The New York herald., 1869-07-04

the pedestal The dials are still used by the inhabt-
ants In that section OF the town. Fronting the plaza
is the first cathedral built on the island In 1920, by
Bishop Elias whose remains deposited In one OF
| the side chapels The cathedral Is cruciiorfn ana
a hea t zUo eeS @ In eng'S ad hne hssy IN deS sas
OF silver forms the front Of The lower portion All
the equipments OF the altar are OF silver n one OF
the side chapes s still preserved the cross planted
by Columbus upon taking possession OF the island IN
the names OF the sovereigns OF Castiie anu Afagoh
The is Of mahogany, about eight feet In height
| and painted green Thefatter Is a modern lnnoya-
| ton.
scale Of magnihcence and are but evidences OF the
| wealth realized from the island. The ancient CITY.
| Ia Its days OF glory and opuence, numbered within
its walls population OF about &c, 600 souls To-day
| it has about half that number. The vandalism OF
| the Spanlards upon their compulsory evacuation
stroyIng cities and plantations, butcherng men,
| women and children, but despoied the sacred edit
fees OF st. Domingo city oil all their precious relics
we find numbers OF the residences built
| by the early inhabitants, still in use, the
[ large number OF the buildings are OF modern
date. The style OF architecture has suffered 10
change, the spacious rooms high ceilings, immense
doors and brick foors being still the principal iea-
lures of the houses. In construction they are SUB
stantal and durable, and consult more the laws or
/ ventilation and comfort than elegance or symmetry
| the poorer classes, the huts, called ''buhios," arc
built or the bark of the palm tree and thatched with
Its leaves Though small these little structures are
quite Nbltabe and some through their cleanliness,
.l/haye an air OF comfort about them.
N The population is composed principally of colored
1 and blacks. Among these are TO be found number
| OF Americans, who emgrated here some years ago.
One aged black man, who possessed diiapidated
cart, in which he conveyed my baggage
4 born In Philadelphia and forty-lve years
! ago settled IN st. Domingo. He liked the island
very much, but the government was too "unsartn.n
There are q few white Americans in the cty-Gene-
| raj Cazneau and his remarkably well informed wife,
Captain Reed the American Consul; MI j. s. smith
and son. also met at the MOTEL MI. Curtis OF Bos-
ton, civil engineer and one OF the American sur
| veylng party in the Cbao About the same proper
ton OF other nationaiities are also mixed up with tue
population
In point Of order and morality the city of st. Do
| mingo is model Its Governor Damlon Baez,
brother of the President is man OF than ordl
nary executive ability. With an efflcent police
force at his control the most perfect quiet constantly
| prevails. During The five days / have remained In
! The city have seen not single instance
of iatoxicqtion nor sign Of personal %
| rencontre. Robbery is unknown. The doors OF the
houses are rarely locked. The people allow their
valuables to lie around with perfect indifference In
fact, so orderly is the place under the present
rule that the prison has been closed for want OF Of
tenders against the laws. There two Of Cabrals
colonels, captured, held in the citadel, who are the
only prisoners believe, In the CITY,
The climate OF this place is unusually healthy and
not subject to the epdemics which ahict the towns
OF the adjacent islands, The city lying upon the sea
on gradually ascending ground is free from any
OF the physical causes which produce these caiami-
ties Several years since the cholera was brought
Oh shore from Spanish vessel, and, after preying
upon few victims. disappeared. In Au
g,tsaon gust fever appears which with proper
are quite common in the community two that
learned OF having attained the satisfactory age OF
100 years. The place affords precarous living for
one physician, who is now in the midst of an ab-
sence OF patients and consequent falling OF OF funds
Owing 10 the lndspositl0n Of President Baez 1t
was not until the day after our arrival that
party from the steamer, under the direction Of Mr..
Fabens called upon his Exceency to pay our re-
spects. The Presidential residence, situated in the
rear OF the cathedral pian, substantial build
ing owned by Baez himself The palace on the
plaza, which had for years been used by the EXecu
IN no Al hn
periodically preferred living less extrayagantly and
IN keeping with the unfortunate condition Of-hls
people. I'll
- Passing through an arched passage in which all
detachment Oh soldiers were stationed We ascended
a broad staircase which led 10 spacious balcony.
Here depostng our umbrellas and mats we entered
large room with brick fio0fs and were courteousy
received by Ministers Gautier, or the State Depart
ment; Hungria of the War Department. Curel, or the
Treasury, and Delmonte or Justice. After few pre-
lminary courtesies the President entered the room
ana was introduced around. In appearance man
ner and conversation the impression inspired in the
stranger Is that Baez is man OF true principle and
extraordinary ability. Physically he Is below
medium stature well proportioned and of full
nesh. His Iace beams with intelligence, and from
his eyes Hash the fire OF an active
brain. His features are Caucasian. Upon his face
he wears proiuse growth OF side whskers, mus
tache and imperial very gray The only evidence Of
his negro blood Is his hair. His complexion is
slightly of color. In age Baez is about nifty years.
An hours interview with the members OF the
Dominican government i1i, was sufficient evidence Of
island OF ST. Domingo. They all expressed them
selves fully conscious OF the necessities OF their Sit
uation and its responsibilities, and seemed willing
to do anything tending to secure the pros
perty OF the people under their jurisdiction.
OF the island and the building up of a sub
stantial government. Towards the United States
the most unreserved sentiments OF friendship
were expressed, and the question OF annexation was
1amllar topic as the consummati0n Of all that the
island requires IN order TO rise once more to her
cient spendor and afiuence. Our visit was less
protracted than the satisfaction Of the interview
would have induced had the President been enjoying
perfect health. We departed with repeated invita-
lions to call at any time The hospitality OF the Pre-.
sident towards the passengers on the steamer was
very gratifying, and IN order that the visit might be
pleasant he informed US that the State Department
had been fitted up for our accommodation. The
offers were however, declined with many thanks. -
= In return for the uniform kindness extended to-
wards all parties with the steamer an en-
tertainment was prepared on board the Tybee, on
the 18TH inst, by Captain Delaney, to which Presi
dent Baez and Ministers were invited. At noon the
President arrived on board the steamer, accOmpa-
MED by senior Hungria, Secretary OF War; senor
Minister OF Justice and Damion Baez, Gov
erDor OF the city. Senior Gautier sent
his apologies, being indlsposed. The breakfast was
an elegant affair and heartily enjoyed by all the
party. During the course OF the entertainment Mr..
Fabens, preacing his remarks with few appro-
pirate expressions, proposed the health of the Pres
ident OF the Dominican Republic, which was drank
standing After a few moments President Baez rose
and thanked MIR. Fabens and the party for their kind
sentiments There was a spirit oi more than friend.
snip existing between Sc. Domingo and the United
States, and be hoped this would Increase He felt
health OF the President OF the United States which
was also drank standing
I President Baez then apoogized for being COM
PEELED 10 leave the table sooner than courtesy would
seem TO demand, but owing TO the severe pain he
was suffering IN the head from renewed attack OF
neuralgia he knew that he would be excused.
OF sunday last the Spanish mail steamer from St.
Thomas, bound for Havana, arrived here and after
landing and taking on passengers and mails re-
sumed her Journey. There are great complaints on
the part OF business men respecting the uncertainty
Of mails between this city and the United States
Letters written In March last via Havana had Just
reached the city upon arrival and letters sent 10
advance 10 announce the proposed departure OF the
Tybee had not been received. The Spanish steamers
run semi-monthly, alternating on their way TO Ha-
vana between this city and Puerto Plata, and re-
turning on the same schedule 10 st. Thomas. line
OF steamers from New York TO the ports OF 81. Do.
mingo should certainly receive liberal support
from our government. Most OF the business trans
actions OF the island with the United States and
need assistance In order 10 open this growing enter
prise.
REVOl uTIONISTS AEi OAT