The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-20
SANTANA BAY.
Return Of the United States Steam
Frigate Albany.
Brother Jonathan s'Geiting Things Fixed
In the West Indies-The Peninsula and
Bay Of SANTANA to be Leased for q
Period OF Fifty Years-The Stars
and Stripes In the Tropics-Par.
tlculars OF the Cruise.

ttCuiarS OF the Cruise.
The mission OF the United States frigate Albany,
which sailed from this port on the 10th OF November
last. sdroitly conceived and carefully executed
Is at length understood. Its object IL no longer
mystery. What occasoned no little excitement at
the time, in public as well as governmental circles,
produced by the fact that swift naval vessel had
been hastily fitted for sea. ana with three United
States commissioners and large number OF guns AZ
freight on board mad left her anchorage at Sandy
Hook at midnight, can now be stated to be the dual
movement by the government in the negotiation
for the bay and peninsula Of Samana' island
or st. Domingo. The Albany arrived at this port
yesterday morning after an absence OF nearly seven
weeks, with the intelligence that the nag OF Brother
Jonathan spreads" over that section OF the West
Indies the spacious land-locked bay and an area OF
$500 square miles Of territory having been formally
transferred to the authorized agents OF the United
States-General Babcock, General Ingals and Cen
eral Sackett United States Army-on the 9th day Of
December instant, on 'lease'' for nfty years Tor
the sum OF sl50,OOO In gold. per annum and the
"heavy freight the hold OF the Albany contained
The frigate, after its hurried preparation on
November TO- and with officers oil lat sea- regard
ing her destination dropped to an anchorage below
the Lower Quarantine, where at ten O'Clock on the
from tug with large amount OF specie, which
was ut once transferred to the iron safe IN the ward
ROOM Anchor was Immediately weighed, and at
midnight the vessel, under steam end SAIL bowed
oceanward. The 0flcers were yet in ooupt as to the
crafts mission although surmtses were plentiful,
and as the commissioners guarded well their tongues
the object Of their voyage was unknown until after
the 18th OF November when the vessel dropped
anchor in the harbor Of st. Domingo. The follow.
ing morning the commissioners first meeting the
United States Consul, Mr.. Perry, went ashore and
met President Baez and his Cabinet, when negO.
uations were formally commenced with the
Dominican authorities. One week was ex-
hausted in diplomatic harangues for this cher
ished landmark, when cautious Baez and his Cabinet,
bishops and iaymen on the oath, were taken by the
Albany to Ban, thirty miles distant to consult
with some inferior official regarding the important
subject Baez and his suit were left there, ana the
e. AFTER short up 3as rss
Twenty four hours afterwards the character and OK
tent OF the negotiations ana OF their successful com
pletion, with the interchange Of treaties or the
necessary documents was announced, amid great
on the ist ana I'd Of December the ordnance on
board the Albany, consisting OF battery OF eight
guns both mountain hOwltZerS aud ride, the latter
adapted TO coast defence ana ports, loo ereec a
arms and large amount every character OF ammu-
milton OF which 'had SO exercised the enthusiastic
hope OF the Junta at the time the frgates Prov was
turned to the Earrows was landed and turned over
then. These with the $780, 900 gold In possession
Hf the United States commissioners on board, then
faid TO the Dominican authorities, was tue nrst ~
aalment necessary to secure the grant In question:
LQ0 prelimnRrfes thus satisfactorily settled, AMI
the payments agreed upon made, the Albany, with
the commissioners ana one OF President baezS stan
sailed to the Bay OF SANTANA, take formal posses
sion OF the waters and peninsula In the name OF the
United states. The good ship arrived IN the bay
at half-past O'Clock the morning Of the 9th
OF December and after visiting the shore the com
mssioners proceeded to rulil the pleasant portion
Of their duty. that u setting up Of the stars aud
Stripes" demonstrating That this country to Just
A sIUn e Asa ssafr was procure and IN Company
with number OF officials, including Cap
s stan several shore odiciais, ana quota Of
the frigates officers Generals Porter. Ingas
and sackett repaired to the little island Isl OF Care,
used AS naval depot-and. selecting mound over
looking the surrounding rolling land, the staf was
planted; and Al twenty-five minutes to three O'clock
with GENERA Porter and others az the halyards the
nag was run to the peak amid the belching OF the
cannon ON the frigate the cheers OF the crew ana
return salute OF twenty .one guns from shore bat
terry. The time OF planting the emblem OF this coun.
tys greatness seemed Pecna approximate a. sna
authority in the Caribbean Sea- The Island OF Care
nero contains several shops used for mechanical
purposes, and has long been coal depot OF no
mean Importance. Convenient and accessible, 1t
viii be invaluable 70 United States naval vessels.
Demonstrations OF 10y were universal ION shore"
during the evening OF the eth and the following day,
aud, as many Of the inhabitants are extremely IN
language and they are those who are ready and
eager' for annexation to this country an enthusi-
OF jollincaton and satisfaction. Meetings we're held
TO express their gladness and one OF their priests
held dE during the upos No ev ss
casion. flo told his auditors, in substance,
that now had the long. wished for and
liberal government in the world now noated over
them its folds representing nation just. generous,
courageous and fOrglvlng. Liberal IN religion,
liberal In politics liberal policies and great In all
things q new era had dawned upon them, and no
longer need internecne wars divide ana destroy
each to earn himself name, should usurp all
anticpatons OF future strife" This is but one in-
stance OF the general feeling developed upon this
TO all Dominican occasion.
several OF the officers OF tine Albany took advan-
cable II the character Of the 200 square miles thus
obtained by the United States and they were
charmed at the productveness OF the SOIL especially
coffee. Cocoa That OF tobacco being particularly val
liable, and under proper and energetic management
may be made crop OF such MAGNITUDE as TO yield q
handsome revenue and occupy prominence IN the
market
continued cruising and OF encounter with severe
gales, as her foremost head, with all above IT, had
been carried away ana her bowsDrit badly damaged.
St. Domingo, and causes tns staunch frigate to look
rather foriorn. The Albany did not tarry long In
the bay OF SANTANA aIter Lho loIinai PoSScsslou VI
the territory and waters had been taken. a. 1t was
necessary that the COMMISSIONER should speedily
return to report ct Washington the result OF their
important mis- ion. Consequently, on the 0th OF
December they steamed from The bay, touching at
st. Thomas on the 12th and arriving at Sandy Hook
yesterday morning at halfpast four, and OF the
Battery at nalf-past ten O'Clock. All are we'll on
board and in excellent Spirits
The following Is a list or her 0fficers-
Captain COMMUNICATIONS Is. Bafch
Lieutenant Commander and Erecuttce 0ogcer-R.
s. McCook.
Lfeutenant Commanaers--B. F. Day. @. W. Ar
mentr0ut, g. r. r. Wilde.
Mdsfe,--J. q. Moving.
Easi0fs-E. ID. Y. Head.
Chiel Engtleer--J. w. Thompson.
assistant E,sg,aeeys<-H. McEwan, ]. Watts, II.
Spear, J. Howell.
Isly3)lQster-W, W. Miliiams.