FOREIGN RELATIONS.


dent appreciation of the step he had at last taken. And yesterday the
cabinet issued a decree, (inclosure 4,) according to him a pension of four
thousand dollars per annum and a guard of honor. Last evening, when
he came with his staff to my house to take leave of my family, he in-
formed us that he should to-day leave Port au Prince for his home, at
Saint Marc, where he intended passing the remainder of his days in quiet
devotion to his personal affairs.
   Meantime General Dominque, both by his command as generalissimo
of the army and by his prominence and popularity as a candidate for
the presidency, is almost complete master of the situation. It is claimed
for him, too, that thus far he has in no way violated any provision of
the constitution or of the laws, and I suppose that, technically speaking,
this may be correct. It was likely, therefore, that his friends would see
to it that he should come to the presidency in some way technically con-
sistent with the constitution, if possible. The propositions to have him
proclaimed by the armies and to have him elected by a direct appeal to
the people were rejected, and the cabinet yesterday issued a proclama-
tion, (which I trust you will pardon me for sending herewith in the origi-
nal, as it reached me too late this forenoon to allow me to write out a
translation of it in time for the departure of the steamer to-day,) direct-
ing the election of members for a constituent assembly, which is to meet
at the capital on the 10th proximo, whose duty it shall be. (1)1"to
pro-
vide for the election of the'President of Hayti,, and (2) "1to make
a con-
stitution in accord with the customs and aspirations of the Haytian
people."   I have heard the provisions of the 'Proclamation as to the
de-
tails of carrying on the election severely criticised. It is said that they
in some respects contravene the electoral law. Of this, however, I am
not now called upon to give an opinion. But the great fact remains, that
the constitution of 1867, which cost the Country two years of bloody
civil strife, and for which Salnave was sacrificed and his friends perse-
cuted, has been found in the end impracticable, and may be said to have
no more a healthy existence.
   The result of the elections and the action of the constituent assem-
bly after the 10th proximo are awaited with no little, interest and
anxiety.
       I am, &c.,
                                         EBENEZER D. BASSETT.


                       [Inclosure 1 in No. 309.-Translation.]
No. 6.]                               PORT AU PRINCE, May 13, 1874.
                                           (Seventy-first year of independence.)
-Nissage Saget, President of Elayti, to the Cabinet of Secretaries of State:
  GENTLEMEN SECRETARIES OF STATE: Having arrived at the expiration of the
man-
date (itant parvenu au termne di(auvandat) which the nation confided to me
and having
taken all the measures which can guarantee public order and our institutions,
I have
the honor to hand over to you my resignation as chief :magistrate of the
republic.
  General Michel Domingue, commander of the department of the south, and
charged
with the commandment in chief of the Haytian army, General Nord Alexis, com-
mander of the department of the north, and -the commanders of arrondissements,
in
whom I have always placed my confidence, will lend you all their concurrence
for the
maintenance of order, the respect of person and property. Conformably with
the
one hundred and eighth article of the constitution, you will exercise the
executive
power during the vacancy.
  I pray the Almighty that the nation may, under your administration, enjoy
peace,
and place at its head the citizen who has rendered the most services to the
country.
  I have the honor, gentlemen secretaries of state, to salute you with very
high
consideration.
                                                       NISSAGE SAGET.


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