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440 LIFE AND TIMES OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS

ciency, because a white Minister by reason of being white, and therefore
superior, could obtain from Haïti concessions which a colored Minister could
not. It was also said, that I would not be well received by Haïti, because I had
at one time advocated the annexation of Santo Domingo to the United States,
a measure to which Haïti was strongly opposed. Every occasion was
embraced by the New York Press to show that my experience in Haïti con-
firmed their views and predictions. Before I went there they endeavored to
show that the Captain of the ship designated by the Government to take me
to my post at Port au Prince, had refused to take me on board and as an
excuse for his refusal, had made a false statement concerning the unseawor-
thiness of his vessel, when the real ground of objection was the color of my
skin. When it was known that I had not been fully accredited in due form to
the Government of President Hyppolite and that there was a delay of many
weeks in my formal recognition by the Haïtien Gmernment, the story was
trumpeted abroad that I was "snubbed" by Haïti and in truth was having a
hard time down there. After I was formally recognized and had entered upon
the duties of my office I was followed by the same unfriendly spirit and every
effort was made to disparage me in the eyes of both the people or the United
States, and those of Haïti . Strangely enough much or this unfriendly influ-
ence came from officers of the American Navy, men in the pay of the
Government. The appearance in the Harbor of Port au Prince of United States
ships of war instead of being a support to the American Minister was always
followed by a heavy broadside against him in the American papers. Our ships
seemed to be well supplied with salt water correspondents, men who had
studied the science of polite detraction at the public expense and had reached
in it a high degree of perfection. The arrival of an American war vessel
became a source of apprehension, and an Admiral's pennon in the Harbor of
Port au Prince, was a signal of attack upon the United States Minister.

Speaking of the acquisition of the Môle St. Nicolas as a United States
Naval station, one of these fruitful correspondents thus exposed the real
cause of complaint against me. "When by the active intenention and mate-
rial aid of the States, General Hyppolite was placed in power in October 1889
... American influence was paramount and had a shrewd and capable
American then been sent by the United States to conduct the negotiations so
ably initiated by Rear Admiral Gherardi, there would be a different condition
of affairs to report to-day. At Admiral Gherardi 's suggestion, a new Minister
was sent to Port au Prince.... The lack of wisdom, however, displayed in the
choice... has by the result attained become only too apparent." "Of the Clyde
concession it is perhaps, needless to say, anything.... It has failed com-