
 serve to vou that the National Guards, or Militia, is liable to no 
 other service bul such as is mentioned in the law, of which I 
 now send you a copy, and which consists in a simple muster 
 every ihree monihs, on purpose to inspecl the staie of ihe 
 arms, with which every citizen ought to be provided, for the se- 
 curity of his liberties, and lo mainlain the independence of his 
 country. Signed B. INGENAC. 
 
 HAITÍ. 
 
 We copy the following from the Christian Slatesman : The 
 editor says, it " is from a very intclligent source, and will be in- 
 teresling to all who desire the prosperity of that island." 
 
 Washington, June 30, 1837, 
 To the Editor of the Christian Slatesman : 
 
 Sir, — Your being one of the principal members of the Afri- 
 can Colonization Society, an inslilution purely philanthropic, 
 and whose object apparently is lo advance the deprcssed free 
 people of color to a higher grade in the scale of civilization ; 
 and as I am a planter in the South, deriving my cntire subsist- 
 ence from slave labor, but having a colorcd family and child- 
 ren, motives ofnecessity and self-preservation havc induced me 
 to labor for a similar object to yours, in which I have been 
 employed for some time past; therefore, as wisdom is most 
 certaiñly altained from comparing the facts proved by experi- 
 ment, I thought that it would be inleresting to you and to niany 
 of your readers, to be informed of the result of my Colonization 
 experimenls, made in the Island of Haiti, the convcnient sitúa- 
 
4() LETTERS ON HAITÍ. 
 
 tion of which and its nearness to tlie place where the emigrants 
 livecl, induced me to give it a preferenc^. A full account of 
 ihese experimcnts follows, and iheir importance may excuse the 
 lenglh of ihis communication. 
 
 About eighteen months ago, I carried out my son George 
 Kingsley, a healthy colored man of uncorrupted moráis, about 
 thirty years of age, tolerably well ediicatcd, of very industrious 
 habits, and a native of Florida, togelher with six prime A frican 
 men, my own si aves, liberated for ihat express purpose, to the 
 northeast side of the island of Haiti, near Porte Píate, where we 
 arrived in the month of Oclober, 1836, and after application to 
 the local authoritics, from whom I rented some good land near 
 the sea, and thickly.tímbered with lofty woods, í set ihem to 
 work cutting down trees about the middle of November, and 
 returned home to Florida. My son wrote to us frequently, 
 giving an account of his progress. Some of the fallen timber 
 was dry enough to burn off in January, 1837, when it was 
 cleared np, and eight acres of corn planted, and as soon as cir- 
 cumstances would allow, sweet potatoes, yaras, cassava, rice, 
 beans, peas, plantains, oranges, and all soits of fruit-trees, were 
 planted in succession. In the month of October, 1837, I again 
 set off for Haiti, in a coppered brig of 150 tons, bought for the 
 purpose, and in five days and a half, from St. Mary's in Geor- 
 gia, landcd my son's vvife and children at Porte Píate, together 
 with the wives and children of his servants, now working for 
 him under an indenture of nine years; also two additional fami- 
 lias of my slaves, all liberated for the express purpose of trans- 
 portation to Haiti, where tliey were all to have as much good 
 land in fee, as they could cultívate, say ten acres for each fami- 
 ly, and all its proceeds, together with one-fourth partofthe nett 
 proceeds of thcir labour on my son's farm, for themselves ; also 
 victuals, clothes, medical attendance, &c., gratis, besides Sa- 
 turdays and ¡Sundays, as days of labour for themselves, or of 
 rest, just at their option. ' 
 
 On my arrival at my son's place, called Cabaret (twcnty- 
 seven miles east of Porte Píate) in November, 1837, as before 
 statcd, I found every thing in the most flattering and prosper- 
 oijs condilion. They had all.enjoyed good health, were over- 
 ílúwing with the mostdelicious variety and abundance of fruits 
 and provisions, and were overjoyed at again meeting their wives 
 and children, whom they could introduce into good comfovtable 
 log houscs allnicely white-washed, and in the midst of a pro- 
 fuse abundance of good provisions, as they had generally clear- 
 ed fíve or six acres of land each, which being very rich, and 
 planted with every variety to eat or to sell, they had be- 
 
LETTERS ON HAITÍ. 47 
 
 Come traders in rice,'corn, potatoes, sugarcane, fowls, peas,bedns, 
 iu shori every thing lo sel I on their ovvn account, and had already 
 laid up ihirty or forty dollars apiece. My son's l'arm was upon 
 a larger scale, and í'urnislied wiih more commodious dwelling 
 houses, also, with store and oul houses. In nine monllis he had 
 made and houscd tliree crops of corn of Ivvenly-five bushels to 
 the acre, each, or one crop every ihrce months. His high land 
 rice, which was equal to any in CaroHna, so ripe and lieavy as 
 some of it to be couched or leaned dovvn, and no bird had ever 
 troubled it, ñor had any of the fields ever bcen hoed, there be- 
 ing as yet no appearance of grass. His cotlon was of an excel- 
 lent staple ,' in sevenmonihs it h;id attained the height of fif- 
 teen feet ; the stalks vvere ten inches in circumference, and had 
 upvvards of five hundred large boles on each slalk, not a worm 
 or red bugas yet to be secn.) His yams, cassava, and sweet 
 potatoes, were incredibly large, and plentifully thick in the 
 ground ; one kind of sweei. potato, lately introduced from Ta- 
 heita (formerly Otalieita) Island in the Paciñc was of peculiar 
 excellonce ; it tasted like new flour, and grew to an ordinary 
 size in one month. Thosc 1 eat my at son's had been planted 
 ñve wceks, and were as big as our full-grown Florida potatoes». 
 His sweet orange trees budded upon wild stalks cutoff, (which 
 every wliere abound) about six months before, had large tops, 
 and the buds were swelling as if preparing to flower. My son 
 reported that his people had all enjoyed excellent healtli, a^d had 
 labored jiist as sleadily as ihey formerly did in Florida, and wcrc 
 well satisfied wilh their situation, and the advantageous exchange 
 of circumstances ihey had made. 'I hey all enjoyed the fiiendship 
 of the neighboring inhabitants, and the cntire confidence of the 
 Haítian government. 
 
 I remained with my son all January, 1^38, and assisted him 
 in making improvements of different kinds, amongst which was 
 a new two story house, and then lefl him lo go to I'ort-au-Prince 
 where I obtained a favorable answer from the President oí 
 Haíti, to his petilion, asking for leave to own in fee simple, the 
 same tract of land upon which he then livcd as a tenant, paying 
 rent to tlidfaítien (íovcrnment, which was ordered to be sur- 
 veyed to him, and vaUícd, and not expected to exceed the sum 
 of ihree thousand dollars. After obtaining ihis land in fee for 
 my son, reiurncd to Florida in February, 1838. 
 
 As France has now conscnted to the independencc of Haiti, 
 to which ii has formally relinqiiishcd all its claims, I will say a 
 fevv words, in answer to some objcclioiis which I have heard 
 jnade by very-prudent people, to the policy of encouraging the 
 growth and civilizalion of ihe Island of Haili^ which objections^ 
 
4B LETTERS UN ilAITh 
 
 I presume, originalcd in the fear of having a free colored Go- 
 vernment and puwerful peoT)le, so near our own slaveholding 
 States. It this evil of situalion, arising from a natural cause, 
 could be obviated, it certaiñly would be prudent lo remove it. 
 But as Haiti enjoys so many permanent natural advantages 
 over any cqual poition of our neighboring continent, eitlier as it 
 relates to climale, soil, or situalion, moreover its great extent 
 and exliaordinary fertility render it capable of supporting apo- 
 jndation, of at least fourteen millions of peoplc, which, indepen- 
 denl of all our eíforts to the contrary, will fiU up by natural in- 
 crease in a few years, would it not be our besi policy to culti- 
 vate a friendly understanding with a formidable peopl'e, improve 
 iheir moral habits, and advance tlieir civilization as fast as lies 
 in our power ? Haiii was formerly the commercial emporium 
 of the wesiern world ; it supplied both hemispheres with sugar 
 and cofFee ; it is now recovering fast from a state. of anarchy 
 and destitution, brought on by ihe French Kevolution. Its Go- 
 vernment stands on a xcry respectable footing, and it onl}^ re- 
 quires capital and educalion, to become a country of great com- 
 mercial imporlance, and able to supply the whole consumplion 
 of the United States with sugar and coffee. The European 
 nations are now taking advantage of this state of things, and are 
 cultivatinga friendly commercial intercourse with Haiti. Is it 
 not our best policy to profit by the natural advantages which we 
 have overthem, arising from circumsiances peculiar to our situ- 
 alion, and encourage as fast as possible the industrious and raost 
 respectable parí of our free colored population, especially the 
 agricultural part, lo emigrate to that country, now mostly va- 
 cant, which is within a week's sail of our own coast ? The natural 
 attachmentof those emigranls towards the country of their birth 
 would greatly help to promole harmony and good will by an 
 assimilation of manners, customs, and language, tending to 
 strengthen the chain of commercial relations much to our ad- 
 vantage. 
 
 Finally, sir, I have to observe, that if any colored people of 
 the above description should apply to you for further information 
 regarding Haiti, you may assure ihem of a good reception at 
 George Kingsley's estabíishment near Porte ríate, where ihey 
 will find plenty of good land lo cultivale, which ihey may 
 either rent or buy upon the most liberal terms ; and that six 
 months' labor as agriculturists, will render ihem entirely inde- 
 pendent of all future want of provisión. You may also assure 
 thcm of Haiti's being comparatively a much heal I hier country 
 than any of our seaboard counlries south of New- York. 
 
 I remain, very respectfuliy, your moet obedient, 
 
 Z. KiNGSLEY, a Floñcla Plantar. 
 
 
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