The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-22
SA M A N A,
The Key TO the Gulf of
Mexico.
It's Acquisition by the United
States Government.
First American Territory in the
Antilles.
What the English and French
Think Of 1t.
Report Of General Babcock, One
Of Our Commissioners, to
President Grant.
TAs Republic Of Dominica Its History
Up to the Present Day-Description
Of the People-Manners, Gus
toms, Religion, Productions
Of the Island, Resources,
Soil and Climate.

General BabcOck,s Arrival In the Capital
His Interview With the President-Our New
Naval Station In the West Indies-Admiral
Porter Before the Congressional Committee
ON Commerce-Tbe Admirable Views and
SuggestiOns.
WASHINGTON Dec. q, 1859.
General Babcock Commissioner to st. Domingo
IN the business OF negotiating lease or permanent
acquisition OF the Bay OF SANTANA by the United
States, arrived In this city this morning. Generals
ingalls, and Sackett who accompanied General
BaDcock remained In New York. The accounts
~ already published in the HERALD. Of the
details OF the doings Of the commission
are essentially correct and will not need
repetition. 1t has not, however, been mentioned
that during General Babcocks presence at the Doml
mean capital party steamed up the Victorian
branch Of tine Ozama distance Of fifteen miles,
observing the beautiful scenery and forests Of ma
h0gany and logwood. AT the capital the Commits
sloner was Hospitality received and was treated
with every courtesy during the then pending nego.
tiatl0ns. General Hongra, Minister Of War and
Marine, quite Ill and took little part IN the bust
ness. The precise nature Of the deputatlons
entered into were to-day communicated to
the President by General Babcock. There are
two propositions, 1t Is understood, each OF
which embrace the magnificent Bay OF SANTANA.
Upon these the President Is now deliberatlng 1t Is
considered highly probable that the matter will not
be laid before Congress until January. The $4,000
employed was out OF the fund OF 100000 appro-
priated to be used in accomplishing the same object
by Mr.. Seward. AS stated in the HERALD's de-
spatches the American flag was unfurled IN the pre-
sence OF General Babcock and this first step to the
possession Of the bay being over the Albany sailed
on her return voyage. Before any further steps
than the presence OF the Nantucket in the
bay are taken the President will ask Con-
gress to sanction his act. This being done
orders Will be despatched Immediately to the Gull
squadron to rendezvous at samana large guam
ty Of coal VIII be sent out for immediate c0nsump
ton while the coal vein on the peninsula is being
opened In order to be made available. SJorehouses
win ne erected and plans drawn mp looking 70 the
proposed fOrtifcation ana security OF the place.
Earthworths mounting heavy guns, are also talked
or and not only the most economical but the most
serviceable means Of defence considered.
After the contract ID fully ratified by Congress it
Will be but q few months before the United States
viii be able to boast Of credItable naval station in
the West Indies 1t Is also probable that several
battaiOns OF native, accimated troops will be re-
cruited provided Congress gives authority for such
action.
The despatch from St. Thomas in regard to the
distribution OF the money paid down is pronounced
entirely false and Is supposed to have been written
by some one hostile to this step the part Of the
United States. 1t Is known that number OF the
leading members Of both houses OF Congress are in
terested in the speedy contamination Of the acqui-
ntion Of the Bay Of SANTANA, and IL is not antici-
pated that any delay will spring from this quarter.
Admiral Porter was before the House Committee on
Commerce to-day In relation to a more liberal egis-
lative policy towards the extension OF American
commercial enterprises The committee were much
interested In the Information communicated by the
Admiral. He urged the granting Of liberal
subsidies, stating that 5000 600, for instance,
expended per annum, though it would be a loss Of
that amount 10 the Treasury, would be worth more
than 1000 year to the country. In regard to
the mails The Admiral said that he thought they
could be carried cheaper as now arranged. The
committee were considerably alarmed when In
formed that the present steam vessels running into
New York in event OF would form, II armed, q
formidable naval power against US, and he sug.
gested that some timely action should be taken in
order to prevent any contingency that might lead to
these vessels, now engaged IN the peaceful pursuits
OF commerce. being used against ms. The commit
tee seemed to be alive to this new feature In our
present commercial status and evinced determi-
nation to adopt more liberal policy. There Is now
better prospect than ever OF having our merchant
marine put on better footing.