CHAPTER XXIV.
GEFFRARD AS PRESIDENT OF HAYTI.
Fabre Geffrard was born at Cayes September 19,
1806. His father was General Nicholas Geffrard, one
of the founders of Haytian independence. He became
a soldier at the early age of fifteen, and after serving
in the ranks, passed rapidly through several grades of
promotion, until he obtained a captaincy. In 1843,
when General Herard took up arms against President
Boyer, he choose Geffrard for his lieutenant, who, by
his skill and bravery, contributed largely to the success
of the revolutionary army. As a reward for his
valuable services, he received from the new government
the brevet rank of general of brigade, and was commandant
of Jacmel, and in 1845 he was named general
of division. In 1849 he was appointed by
Soulouque to take command of his Haytian army sent
against the Dominicans, and in 1856 it fell to his lot,
by the display of rare military talents, to repair in
some measure the disasters attending the invasion of
St. Domingo by the Haytian army, led by the emperor
himself. Shortly after, Soulouque, moved thereto,
doubtless, by jealousy of Geffrard's well-earned fame,
