ABSTRACT
Before I enter on the principal subject of this chapter, it may be necessary to state that, not having had an opportunity of visiting the southern districts of Hayti, where the nature of Petion's proceedings and the state of his people might have been best ascertained, the information I have to communicate on these subjects was procured from others, and is consequently of a very general nature. Imperfect, however, as it may appear, it may be relied on for its accuracy;—the persons from whom I obtained it, having, during a residence of many years in the Island, frequent occasions of visiting the territories of the southern chief, and of transacting business with the inhabitants. An European in particular, whom I often met at Cape FranÇois, had resided a considerable time at Port-au-prince, the capital of Petion's dominions; and as the object of his residence there rendered it necessary for him to procure information respecting the affairs of the republic, his communications to me on that subject were important and satisfactory.
