HAITI, SAN DOMINGO, or HISPANIOLA, one of the largest and most fertile of the West India islands, extending in length from E. to W. about 390 miles, and in breadth from 60 to 150 miles, is situated between N. Lat. 17° 37' and 20° 0', and between W. Long. 68° 20' and 74° 28'. It is called Hayti, or the Highland country, by the natives, from the mountains with which it abounds, especially in the northern part. The country was formerly divided between the Spaniards, who were the earliest European colonists, and the French. The line of demarcation which separated these two divisions commenced on the S. side from the Pedernales or Flint River, and extended in a wavering direction to the River Massacre on the N. side. The country to the W. of this line belonged to the French, while that on the E. side formed the Spanish part of the island. By far the greatest portion of the country was in the possession of the Spaniards; their division being reckoned 220 miles in length by 120 in breadth, of which, though a considerable part consists of mountains, these are said to be little inferior in fertility to the champagne country, and to be equally capable of cultivation. The French division is of an extremely irregular figure. The land is deeply penetrated by the Gulf of Gonaihe, and is in some parts 170 miles in length, whilst in others it is not 30. It is nearly of the same breadth as the Spanish division.

Great part of the coast of this island is rocky and dangerous, affording but an imperfect shelter to vessels overtaken by storms. Many of the shipping-places on the southern shore are nothing more than open bays, which lie exposed to coast. the storms and hurricanes of the autumnal months. The harbour of San Domingo, formerly thought so commodious and secure, has become too shallow to admit vessels of large burden. There are, however, besides roadsteads and several small harbours, the Bays of Neyba and Ocoa on this coast. Into the former flows the River Neyba, which receives vessels of 30 tons burden; its stream before entering the ocean, divides itself into various channels, which, annually changing, confound the pilot, and render the navigation difficult. Ocoa Bay is a large and convenient watering-place, with several small rivers falling into it. The entrance is two leagues across, and it gradually widens to nearly six. On the E. side of this bay is the safe and capacious port of Caldera. On the S.E. coast is the great Bay of Samana, which, in point of size and situation, is one of the most important on the island. From Cape Rafael, which forms the southern point of entrance into the Bay of Samana, to the opposite side of the island or peninsula of Samana, the distance is 18 miles, which is closed in by a hulk of rocks and sands, the entrance only being left clear, with a safe and deep channel between the shore of Samana and several detached islands. This bay is about 60 miles long, and is surrounded on every side by a fertile country, suited to all the purposes of trade. Within the compass of this bay whole fleets might ride at anchor in perfect security. The River Yuna, after being joined by the Cambu, and meandering through the rich plains of La Vega Real, falls into the Bay of Samana after a course of nearly 100 miles. Bahia Ecossaise (or Scotch Bay), which is situated on the N. side of the peninsula of Samana, is a dangerous rocky place. Thence to Puerto Plata the coast extends about 60 miles in a N.W. direction, and in this space stands Balsama Bay, which has only 14 feet depth of water, and is of difficult navigation. The harbour of Puerto Plata was first discovered by Columbus; the entrance is narrow but safe, and the neighbourhood is rich in every species of timber trees. There are several other small harbours and bays on this side of the island; but the coast is in general rocky and dangerous.

A country of such magnitude as Hayti, containing mountains of great height, with valleys of corresponding extent, necessarily comprises great variety of soil. In general, however, it is fertile in the highest degree, being everywhere drained by copious streams, and yielding in abundance every species of vegetable produce which can minister either to the luxury or comfort of man. The soil consists principally of a rich clay, sometimes mixed with gravel, lying on a sub-stratum of rock. That part of the island formerly occupied by the French is mountainous, but fertile and well wooded, and containing mines both of silver and iron. The Spanish part of the island is mountainous in many parts; whilst in other parts the country is spread out into extensive plains. These are generally in a state of nature, covered with herbage, or with woods of immense growth and the most luxuriant foliage. The mountains intersect the island in two principal chains from E. to W. From these secondary and partial ridges diverge irregularly in different directions, forming beautiful and fertile valleys, with numerous streams. The highest mountains of the interior, particularly those of Cibao, rise to the height of 7200 feet above the level of the sea. To the N. of the capital is the valley called Vega Real or Royal Plain, which is by far the largest and finest in the island. Westward it extends to the old French line of demarcation, and in this part it is drained by the River Yacki; to the E., where the River Yuna flows for the space of 60 miles, it projects to the head of the Bay of Samana, and is drained by numerous smaller streams, which cross it in various directions. This valley may be said to extend in length about 140 miles, and in breadth from 20 to 30. Other plains also, of less extent, but of equal fertility and of easy access, are everywhere found interspersed among the mountainous tracts. Westward from San Domingo, along the southern coast, is the valley of the River Banis, extending from Nisao to Ocoa. Here the pasture is good; but the country is not so well watered as in the other parts of the island; an inconvenience which is sensibly felt by the cattle during the dry months. Further to the westward and to the N. other valleys are found; but where the land, as in this island, is everywhere intersected by ranges of mountains, it is impossible, in any general sketch, to describe particularly that continual succession of hill and dale which diversifies the face of the country. Eastward from the capital are those immense plains called Los Llanos, which stretch out to a vast extent on a dead level. They are covered with herbage, and the eye wanders unobstructed over the wide expanse of waving grass, which is occasionally diversified by natural clumps of shrubs. These plains occupy almost one-sixth part of the island, extending nearly to its eastern coast, being a distance of more than 90 miles, by about 30 wide. They form an immense natural meadow, covered with pasture for vast herds of cattle, which belong to more than a hundred different owners.

San Domingo has a hot moist climate; but the heat is mitigated by the regularity of the sea-breezes, and by the contiguity of the mountains. In the plains the thermometer rises to 96°, sometimes to 99°; but in the mountainous tracts it seldom rises above 78°. In the most elevated parts a fire is frequently necessary. In those situations meat may be kept for several days, and in the morning hoar frost is frequent. The seasons, as in tropical countries, are divided into the wet and the dry. The rains are periodical, and are heaviest in May and June, when the rivers, which at other times scarcely supply water for a continued stream, overflow their banks, and, with an impetuous torrent, sweep over the neighbouring plains. The climate of San Domingo is unhealthy to Europeans, owing to these violent heats and heavy rains; and hence all metals, however bright their original polish, soon contract a tarnished appearance. This is more observable on the sea-coast, which is also more unhealthy than the interior of the island. Hurricanes are not frequent, but in the southern parts of the island violent gales of wind, generally preceded by a closeness and sultriness in the atmosphere, frequently occur. These, however, are not attended with such fatal effects as the hurricanes in the Windward Islands.

The island of Hayti abounds in rivers and smaller streams, which flow from the mountains in the interior, in different directions, to the sea. Of these, the principal are the Haina, the Nigua, the Nizao, the Ozama, the Neyba, the Ocoa, the Yane, and the Santiago or river of Monte Christi. Near the S. part of the French line of demarcation is the beautiful lake of Henriquillo, which is about 60 miles in circumference; and though it is about 25 miles from the sea, its water is perfectly salt, and of the same specific gravity as that of the ocean. The same fishes are also found in it, such as the shark, seal, porpoise, &c.

The fertile soil of Hayti is distinguished by the variety of its vegetable productions, many of which are rare and precious. The mahogany tree grows to a great size, and is of very fine quality. The manchicel tree affords a beautiful species of wood, richly veined like marble, and susceptible of the finest polish. Several species of dye-woods are produced in the forests. There is a tree called the jagua, the fruit of which is accounted a delicacy by the natives; and of which the juice, as clear as water, makes a stain on linen which is indelible. Different kinds of guaiacum are found, as also of several other woods with the same properties, which grow unnoticed and nameless in those unexplored forests. The sideroxylon or iron-wood, remarkable for hardness, as its name implies, is abundant; and the oak also, which differs in appearance from the European oak, frequently furnishes beams of from 60 to 70 feet in length. length. On the N. side of the island are extensive forests of pine, which is much used for the purposes of shipbuilding; and Brazil-wood is found on many parts of the coast. The satin-wood of this island is heavier than that of the East Indies, and it takes so fine a polish that it does not require to be varnished. The cotton tree is the largest of all the vegetable productions, and is formed into the lightest and most capacious canoes. Every variety of the palm tree is found in the woods, of which they form a principal ornament. The palmetto or mountain cabbage is an erect and noble tree, which grows to the height of 70 feet, with esculent leaves at the top. In the congenial soil of this fertile island the sugar-cane, cotton and coffee plants, grow in the greatest luxuriance. There is also the calabash, the fruit of which serves as a substitute for earthenware; the plantain, the staff of life in the West Indies; vanilla, which is found indigenous in the unfequeted woods; quassia or si-marouba, which is a tall and stately plant, waving gracefully in the wind; sarsaparilla, indigo, tobacco, turmeric, ginger and rice plants. The fruits and nutritive roots of San Domingo are nearly the same as those of Jamaica; but they are more abundant, and extremely fine. Of these may be enumerated the choux carnaï, or Indian kale, with a variety of other vegetables that come under the same denomination; the avocado or vegetable marrow, the melon, sapadillo, guava, pine-apple, bread and jack fruit, mango, nuts, rose-apple, plums, &c., of many different species. Flowers in endless variety and splendour adorn the wild scenery of the woods, and exhale their fragrance in the desert air.

Little is known of the geological structure of the island, but a limestone containing vestiges of marine shells is the prevailing formation. Mineral springs exist in several parts. The most noted in the eastern part of the island are those of Banica, Yaya, and Pargatal; and in the west the chalk-beate of St Rose, the saline of Jean Rabel, and the alkaline sulphur waters of Dalmarie. The mineral products are various and rich, and include gold, platina, silver, quicksilver, copper, iron, tin, sulphur, manganese, antimony, rock-salt, bitumen, jasper, marble, opal, lazulite, chalcedony, &c. The gold mines of the Chibas Mountains, which, in the sixteenth century, were very productive, have been abandoned, and at the present day gold is obtained only from the washings in the northern rivers. None of the mines, indeed, are successfully worked, and hence these sources of wealth are reserved for the industry of future generations.

The indigenous quadrupeds of this island were confined to four species, which the Indians called Hutia, Quemi, Mohuy, and Cory. Of these, all are believed to be extinct except the first. Horned cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, horses, mules, and asses, have been introduced from Europe, and have multiplied prodigiously in the wild and extensive pastures of the interior. Wild fowl are abundant, consisting of various species of ducks, pigeons, the flamingo, the wild peacock, the mimic thrush or mocking bird, the banana bird, the Guinea fowl, the ortolan, and parrots of various species. The rivers abound with fish, some of which are very delicate. Turtle of all kinds are taken, and the land-crab is much esteemed. The serpents are not dreaded; but the centipedes, which are frequent in old buildings, are large and dangerous. The scorpion is rarely seen; but the venomous crab-spider, which is equally dangerous, is sometimes met with.

This island was discovered by Columbus in 1492, and was soon filled with adventurers, who crowded from Europe to the new world in search of sudden wealth. The natives were reduced to slavery by these settlers, who spread themselves over the island, and by their industry the colony increased rapidly in wealth and prosperity. But as it was chiefly by the desire of gold that settlers were attracted to this distant shore, San Domingo was in its turn abandoned for other countries of greater reputed wealth; and the country gradually declined, and, instead of yielding a revenue, became a burden on the mother country. About the middle of the sixteenth century the island of St Christopher was taken possession of by a mixed colony of French and English, who being attacked by the Spaniards, were forced to fly to the barren isle of Tortuga, where they established themselves, and grew formidable, under the well-known appellation of buccaneers. They at last obtained a firm footing in San Domingo, into which they had made only predatory incursions; and by the treaty of Ryswick that part of the island of which they had obtained possession was ceded to the king of France, who acknowledged these adventurous colonists as his subjects. The French colony languished for a while under the galling restrictions imposed on its trade by the mother country; but these being removed about the year 1722, it soon attained a high degree of prosperity, and was in a very flourishing state when the French revolution commenced in 1789. The population was composed of three classes,—whites, people of colour, and blacks. Of these the whites were the favoured class, who engrossed all public honours and emoluments. They considered the people of colour as a degraded caste, with whom it was disgraceful to associate on terms of equality. The black slaves ranked lowest in the scale, and they experienced from both classes all the evils of the most cruel bondage. A society framed of such hostile elements contained in its very constitution the seeds of hatred and contention; and in the course of the revolution which occurred in the mother country these were brought into full activity. The important discussions by which France was at that time agitated kindled a corresponding sensation in the colonies; and the hostile races of the whites and mulattoes were already violently inflamed against each other by the eagerness of their contests, when the national convention, in 1791, passed the memorable decree, giving to the people of colour the unlimited enjoyment of all the rights which were possessed by French citizens; thus at once breaking down all the distinctions which had prevailed in the colony, and which were sanctioned by custom and inveterate prejudice. This decree excited loud and general disapprobation amongst the whites, who immediately adopted the most violent measures. The national cockade, the badge of their attachment to the revolution and to the mother country, was openly trampled under foot, and the authority of the governor-general and the supremacy of the mother country were equally set at nought. The several parishes proceeded to the election of a new assembly, which accordingly met on the 9th of August, under the title of the General Assembly of the French part of San Domingo. The mulattoes in the mean time, alarmed at these proceedings, were collecting in armed bodies for their defence; and the whites were so intent on the meeting of the new colonial assembly that they offered no opposition to these assemblages.

Such was the state of affairs between the two hostile classes of the whites and the mulattoes, when a new and more powerful party, whom all united to oppress, now suddenly combined for their own protection and for the destruction of their enemies. On the 23rd of August reports reached the town of the Cape that the negro slaves in the neighbouring parishes were in arms, and that they were destroying the plantations and massacring the inhabitants. This terrible intelligence was confirmed next day in its full extent by crowds of wretched fugitives from the neighbouring country, who, having abandoned their property, were flying to Cape Town from the fury of their savage enemies. The success of this bold and deep-laid conspiracy spread universal consternation amongst the white inhabitants. The citizens in Cape Town were immediately summoned to arms, and the women and children were at the same time sent on board the ships in the harbour. Other measures were also adopted to secure the place against any sudden attack of the infuriated slaves. When these precautions had been adopted, several small detachments of troops were sent out to act offensively against the insurgents; but although partial successes were obtained in these encounters, the general result too fatally demonstrated to the white inhabitants their own weakness and the strength of their enemies. In this destructive war it was calculated that, about two months after its commencement, upwards of 2000 white inhabitants were massacred; that 180 sugar plantations, and about 900 coffee, indigo, and cotton settlements were destroyed, and a thousand families reduced from opulence to misery. Of the insurgents about 10,000 are supposed to have perished in the field, and some hundreds by the hands of the public executioner; and the rebellion, which had been hitherto confined to the northern parts of the island, now began to spread through the western districts, where the blacks were aided by the people of colour, and where, under their united devastations, the country was laid waste for an extent of more than 30 miles. At length they approached the town of Port-au-Prince with the intention of setting it on fire; and it was with great difficulty that a treaty was concluded by which the place was saved from destruction. This treaty was ratified by the colonial assembly, which also announced its intention of granting an extension of privileges to the free people of colour. But in the mean time the national assembly at home, under an impression of the ruinous consequences of their rash concessions to the people of colour, had voted a repeal of the law which gave them the same privileges as the whites; and the intelligence of this repeal reached the colonies at the time when the colonial assembly was holding out the expectation of general equality and freedom. The mulattoes, therefore, when they heard that the national assembly had repealed their former conciliating act in their favour, knew no bounds to their indignation. All thoughts of peace were now abandoned; and the war assumed a diabolical character of cruelty, each studying to outdo the other in acts of revenge. On both sides all prisoners were either massacred without mercy, or reserved for the more solemn barbarity of a public execution.

The national assembly at home, alarmed by the intelligence of these disorders, sent out three civil commissioners, with full powers to settle all disputes. But their authority soon fell into disrepute. Other commissioners were sent, and along with them 8000 troops. Unlike their predecessors, however, they adopted the most arbitrary measures; and about the beginning of the year 1793 they became absolute masters of the colony. But their severity at last provoked resistance to their authority; and having displaced the governor Galbaud, an officer of artillery, and ordered him to France, he, along with his brother, collected about 1200 seamen, with whom they landed, and being joined by other volunteers, attacked the government house, where the commissioners were posted with their force. A fierce and bloody conflict now took place, which terminated without any decisive advantage on either side, and next day the fighting was continued in the streets of the town with various success. In the beginning of these disorders, the commissioners had sought to strengthen their party by the aid of the revolted blacks; and a body of these auxiliaries, amounting to 3000, now entered the place, which immediately became a horrid and revolting scene of conflagration and slaughter. Men, women, and children were massacred by these barbarians without distinction. The white inhabitants, flying to the sea for protection, were met by a body of armed mulattoes, by whom they were put to the sword without mercy; the half of the town was consumed by the flames; and the commissioners, themselves affrighted at these disorders, escaped to the sea-shore, whence, under cover of a ship of the line, they viewed with dismay the wide-spreading mischief.

Ever since the commencement of these unhappy disorders, the white inhabitants had emigrated in great numbers to the neighbouring islands, and to the United States of America; and some of the principal inhabitants having repaired to Britain, induced the British government, by their representations, to prepare an armament with a body of troops to co-operate with such of the inhabitants as were desirous of placing themselves under its protection. At this period the military force of San Domingo consisted of from 14,000 to 15,000 effective troops, and 25,000 free negroes, mulattoes, and slaves. About 100,000 blacks had retired to the mountains to enjoy a savage independence, and in the northern districts 40,000 slaves still continued in arms. It was in these circumstances that the island was taken possession of, in September 1793, by a British force. But though the expedition gained some partial advantages, the climate soon began to make the most dreadful havoc among the troops, and prevented them from achieving any solid success. Toussaint l'Ouverture, who was appointed general-in-chief of the black armies of San Domingo in 1797, proved himself an able and indefatigable enemy; and at length the British were obliged to evacuate the country in the year 1798. On the 1st of July 1801 the independence of San Domingo was formally proclaimed.

But the war in Europe between Great Britain and France being by this time concluded by the peace of Amiens, Bonaparte, now chief consul of France, sent out an armament, consisting of twenty-six ships of the line, and 25,000 troops, under the command of General Leclerc, his brother-in-law, for the purpose of reducing the revolted colony of San Domingo. To enter into the details of the barbarous and bloody war now begun against the unfortunate inhabitants of San Domingo would not be consistent with our limits, nor would such a narrative be interesting to our readers. It will be sufficient to observe that the numbers and discipline of the force now landed, joined to the skill of its leaders, overpowered all open resistance in the field, so that the blacks, after several obstinate conflicts, and after burning some of the principal towns, were finally compelled to retire into the inaccessible mountains of the interior, whence they carried on, under their dauntless leader, Toussaint, a desultory war against detached parties of their enemies. Elated by this success, Leclerc now threw off the mask, and rashly issued an edict proclaiming the former slavery of the blacks. Toussaint was not slow to profit by this error. Having effected a junction with Christophe, who had still 300 troops under him, and being joined by the cultivators in great numbers, who were no longer deaf to his call, he poured with this collected host like a torrent over the plain; and having everywhere forced the French posts, and driven before him their detached corps, he surrounded the town, to relieve which the French general was compelled to hasten to the spot by forced marches with all the troops he could collect. Here he had recourse to his former arts, and he was but too successful in coaxing the negro chiefs, wearied of war, into a suspension of arms. Having watched his opportunity, he privately seized Toussaint with his family, and embarked him on board of a frigate for France, where, being thrown into prison, he expired in April 1803.

This act of cruel treachery spread universal alarm among the black chiefs; and Dessalines, Christophe, and Clerveaux soon appeared at the head of considerable bodies of black troops. This last contest for the possession of San Domingo was distinguished by a degree of barbarity which surpasses belief. The whites and the blacks seemed to vie with each other in deeds of cruelty and revenge. Retaliation was the plea still used to sanction every enormity, under which an amount of vengeance was at length accumulated on both sides, which nothing short of the utter extermination of one of the parties could thoroughly satisfy. The French, however, it was clear, were now gradually losing ground. About the year 1803 they were confined within their fortifications by the vigorous movements of the black armies; and though reinforcements were received from France, the French general was forced to enter into a capitulation with Dessalines, by which he agreed in 1803 to evacuate the whole island. On the 30th November of that year, the standard of the blacks was hoisted in Cape François; and the French troops, amounting to 8000, surrendered themselves prisoners of war to the British squadron, by which they were closely watched. In 1804 a formal declaration of independence was issued, to which were attached all the names of the generals and chiefs. The ancient aboriginal name of Hayti was revived; while Dessalines, whose military talents were in great esteem, was elected governor-general for life; and in October 1804 he was crowned emperor with great pomp. In this situation he began to display all the cruelties of a tyrant, massacring without mercy the white inhabitants, and committing the most barbarous depredations. A conspiracy was in consequence formed against him; and as he was advancing against the insurgents at the head of a few troops, he fell into an ambuscade where he was expecting his own advanced guard, and fell pierced with balls. His power was disputed by various chiefs, of whom those best known and most successful were Petion and Christophe, the former ruling over the north of the island, the latter over the southern districts. Each having a powerful body of adherents, a civil war was the immediate consequence of their rival claims. In this war, which continued for several years, many battles were fought and many lives were lost; but the issue of the struggle was still doubtful, when in the year 1810 a suspension of hostilities took place, though no formal treaty was signed. From this period civil war ceased in the island of San Domingo. Christophe was declared king of Hayti under the title of Henry I.; and, in imitation of other monarchs, he created various orders of nobility, together with numerous officers of state. He assumed to himself absolute power, and committed the greatest cruelties, according to the mere caprice of his own arbitrary will. His tyranny produced general discontent, and at last an insurrection against him. Being deserted by his troops, he anticipated his fate by committing suicide on the 20th of October 1820. Petion died in March 1818, after having presided over the republic upwards of eleven years. He was succeeded by General Boyer, who ruled over the northern division of the island until the year 1820; when taking advantage of the death of Christophe, and the confusion occasioned by that event, he pressed forward with a considerable force, and took possession of every strong place in the kingdom; and in this manner the whole French division of San Domingo was united under one ruler.

The Spanish division of the island had been ceded to France in 1795 by the treaty of Basle, but it was restored to Spain by the peace of 1814. The feeble government of the mother country, however, was no longer able to control the revolutionary spirit which prevailed in the colony; and in November 1821 the Spanish governor was arrested by the insurgent party, headed by a lawyer of the name of Nunez, and a declaration of independence immediately issued. A strong party afterwards appeared in favour of a union of the whole island under one chief. On the 21st of January 1822 the Haytian flag was first displayed in the city of San Domingo; and on the 9th the keys of the city, and with them the dominion of the whole island, were surrendered to President Boyer. The independence of the new state was recognised by France in 1825, on condition that its ports should be open to the ships of all nations; that French vessels should pay only half duties; and that 150,000,000 francs, or L6,000,000, should be paid as an indemnity, in five equal payments, the first on the 31st December 1825. Thus, after a series of struggles, beyond all example bloody and ferocious, the whole island of Hispaniola, with its adjacent islets, became subject to one government, under the title of the Republic of Hayti.

Boyer continued to reign over the entire island till 1843, when he was overthrown and driven from the island by a revolution headed by Riviere, who succeeded him as president. After about four months the Spanish part of the island revolted, and Riviere marched with an army to reduce it to submission; but while on this expedition the other parts of the island revolted against him, and he was compelled to escape to Jamaica. A succession of presidents of short duration followed; and on March 1, 1846, Soulouque, the present emperor, was elected president.

Previous to his election as president, Soulouque (the present Emperor Faustin) was unknown to fame. Born a slave, he subsequently obtained his liberty, and became boots' cleaner to one of the illustrious black generals. He gradually rose by energy and undaunted courage, soon obtaining the rank of captain, and subsequently that of general. His ambition was thoroughly aroused by his rapid promotion, and he secretly resolved to emulate the achievements of Napoleon I., whose career he studied as a model, brooding over his plans for three years. In 1849 he carried them into execution by a stratagem. In April an alleged plot to assassinate the president was made the pretext for arresting all those persons he deemed likely to oppose his views. Of these he beheaded a great number, and many fled. In Port-au-Prince, his capital, a petition was got up on the 20th of August, requesting him to accept the imperial crown. No one knew where this petition originated, but it was signed by 354 citizens. This, with two other petitions, one signed by forty-nine generals, and the other by all the colonels, was presented to the Chambers on the 24th; and though it took them by surprise, they adopted the petitions unanimously. Next morning it was referred to the senate. Meanwhile a crown and imperial insignia had been procured and placed on the table in the Senate House. Soulouque modestly accepted the dignity thus "thrust upon him," and received the salutation of Emperor Faustin I.

The first act of the new emperor was to create a nobility; and dukes, marquises, counts, and barons, were created in great numbers. Bobo, a escaped galley-slave, was created prince of the empire; and all the nobles aimed at superseding Soulouque. Moreover, they all acted as spies upon one another, thus keeping the emperor well informed of what was going on. As might have been anticipated, Prince Bobo was the most violent, and was summoned to court; but knowing that death was certain whether he obeyed or refused, he fled.

Soulouque now resolved upon a solemn coronation in imitation of Napoleon I. Accordingly, on April 4, 1851, new uniforms were distributed to the troops, and on the following Sunday the ceremony of blessing and distributing eagles took place. On the 17th of April at sunset 101 guns announced the commencement of festivities in honour of the coronation. These continued during seven nights and seven days. On the morning of the 18th Soulouque, imitating his great model, took with his own hands the crown from the altar, crowned himself and then his wife Adelina.

The empire is divided into six departments, and these are subdivided into arrondissements and communes. The laws are based on the code civil of France. The force of the Haytian army is stated at 28,000 or 30,000 men, but of these about one-half only are considered effective.

All the European powers have consuls or consular agents accredited to Faustin I. He has no male issue, and his death will be the signal for another revolution. The revenue of Hayti arises chiefly from customs and port-dues, territorial imposts, sale of lands, &c. In 1850 the customs receipts amounted to L170,000; and in the same year the expenditure amounted to L216,856. The established religion is Roman Catholic; but other forms of worship are not prohibited. Church affairs are superintended by a vicar-general. In 1854 there were in the state 62 schools and 4 colleges, having in all about 9000 or 10,000 pupils.

The foreign commerce of Hayti is wholly in the hands of foreign merchants, who are permitted to reside only at certain ports, under irksome and injurious restrictions. The foreign commerce does not now exceed L1,000,000 of annual value. The exports are chiefly mahogany and other timber, dyewoods, coffee, tobacco, and cotton. The imports are British cotton and woollen goods, hardware, cutlery, fire-arms, gunpowder, glass, earthenware, &c. From France are imported brandy, wines, silk, and fancy goods. The population of Hayti is estimated at about 740,000.

The emperor has constituted Cap-Haitian, formerly Cap-Francais, the capital and seat of government of the empire. It stands on the N. coast, in N. Lat. 19° 46', and W. Long. 72° 10', and contains about 14,000 inhabitants. The population of Port-au-Prince, the former capital, is 30,000.

On the fall of Boyer, the Spaniards asserted their independence, and on the 27th February 1844 proclaimed the Dominican Republic. Hérard Rivière, who succeeded Boyer, marched with an army of 20,000 men upon San Domingo, but was defeated at Azua by General Pedro Santana, who compelled the Haytians to retreat within their own territory. The provincial junta of the new republic now formed a constitution, and elected Santana president. He was followed by General Jimenes in 1848. Soulouque, then president of Hayti, attempted in 1849 to reconquer the territory with an army of 5000 men, but was signally defeated at Las Carreras, on the River Ocoa, 21st April 1849, by Santana, who had only 400 men under his command. For this victory Santana received the title of "Libertador de la Patria." General Jimenes, the president, not being fitted for his task, and the invading army having been driven out of the country, Santana was called upon to restore order within the republic, and to force the president to resign. This effected, Santana directed the affairs of state until a new election had taken place, by which, upon his recommendation, Buenaventura Baez was named president. During his administration treaties of recognition and commerce with Great Britain, France, and Denmark were concluded. On the 3d July 1853 Baez was banished, and Santana himself raised to the presidency. It may be stated that Spain has not relinquished her claims upon her former colony.

The Dominican Republic claims for its territory the whole of the Spanish portion of the island. It is divided into five provinces, and has an area of about 17,500 square miles.

The Dominicans are almost entirely an agricultural people. The staples of the S. provinces consist chiefly of the products of the forests. In Seybo, however, the raising of cattle is the chief occupation. But by far the most industrious part is the N., generally called the Cihao, where the staple article is an excellent quality of tobacco. The articles of export are mahogany, satin-wood, fustic, lignum-vitae and brazil-wood; tobacco, hides, &c. The imports are chiefly flour and provisions from the United States, and general merchandise from Europe.

The constitution of the republic is based on that of Venezuela. The Congress, which assembles annually, consists of fifteen deputies, three from each province, who form the Tribunado or Lower Chamber, and five senators, one from each province, constituting the Consejo Conservador or Upper Chamber. The executive power is vested in a president, who is elected for four years, and who must be a Dominican by birth, and at least thirty-five years of age. The judiciary is exercised by a supreme court and various inferior and local courts, and the French code has been adopted in legal proceedings. In 1852 the revenue amounted to L76,853, and the ordinary expenditures amount annually to L51,300. No foreign debt is owing; but there exists a large home debt, on which the currency is based, and which is of low and fluctuating value. The army amounts to 12,000 men, and may be raised to 16,000. The navy consists of three corvettes and five schooners equipped as war vessels, and mounted with forty-four guns. The prevailing religion is Roman Catholic, but other denominations are tolerated. Pop. about 136,500.

The chief seats of commerce are San Domingo city and Samana, a small town on a peninsula of the same name. The city of San Domingo is situated at the mouth of the Ozama, on the southern coast, in N. Lat. 19° 46', and W. Long. 70°, and is the oldest European settlement in the New World, having been built by Columbus in 1504. The population is about 14,000, and the town is defended by substantial fortifications. The cathedral is more than three centuries old. The harbour is capacious, but owing to a bar at its mouth, vessels drawing above 13 feet of water are obliged to anchor in the open roadstead.