Mr. Morton. Mr. President,——
The Vice-President. Does the Senator from Massachusetts yield to the Senator from Indiana?
Mr. Sumner. Yes, Sir.
Mr. Morton. Will the Senator allow me to suggest that it might help to a better understanding of the proposition he is about to state, if he will say that they became one by the conquest of Hayti,—not by consent, but by force of arms?
Mr. Sumner. I said that they became one in 1822, and that they continued one till 1844. To what extent arms played a part I have not said. Suffice it to say that Dominica constituted part of the Government of Hayti, which was administered under the name of Hayti. In 1838, while the two constituted one Government, a treaty was made with France, which I have before me, by which the Haytian Government agreed to pay, in certain annual instalments, the sum of sixty million francs. Since the separation of the two, Hayti has proceeded with those payments, and I think the Senator over the way will not deny that there is at least ground of claim on the part of Hayti against Dominica for contribution to those payments.
Mr. Morton. Will the Senator allow me to ask him a question about that?—because I do not desire to take up the time of the Senate in answering him,—and that is this: Whether the debt for which Hayti agreed to pay France sixty million francs was not for spoliations upon the property of French citizens in Hayti, and not in Dominica, and with which Dominica never had anything to do? That is the fact about it.
Mr. Sumner. Nothing is said in the treaty before me of the consideration for these payments.
Mr. Morton. The history of the transaction shows that.
Mr. Sumner. History shows, however, that the two Governments were one at this time, and I have to submit that there is at least a question whether Dominica is not liable to Hayti on that account. All will see the question, while Hayti insists upon the liability of Dominica. I mention this that you may see the relation between the two Governments.