New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-04-14
PRESIDENT GRANT AsD SAN
DOMINGO.

Mr.. Sidney Andrews writes to the Boston
-idUeTtiSer q connected and oonerent ac-
count of the Presidents views concerning
the san Domingo treaty, as follows:
Re says that the Dominican authorities
made the first proposals, and pressed an-
neXation on him before he had looked into
the matter, Or formed any opinion ss to the
eXpediercy or feasibility OF the proJrct.
He finally sent confidential messengers down
there to make a secret examination into the
situation OF affairs, and inspect the re
sources and capabilities of the lsland, the
civilization of the people, the character OF
the government, the kind and amount OF
debt, and eVerything else of use in forming
a correct opinion. 1t was not until three
messengers had returned and fully reported
the result of their examination tnat ne con-
sented to listen TO the proposals OF the
Dominicaus Then he sent General Bah
cock down again, and a treaty, as Is already
known. Was negotiated.
The republic owes but 81 100000, which is
the price we agree TO pay for annexation.
When asked il he is certain that the debt is
no larger, he replies that he has the
strongest proof of the fact that this figure
covers The whole thing. What claims may
be trUmpad up against San Domingo he
knows not, aud cares less, for the reason
that under the treaty, it is expressly snpu-
lated that We can not be held to their pay
nent. He thinks i. likely some claims may
be presented, and says such OF them as are
proven good must be paid out OF the public
lands of the isand. He regards the stories
about 3 concealed debt Of fifteen or twenty
millions SIS emanating from foreign sources,
which are Jealous, enylous, and secretly
opposed 10 our acquisition OF what ne re
CARDS as the finest Of the West India Islands.
The Dominican Government acknowledges
less than 81, 800 coo Indebtedness, and says
there is no evidence IN existence tnat
valid claim Of another dollar can be pro
duced.
The present population the President esti-
mates at less than two hundred thousabd,
and he appr, ends no trouble whatever III
governing them and preserving order. Ihe
people, he says, pointing the result OF tne
recent eleC ion, are nearly all anxious To De
taken under the protection OF onr flag and
laws. They are tired and sick, he thinks, OF
faction. and civil war, and domestic discord,
and gladly hail the promise of peace and d
stable government. They are drawn to US,
he adds, by affection and sympathy on &C
count OF our enfrauchi=ement 0t the colored
race here, and repose implicit faith and con-
fdeuce in cur professions OF justice ana
equal rights. OF the natural resources OF
the island the President speaks IN glowing
terms, saying they can not well be eXagger-
ated, and under this head he presents many
figures to sustain his view. He is informed
that the SOIL is very rich, and produces all
the fruits of tropical latitudes in great
abundance. He believes that in ten years
after annexation the exports OF the island
would exceed in value 100000 GOO g. year.
Our people. he argues, would quickly
90 down there, open plantations. attract
labor, give employment to the na-
tives, build railways and teiegraphs. lay
out towns and villages, and establish lines
of ste amShips to New York and New Or
lesns.s Quantities Of sugar, coffee, tobacco,
and other tropical fruits would be grown
and exported, and our manufacturing and
agricultural interests would thrive thereby.
He thinks il would be decided benefit 10
US to grow these things on our own soil in.
stead of paying tariff Ta'es on them Wnen
imported from foreign C untries. He holds
that the expectation Of valuable woods and
various minerals from the island would be
great, and that before the end OF twenty
wears the commerce would equal that OF
Cub i. The laws Of all the West India
Islands are inimiCal to the Interests OF cur
country, hut once we get fo0,hOid down
there short time would work importan.
changes, so that III q little while trade would
prosper and commerce flourish.
He says that, looking at the questions In
vo!ved from the standpoint OF the Monroe
Island, now that it is offered to US by the
almost unanimous voice OF its inhabitants;
that if We reject their overtures there IS
danger that they may turn to Crest Britain
TO obtain peace and protection, and II they
do, we shall have no right to resist inter
ference by that power. He believes one OF
the next works of the world will be the con-
struction of the Darien ship canal; thinks
our country will not be likely to let any for
aic rnh nf n ai
of that undertaking, and holds that sta.
tion of our own in the West Indies is essen
tial to the canal project, Il we hope to de-
rive from it such benefits as we should. He
also thinks it very important, from naval
and military point of view, to secure this
stronghold in the midst of the West Indies.
and says it would be great blunder in
ststesmanship to throw away this opportu-
nifty for getting it on favorable terms.
Our weak point, he argues, is the Gulf
coast, and while he does not anticipate any
war, he thinks We should take the island as
an outpost against any possible danger. He
seemed to convey the idea that in bis view
we are sometime to have all the West India
Islands under our flag, and added that 1t
would be folly TO reject the bes; one OF them
all when we Can get it so advant6geously.
He does not say whether he viii or will not
ask an extension of time GA the treaty, but
adheres to the hope that some step in be-
half of annexation may yet be taken by the
Senate. He says he has worked hard TO
show Senators its advantages, and expresses
the opinion that everybody would be in
favor OF it il they clearly understood all the
facts as he does. He would, doubtless,
heartily approve q project to send Con-
gressiOnal commission or even g. steamer
load OF congressman down there on tour
of inspection, and it is by no means certain
that some such movement IS this may not
be proposed in the Senate by friends OF the
treaty before the end Of the session.
ELEGANT HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE AT Auc-
TIoN.-Our numerous readers must not for
get the important sale of furniture, carpets
curtains, cut glassware, engravings, pic
lures, ornaments, oil paintings, ETC., to be
made at No. l59 Calliope street, between
Prytania ard st. Charles streets, beginning
at eleven O'Clock this day, by Messrs. Nasf
& HOdgson, auctioneers, for accounts OF tn'
succession of Mrs. Ellen S. Wood, deceased
See advertisement.
A VALUABLE OIL PAINTIsG.-Among th'
extensive list of houshold furniture to b.
sold by Messrs. Nash q Hodgson, auc
tioneers, st eleven O'Clock this day. at No
l59 Calliope street, between st. Charles ant
Prytania streets, for account of the success
sion of Mrs. Ellen S. Wood, deceased, ma.