The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-27 00:00:00

SPAIN AND SAN DOMINGO.

The Madrid Gazette of the 21st publishes the fol-
lowing document presented to the Queen of Spain
by Marshal O'Donnell in the name of the Council
of Ministers, relating to the re-incorporation of the
Dominican territory with the Spanish monarchy :
" Madam,—A happy event, eminently glorious
for Spain, and of rare occurrence in the history of
nations, has just taken place in one of the old pos-
sessions of the monarchy: A Spanish island, the
first of which the great Columbus took possession
—an island which was the object of the especial
predilection of that great Queen who, in a manner,
divined the existence of a new world—has just in-
voked, in the plenitude of its independence, the
name of Spit., and has laid at the foot of the throne
that same sovereignty which your Majesty deigned
to recognise in it some years ago. In those days
of public calamity the Dominican people implored
the assistance of Spain. Descendants of that heroic
nation, animated with the same spirit, speaking the
language, holding the same faith, this people has
always loved Spain, from whom alone it could hope
to secure that peace and prosperity which some of
her children had sought, but in vain, from an ima-
ginary and factitious independence. Spain, on her
side, could not look with indifference on the fate of
the Dominican people. She sympathised with
their sufferings, and would fain have relieved
them ; but it was her bounden duty to give no
ground for unjust and angry accusations. Spain
is great, and has no need to extend her frontiers
to occupy a distinguished rank among the first
nations of the world. But if such were her desire
she would never have recourse to means which
morality and sound policy equally condemn, be-
cause there is nothing durable but what is based on
right and justice. The proclamation of your
Majesty throughout the Dominican territory has
proved the spontaneousness and unanimity which
attend the expression of the national will. It
has not caused a single tear or a moment's uneasi-
ness, but was everywhere hailed with unfeigned
joy and enthusiasm. Already the Spanish flag was
flying under that sky to which the immortal
Columbus had borne it, with the gospel in his hand;
and where he planted that civilization, the most
glorious of all then known. It was the duty of the
sea and land forces of Spain to defend and protect
the independence of the Dominican people and in-
sure the integrity of its territory. These troops
did not take possession of the territory in the name
of your Majesty. Such an act, performed without
the assent of your government, would have tat-
nished the reputation enjoyed by that army for
discipline, courage, and loyalty. To reject the
prayer of an unhappy people, to expose it as a prey
to foreign ambitions, to turn a deaf ear to the cry
for union uttered by a whole nation which has ever
loved Spain, would be abjuring the glorious tra-
ditions of our history, would be, in fact, an act of
treason to our chivalrous and loyal character. No,
madam, it is impossible to reject the prayer of a
whole nation imploring admission to the bosom of
its mother country, from which it has been so long
severed. Whatever the duties which the re-incor-
poration of St. Domingo with Spain may impose on
the monarchy, on your Majesty, and your govern-
ment, all Spain will not fail to fulfil them.
Happily, there is no necessity for any change in
the social state. The inhabitants are free. Slavery,
the inevitable evil of the other colonies, is altogether
unnecessary for the cultivation of that fertile terri-
tory, and your Majesty's government can never
think of re-establishing it there. The Dominicans,
obedient to the voice of authority, will joyfully
accept the administrative organisation which your
Majesty's government shall think proper to establish
amongst them. All will equally enjoy the beneficent
protection of your Majesty. Before the august thron
which your Majesty so gloriously fills all categories
disappear, all party hatreds die away, and nothing
remains but a mother jealous of assuring happiness
and peace among her children. Your Majesty, ever
anxious to secure these blessings for her people, and
who has so greatly contributed to its glorious re-
generation, will display towards St. Domingo the
same interest and the same solicitude as towards the
other provinces of the monarchy. The Council of
Ministers has, therefore, the honour of submitting
for your Majesty's approbation the following draft
of a decree :

" Considering the reasons which have been laid
before me by my council of ministers, and cordially
accedingto the wishes of the Dominican people, from
whom I have received so many proofs of attachment
and loyalty, I decree as follows Art. 1. The ter-
ritory constituting the Dominican republic is re-in-
corporated with the monarchy. Art. 2. The Cap-
tain-General, Governor of the Island of Cuba, in
conformity with the instructions of my Government,
will take the necessary measures for the execution
of this decree. Art. 3. My Government will give
an account to the Cortes of th© present decree, and
of the measures adopted for its execution.'
" Given at Aranjuez this 19th day of May, 1861.
"ISABELLA.
" LEOPOLDO O'DONNELL,
President of the Council."
The
Madrid journals publish the following letter
addressed by
General Santana to the Queen :

" Senora,—The peop"leSt. Domingo,
Columbus raisedin these
ethos
nto ewu seit: aehna dt ahrel da
theirroi hCamnalocsBrit Castile,
and and who subsequently Pr:I:-
nationality and restored to the crown of Spain the
pearl of which she was deprived by the treaty of Bale,
who at a later period were dragged against their
wish from the coun try which theyhad always regarded
as a loving mother, to be subjected to an oppressive
yoke; who with heroic valour once again recon-
quered their liberty and independence, and to whom
is due a place among the nations—this people now,
Senora, deposits in your hands sovereignty over
theta, and joins their liberties with those of your

own people. The Dominican people, Senora, act-
ing in accordance with sentiments of love and
loyalty, which have long been repressed, have una-
nimously and spontaneously proclaimed you for
their Queen and Sovereign, and I, who have the
unexampled and unmerited honour of being charged