The Van Buren press., 1870-12-13

Otner nanO SPAIN WOulu pe ~ ItDerty 10
traverse every material fact, and thus
complete equity would be done.
SAN DOMINGO.
During the last session Of Congress a
treaty for the annexation of the republic
of San Domingo TO the United States
failed to receive the requisite two third
yote Of the Senate. was thoroughly
convinced then that the best interests of
the country, commercially and material
ly, demanded its ratification. Time has
only confirmed me in this view. now
firmly believe that the moment It il
known that the United States has entire.
ly abandoned the project Of accepting as
a partof its territory the island Of San
Domingo, a free port will be negotiated
fer by European nations.
/, n the bay of Samana large conner.
cial city viii spring up, to which We will
be tributary without receiving cores
ponding benefits.
The government Of San Domingo has
voluntarily sought this annexation. 1t
is weak power, numbering, probably,
less than one hundred and twenty thou
sand souls, and yet possessing one of the
richest localities under the sun, capable
Of supporting population Of one mill
ion of people in luxury. The people Of
San Domingo are not capable of main
tanning themselves in their present con-
diton and must look outside for support
They yearn for the protection ofour free
institutions and laws, our progress and
civilization Shall we refuse themi
SUMMARY
The acquisition OF San Domingo is an
adhesion to the Monroe doctrine; il is a
measure of national protection; 1t is as
serting our just claim to controlling
influence over the great commercial traf-
tic soon to flow from West to East by
way Of the isthmus Of Darien; it is to
build up our merchant marine; it is to
open new markets for the products ofour
farms, shops and manufactures it is to
make slavery insupportable in Cuba and
Porto Rico at once, and ultimately so in
Brazil (; it is to settle the unhappy condi
ton of Cuba and end an extermnating
conflict it is to provide honest means Of
paying our honest debts without over
taxing the people; it is to furnish our
citizens with the necessaries ofevery day
life at cheaper rates than ever before;
and it is, in fine, n rapid stride toward
that greatness which the intelligence, in
dustry and enterprise of the citizens of
the United States entitle this country to
assume among nations.
In view Of the importance ofthis ques-
ton, earnestly urge upon Congress ear
ly action expressive of its views as to the
best means Of acquiring San Domingo.
My suggestion is that, by joint resou-
executive pr adrnvrnr,f q, "Iyp,-"tL.s
commissioner to negotiate for treaty
with the authorities of San Domingo for
the acquisition Of that island, and that
an appropriation be made to defray the
expenses Of such commission. Theques
ton may then be determined by the ac-
ton of the two Houses of Congress upon
a resolution of annexation, as in the case
Of the annexation Of Texas. So con
vinced ain | Of all the advantages to flow
from the acquisition of San Domingo,
and of the great disadvantages-Im might
say cslamitirs--to flow from non. acqui
sition, that believe the subject has only
to be Investigated to be approved.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
regret TO say that no conclusion has
been reached for the adjustment Of the
claims against Great Britain growing ont
Of the course adopted by that govern.
ment during the rebellion The cabinet
Of London, so far as its views have been
expressed, does not appear to be willing
to concede that her,majesty's government
was guilty OF negligence, or did or per.
mi,ted any act during the war by which
the United States has just cause Of com.
plant. Ever firm and unalterable, my
convictions are directly the reverse, and
therefore recommend to Congress to
authorize the appointment of commits
sion to take proof Of the amount and the
ownership Of their claims, on notice to
the representative Of her majesty at Wash.
ington, and that authority be given for
| the commencement of these claims by
the United States, SO that the govern
ment shall have the ownership Of the pri.
vate claims as well as the responsible con
troll of all the claims against Great Bri-
ain
1t cannot be necessary to add that
whenever her majesty's government shall
entertain desire for full and friendly
adjustment of these claims, the United
States will enter upon their consideration
with all earnest desire for conclusion
consistent with the honor and dignity OF
both nations.
THE EXPENSES OF THE GOVERNMENT.
The estimates for the expenses Of the
government for the fiscal year are SlS,-
244,346 OF less than for the current one,
but exceed the appropriations for the
present year for the same items sS.97c,-
1877 So. In this estimate, however, is in
cluJed 80. 33S,27S 81 for public works
heretofore begun under Congressional
provision, and Of which only 50 much is
asked as Congress may choose to give
The appropriation for the same work for
the present fiscal year was Sll.9S1, ,5lS OS
sprcia PAYMENT.
The average value of gold as cempar
ed with the national currency for the
whole of the year 1869 was about l34
and for eleven months Of 1870 the same
relative value has been about ll5. This
approach to specie basis is very graft
flying, but the fact cannot be denied that