Deputies, and thus ended the sittings of the Corps L'gislatif for 1873. I
send herewith inclosed copies of this remarkable paper, accompanied
with a translation. In ,it the Presidentmakinga prominent the execu-
tive claim to patriotism and forbearance, states that after great efforts
and patience on his part he at last succeeded in rescuing the chamber
from the unfortunate dissidence into which it had been plunged in April
last by the inexperienced members, and in securing an organization of
the legislature in extra session, and that in his hope then that it would
not again voluntarily fall into the division which had in April rendered
it incapable of entering upon its duties he had been deceived. To his
first communications he says the Chamber of Deputies had responded
by an attack upon the executive. He affirms that he cannot, therefore,
further count upon that body for its concurrence in measures for the
public welfare, and for this reason declares that the motives which
prompted his decree of the 9th of May last, convoking the legislature
in extra session, have ceased to exist. The proclamation is couched in
unusually smooth language, but it carries with it some features which
have been construed as adding to the severity of its aim and purpose.
The plural form with which its fourth paragraph opens has, in that
peculiar connection in the French language, almost the force of a Special
pleading.
  The fact that it is first countersigned by the minister pf war, and
next by the minister of justice, the two against whom the vote of non-
confidence had been given, has been regarded as a menace of itself.
Some surprise was created because the minister of interior, who was
flattered by the National Assembly in its response to the President's mes-
sage, had countersigned the proclamation. It is true, however, that he
became somewhat excited and annoyed when before the chamber on the
same 12th instant, because that body would not accede to a proposition
which he submitted to it relative to the free exportation and importa-
tion of sugar. He discussed that proposition before the deputies with
unmistakable warmth for hours, and when he was at last defeated he
made no attempt to conceal his deep displeasure at the conclusion. I
do not know, however, that this had any connection with his signing of
the proclamation, though there are those who claim to see a link between
the two facts.

   Again, the proclamation from its simple wording might of itself seem
 quite harmless. It does not declare that the Corps Legislatif must cease
 its sittings, and by a distinctive feature of the constitution of 1867
 the executive has no authority to dissolve the legislature. But it was
 well understood that the firm intent of the proclamation was to close
 the legislative body, and that the executive was fully prepared to meet
 any consequences that might for the present come of the step it had
 taken.
   Indeed it is said on all bands, in such a way that it may be taken as
 a fact, that the executive has freely stated its purpose to dispel by force
 any further attempt at legislative sittings this year; and besides, troops
 in abundance are here or within ready call, all seeming grimly prepared
 for active service. Before these stern realities the more sober and solid
 legislators have philosophically recoiled, while the ardor of some of the
 more enthusiastic ones who have all along declared that they would
 stand by their posts in the chamber to the last extremity, has cooled
 down considerably.
   It appears to be the prevailing opinion on all hands now, that some
 sort of civil commotion must be the consequence of these proceedings.


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HIAYTI.,