Notes of a Visit to Some Parts of Haiti, Jan. Feb. 1835 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1836. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... HISTORICAL SKETCH ISLAND OF HAITI. The Island of Haiti, called by Christopher Columbus, its discoverer, Hispaniola, and subsequently by the French St. Domingo, is situated between the 17th and 20th parallels of north latitude, and the 68th and 75th of west longitude, from Greenwich. The name Haiti, which is the only one in use among the natives, is the primitive name of this extensive country, and signifies in the language of its aborigines "mountainous land." The climate of Haiti, like that of all tropical countries, is hot in the plains and upon the sea-coast, but the mountainous districts of the interior are delightfully cool and salubrious. Among these (and they constitute by far the largest portion of the island, ) an almost endless variety of hills and valleys, woods and rivers presents itself.1 From this circumstance, as well as from the exuberant fertility of its soil, Haiti has justly been dignified with the title of "la Reine des Antilles." the iron yoke of oppression.1 It were impossible in the present rapid sketch to enumerate the hundredth part of the horrible cruelties perpetrated by the Spaniards upon the defenceless victims of their tyranny. Suffice it to mention the terrible fact recorded by Benzoni,2 that of two millions of inhabitants contained in the island when discovered by Columbus in 1492, scarcely one hundred and fifty were left alive in 1545. To compensate for this frightful waste of human life, and to obtain a fresh supply of labourers, the idea suggested itself to the minds of the Spaniards of transporting negro slaves from Africa, who being of stronger habit of body than the Indian natives, might sustain the toils under which they had sunk.3 A stranger to human nature might imagine that amid the enchanting scenery with which ...