Xxxi.
On the 23d of April, on motion of Mr. Sumner, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, when he delivered [390] an eloquent and convincing speech. It was the first argument worthy of the name ever uttered in either House on that subject, and it did its work so effectually, that it proved to be the last that was ever to be required. Commissioners were appointed by the three governments, and diplomatic intercourse was at once instituted.On the arrival of the Minister of the Republic of Hayti, I sought an early opportunity of making his acquaintance; and with a letter of introduction from Mr. Sumner I called at his residence, which had been just prepared for the reception of himself and family. I was politely received by his secretary,—a handsome and gentlemanly young man—who said in fine English, ‘The minister will soon come in. He does not speak English well, but of course you are so recently from Europe you must speak French and Italian—one of which is his mother tongue, and the other his favorite.’ I was glad, for it happened also to be mine.
In a moment the gentleman entered with Mr. Sumner's letter in one hand, and taking mine warmly with the other, led me to a sofa. In my Note-book of the War Ms., I fined the following entry:
I passed a most charming evening with the Haytien Minister —no one being present but his Secretary. Having just moved into a new house—a modest but nice one—in the new part of the town to the North, he apologized for being non ancora perfettamente stabilito, although the parlor was furnished in exquisite taste. He was sorry that he did not yet feel quite as much at home with our language as he soon hoped to, and so we dropped into Italian. He told me more about his native Island than I had ever learned from all other sources; and as I desired it, he spoke freely about himself. [391] His ancestors had been slaves. He had been early sent to Europe for his education, and entering the public service on his return, he was gratified with the appointment to Washington on the recognition of his Republic. He spoke with veneration of Mr. Lincoln, and the hearty reception he had given him—but of Mr. Sumner he spoke with the deepest affection. ‘The name of no American,’ he said, ‘is so dear to the Haytien people as Charles Sumner—I cannot even except Washington himself. He left us only his grand example. But Signor Carlo Il Senatore! why, his picture is in every cottage in Hayti. He has done everything for us.’ Two hours flew by before I knew it. We talked of what the Italians were doing—of the progress of the Democratic principle in Europe—of Art, Literature,—everything. Young as he is—and he cannot be over 27—he has not only been superbly educated, but he has done a great deal of hard thinking. The study of government, especially the history of Free States, seems to have had for him a fascination; while his familiarity with our history and institutions is as striking as De Tocqueville's or Chevalier's. I came away altogether captivated. He is the most accomplished and gentlemanly foreigner I have met in Washington among the whole diplomatic corps. How my cheek burned when I thought that at no respectable Hotel could he have been received as a guest! Demon, darkest and meanest of all the hell-born crew! Thy name is Caste! The minister is just above the medium height—finely formed, brilliant face, the complexion being rather dark, but his cheek glowing with the warm tint, and his eye with the liquid beauty of the Creole—his voice soft, but clear and earnest; easy in manner, and what the Italians [392] so well call simpatico—his dress? well, he was so well dressed I don't remember what he had on. His acquaintance is a real acquisition in the dreadful rowdyism of this city, which has become disgusting during the war.
