The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-22

DOuleS are again CHOSEN Dy vote OI Tue people III
their primary assemblies. The qualifications of a
voter are citizenship and the possession IN fee OF
real estate, or place Of the last, the exercise OF
some public office or employment, the profession
leasehod for at least six years of an agricultural
establishment in active cultivation. In these pri-
mary assemblies are likewise chosen the members
OF the Ayuntamientos Tor town councils) OF each
commune. Each of these last mentioned bodies
is presided over by the alcalde, who Is chosen by
the body from among its members.
The national mercantile colorss designated, and
now used, are blue and red, placed in diagonal
squares, separated from each other by white
cross. The military colors bear besides, in their
CENTRE the arms OF the republic, which are cross
at the foot of which is an open volume OF the
gospels, and both of these rising from amidst
trophy of arms, with the emblem OF liberty en-
twined with riband that bears the following
device, Dios, Patria q Libertad, Rcp~blica Domi-
nican; "God, our country and liberty, Dominican
republic"
memorating the separation; two, important VIC
tories; and the fourth, the publication of the
present constitution.
Under the article on religion, l remarked that
should again aude to that subject.
The assembly who framed the constitution were
divided in opinion in regard to religious toeraton
some being In favor of it, but the majority opposed
to such concession, and in favor of inserting in
lie exercise of any sther religion than that adopted
as the natiopa OH. The former, on the other hand
wished to have inserted an express declaration of
religious freedom. Now this question deeply in
terested portlon-though comparatively small
one-of the citizens, namely, the natnralized
American people of color, of whom / shall speak
| In subsequent communication. These were Pro-
tsstants, and had come hither in the time of the
far sacredly kept, of liberation and protection in
regard to their faith and its public exercise. The
discussion of the question of liberation In the as
ssmbly awakened their apprehenslons,. and many,
hart
minds to fly to the other part of the sland-as
many of their fellow-counrymen had already
done on the breaking out of the revouton-from a
groundess fear lest their old protectors being ex-
rived from them, would no longer be respected,
To quiet these apprehensions, solemn verbal as
surances were given them that the old guarantees.
given IN their favor by the late government, should
after, however, on learning that the article re-
llgion had been inserted in its present shape
which expediency required the friends of toera-
ton to acquiesce in-they again took the alarm ;
but their apprehensiOns were now finally allayed
by their being referred to previous article, which
declared has been seen, that no person could be
compelled to do what the law did not command,
nor prevented from doing what it did not forbid !;
terms, the whole ground, since the word I" law"
which might be legtimately interpreted to mean
any future as well as present enactment, is used in
It, and not the term :" constitution" But though
vantage ground and pretext for action to the enc
| mics OF liberation, If any such now exist in any
quarter, 1t ls too late to take any advantage OF it,
1t being but justice to state that it is well under
| stood and acknowledged on all hands that reli-
gious liberation is fundamental law of the repub
lie, though nowhere expressed so to be- within the
writer's knowledge, in written terms and no qua
ranty of the existing government is relied upon as
more sacred and irrevocable than this.
In regard to this matter, l might have entered
much further into minute, and, in some respects,
instructive as well curious details, having at
my command we-accred;ted materials for this
getting into the secrets of cabinets, councils, and
conclaves, not apparent to the uninltated, is not
| confines to your home correspondents; though it
certainly is to be hoped that it is there only they
for not doing so is, that his motives might be
thought to be dictated by prejudlces which he does
| not entertain.
The writer would further and finally remark on
this topic, that far he has been able to observe
and Judge, tone of sentiment and degree of
llberalty exist, both throughout the different
branches OF the government and among the better
informed portions of the community at least, such
as we are not accustomed to look for, or suppose
to exist IN American governments and commu-
mites south OF our own country. CGLEBs.
CRY OF ST. DOMINGO, May o. Is4s.
will now give cursory glance at the currency.
trade, and commerce of this republic, and present
some general statistics in regard to it's revenues
and finances closing with some remarks on the
civil administration.
In order to provide for the new state of things
consequent on the separation from Hayti, the new
government resorted to the expedent usual in such
cases-a paper issue. have not by me the docu
ments to show the whole amount issued from
the beginning. In the second fiscal year of
the republic Qs45-6 there was issuedin paper
and in copper coin, the sum of 81 ,123, 1893, and
in the third and last reported year QS46-D, in
same, the sum of $771 $3.50, making an aggregate
of nearly two millions of dollars. The whole
amount in circulation probably not far from three
millions. This issue was based on the credit of
the government, and, like most OF such issues, 1t
has gradually deprecated. year ago it was
worth nine cents to the dollar, and now it is worth
little over six and half, showing depreciation,
during that period, much less rapid than 1t must
have been in some previous ones of It's short exist
ence. Its value has remained quite stationary for
several months past. The government is now d.
recng its attention to the devlsing of some means
whereby to avoid the necessity of making any
further issues. The only other circulating medium
heretofore, land the principal one STILL has been the
Spanish or South American gold coins, though
now, silver, In the form of Mexican and American
dollars, is getting into use
There are four ports of entry in the republic,
though this one on the south, and Puerta Plata
(POrt au Plat eunder the Hatians) on the north,
are the only ones worthy of remsk in regard to
the actual amount of commerce.
The mercantile marine of the republic is very
small, and is almost exclusively confined to the
domestic coastwise trade. AS the republic is yet
unrecogniz-d, its flag has not appeared IN any
foreign ports except one or two in the West Indies
Its foreign commerce is carried on in foreign
vessels.
The sources OF it's trade and commerce are, with
the exception of tobacco, the spontaneous produce
lions of the country, more or less elaborated by
human labor. With The exception Just stated,
there are no agricultural products exported.
OF the exports, mahogany is the staple of the
south side, from this port as is tobacco. of the
north, from Puerto Plata Besides these, lignum
Vita. satin wood, fustic, hides, honey, wax, and
various other articles of less Importance, complete
Al.