Hayti, or the Black Republic

If you then turn towards the sea, you notice that the valleys have expanded into plains, the rushing torrents have become broad though shallow rivers, and the mountains that bound the flat, open country push their buttresses almost into the sea. This grand variety of magnificent scenery can be well observed from a point near Kenskoff, about ten miles inland from the capital, as well as from the great citadel built on the summit of La Ferrière in the northern province. Before entering into details, however, let me give a general idea of the country.

The island of Santo Domingo is situated in the West Indies between 18° and 20° north latitude and 68° 20' and 74° 30' west longitude. Its greatest length is four hundred miles, its greatest breadth is one hundred and thirty-five miles, and it is calculated to be about the size of Ireland. Hayti occupies about a third of the island—the western portion—and by pushing two great promontories into the sea, it possesses a very large extent of coastline. It is bounded on the north by the Atlantic Ocean, on the east by the republic of Santo Domingo, on the south by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the passage that separates it from Cuba and Jamaica.

Its most noted mountain ranges are La Selle, which lies on the southeastern frontier of Hayti; La Hotte, near Les Cayes; and the Black Mountains in the northern province. Throughout the whole extent of the republic, the open valleys are bounded by lofty elevations. In fact, on approaching the island from