The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-12-04
Annexation of San Domingo.

The Boston Herald of Oct. Goth prints a special
despatch from New York on the subject of the
annexation of San Domingo, which contained
some statements that may be aptly characterized,
after a hackneyed fashion, as important if true.
The writer of the despatch first alludes to the
measures which were some time ago instituted
for the purpose of acquiring an anchorage for
naval vessels in the Bay of SANTANA, and then
says that President Grant determined to secure
not only this but the territory of tie entire isl
and rs well. To this end he ordered a member OF
his staff. Gen. Babcock, to make an inspection oil
the island, to report upon its resources and the
commercial value of its bays and harbors. The
writer continues:
Gen. Babcockspent some six weeks on the isl
and, where he was received with the greatest
kindness by all parties. The sentiment in favor
of annexation to the United States was of the
strongest kind, and pervaded all classes to a re.
markable degree. The products of the island
were found to be of the most valuable character,
their growth being of the most spontaneous and
luxuriant nature. The climate was found to be
well adapted to all classes of people. In fact
there are nearly all the climates known to man
To be enjoyed on the island-that in the noun
tains being OF nm excedh. ely cool temperature,
while the high plains are of the temperate zone,
and the low valleys and plains of a torrid nature.
Every species of vegetation hourishes. and the
minerals are of great value. Among the former
are tobacco, cotton, indigo, sugar, etc., and the
latter include gold. bislnuth, cinnabar, silver and
copper"
Senator Cole, of California. who also made a
tour of the island, returned with the most glowing
description of the natural advantages of this ia
vored spot. The Senator thinks il Alaska was
worth some seven millions of dollars i'm gold to
the United States, that st. Domingo is worth u
good fifty millions.
The principal export business of the country is
mt Ny carried on with Europe, through the
steamship line that touches at St. Domingo when
On rOrlfe from Snuthampfonf IN 81 I1np,.s Nuch
OF the trade with Europe is also transacted via
New York, to which latter port shipments of to-
bacco, indigo, and sugar destined for Hamburg
are made by the new American steamship line,
the steamers landing the goods at the pier of the
Hamburg steamships at Hoboken. The reports
from these gentlemen to the President were of
such an extremely favorable nature that, combined
with previous reports made through the Foreign
Committee OF the last Congress, it was decided to
send out n Commissioner to enter into negotia-
tons for the purchase of the whole island. Ac-
cordingly n Commissioner left this port for st.
Domingo early in August, and after several in
terviews with the various governmental officials Of
the island, came to a satisfactory arrangement for
the acquisition Of the whole island by the Govern
ment of the United States. The official .Japers
were drawn up, turning over the territory to this
Government, upon the performance of certain OBJ
legations entered into by the Commissioner in
behalf of the United States, and they were duly
signed by the authorized parties of both Govern
ments some thirty days ago. These s:ipulations
have been submitted to the President and Cabi-
net, and they have met their unqualified approba-
ton. These stipulations and agreements will be
to Congress Immediately upon the
opening of the next session.
The q. s. frigate Tuscdrora, which left the
United States some time since with sealed orders,
is now at anchor in the harbor of San Domingo,
as the representative Of the United States, to
protect the interests of our country there under
the new arrangement, no matter from what source
those interests may be imperiled or jeopardized.
She will remain there until final action in the
matter is taken by Congress.