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

SECRECY uiSsiOn 10 81. DOmlnRO the OOJeCL ana
result OF which have not yet been Offcl-
ally announced but will doubtless be laid
before Congress at an early date. Sufi1cent
certain that the peninsula and bay OF SANTANA, on
the northeast corner Of the island OF Hayt and now
q portion Of the Dominican republic has been &C.
qured, and the Senate OF the United States APPROX
ing will shortly be coded to the Union. Further
than this, we have semi official evidence that the
was mOoted question between the commissioners
sent by our government and the Dominican govern,
ment; for IN letter to The London Tes by Mr.
Domingo IN Great Britain, written for the purpose
Of correcting some blunders Of an American cores
good reason to believer that the negotiations which
were held In the city Of st. Domingo
to e and o. NOT n epy ee
SANTANA. In view" Tnis intelligence was of suii-
cient importance to induce the London Times to
leading article in which 1t remarked that IN the
event OF the cession OF the entire Dominican repub.
lie to the United States 't REQUIRES no gift OF pro
phecy TO discern that the old French portion OF the
island, now known as Hayti, would soon fall to the
same lot SO that the successive reports about the
Bay OF SANTANA, the republic OF st. Domingo and
the island OF Hayti may all be regarded as
moro or less true:" and 1t viewed the prospect
OF such an annexation as favorable to all con-
cerned, and full OF promise to the world at
large;" ana 1t concluded by stating that in the
acquisition the Americans stand to lose but little
and to gain great DEAL II half what is told OF the
resources Of the island be true 1t ought soon to
become new emporium OF trade and IN such ere
atoms no people can be more deeply interested than
we ourselves" The British journalist Is. no doubt
wise in his generation. He plainly that If Anne
ricans once get foothOld on what he Justly terms
OF the alrest portions OF the EARTH and which 1t
would be matter or unqualified satisfaction to have
redeemed from desolatiOn and waste they will soon
step firmly In the march OF civilization until Ameri
can energy and American industry shall effect the
redemption 30 much desired and place this physi-
cally favored island once more in the list OF produc
ing lands and make 1t once more prominent con.
trbutor to the commerce OF the world,
FIRST NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE CEssION OF SANTANA
Samana however, Is no new love OF the American
government for not less than fifteen years ago. when
Franklin Pierce was President and VIM. L. Marcy
was secretary OF State, an energetic effort made
to obtain Its bay and peninsula. In June, 1854, al
most directly after he had returned from surveying
the Western section OF the proposed Northern Pa
CHIC Railroad in Washington Territory. General
our government with a mission that demanded much
discretion and q considerable knowledge OF naval
and mi military requirements ST, TINS mportan. duty
west Indies with the object OF selecting con.
venent har dsSs,. ana suitable coang station
cruising in the neighborhood Of those islands and
passing into the Gulf Of Mexico: He sailed in the
United States frigate Columbia, first to st. Domingo
ana then to other Islands In the vicinity and turn
ed home in September with q vast amount Of infor-
nation OF considerable importance, and with a
large number OF maps and sketches OF the places
visited. The result Of Captain McClean's INQUIRIES
was the selection FOR the proposed station and har
Dor OF the bay and peninsula OF SANTANA the ad.
vantages OF which were set forth in two reports
one on the harbor and Its deIences and the
Of which have been given to the public,
doubtless owing to the secret nature OF the
expedition. Negotiations were at once opened with
the government OF 81. Domingo and every endeavor
made to obtain the cesslon OF the bay and peninsula
to the United STATES but without terminating in the
desired acquisition, owing, 1t was supposed at the
time, to the jealousy OF the European Powers and
their influence upon the Dominican government. In
we are to take the remarks OF the London Times as
any guidance to the action OF the Powers OF Europe
at the present day. we may anticipate more favor
able issue to the present negotiations In fact the
before they refused to cede the desired territory
which is one step IN advance Of the previous nego-
tatons; but an attempt may yet be made to prevent
the ratification OF the treaty by that republic should
1t pass the ordeal OF the United States Senate.
TERMS OF THE CONTRACT.
The provisions OF the contract for the Leasing Of
the Bay OF Banana to the United States are 80 far
as at present known, to be as foows.-The lease ls
to run for term OF fifty years, and the United
annual rental of s15OooO in gold. The first years
rent has been paid down. In addition to the annual
G cs rssaanf fs .s sSs b es rss,
somewhat strange and requires some explanation.
Apart from the money supplied by the United States,
been placed at the disposal of the republic OF ST.
Domingo THIS amount, however Is to be deducted
from future appropriations. Such in brief are the
reported terms upon which the United States has
acquired TINS magnificent harbor which has
been pronounced by Admiral Porter as "the finest
naval station In the world.n IL Is not a little
remarkable that the transfer Of the Bay OF SANTANA
was made on the anniversary OF the first landing OF
Columbus, which took place on the 9th day OF De-
cember, f492. Three hundred and seventy seven
years nave passed over since the famous Genoese
made the discovery Of the fruitful island Of
H1spanioa, ana where FOR centuries waved the proud
nag OF Spain the banner ol nation then unknown
now floats In triumph.
THE GEOGRAPHY OF SANTANA.
The peninsula (which forms one side OF the Bay OF
Samana) Is thirtytw0 miles long and eleven miles
across at It's greatest breadth IL comprises an area
Of about 225 square miles. But what's now PENN
sula was formerly an sland, there having been ut
Its western end a water communication which Is
now silted up, but might be easily reopened. The
soil Is extremely fertile, Its surface great ex-
building and for cabinet work. its mineral pfoduc-
tions comprise iron, Copper gold in small quantities,
sua s peak called Sugar Loaf hill. 1893 feet high
while another eminence, La Montana del Diablo IL
1900 feet above the level or the sea- The population
In 1851 was 72l. The bay which Is bounded on the
north by the peninsula and on the south and west
by the mainland, is about thirty three miles long and
eight broad. The Yuma, the largest river in the
country lows into It al its western end The harbor
Is considered 10 be one OF the nest In the world and
It's position, both in naval and military point OF
view, is OF the highest importance.
ADMIRAL PoRrER's OPINION OF SANTANA
As the geographical position OF SANTANA Bay is OF
vast importance to the United States, III case II
should be placed al the disposition OF such Power
as France, | deem II worthy OF q passing notce.
Situated close to the highway OF all vessels coming
from Europe (the Mona passagel and OF most or
the vessels from the United states bound to the
West Indes, the Power that owned Is could COM
mand the commerce OF any nation with whom they
sites for shlpbuidng-the finest timber, ron coal
and copper--and. no doubt, a good geological sur.
vey would develop resources In minerals yet I'M
thought or The bay ana harbor h the best In the
whole West Indies, and is capable am TODD OF con-
tanning the combined eets OF Europe and rendering
them perfectly secure against the most destructive
tempests. Very great numbers OF whales ind refuge
there in the large bay, where they increase and mul
tiply because not pursued, the government having
prohibited Oil vessels from taking whales In those
waters. One American alone has been allowed TO
nsn there, and the government, think could be
induced to extend the PERMISSION TO other citizens
OF the United states. II AL Is true told by the
natives that promise must be OF incaculable value
in every respect When the French party were de-
feated In their attempts to cede away SANTANA that
government put IN claim against The pQminicans,
Insisting "that they were bound TO pay half the
amount guaranteed 10 France when she recognized
the independence OF iayt;p nut this was contested
IN proper spirit, ana since then the French have
never urged Il; but II Is supposed that they still
hope to have their assistance called In. when they
can make better terms.