“After the vote just taken in the Senate, I shall not
trespass upon their attention, as I intended to do,--only
for a brief period, however. It is evident that this bill
is going to pass. I want the country, however, to know that
according to the rules of the Senate foreign ministers have
a right upon this floor, and we have set apart a portion of
the gallery for the ministers and their families. If this
bill should pass both Houses of Congress and become a law,
I predict that in twelve months some negro will walk upon
the floor of the Senate of the United States and carry his
family into that gallery which is set apart for foreign
ministers. If that is agreeable to the taste and feeling of
the people of this country, it is not to mine; and I only
say that I will not be responsible for any such act. With
this I will content myself.”
The question, on the passage by yeas and nays, resulted, Yeas
32, Nays 7.
So the bill was passed.
* * * * *
June 3d, the bill passed the House,--Yeas 86, Nays 37.
* * * * *
The passage of this bill was felt to be an important stage
in the warfare with Slavery. Governor Andrew saw it so, and
wrote:--
“The triumphant and exemplary majority which the
Hayti bill obtained in the Senate is most gratifying.
I am greatly rejoiced. The law, when passed, will be a
recognition of the _Colored Man_, not merely of Hayti. It
is a jewel in your crown.”
Joshua Leavitt, of New York, the tried Abolitionist, also saw
it so, and wrote:--
“Allow me to congratulate you on the splendid vote in the
Senate on Haytien recognition. I think it shows the benefit
of waiting for the right time, and then striking. This
action is final in regard to the supremacy of the Slave
Power. How can they administer a government that is in
amity with a nation of insurgent negro slaves?”
The joy in Hayti was reported by Seth Webb, Jr., our Commercial
Agent at Port-au-Prince.
“We all admire the way you steered the recognition through
the Senate, and can only hope for as good a pilot in the
House.
“The news of the passage of the Recognition Bill through
the Senate was received here about the same time with
that of the taking of Yorktown and Williamsburg, and
diffused real joy among all classes. The American residents
illuminated their houses, and had a good time generally.
“Your speech on the passage of the Recognition Bill
attracts great attention here, and, when printed in full,
will be extensively read.”[289]
Hon. Benjamin C. Clark, an eminent merchant, acting as Consul
of Hayti at Boston, wrote with the feelings of an American
citizen, as well as of a Haytien representative.
“The passage of the bill under your thorough exposition
of the subject will be a big white stone in our pathway
as a nation, and a gravestone to the vampires and Vandals
who have left nothing by the wayside but works of treason
leading to bloodshed and desolation.”
The feelings of the Haytien people were communicated by the
following letter.
“CONSULATE OF HAYTI, NEW YORK, 26 April, 1862.
“SIR,--I have the honor to express my high appreciation
of the important services you have so untiringly rendered
to Hayti, for which you receive the gratitude of all
liberal and benevolent persons who desire justice and
political equality accorded to all men, and especially,
in the present instance, to a people who, under many
embarrassments, have nobly maintained their position, and
are daily advancing in intellectual culture and in the
refinements of civilized life.…
“My despatches announcing the recognition were forwarded
yesterday by a vessel sailing directly for the Bay of
Port-au-Prince, and duplicates of my despatches will be
sent on Monday by a fast vessel for Port-au-Prince.
“I know the character of the Haytiens thoroughly, having
lived among them some fifteen years, eight years of the
time as Commercial Agent of the United States, and I can
imagine their hearts swelling with pleasure and gratitude
on the reception of the good news; and your name, Sir, will
be held in kind remembrance as long as Hayti exists.
“Be pleased, Sir, to accept assurance of my distinguished
consideration.
“GEORGE F. USHER, _Hayti Commercial Agent_.
“HON. CHARLES SUMNER, _United States Senator, &c., &c.,
&c._, Washington.”
The sentiments of Liberia were conveyed in the following.
“WASHINGTON, D. C., 10th June, 1862.
“DEAR SIR,--The children of Africa all over the globe owe
you the deepest gratefulness and lasting honor, for you
have been most prompt and punctual in vindicating their
cause, in advancing their interests, and even in suffering
in their behalf. But recently you have participated in an
act which touches with benignant power upon the great home
of this race, and which, combining with the generous and
beneficent policy of other great nations, will, without
doubt, serve to stir to unusual activity and to move with
a civilizing and saving power millions of human beings
throughout the entire continent of Africa.
“To you, Sir, to a very considerable degree, we owe the
recognition of the Republic of Liberia by the Government of
the United States.
“Had it not been for your masterly policy and your wise
discretion, allied to a most persistent determination, we
have reason to doubt whether the Bill of Recognition would
not have met with a miscarriage during the present session
of Congress.
“Thanks to your fast friendship, it has not failed, and
the Republic of Liberia has been brought, through wise
and cordial legislation, into brotherhood with the great
Republic of America. And believe us, Sir, your name and
memory will never be forgotten by us. Your virtues and
excellencies shall be recited to our children’s children,
your philanthropic course and painful labors shall be held
up for imitation to our aspiring youth, and your effigy
shall adorn the halls of legislation, of letters, and of
art in Liberia, with all the other great benefactors of our
country and our race, as advancing civilization shall rear
stately structures and noble courts.
“In our own behalf, and in behalf of the young nation we
represent, we tender you cordial congratulations and our
sincerest thanks, and we are, Sir,
“Your obedient servants,
“ALEX. CRUMMELL,
“EDWARD W. BLYDEN,
“J. D. JOHNSON,
“_Commissioners from Liberia, &c., &c._
“HON. CHARLES SUMMER.”
In the summer of 1871, the memory of this effort was revived
by a beautiful medal offered to Mr. Sumner in the name of
the Haytien people, as an expression of gratitude for his
defence of their independence on two different occasions,--the
first being the present speech, and the other a later effort,
growing out of the attempt to annex Dominica, with menace to
Hayti. As Mr. Sumner felt it his duty to decline the medal,
the Haytien Minister placed it in the hands of the Governor
of Massachusetts, who deposited it in the Library of the
State-House.