Military Preparations in Hayti.

[Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce.]

Military Preparations in Hayti.

PORT AU PRINCE, July —, 1850.

The most prominent item of news, in public affairs here, for the last few months, is the rumor of another onset by Soulouque upon the Dominicans. As far as any foreigner, or native even, can consult, to prevent the march of the emperor against the Dominicans, and bring about a treaty between the two parties, no move has been known in relation to this matter; but the consuls of Great Britain and France have sent a joint note to the emperor; and it is reported that they have each, in the name of their governments, remonstrated with the emperor against his contemplated march against St. Domingo.

As it is only moral force that these consuls use, it is uncertain how their labors will result. The emperor has seemed madly bent upon subduing the Dominicans, and the past few months have been one scene of preparation for another onset. When crowned, he was declared emperor of the entire island; and at that time, and since, the Dominicans retained possession of their territory, which is about two-thirds of the island. None of Soulouque's predecessors, since Boyer's reign, have reigned over the Spanish part. When the Haytians revolted against Boyer, and he was compelled to fly from the island, the Dominicans declared themselves independent, and have maintained their independence ever since. The route from Port-au-Prince to St. Domingo is not comparatively smooth. I have several times seen a young Dominican woman, taken prisoner last march, and dragged to a cannon over the entire route to Azua, and the river a few miles beyond, where they met with their defeat, and then marched back again through the desert to Port-au-Prince. In this march they took two days to reach River de las Damas, 21 leagues, and then marched upon Azua, which they took after a three days' fight. In marching this far, Soulouque's army was so short of food that what they could carry in their knapsacks was soon exhausted; and then, in that extreme distress, they had to satisfy their hunger for the time, and also to march on to subduing the Spanish side. But St. Domingo was yet a long way off, and the intermediate town of Azua, the only one of note that was taken, and his reign over the Dominican thus rendered short.

The flour they had here was baked, and one biscuit given to each soldier; and thus provided, away went the army, three to four miles an hour.

To reach and cross the river Ocoa, the emperor had built, with great labor, a wooden bridge. The only route to the river was by a narrow pass between two hills of high elevation, and immediately upon the edge of the sea. The Dominicans, knowing that this was their only route, had stationed two or three of their small war-vessels immediately abreast this passage, and were able to pour upon them a fire so destructive, that Soulouque's army was checked. However, with great loss of life, they succeeded in reaching the banks of the river Ocoa. This, as I have already hinted, proved to be the fatal step for them. On the bank of the river which they occupied was a level plain, but the opposite side was a high cliff, which the Dominicans held; and a few pieces posted upon this eminence, were enabled successfully to resist all their efforts to cross the river. Here the army remained for five days broiling in a hot sun, without an ounce of provision, or a drop of water, from its intensity, and the great body of them were on the point of starvation. The emperor himself (from what those who have spoken to him told me) that he was obliged to eat raw beef, without salt, to keep his mouth damp, as his comrades did theirs, by holding a lead bullet in it. Wells were dug, but salt water only was obtained; and while the men were thus suffering, and the horses upon which the officers rode were dying from thirst, the river Ocoa rolled immediately before them! and the starved soldiers, in their ecstacies at their distress, would go down to the edge to drink, and then, mad with the salt water, jump into the river before them! Yet every man and company of men, who undertook to cross the river, paid for his temerity with his life.

Desperate as affairs were, Soulouque seemed determined not to abandon his cherished purpose. When his under officers came to remonstrate with him on the distress of the troops, and their consequent insubordination, he reproached them with want of bravery; and beat them from his presence with his cane. At length he was compelled to desist.

Since that signal defeat the emperor seems conscious of the great mistake it was to undertake this march without the aid of war-vessels, to enable him to effect this pass; consequently, he has been making great efforts to increase his navy, which he has a good deal more than doubled within the last few months. These additions consist of an Austrian ship of about 900 tons, at the rumored price of $150,000; two Danish brigs, which, together, are said to have cost them $40,000; and a Curacoa schooner, for $12,000. Besides these, it is said that a steamer is being built for him in England, and a vessel of war.

I need hardly say that these vessels have paid "somebody" a good round profit. It has been most painful to be upon the island for the last twelve months, and witness the distress that has been occasioned by the preparations that have been made to carry on war against the Dominicans. Merchants, mechanics, school teachers, young men from stores, and indeed nearly every possible class and condition of the people, have been drafted by force to form an army, and sent to join the army. Some of these have been taken away from their business, which has been left to suffer, and perhaps they are completely ruined. Others have been taken from large families, who depend upon them for their daily bread; others have been taken from school, which have been thereby broken up. It does not matter much though a man's private fortune is ruined, though a wife and large family of children are left to beggary and starvation, though mothers and sisters suffer the agonies of a thousand deaths, when sons and brothers are torn away from them. Soldiers must be had; the Dominicans must be conquered. "Vive l'indivisibilite du territoire!" So says Faustin, and so it must be.