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


Omission IN former Letter Supplied cent
Mining Operations-Another Remodeiing the
Monetary System-Pubiic Erct tsment Inciden-
toHy Connected rith the Latter, and the Caus
oft.
In the synopsis which l gave, IN former com
municaton, 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, to issue all orders and DEGREES proper for
that end, without being subject to any response
bllty whatever.
J supply this omission, to illustrate some
future details.
The gold mines of st. Domingo are celebrated
in the early history of the world, as being the
incentive that gave the first impulse to Spanish
adventure and enterprise in America. These have
remained unwroueht, to any considerable extent,
for 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 cupldl-
y of their enemies, and also, perhaps, of foreign
nations. Besides those of gold, there are also,
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-
gress, passed at the recently closed session, and
approved the 18th OF May last, it is declared that
description that are found on the public lands, is
open and free to every individual who may choose
TO engage in il. ArreDgementsfo this purpose must
be made by those intending 10 avail themselves OF
the privilege with the Minister of Finance-Ml-
aistro dc Ha1endo-who Is authorized, under con-
tracts OF lease or otherwise to spulate, in behalf
OF the public treasury, for the payment of per
centage by the operators-never to exceed the
maximum of five per cent ofthe metal wrought,
The terms of the act specify individuals only
Whether the privilege conferred bv this enact.
ment would be extended to organized companies,
formed to carry on mining operations on an ex-
tensive scale, In the usual way, and such there
have heretofore and recently been attem IT'S made
TO organize in the United States and elsewhere
with a view to operations here, may possibly, UNI
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 plan of operations would
be officially Interposed.
The most important measure that came before
the Congress at It's late session, and which en- :
crossed much greater share Of its attention than
any other, was the monetary system the de-
visIng of ways and means TO place the cur
rency on a better basis, and to restore the
circulating medium of the country to a 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
protracted discussions. in the course of which were
successfully examined and rejected several dife-
rent schemes, agreed upon a system which they
embodied in 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 lnsuficiency of the public imposts, and by
the consequent depreciation OF the government
piper.
Bv II, the Executive is first directed to have the
ha, money now accumulated 10 the treasury, and
the future additions thereto. to the amount IN ALL
Of one hundred thousand dollars, converted into
mlled 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 mnttd. 1t proceeds to direct that all old
silver, wrought or UNIV ought, which the inhabit-
ants may see fit to deliver into the Treasury De-
partment. shallbe sent abroad to the United States
elsewhere, and its value returned to the owners
in coint money. at the rate OF ninety.five 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 It is
contemplated to call IN and cancel, the Executive
is authorised to have prepared, and to issue a new
emission of paper money, based on the credit OF
the National Treasury, TO the amount of $3.50, 900,
in bills of the nominal value Of one doVar each,