This Monsieur Chevalier had been educated in France, and was shrewdly suspected of having had a hand in drawing up the _Acte de déchéance_ launched by the revolutionary committee of St. Marc in 1867 against President Geffrard. Amongst the different articles are the following:-- “Attendu que le Général F. Geffrard assassine et empoisonne les citoyens les plus éminents d’Haïti: attendu qu’il entretient à l’étranger un très grand nombre d’espions et d’empoisonneurs _à un prix exorbitant_: attendu que toutes les écoles de filles de la république, notamment celles de Port-au-Prince, ont pour maîtresses des femmes d’une vie dissolue, afin de faire de ces établissements des maisons de séduction à son profit,” &c., &c. A Frenchman inquired, “Etait-il indispensable pour incriminer Geffrard sur ce dernier chapître de faire tort à toutes les demoiselles du pays?” Among the most remarkable works published in Port-au-Prince may be noticed the History of Hayti by Thomas Madiou (clear mulatto). As it was written in the republic by a Haytian for Haytians, it may be judged from that point of view. I have read it with great care and with considerable interest, and some of the descriptions have been much admired, as the detailed account of the attacks of the French on the Crête-à-Pierrot. As an historical production it is a work of considerable value and merit, for although full of prejudiced statements, and with a strong leaning against foreigners, there is, as far as local politics are concerned, an apparent desire to be impartial. This, however, is not the general opinion. St. Rémy, in his Life of Toussaint L’Ouverture, speaking of Madiou’s history, says, “Du reste qu’il soit dit en passant que tout le livre de Monsieur Madiou n’est qu’un tissu de faits érronés et de fausses appréciations.” The French condemn it as a false account of the war of independence, and resent the implied defence of Dessalines’ massacres. His partiality may be proved by his asserting that the French Governor Blanchelande was the instigator of the black insurrection. Madiou wrote his history whilst in Hayti, and after searching for materials among the old survivors of the war, whose prejudices were still warm. No doubt he was influenced by them, but the industry shown is undoubted. The friends and admirers of Toussaint had, however, a right to complain of the evident wish to depreciate the qualities of almost the only black Haytian who rose above mediocrity. Occasionally M. Madiou’s style is very extravagant, as in the description of a battle (see below[20]) which took place between the coloured men of Jacmel and their black antagonists. Never was there such desperate fighting since the days when-- “For Witherington needs must I wayle, As one in doleful dumps, For when his legs were smitten off, He fought upon his stumps.”