The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-11-12

looked to by the United States government than
they have heretofore been. No American vessel
OF war has touched here for several years. Let
the head of the navy department order one TO do
so let HIM instruct her commander to enquire
after resident American citizens and their interests,
cad whether any among them are denied any rights
or exemptions which the law and usage OF ma
tons guaranty TO the foreign residents Of county
Such a step, with such instructions faithfully
carried out-as they certainly would be, II COM
m,ited TO any officer OF the American navy would
have most salutary and abiding effect. Sach a
visit, so far from creating i'll feeling, the writer
knows would be considered comphmen tary, while
itwould show thatthe American government is jea-
lous OF any infringement of the rights and privileges
secured to It's citizens by the code of nations, the
nice prescriptions and distinctions OF which, It is
to be feared, the Spanish States of the new world
do not always regard with the most scrupulous
care.
This republic, now--s,nce the .s7th Of February
ast-fa the fifth year OF its existence, has not yet
been recognised by any nation. Soon after the
missioner was sent to Washington, for the purpose
OF obtaining Its recognition by the United states.
He did not, however, succeed in efiecting the
object OF Has MISSION
Since that time, this government has sea: COM
missloners 10 Europe, TO endeavOr TO obtain the
recognition of the new republic by the ceurts OF
Spain, France, and Great Britain The ann has
been first obtain ats recognition by che frs.
very desirable, If not, indeed, necessary 9relimi-
nary to obtaining that Of the other two account
OF the old unextinguIshed and unrenOunced Il lie to
the crown OF Spain to the territory OF this, her
ancient colony
To make this clearly iAtelgbe, it may be well
TO remark that, by the treaty of Basle, some
half century since, the territory Of the old
Spanish portion of the island, now embraced
within, and co-extensive with, the limits of this
public, was ceded to France, as have stated in a
former letter. who held possession until the year
1909 or 1910, when Spain again resumed her an
Gent title and possession, IN virtue OF the treaty
OF Paris, and continued thenceforward to hold il
under The rule OF royal governors appointed bv the
Crown, until the Both of November, 1921, on or
about which particular date the Spanish Governor
was deposed in popular instruction, put on board
a vessel, and sent home to Spain. The home 60
vernment seems to have been too much occupied
with other affairs TO resent or notice this at all
events this was the last governor sent out to rule
the colony, and the inhabitants who had, on his
expulsion, formed a provisional government, after
much intestine and party strife, at last hoisted the
lie de clining to receive within it's territorial limits
the profered island colony the inhabitants were
again thrown back on their own governmental re-
sources and abilities, and after many scenes OF
anarchy, they-Or a faction OF them, at least, for
the thing is matter of dispute here-invted
Boyer to come and take pc. session of the country
which that dlgnltary responded to by marching
his army to this city, has been stated in for
mer letter, IN the year 1922. The occupation by
Haytl, thus commenced, continues the chain OF
overriding titles, by occupancy, down to the year
1914, the era OF It's separation from that republic,
and of its erection into the present independent
Dominican republic.
This brief historical recapitulation-in some re
spects more complete than the account have pre-
viously glven-shows the foundation and present
state Of the old Spanish title TO the territory of this
republic; title which has been so long and so
frequently oyer-ridden without protestatlon. by
nj IN he b,1rt
suppose, almost beyond the power or reach of re-
surectlonary Tesuscltatlon. have said, without
protestahon. That is not altogether correct for
the whole OF the above period, as will appear by
the following historical anecdote, which have
from good authority, and repeat, partly TO pre-
serve a historical fact of which there IS / believe
no record existing, on this side of the ocean at
least, save among the musty public archives at
cal astueness of the shrewd Haytien chief, Bower.
In or about the year 1877, the King of SPAN sent
an envoy, one Senior De Castro, to Port au Prince.
to formally demand of President Boyer the sur
render TO the Spanish crown Of this part of the
island, at that time constituting, as has been seen,
a part of the Hayden republic. To his demand.
made at an interview held for that purpose,
the cunning black chief replied that he had TAX en-
possession OF 1t, at the solicitation of its inh abb
tants but that he willing and dlsposed to refe
the question back TO them, whether they would
remain as they were, an integral portion of the
Hayden republic, or return under the dominion Of
the crown of Spain. II they should decide by
their popular voice, IN favor of the latter course
he had no objection to their adopting 1t. No d ,.
cided offence could be taken at so seemingly fan
proposition while, at the same time the envoy
knew as well as President Boyer did, what would
be the result II the matter were to be submitted to
this method OF decision; for large majority of the
present citizens were recently emancpated slaves,
and those who sympathyzt with them from being
of the same color and OF similar class and
these would, OF course, have equal voice with
Ayhar aIa1 NJ Ia., Al.
which, TO the emanclpated portion of them, would
be no less than question OF continued freedom,
or return TO servtude under Spanish masters
The envoy herenrrnn took his leave, and the de-
mand was prosecuted no further.
The last de spatches, within the writer's know
ledge, received by this government from their com.
mlssioners in Europe, were of the date of No
yember last, from Madrid, IN which they express
themselves as entertaining strong hopes of OBJ.
tanning the recognition of the republic. II had In
fact, some time previous, been expressly promised
by the Spanish minister but his displacement
very soon after, and the successive changes that
rapidly followed each other, of a similar kind.
had thus far delayed and prevented the termlna.
ton Of the negotiation.
As TO the recognition of this republic by the
government of the United States, that is ques-
ton for the authorities at Washington, in their
wisdom, 10 determine for themselves. / do not
sent, TO state what the opinion Of so humble an in
dIvidual as myself may be on this subject. have
thus far conten.ed myself mainly with stating
facts and circumstances of various kinds leaving
those who may read them-be they in authority or
olherwlse-to draw their own conclusions on this
as on other points. There, at least, so far as re-
CARDS this particular question, shall stop for the
present. Hereafter. | may perhaps present my
views, whatever they may be, on the point in con-
sideratlon, supported by as good reasons as a
somewhat favorable and tolerably well improved
opportunity for arriving at correct conclu sions
will have enabled me to bring together.
AMERICAN STEAMSHIPS At LIvERPooI.-The
Liverpool Dock Committee, at recent meeting,
have appropriated the ~ f.. corner of the Princes
Dock to tie New York Black Star line of packets We
notice one very curious circumstance which bias no.
yet found Its way into our papers but probably will
after this paragraph is in print II appears tina. appli-
cation was made some months ago, on the part of
American house, to have the docks the north of
Ssndin Basin wdensd to so feet SO as to admit Collins
line Of steamers of 30 feet beam Condera BILE debate
occurred One member of the board said II the Aerl-
cans would build such large ships, they had better
accommodate them ct home. Another said these