The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-09
yEIY INTERESTING FBO1 ST. DOMINGO.


Translated from Fl Prosrs s.uto Dcusneo, Juns 20,
FOG tss Now Ysrk Herald
The national Congress, in its last session, unani-
monsly sanctioned, the answer of the committee ap.
pointed for the purpose Of presenting the President
Liberator with reply to the message Of ex-Presl-
dent Baez.
We think that our readers win take particular
pleasure In perusng this interesting document which
is as follows =
Industrious PRESIDENT
The national Congress has suffered most pain
fl perplexity in the legislative session ~ TINS
yeS-niost painful, cir; for the conflicting reports o..
two Presidents, tho one retiring from and the other
entering upon the duties of Office make gu position
emnently so-the former presenting in his last mes
sage the republic under the most fatterny aspect,
while the latterthat is to say your ExceIlen,y-on
taking the rens Of government, perceives innumera
bic obstacles to overcome and abuses to correct.
1t was necessary to Judge Of so abnormal q situa-
ton with all the impartiaty of history to examine
facts and their causes to anayze evils to point out
fur possible their remedy and at the same time
to render the nation an account Of this task this
perplexity and these obstacles.
This is the reason why the answer to Pre- ident
The members of the national representation woul
be extremely 10th, Mr.. President, to see themselves
under the necessity Of casting any reproach upon the
conduct of any high Dominican functionary, as they
are well aware that this must indirectly affect the
glory Of the country; but situated they are, with
two equally painfal dangers to avoid, they prefer
drawing aside, with the frankness Of true republ-
cansln, the veil which conceas facts, although they
have already displayed in the case Of individuals
lenty which they cannot easily forget, even in the
most fragrant derelictions OF duty.
Actuated, then, by such principles, we shall ex-
anime INTO the details Of the document giving rise to
this answer.
Mr. Baez states, that in terminating his period Of
government, he leaves the republic at peace with ali
the world except Hayti," &c.
The national Congress would here take occasion to
observe that this was precisely the state OF the coun
try when he entered upon the Presidency, and that,
except in the Of some of those rare and unfore
seen circumstances which do not enter into the ordi
nary sphere Of human events, nothing but unusual
naptness in diplomatic affairs could have fomented
war or important difficulties with foreign cabinets.
The Congress of the nation takes part in his joy at
the solemn recognition Of our ndepence by England,
France and Denmark, and at the treaties of aaity
with our youthful republic. Such results are highly
creditable to yourself, Mr. President, for you
were the first who, fully approaching the i'm
portance of such treaties and their benef-
Clal MOral eU6CL, OepuLeO, aS lar DaCk A6
1916, commission to the cabinets Of Saint James,
Paris and Madrid with view to obtaining SO desira-
bic result. Your political idea, then, is 10 a
| great measure realized, and although Il did not
please Providence that you yourself should seal these
acts, it is unquestionaby to you that the credit Of
this is due, as regards its origin and results
The ex-President goes on to say that the pub
lie treasury exhausted in l84s by the expenses Of
the war by the administrative disorders of those days
Of anarchy, .nd BY the starvation Of affairs he now
porous, seeing that cover the public expenses and
there is no necessity for the emission Of paper mo
ney,r &C., &c.
There Is no doubt, sir, that public tranquility and
sword restored order and security to society But
we must record with bitterness so unhappy epoch
il that critical period must be viewed with sorrow-it
is no less painful TO look into the origin Of that ag
grandizement and prosperity now descanted upon.
1t consisted, sir in the false economical theory Of
increasing the floating debt at the expense of the for
tune of individuals of increasing by eight millions the
compulsory loan contracted by the government with
the people, OF substituting an imaginary value to the
real monetary unity which Is standard OF compari-
son to judge of the labor and fatigue OF man.
An emission as enormous as unnecessary, and an
account of which was never rendered to Congress-
and the exchange of these nominal values for gold
have supplied the sums OF money which have en-
abled the public treasury to boast Of state of pros
perity which was but apparent; but the accumula
ton Of this wealth in the public Golfers instead Of
mercantile movement and to eife Jting usefut eco
noniy where it could be effected only exhibits, in
the eyes OF the politician, public spoation which
cannot be justified, as it is evident that much more
exacted from the people than the case required
Another extraordinary measure contributed to as
sis the late administration in augmentng the depo-
sits in the public Golfers; this the increase OF
| the importation dut es to double their amount, by
virtue of decree OF the executive power, based on
the extraordinary faculties COME rred upon it by Con-
eress That power did not reflect sir, when it to )k
that step, that by article SO OF the constitution, the
trbunate (rbnnad0) has the exclusive initiative in
| the matter of laws on imports generally Congress
itself could not, therefore, levy contributions upon
the people, much less could its supposed delegate,
the President, do so, for no one can transfer TO
/ another what he does not possess himself.
| 1t cannot be denied that the deposits Of ammu-
| milton and muskets has been profusely augmented,
and that the republic is now so amply supplied that
it might sustain war Of several years Duration But
tits equally certain that these immense deposits were
only to be found in the capital, while there was so
notable deficiency in the cantons OF Las Masas,
Guallubin, Monte Crsse, Puerto de Plata, and Sa-
mana, that the fact Of their having. escaped sur
prise and its sad results must be attributed to in
| deposition OF Providence.
These places, Mr.. President, are the necessary
theatres Of those first engagements which almost
always decisive. II coniding in the abundance OF
munitions OF war and the philanthropic Offices of
| mediation we do not watch our frontiers day and
| night, of what use would this waIke apparatus be
after defeat and of what avail would be the justice
| OF the mediauDg power ateY result as dl5honOra-
be to ourselves as disastrous In its consequences!
Congress congratulates itself upon seeing that as
you had taken the oath prescribed by the
stituton, vessels Of war began to cruise about the
of the republic in every direction, and carry to
every canton and every province, to the fortified
town and the uniortfod, nay to the most insgnlfl-
cant villages Inuskets and rifles, powder and balls,
guns cannon, and whatever else might be necessary
TO an obstinate defence Of our independence and
liberty.
Congress conte nplates with Joy the situation Of
our diplomatic relations The sympathy which here
greets strangers generally the hospitabe aud kind
~ disposition of inhabitants, all contrib tie to
unite us more firmly to the subjects and citizens Of
every nAtloD.
The conclusion of concordateswith the Holy See,
has been the most ardent desire of the republic,
for the religious sentiment natural to the Domini-
cans induces them earnestly to desire that such
result should be brought about. Still, We are all
aware of the unhappy result Of the mission of Mr..
Elias Rodriguez a. the Court Of Rome result natu
rally attendant upon the instructions received by
that gentleman for the attainment Of that end
Conurpss shares the ideas M the Pre- ,d0nt