Jérémie. A government delegation arrives to inquire into the Riviériste conspiracy.

A few days later, by an order of Guerrier dated 12 April and countersigned by the minister of War, the whole territory of the Republic was placed in a state of siege, in consequence of the discovery made at Les Cayes, at Jérémie and at Léogâne of the conspiracy whose aim was to favor the return of Rivière to Haiti. By this act the military authority was charged with directing all the operations recognized as necessary; the military laws were declared in full force, and the persons accused of being the accomplices of Rivière were to be brought before the special military councils.

President Guerrier no longer knew what he was signing; old age and sickness had so overwhelmed him that he acted only mechanically. This was keenly to be regretted for the country, for his heart was excellent. He was an eminently honorable citizen. We know of no act of ill will, of malice or of cruelty on his part, not only under his presidency but also during the war of Independence, where, with the rank of colonel, his sword so often shone in the fighting, and under Dessalines, under Christophe, under Boyer, under Rivière. He had no prejudice of color. He liked to repeat that he loved the fusion of the races. He said one day to Geffrard, in a private circle at Port-au-Prince: “I love you; you are gallant, brave, intrepid and audacious; I am pleased with you, and all the more because you are a griffe; you will perhaps one day be the ark of the covenant between the Black man and the mulatto.” He most often closed his morning talks (in his old age he drank a great deal in the evening) by addressing the mulattoes: “Be wise, just and brave; above all, keep your sword belt well buckled, as you were under Dessalines and Pétion, if you wish to be esteemed by the Black people.” (*)(f)

The Government, wishing to inform itself on the ramifications of the Riviériste conspiracy in the Grand’Anse, sent to Jérémie a delegation composed of councillor of State David Troy, judge Larochel and citizen Mahotière. It was particularly charged to come to an understanding with the civil and military authorities so as to act effectively, while employing entirely impartial measures.

It reached Jérémie on 11 April, and the government published, touching this mission, the following note, which was published only after the death of Guerrier: