Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-25
sAINT DOMINGO.


two very interesting letters--one written at st.
Domingo on the 18th, and the other at San
Christoval on the 18th, of September. I,
The first of these letters refer, to the recep-
ton of the news of the bombardment of Grey
town in the Atilles. Itstates that the destruc-
ton of that piratical establishment created
universal establishment, and that credulity was
staggered by the idea that the United States
had the temeEty to ehastise q town which en-
joyed the protection of Great Britain Such
is the idea of British power entertained in the
West Indies, on account of the vigorous for
eign policy Of the English government, that
many persons are looking out for the lombard
ment Of New York, Boston, and Philadelphia
All, however, admit that the United States
are not SO much afraid of the British govern
ment as they had been induced to suppose.
The Baltimore Patriots correspondent states
that, if the government of the United States
maintains its attitude of hostility to European
entertainments, and insists upon the right to
protect its citizens promptly against irrespon-
sible tribes, England, which has hitherto been
everything in the West Indies, will lose its
commanding influence, and the United States
twill be honored and obeyed with almost flial
reverence as the head and arbiter of all the
American powers" Our readers will remem-
Der that we have defended the bombardment of
Greytown from the beginning. We believe
that the act was right and proper in itself, and
that IL was calculated, if firmly maintained, to
elevate our national character, which a timid
policy had permitted to sink so low that foreign
influences predominated even in our very neigh
borhood. ltag oT .s3l9.f .f5s 4, ~ j.eai 81.
The second letter which we have mentioned,
as published in the Baltimore Patriot of Mon
day, treats Of the mission of General Cazneau
to the Dominican Republic, the resources Of the
country. and the runaor of impending changes.
in its relations toward the United States. All
portions ofthe Island of Hayti are represented
as being rich in mines of salt, sulphur, iron,
and gold; and it is even compared with Califor-
mia itself As to the particulars of General
Cazneau's negotiations, the correspondent of
the Patriot does not give very lucid account.
Dominican Senate, that the cession of the bay
and peninsula of SANTANA was not demanded
by the American Commissioners, and that the
rumors relating to that subject originated from
the fact that the Columbia anchored there
without communicating its intention to the
government He further represents that the
Dominican Congress had adjourned after be-
ing :. frightened ont Of the treaty almost con.
cluded NTH the United States" Then he pro-
ceeds, by stating that I" the Dominicans had
agreed that our people should be free to hold
lands and mines without losing in any degree
their nationality; and also the Congress had,
at the instance of the American Commissioner,
General Cazneau, placed the mining laws in
shape to give the American workmen and CAPT
talists the pick and rule Of the mineral wealth
of the island"
1t does not appear distinctly, however,
whether the valuable privileges just mentioned
were included in the treaty which the Domi-
mean Congress were frightened out Of, or
whether they have been actually granted by
legislation independent of that proposed treaty.
On this point the language Of the correspon-
dent of the Patriot is somewhat vague and not
having any reliable information to guide us in
interpreting it, we are Left in doubt, although
the language used does bear construction,
which announces that those privileges are al
ready open to American enterprise. When we
reflect that coffee lands in healthy and con-
yenient localities can be purchased in Saint
Domingo for three dollars ON acre, eqnal to
those which command forty and fifty dollars in
Cuba, the right to hold property in that coun-
try without the loss Of nationality, opens a
wide feldfor enterprise, independent Of the val
liable minerals in which that country abounds.
The statement given by the correspondent Of
the Patriot touching the British intrigues to
Brighten the Dominican Congress from engage
ments with the United States, and to foment
and incite hostility toward our people, are well
calculated to excite bitter resentment even in
the breasts Of those Americans who have
hitherto admired English diplomacy. 1t is
stated that the British consul told the members
Of the Dominican Congress that the negro
VI iAaJh Wno III shOuoohu stkOhb, oho
that it would not leave drop Of white blood
on the Island if European interference did moi
hold them back. If this statement be true, i
was equivalent to a direct and positive threat
that a treaty with The United States would be
followed by an invasion of Solouque's black
rufians, permitted and encouraged by English
appreciation, if not by English aid and com
fort Then again, It is stated that "the Brit
ish consuls right hand man" is telling the
ignorant mulattoes Of Dominica, that " the
Americans are coming to make slaves Of them
and that the colored people had better be under
Hayti than the cruel Yankees"
These movements, if they exist must b.
counteracted, and their effects destroyed, if The
dictates of interest or humanity control oul
policy. We have great confidence in Genera