Office of the Historian

No. 175.
Mr. Bassett to Mr. Fish.

Legation of the United States,
Port au Prince, Hayti, July 29, 1876. (Received August 9.)
No. 463.]

Sir: I have the honor to represent that on July the 4th instant all my colleagues, without exception, hoisted their national flags; the ships in the harbor, among them an English man-of-war and a large English merchant-steamer of the Liverpool line, were dressed in bunting; the Haytian flag was displayed from the government buildings; the provisional government, of its own motion, sent me a note of felicitation, all my colleagues, the Americans domiciled or sojourning here, several government officials and distinguished citizens and foreigners, called to pay their respects at the legation, where the prosperity of the United States and the health of President Grant were proposed. Several persons kept “open house” during the day and evening, displaying the American colors paintings of Washington, President Grant, Frederick Douglas, and the signing of the great Declaration; all in honor of that great day, the one hundredth anniversary of the Declaration of American Independence.

I am, &c.,

EBENEZER D. BASSETT.
[Page 333]
[Inclosure in No. 463.—Translation.]
Port au Prince, July 4, 1876,
(73d Year of Independence.)
No. 753.]

liberty. equality. fraternity.

REPUBLIC OF HAYTI.

The provisional government to Mr. E. D. Bassett, minister resident of the United States in Hayti.

Mr. Minister Resident: On the occasion of this date of the 4th of July, marking the one hundredth anniversary of the independence of the great nation so worthily represented here by you, the provisional government has decided to address to you its most ardent felicitations.

Be pleased to accept, Mr. Minister Resident, with our good wishes for the preservation of the Great Republic, the expression of our highest consideration.

  • Dr. L AUDAIN.
  • M. ARNOUX.
  • L. ZAINS, aîné.