New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-13
SAN DOMINGO.
THE QUESTION OF ANNEX ALTON.
lYRon OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT

the special agent OF President Baez OF San Domingo
charged with negotiating treaty for the annexation OF
that republic TO this This envoy was French, man OF
shabby appearance and apparently very ordinary inte
gence. His companion was from Baltimore and looked
like a weltodo horse Jockey hack-driver. He had
guano appearance, and 1t is probable from something he
let fall that the Baltimorean OF Judge Blacks
Alta Vela clients. They were queer couple
to be engaged III transaction OF such magnitude The
Frenchman, before going to San Domingo had been an
artificial flower dealer. He was rather commonplace,
middle aged man. with certain ar OF shrewd simplicity
which very taking when recognized. That he
really commissioned by Mr. Baez 10 negotiate the
sale of the Dominican territory doubt existed SO at
least Gen. Banks and Judge Orth said. The latter was
fairly possessed with the idea and made II Will be re-
membered, long and feariuy padded speech In favor
Of the mild humbug OF that protectorate PROPOSE
ton which Gen. Banks reported upon favoraDy.
Ny memory serves correctly In stating that
the inducementsKoferc by this envoy repre-
scented in thosepublshed to-day outline Of the
Cole Snllvan Babcoek Treaty The National Debt was
not than 81 100000 and the purchase money would
not be over q million and half. Gen. Baez was-the
BaltmOrean, in confidential mood, decared-a man
of independent fortune whose property, consisting
chiefly of Plantations mines, &c, would be go
largely increased in value by annexation as
10 bring him all the material reward that was
necessary to satisfy patriot ;and gentleman. Yet at
the time there many mysterious hints given
Of possible and prospective advantages 10 those who,
like your correspondent then inclined TO listen at
tentvoy, and candldy consider the scheme presented
The artificial flower Mailer had been to Seward short
time before but he told him to wat-his seward time
was short, and that another, who inherited his policy,
would come after him,
The agents had been here but short time when orr
handsome friend Col Fabeus Of cityarTiyed here in
hot haste. He claims patent right TO the annexation
negotiations having first put Mr. Seward the track.
I'd, ,H.f - tgt.V
than probable he really did believe the shabby old
Freedman fraud in the annexation business 1t
ntmatcd that there larger debt due than S2oC-
COO At time, the whisper it up to many millions
Suddenly tho whole thing appeared TO collapse and the
Freuchman Baltimoreau aud Col Fabens were seen no
more haunting Gen. Bankss Committee Room, or fitting
uneas.y about the corridors Of the south wing Judge
Ortiz Of course talked He wanted to 20 to Gan Domingo,
but somehow that was not arranged.
In the meanwhile the new Administration took 10 up,
and managed with retcent strategy worthy OF Grant,
get the confidential Secretary off for the tropics, with
out any but few sharp ones hereabou taking any NO
tice Senator Cole followed, and last September We all
woke TO a big treaty FOR the annexation OF
San UOmnco had been madcso said the reporters Who
il the European spider that declared Diplomacy to
be the art Of lying cleycrly and cheating admirably
Webster says II is deXtorty skin IN securing adyan-
tages' Whether any Of these suggestions are applicable
part in this Dominican matter has yet to be deter
mined but that diplomat must be deNterOus In handling
the truth, or the reverse, Wen convinced, after
hearing a certain senator declare with light, aiTy
grace that lie knew nothing about treaty or other
ne gotiation- that his entire Summer wdnderngs
among the valleys and mountains Of that lovely island
related to his personal affairs.
But testing apart here rests the matter, setting aside
any possible intrsgucs among t'"e" "h" - ',"oh
CON Grant 10 action such this tIhe PrlY0e secretary
and tho Senator who por'cs To the treaties now
pcnding acted perfect good faith, aud have become
quite enthusiastic the desired result But the other
member Of the THO, Judge Osnyan, Is rather doubtful
Rumor LINKS his name with uncertain speculatons, as
the owner OF all sorts Of franchises for all sorts Of pro
iecs as sure 10 turn up here when Dauen aud other
tropical schemes for canal railroad are dis
cussed. II / am not mieinformed no mat
ter what the scheme may be, the eX-Minster TO
Bogota js sure to own control some land or place
necessary be secured before the projects can be car
ried out He II said 10 be, after Gen Cazneau, well
known here FOR the past % years, the chief, not the
only banker in san Domingo. Since ne possesses the
facuty OF owning things 10 NAV be worth while 10 IN
oure how much Of the samana Bay territory or OF the
debt of the Dominican Republic 0inown and unknownl
which we 10 assume, is controlled by the san DO
min Celtic Amcrican.Spansh bankers and -peculatorsf
This certainly cannot be considered an impairment IN
quiry.
now ANIMATION WILL re REGARDED BY The DoNiN-
lCANs.
Within two or three days past the writer has converted
at length with gentlemen Of the highest character ana
intelligence thoroughly acquainted with the condition
of both San Domingo and Haytl, and having the best
possible means Of understanding the situation pro
nose to state some Of his views and preliminary thereto
desire 10 say that my informant most heartily In sym
pathy with all honest and equitable efforts at increasing
the friendly influence the United States In the Islands OF
the Gulf in fact with all other American peoples lie re-
CARDS Ia Government and people as altogether deicUct
not only negborly duty, but in that careful selfish
ness which is as usually deemed sagaclous
among nations as among individuals He also
declares his Conyiction-Ond as native
Of one Of the Anthem islands he has the right to speak
that the only possible future for those communities lies
through complete friendship with the Great Republic
and control obtained them by virtue OF the ener
czing and educational influences OF our civilization In
this manner lie would pave the way TO unity with u.s.
Absorption attraction Of gavtaton would be either OF
them a better word than annexation To describe the
means By which my West Indian friend would have us
Obtain control OF all the fair islands Of the Caribbean Sea-
From this standpoint he regards fayorably PROPOSE
ton lease SANTANA Bay from Baez or to obtain pTlV
leges from Hayti at the Mole st. Nicholas Any treaty
looking direct annexation he would now regard as sure
10 produce troublc-and that too OF character that
must not be moderated
The direct reasons given for this view are simple and
plain Dstrnst OF all white races is yet marked at
tribute not OF the Haytans only, but the Domnicans
also Perhaps with the latter Is not as distinct sen
ment, but the late attempt Of Spain revived aud
strenghenod Certainly in Hayti the Jealousy OF the
white man lie q fact that must b6consdered for 1t duly
and sedllousy fosered by ambitious demagogues.
In both Republics the mass OF the people
are very Ignorant and tho Intelligence Of
our great progress In ylndicatng all rights for all
men," has found its way slowly among them The
presence at POrtauPrnce OF Minister Bassett gentle
man possessed Of healthy and honest brown skim IL
visible sign OF the change which has been made sun II
is by no means sufficient proof 10 them that annexation
od not mean evil Tho men OF IIayti and san Domingo