The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-11-06
Affairs In the Dominican Republic.

CRY OF ST.. DOMINGO, July H. 1913.
Omission IN a former Letter Supplied-Rscent
Legislature Enactment for the Encouragement of
Mining Operdtions-Another Remodeiing the
Monetary System-Pubi,c E,rct tement Mciden-
toHy Connected ,cith the Latter, and the Caus
oft.
In the synopsis which gave, IN former com
munication, of the principal articles of the DOM
mean constitution, l omitted to notice one to
which recent occurrences have attracted much
attention and given considerable prominence. By
its terms, the President is empowered, during the
continuance of the actual war with the Haytien
republic, growing out of the separation from her,
and until peace is established, to freely organise
the army and navy, mobilize the National Guards,
and take all measures he may deem proper for.the
defence and security of the nation, and in conse-
quence 10 issue all orders and DEGREES proper for
that end, without being subject to any response
blllty whatever.
! now supply this omission, to illustrate some
future details.
The gold mines of st. Domingo are celebrated
IN the early history OF the new world, being the
incentive that gave the first impulse to Spanish
adventure and enterprise in America These have
remained unwroueht, TO any considerable extent,
TOR long series OF years; and the government has
heretofore refused to permit The working of them,
from the fear, it is said, of stimulating the cupid.
ty OF their enemies, and also, perhaps, of foreign
nations. Besides those of god there are also, as
have mentioned on former occasion, mines of
copper, and very probably Of silver also, within
the territory, of the republic. BY an act of Con-
gIess, passed at the recently closed session, and
approved the 18th OF May last, it is declared that
the working of the minerals" or mines of every
description that are found on the public lands, is
open and free to every individual who may choose
to engage In IT, Arrangements for this purpose must
be made by those intending to avail themselves of
the privilege with the Minister of Finance-Mt-
nistro de Hoc'endo-who IS authorized, under con.
tracts OF lease or otherwise, to stIpulate in behalf
OF the public treasury, for the payment of per
centage by the 0perators-never to exceed the
maximum OF hive per cent of the metal wrought.
Nv, he terms OF the act specify individuals only.
Whether the privilege conferred bv this enacts
ment would be extended to organized companies,
formed to carry on mining operations on an ex-
enslve scale, In the usual way, and such as there
have heretofore and recently been attem )ts made
TO organize In the United States and elsewhere,
with a view to operations here, may possibly, un-
der the peculiar circumstances of the case, and
the present tone OF public feeling, admit Of some
doubt though incline strongly to the belief that
no opposition to such a plan of operations would
be officially lnteTposed.
The most important measure that came before
the Congress at its late session. and which en-
crossed much greater share Of its attention than
any other, was the monetary system the de-
vislng OF ways and means TO place the cur
rency on a better basis, and to restore the
circulating medium of the country TO n bet
ter credit and condition. This have heretofore
shown, had deprecated to fifteen for one dollar
specie, and the tendency has since been very
slightly downwards. At last the Congress, after
protacted discuss IONS in the course of which were
successfully examined and rejected several diie-
rent schemes, agreed upon systs m which they
embodied in an act approved on the 10Th day of
June last II is entitled, in substance, an act to
provide for the deficit in the treasury, occasioned
by the insuficiency of the public imposs, and by
the consequent depreciation OF the government
paper.
Bv IT, the Executive is first directed to have the
ha money now accumulated in the treasury, and
the future additions thereto 10 the amount, IN all,
Of one hundred thousand dollars, converted into
med coin of the United States, of the several de-
nomination OF five, ten, and twenty five cent pieces,
Professionally, until such time as Dominican silver
can be minttd. 1t proceeds TO direct that all old
silver, wrought or UNIV ought, which the inhabt-
ants may see III to deliver into the Treasury De-
parfment shallbe abroad to the United States,
or elsewhere, and its value returned to the owners
in coined money, OF the rate of ninety-fve cents
per ounce troy, Of the metal delivered, and OF the
same quality OF fineness
To provide for the replacement OF the present
deprecated government paper money which II is
contemplated to call IN and cancel, the Executive
is authorised to have prepared, and to issue new
emission of paper money, based on the credit Of
the National Treasury, TO the amount of $3.50, 000
in bills of the nominal value of one doVar each,