10 Chapter 2
Participants: 2 United States of America/41 Haiti
Outcome (and Settlement): Compromise (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: In 1861, Pelletier, an American citizen, embarked on a voyage from
New Orleans to Haiti under very dubious circumstances. His ship was an ex-slaver
and his crew characterized as nefarious, as he attempted to employ fifty black men
from Haiti to mine guano on Navassa. He was arrested, thrown in jail, and even
sentenced to death. His sentence was commuted to five years in prison, and he
escaped to Washington to present his case after serving just two years. Secretary
of State Frederick T. Frelinghuysen instructed the US minister to Haiti to follow
through with a previous order to threaten the use force if the matters were not
adequately resolved. A rebellion in Haiti postponed arbitration on the manner, but
Haitian president Lysius Salomon was finally able to resolve the issue on May 28,
- His Washington diplomat was able to negotiate a solution, which was signed
by Frelinghuysen and arbitrated by William Strong, a retired Supreme Court justice,
who awarded indemnity favorable to Lazare and Pelletier. Haiti tried to protest the
payments, and found excuses to delay settlement, but the settlement was deemed to
be conclusive and final.
MID#1530
Dispute Number: 1530
Date(s): October 16, 1888 to December 20, 1888
Participants: 41 Haiti/2 United States of America
Outcome (and Settlement): Released (Imposed)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: This dispute concerns the capture of the US ship Haytian Republic during
a period of civil unrest in Haiti, characterized by competing claims to head of govern-
ment by Francois Legitime and Florvil Hyppolite. The United States tried to remain
neutral on the whole issue but was compelled to demonstrate force against Haiti when
its ship was impounded on October 15. The ship, which left New York on a regular
voyage to Haiti (hence the name of the ship), had entered the port of St. Marc not
knowing that Legitime had proclaimed a blockade of the port. The American ship was
impounded and taken as a prize. Unknown at the time to the captain, the ship included
Haitian rebels. The United States protested immediately. Two American warships
arrived at Port-au-Prince to underscore the American demands for the ship’s release
and restoration to its owners. Legitime buckled and released the ship on December
20, 1888.
MID#1599
Dispute Number: 1599
Date(s): October 1889
Participants: 2 United States of America/41 Haiti
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None