it has always made it a point to treat foreigners, even when it observes on their part presumption of a nation demanding vigorous but necessary investigations. Very recently you have had a striking evidence of the extreme anxiety which causes the government to observe and prescribe circumspection whenever its agents are under the painful necessity of proceeding against foreigners. When the arrest of Mr. Lionel Jobert, a French subject concealed on board an American vessel, against whom we had very great causes of complaint, was under consideration, did not the proper authorities officially apprise the commercial agent of the United States of their intentions? Can the government justly be reproached with having departed from that entirely amicable line of conduct toward the agents of foreign powers who reside among us? Has the government on its part ever failed to manifest deference to their complaints, even when it has been unable to satisfy them? When the Haytien officers repaired on board the American bark William, they went solely to investigate some infractions of the revenue laws, although the government was in possession of charges against the captain of that vessel relative to misdemeanors of another sort, and unquestionably of a very serious nature, and it was only during their visit that our officials accidentally obtained a confirmation of the statements made in the charges before mentioned. Thus the government, in making lawful searches on board the bark William, exercised a right which cannot be disputed either by consignees residing in the country, or by the captains of merchant vessels, who, in coming among us, are fully apprised of all that the law requires for the preservation of our fiscal interests. It is understood that when a vessel enters our ports, custom-house officers and a guard of soldiers may be stationed on board while she is discharging. This law, although not rigorously administered, exists nevertheless in full force. That in regard to making searches, examining seals, also, the number of articles on deck, is no less undoubted; that requirement of our laws on that point are rather superabundant than insufficient. I am not aware, Mr. Agent, that for such objects, which are entirely without the province of the administrator of customs and of police, that there has been any necessity for the intervention of any consular agent. It is the first time, I think, that such a complaint has been made, and in what case? In the case of a vessel arrived without regular papers, which claims to have cleared from Mobile for Port-au-Prince, when the contrary is evident from all the ascertained facts, and when, furthermore, the gravest presumption appears to furnish burden of overwhelming probabilities against the captain, overtaken in default. I am inclined to believe, after you have attentively examined the different documents which accompany this letter, that you will be convinced that the Haytier officers of whom you complain have acted neither with the precipitancy, nor in the arbitrary manner of which they are accused, and that you will plainly perceive the untruthfulness of the reports which have been made to you, and which have influenced your despatch. There is even among the enclosed papers a formal protest, from the commandant of this place, from the harbor master, and from the substitute of the government commissary agent, an accusation which they indignantly repudiate, with proper reservation against whomsoever may have been its author. By my present despatch, and the papers which accompany it, you are enabled, Mr. Agent, to consider the affair of the bark William in its proper light; far from my government having anything to reproach itself for in the premises, or from having any satisfaction to make, it formally denounces to you the conduct of Captain Pelletier, reserving to itself, should it be necessary, an appeal to the justice of the United States, too elevated to condescend to tolerate acts which are reprobated by all nations who entertain self-respect. I think then that, after taking cognizance of all these documents, you will easily return from the first point of which, under the influence of a first impression, you have surveyed this affair. Deign to accept, sir, the assurance of my high consideration. Mr. F. N. LEWIS, V. PLESANCE, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Commercial Agent of the United States, Port-au Prince. Certified, true copy: D. HUGERE, Chief of the Bureau for Foreign Affairs. No. 1.] B. Mr. Plesance to Mr. Redpath. [Translation.] SECRETARY OF STATE FOR Foreign Affairs, SIR: A circumstance has occurred within these few days past of which it is proper that I should give you a brief account, by way of useful information. The American vessel William sailed from Mobile, and, after touching at Carthagena, Cienfugos, and the Grand Cayman, arrived at Port-au-Prince without any regular clearance, but furnished with an equipment indicating a vessel fitted out for the slave trade. On her arrival the captain, Pelletier by name, hastily imprisoned five of his sailors under a frivolous pretext. In the interval, the carpenter on board addressed a statement to the authorities, denouncing the captain as having come to Hayti for the purpose of enticing away a certain number of men, whom he intended to sell in the southern United States. He accused him, further, with having taken an English family on board at Carthagena, together with certain freight belonging to them, whom he afterwards. inhumanly put ashore on the Grand Cayman, retaining a large portion of their goods upon the score of payment for passage and freight. The authorities being warned, visited the vessel, and ascertained, beside the irregularity of clearance, the existence of a certain number of handcuffs, and a quantity of provisions exceeding the wants of an ordinary passage. Notwithstanding, the agents of government confined themselves to the fact of the irregu larity of the manifest and the excess of provisions, &c., and proceeded against the vessel in the same manner as against any other vessel detected violating the revenue laws. At the same time the English consul was officially notified of the detention of goods, made to the detriment of the English vice-consul at Carthagena. They also went to the prison, and the report of the examination of the five sailors under arrest presented charges identical with those drawn up by the carpenter on board against Captain Pelletier. Upon the complaint of the American. commercial agent of encroachment upon American property, as he says, the flag of the Union trampled under foot, &c., I replied to him setting forth distinctly the truth of the matter, and even informed him that should he not come to a better appreciation of the facts it would then become the duty of the Haytien gov ernment to address itself directly to that of the United States, to complain of the conduct of Captain Pelletier, and to demand an explanation. I send you enclosed copies of the correspondence exchanged with the American commercial agent. You will see, also, in No. 12 of the Monitor of the 3d of February, which I forward to you, the account of all that has transpired in that affair. I call your sincere attention to the facts set forth in this journal, and I recommend to your sagacity, if occasion should serve, the making such use of these documents as may appear to you the most advantageous to the interest of justice, of truth, and for the respect of the law of nations. I have nothing of moment to communicate to you. Our country enjoys perfect tranquillity. In running over the journal which is addressed to you, you will be able to ascertain the measures which the government continues to employ for the purpose of promoting public prosperity. Deign, sir, to accept the assurance of my distinguished regard. Mr. REDPATH. (Also see newspaper marked C.) V. PLESANCE, Secretary of State for Foreign Relations. Mr. Pelletier to Mr. Seward. 109 EAST 27TH STREET, NEW YORK, January 21, 1865. in SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, to be filed my claim against Hayti: among the papers Q-Depositions of persons at Grand Caymans, dated November 15, 1861. R.-Protest of master, officers, and seamen of the bark William, of New Orleans, dated December 20, 1860. S.-Opinion, original and translation, of Linstant Pradine, a distinguished counsellor of Port-au-Prince, dated August 7, 1863. ' I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, ANTONIO PELLETIER. Secretary of State. Q. UNITED STATES CONSULAR AGENCY, Grand Cayman, November 16, 1861. I do hereby certify that the annexed depositions were sworn to and subscribed before me the date and year above written, and I am satisfied that the parties subscribing thereto, namely, James R. Watler, Thomas S. Watler, William N. Thomson, Domingo Martines, and William Eden, junior, are credible persons, and that the statements made by them under sacred oath are true. From under my hand and seal, the above date and year. [SEAL.] GRAND CAYMAN, to wit: W. E. EDEN, SR., United States Consular Agent. UNITED STATES CONSULAR AGENCY, Depositions of the following persons taken before me, William Eden, senior, United States consular agent for the island of Grand Cayman, relative to the proceedings which took place between Captain Antonio Pelletier, of the American bark William, and one Juan Cortes, passenger on said bark, which arrived at this port in December last: James R. Watler, sworn, states that on Captain Pelletier's arrival at this port he went on board and engaged to supply him with fresh provisions, such as sheep, pigs, turtle, potatoes, &c, for which Captain Pelletier very honorably paid him. Relative to Captain Pelletier using force of arms, assisted by the natives of this island, to force Juan Cortes into measures beneficial to said Captain Pelletier, he solemnly swears to be false, as he was a party concerned in the auction business, and acted as crier. The goods not realizing the prices suitable, the sale was stopped. The next day Captain Pelletier and Cortes arranged that he, Pelletier, would purchase certain cargo on board the bark William belonging to said Juan Cortes for the sum of $1,000, which was amicably done. All papers relative to the sale of said cargo was done through an interpeter and apparently quite satisfactory to both parties. J. R. WATLER. Thomas S. Watler, sworn, states that he attended a public sale in December last on board the American bark William, Antonio Pelletier master, lying to anchor at Georgetown harbor. Goods exhibited for sale consisted of corn, soap, lumber, tobacco, &c. They not realizing prices according to expectation, the sale was stopped by the captain, apparently agreeable to all concerned, and that he saw nothing whatever contrary to a gentleman in the conduct of Captain Pelletier; and also states that he was in company with Juan Cortes twice that day, and that he heard him say nothing against Antonio Pelletier, and appeared to be quite satisfied, but very anxious to get away. THOMAS S. WATLER, SR. William N. Thompson, justice of the peace, sworn, states that the bark William, Antonio Pelletier master, was at this island in December last, and that he was in company with said Pelletier, and saw nor heard of any misconduct in him; and that he heard of no complaint made by Juan Cortes, who was a passenger on said bark William; and that if he had any complaint to make against the said Pelletier he had ample time to do so. As regards Captain Pelletier using force of arms, assisted by the people of this island, to take the goods of Juan Cortes, it is positively false and unfounded. WILLIAM N. THOMPSON, Domingo Martinez, sworn, states as follows: I am a native of Spain, but have been a resident of this island for seven years. Know that the American bark William, Antonio Pelletier master, arrived at this place in December last. Know Juan Cortes and his wife were passengers in said bark, and that he acted as linguister for Juan Cortes. Was informed by said Juan Cortes that the vessel was from Carthagena, and that she had put into this port at his request on account of the sickness of his wife, she being in a family way, and had suffered very much from sea-sickness; and that he, Cortes, agreed to give $500 to land him at the first port he could make. Is cognizant of the transaction which took place between said Juan Cortes and Antonio Pelletier, relative to the portion of cargo on board said bark belonging to Juan Cortes; know that the said cargo was put up for sale at auction, but as prices could not be realized agreeable to their expectation the sale was stopped. Deponent further states all the documents relative to the transaction were read to him, as linguister, and faithfully explained to Juan Cortes, and that he expressed himself to be perfectly satisfied with all and every transaction in the matter. Deponent further states that he was employed to go with said Juan Cortes to Jamaica in schooner Caspian, which vessel was chartered to take him, Cortes, and wife to Kingston; that said vessel got ashore on a reef, near Kingston, but was got off the next day without receiving any material injury, and they all arrived safe in the harbor of Kingston in said vessel, during which time Juan Cortes never stated to him anything against Antonio Pelletier. DOMINGO MARTINEZ. William Eden, junior, sworn, states that on the 19th of December last, the American bark William, of New Orleans, Antonio Pelletier master, arrived in the harbor of Georgetown, said island. The said master, soon after, applied to me as deputy consular agent of the United States-father, William Eden, senior, consular agent, being off the island-requiring me to note and extend a protest relative to circumstances which occurred on her voyage from Carthagena to this place, which I accordingly did, very minutely, from his log-book. The next day the said Antonio Pelletier stated that he had certain cargo on board, consisting of tobacco, corn, and soap, belonging to a passenger on board by the name of Juan Cortes, and that he wanted a vessel to take it to Jamaica, along with Cortes and family, at the same time stating that he had a claim against Cortez for $500 up to date, for putting himself out of the way to land said Cortez to the first port he could make. The vessel was got ready, and commenced to take in cargo, which I agreed to advance on to the amount due Pelletier, agreeable to the wishes of Juan Cortez, but as the cargo came out of the bark it proved to be considerably damaged. I then refused to advance on it. A public sale was then called, agreeable to all parties, by me as agent, and the articles were put up to public competition, but not realizing prices suitable the sale was stopped, and the parties, namely, Juan Cortez and Pelletier, had some contention about it in Spanish which I did not understand; after which I was made to understand, by Domingo Martinez, the linguister employed, that Cortez agreed to sell the said cargo to Pelletier for the sum of $1,000, which was more than it would have realized at auction, for which a bill and receipt, made out by me, was passed between the parties, apparently satisfactory. Cortez left this in a small schooner belonging to me, chartered to take him to Kingston, for which I received from Cortez $100 and from Pelletier $150, equal to $250, being the amount of charter. Juan Cortez took breakfast with me the morning he left, and expressed himself perfectly satisfied with my proceedings. WILLIAM EDEN, JR. GRAND CAYMAN, UNITED STATES CONSULAR AGENCY, November 15, 1861. I do hereby certify that the within protest is a true copy of the original filed in this office. Given under my hand and seal, the date and year above written. [SEAL.] W. EDEN, SR., U. S. Consular Agent, for Grand Cayman. R. CONSULATE Of the United States of AMERICA, At Grand Cayman, December 20, 1860. By this public instrument of declaration and protest be it known and made manifest unto all to whom these presents shall come or may come, that on the 19th day of December, 1860, before me, William Eden, junior, deputy vice consul of the United States of America for Grand Cayman and the dependencies thereof, personally came and appeared Antonio Pelletier, master of the ship or vessel called the William, of New Orleans, of the burthen of two hundred and fifty tons, or thereabouts, now lying in the port of Georgetown laden with a cargo of pitch-pine lumber, bales of tobacco, boxes of soap, and bags of corn, who duly noted and entered with me, the said consul, his protest for the uses and pur |