Darius Denis to Ebenezer D. Bassett, September 29, 1871

B.

Mr. Minister Resident: Notwithstanding the formal assurance already given to you by my government that it intends to observe a strict neutrality in regard to the events which are taking place in the eastern part of this island, you again refer to the question in your dispatch of the 19th instant, which I have had the honor to receive, and you seem to raise some doubts upon that assurance of neutrality. You rest these doubts upon allegations communicated to your Government by that of St. Domingo, which, according to your dispatch, are corroborated by reports emanating from sources worthy of credit, and which are, besides, in accordance with the well-known sympathies of the Haytian government. Respecting this point, I will answer that these different allegations, to which, however, you do not seem to have, yourself, a full and entire faith, since, if the occasion required, they could not be substantiated by proofs, come, without doubt, from intrigues of factions interested in casting discredit upon the government of Hayti.

The respect of sworn faith, the observance of solemn engagements, taken freely, will always serve as a basis to the policy of my government, which would feel injured in its dignity and honor if one were, with reason, to reproach it with having violated the principles of right and justice universally acknowledged and proclaimed by international law.

Thus, Mr. Minister, I have noted with satisfaction that you mention these allegations under reservations, and that you show how grave would be the consequences resulting always from a non-observance of conventions made between two nations. In that respect we are in accord with you, and my government holds at heart to give you to-day a new assurance that it does nothing to foment discord in the eastern part, having no interest in entertaining among its neighbors dissensions which could be hurtful to them.

Our sympathies are in favor of the independence of the Dominican Republic. They are entirely in accord with those of the great majority of the citizens of the United States, who take the liveliest interest in the independence of that republic, as you express it in your dispatch. We could have no interest in seeking to annex to Hayti that part of the island, (nous ne saurions avoir aucun intérêt à attirer à nous cette partie de l’ile,) l’Ile,) and we give you the assurance, in waiting for proofs, that our greatest desire is to live in perfect harmony with it, and to entertain with our neighbors sincere and frank relations of good friendship and commerce to the greatest advantage of both republics.

Receive, Mr. Minister, the assurance, &c.,