John Mercer Langston to William M. Evarts, November 29, 1877
No. 260. Mr. Langston to Mr. Evarts.
(Received December 14.)
No. 11.]
Sir: It is matter of gratification that peace and good order prevail at this time throughout the republic of Hayti. The usual crop of coffee is made, and producers are already making large sales of it for shipment abroad in this and other places along the coast.
It is claimed by those well acquainted with the affairs of this republic that it has not been, for years, so free from revolutionary tendency as at this time. And while the present administration is not wholly free from adverse, sharp criticism, as seen in the inclosure herein, taken from one of the most prominent newspapers of this city, it seems to be giving very general satisfaction, and may be said to be, in the main, popular.
It is certainly evidence of improving political health that such freedom of the press, as indicated in the inclosures herein, is tolerated. Freedom of debate, liberty of the press, agitation and instruction of the public mind, are the only moral agencies calculated to cure this government of its chronic and disastrous disorders.
I bring now to your attention the present apparently continuing peace, and the improving political condition of this republic, as promise, it is to be hoped, of its permanent condition at no distant day.
I have, &C.,