The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-22

station Tor the united states naval vessels cruising
in these waters.
Last autumn commission. consisting OF Generals
Babcock, Ingas and sackett visited the '-'"nd Spec
ulation has for some time been rife 10 to object
OF their visit to Dominica. Various views were
entertained on the subject. The arrival In this
port on Sunday last Of the United States steamer
Albany, with the three commissioners on board,
direct from the island Of St. Domingo and
President Baez, set the matter at rest, and we
were enabled to place before readers not only
the particulars Of the visit, but to make the an
nouncement that the Bay Of SANTANA had become
American territory and that the American nag
waved over our first foothold in the Antilles. From
the fact Of having at length planted the United
States nag in Dominica and having taken formal
possession Of the Bay Of SANTANA, q sketch or the
Dominican republic will prove Of much interest at
the present time.
THE REPUBLIC OF ST. DOMINGO.
The Dominican republic, the eastern portion OF the
island OF Hayti, comprises nearly three-fths OF the
island. Its name Is derived from the ancient Span
ish appelauon OF the island-San Domingo Its
area is estimated at17 500 square miles. Its popula
ton is about 900, OF whom one-enth claim TO be
whites; the rest Of African descent or Of mixed
African and European. The Dominican republic
was the first American State which made the absO-
lutte equality Of all races before the law q funda-
a noteworthy fact The boundary between
1t and the Hayuen republic Is an irregular
line drawn from the mouth Of the river Massacre,
the north coast Of the island to the river Anses
aPitre, or Pedernales the south coast. The inte
rior OF the republic consists OF mountain ranges,
rising to elevation OF 5000 to 5000 feet and COW
cred with magnificent tropical forests. From the
base OF these mountains large plains, watered by
merous streams, stretch toward the coast Of these
plains the Vega Real (Royal pain) and those Of the
Jayua, the Aqua and the NeyDe, are the most
densey populated. Among the rivers, most Of
which bear the character OF mountain tor
rents, the Great Yaqui, emptying into the
Bay Of Monte Christie the Yuma, whose en-
bouchure is in the Bay Of SANTANA; the Higuey. the
Nisao, Bans ana Ssybo deserve . % mentiohsd.
next to It the Bay OF SANTANA offers an excellent
roadstead OF the lesser islands on the belong
nav sssSiie than elsewhere IN the West Indies les
the inhabitants is equal to the immense resources
OF the country. Gold, silver and iron abound in
the mountains, but no mines are worked. Cattle
raising IN the level country ebony cutting in the
mountainous regions are the principal occupations
Of the people agriculture being mainly confined TO
substitute for grain.
TwENTY.THRsE YEARS AGO.
W Lieutenant Porter, writing from Port au Prince in
the year 1s4o, gives the following account OF his
travels through the country and his intercourse
In many OF the provinces through which have
passed the country may be said to be almost in the
same state as It was when Columbus first discovered
the island and In these places the population cannot
be said TO be much superior In intellect to the un
polished Indians who were the first possessors OF the
soil, although they have many OF the same traits Of
character by which those unhappy people were dis
tinguished and that are 80 much to be admired.
The remembrance OF some places through which /
have travelled appears to me like beautiful dream
aud one who has not seen can form the slightest
Of hills and daies rocks and waterfalls and
mountains pied up one upon another In such beau
tfu and fantastic shapes that the mind is completely
bewdered BY the majesty OF scenery II could never
have dreamed Of With all this Providence has
bestowed every blessing except harmony and peace)
that nation could hope for. The wishes and desires
OF the lazy and inert Spaniard are gratlned in every
thing without the trouble OF WORKING, for the tree
supplies HIM with every article OF food clothing and
bedding, and even 10 the smallest kind Of
utensil required IN housekeeping and this Is
one Of the unfortunate causes Of the little
Of the climate induces them to look to
nature alone for support. For those who have the
the nillsdes are full OF the richest minerals and they
have only to gather In the gifts which nature has
placed at their disposal; There Is scarcely spot
along the seashore on the south side-where the
most fastdious would not be happy TO rest himself
forever, with full security that he could never be
without the necessarles and could always have at
hand the comforts OF life. 1t all seems like q land
OF poetry and flowers ana more At Tor the abode OF
the gulleless people first found there than of the
avariclous race VINO worked them to death in
pursuit of the wealth which the indians alone
desplsed.
SPANISH TYRANNY
have travelled over most Of the ground where
these poor wretcnes were forced to toll and carry
loads upon their heads through roads which the
imagination cannot form an idea OF, and II Is
derful, with the riches OF the soil staring them in
lace that the Spaniard could have been led away
by such illusory projects; but rs the Hidal9O Of
ancient times was 80 ID the Spanard OF the present
day. He Will talk to you OF the golu, silver and
copper mines toll with you to the top OF the steepest
hill, and bring down heavy loads OF what may event
for a hoe or pourn they nave an aversion no, ~
be described, ana the natives who 40 not live In
cities pass away their time sleeping under the shady
branches OF tier magnncent trees at the foot or
some OF the beautiful waterfalls by winch nature "a
adorned (but which do not add TO the comfort of
travelling as the roads frequently rung along
sides.
MORALS OF THE PEOPLE.
With all this want OF energy there 49, however
little or no vice-crme there rs actually none. The
law 10 scarcely ever put In force except against
some military offender, and the civil authorities
have scarcely any chance OF testing with the mill
ary which OF the two have Jurisdiction though II IL
universally conceded that the civil authorities have
much to say In matters relating TO the preacn of
the peace, criminal cases. &c. IL cannot be denied
that military power rules, though by their constl
tuition the government essentially civil, only one
clause gives the President c.during the presen, or
any state OF war'l power to pass DEGREES. anu
makes him responsible to no one Everything
however, Is conducted with tranquility and the
people are perfectly satisfied and Ia tYer love Tor
the chiei magistrate lose sight OF the power which
the edlcts with an alacrty have never witnessed,
and with cheerluness not To be met with often
though 1t Is frequently with the loss OF all their little
property.
HISTORY OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
The present dominican republic was a spanish
colony until 1895, wnen by the treaty OF Basic the
whole island was united under French rule. When
after terrible struggles the coored population OF the
island mad become independent Of France, the
tyranny Of Dessalines drove the Domncans back
into the arms OF Spain, which thus reganed pos.
session OF Its former colony in 1908.
INDEPENDENCE AND FIRST PRESIDENT.
The next year the D0minicans declared their inde-
pendence abolished slavery and remained In unset
Ted state until 1922 when the whole island united
under republican form OF government and Boyer,
the President OF Hayti, was chosen President for
life. But in iSAA the negroes OF HAyu HAVING sue