Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-04-06
FROM WASHINGTON.
Report of the San Domingo Commits
s1OnerS.

s1OnerS.
WASHINGTON, April 8.
T. the Senate and House of Representatives.
| have the honor to submit herewith to the
two Houses of Congress. the report of the
Commissioners appointed in pursuance of the
! joint resolution, approved Jan. II, 1871.
1t viii be observed that this report more
than sustains all have heretofore said in re-
gard to the productveness and healthfuness
of the Republic of San Domingo, of the
unaninty of the people for annexation to the
United States, and their peaceable character.
1t is due to the public as certainly to my
self. that should here give all the circum-
stances which first led to the negotiation of
treaty for the annexation of the Republic of
| San Domingo to the United States.
When accepted the arduous and respon-
sible position l now hold, l did not dream of
instiuting any steps for acquisition of insular
possessions. | believed, however, that our
| institutions were broad enough to extend
over the entire continent. as rapidly as other
people might desire to bring themselves I'M
der our protection. | believed further that
we should not permit any independent gov
eminent within the limits of North America
to pass from a condition of independence to
one of ownership or protection under Euro
pean powers. Soon after my Inauguration as
i
President BaeZ with proposition to annex
the Republic of San Domingo to the United
States This gentleman represented the ca
pacity of the Island, and the habits of the
people and their character about as they have
been described by the Commits sioners, whose
report accompanied the message. He stated
| further, that being weak in numbers and poor
| in purse, they were not capable of develop
| ing their great resources; that the people
| had no incentive 10 industry on account of
the lack of protection for their accomoda-
ton, and that if not accepted by the United
States with the institutions which they loved
above those of any other nation, they would
be compelled TO seek protection elsewhere.
| TO these statements | made no reply, and
gave no conclusion of what | thought of the
proposition.
In the course of time was waited upon by
second gentleman from San Domingo. who
made the same representations and who was
| received in like manner, in view of the facts
which were laid before me. and with an earn
est desire to maintain the Tonroe doctrine. |
believed that it would be derelict in my duty
if did not take means to ascertain the exact
wish of the Government and the inhabitants
of the republic of San Domingo, in regard to
| annexation, and communicate the information
to the people of the United States.
Under the attending circumstances, I felt
that if turned deaf ear to this appeal, |
might in the future be justly charged with a
fragrant neglect Of the public interest and an
utter disregard of the welfare of down
trodden race, praying for the blessing of
free and strong Government and for protection
in the enjoyment of the fruits of their own
industry. Those opponents of annexation
who, heretofore have professed to be pre-emi-
nently the friends of the rights of man, be-
lieved, would be my most violent assailants,
if l neglected so clear duty.
Accordingly. after having appointed a Com
missioner to visit the Island, who declined on
account of sickness, | selected second gen.
tleman, IN whose capacity, judgement and in
tegrity, had. and have yet the utmost con-
fidence. He visited San Domingo, not to Sc
cure or hasten annexation, but to learn all the
facts about the government, people, and re-
sources OF that republic He went, certainly,
as well prepared to make an unfavorable re-
port as a favorable one, if the facts warranted
it, His report fully corroborated the views
of the previous Commissioners, and upon its
receipt felt that sense of duty and due re-
gard for our national interests required me to
negotiate treaty for the acquisition of the
Rupublc Of San Domingo. As soon as it be-
came publicly known that such treaty had
been negotiated, the attention Of the country
was occupied with allegations calculated to
prejudice the merits of the case, and with
those connected with it, and the public excite
ment, the treaty failed to receive the requisite
twothirds vote of the Senate. and was reject
ed. But whether the action of that body was
based wholly upon the merits of the treaty,
| or might not have been in some degree in
| fuenced by such uniounded allegations, could
not be known by the people, because the de-
hates of the Senate in secret session were not
published.
Under these circumstances, found it due
to the Office which l held, and due to the
character of the Agents who had been
| charged with the investigation, that such pro-
ceedings should be had as would enable the
people to know the truth. A Commission
was therefore constituted, under the authori-
ty OF Congress, consisting of gentlemen, Sc
lelted with special reterance to their high
character and capacity for the laborious work
intrusted to them. Who were instructed to
visit the spot and report upon the facts.
| Other eminent citizens were requested to
accompany the Commissioners in order that
the people might have the benefit of their
| views.
Students of science, and correspondents of
the Press, without regard to political opinion,
were invited to join the expedition, and their
number was limited only by The capacity of
the vessel.
The mere rejection by the Senate of a
treaty negotiated by the President, only in
dicates the difference of opinions of the gov
eminent, without touching the character, or
wounding the pride of either. But when
such rejection takes place simultaneously,
with charges openly made of corruption on
the part of the President and those employed
by him, the case is different. Indeed such
acts, the honor of the nation demands inves-
tigation.
This has been accomplished by the report
of the Commissioners herewith transmitted,
and which fully indicates the purity of the
actions Of those who represented the United
States in the negotiation. And now my task
is finished and with it ends all personal So
licitude upon the subject.
My duty being done, yours begins, and |
gladly hand over the whole, matter to the
Judgment of the American people and of their
) representatives in Congress assembled. The
E facts will now be spread before the country