Notes on Haïti, made during a residence in that republic. T.1

Page 287

CIVILITY

OF T H E

CLERGY.

255

by his diocesan. This, however, does not a p ­ pear to be the first instance of an interloper having been protected by the Haitian govern­ ment. Under that of Petion, it is said that a Frenchman appeared at Port-au-Prince, and as­ sumed the character of a bishop. His imposture was exposed, without any further notice from the president, when pressed for allowing a person, so notoriously destitute of claim to his assumed character, to remain, than that " it was con­ venient." During the whole of my stay in this city I continued to maintain the most friendly terms with the clergy, for I was daily visited by the two canons, Dr. Manuel Gonzales and Dr. Thomas de Portes, to whom I am indebted for the copy of Valverde's History, which I had sought in vain in every other place. The cura of the cathedral, Padre Soto, and of Santa Bar­ bara, (a small parish within sight of the walls,) Dr. José Ruiz, also called upon m e ; and I am bound to bear testimony to their kindly disposi­ tions and unobtrusive discharge of their func­ tions. With General Borgella I also was on a very agreeable footing. I found him a frank, open, manly soldier, without pretension, well versed in the history of his country, as well as in the character of his countrymen, and exceedingly


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