152
NOTES
ON
HAITI.
kindness by General Leo, Colonel Backer, and others. General Magny, the commandant of the arrondissement, was absent on account of his health, which had for a long time been declining. Some time after my arrival, I saw the general, who had played a very conspicuous part during the progress of the various revolutions. He had been one of Christophe's favourite generals, and had been created D u k e de Plaisance ; but he had embraced the republican cause, and ranged under the banners of Petion. He was a negro, and certainly one of the quietest and best mannered I ever saw. His demeanour was remarkably contrasted with that of most of his compatriots. He had served in Toussaint's guard, which he commanded at the memorable defence of Crête à Pierrot. He died lately, much lamented, as he possessed great influence with his own caste, which he is represented always to have exercised for the benefit of the whole community. The city has had a variety of designations — Cabo Santo, Cap Français, Cap Républicain, Cap Henri, and now Cap Haitien. The Spaniards still give it the aboriginal name Guarico. I t is built at the base of a mountain, that screens it from the north and the west, called Morne du Cap ; on one of the summits there is the