The Portland daily press., 1871-04-06
SYNOPSIS OF THE COMMISSIONERS
REPORT.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

WASHINGTON, April 5.-To the Senate and
House Of Representatives: / have the honor to
ata submit herewith to the two Houses Of Con Con
gresS the report of the commissioners appoint
ed in pursuance of the Joint resolution approx
ed January 18th, 1871.
1t will be observed that this report more
than sustains all 1 heretofore said in regard to
the prOductiveness and healthfulness of the re-
public of San Domingo, of the unanimity OF
the people for annexation to the United States
and their peaceable character. 1t is due to the
public as certainly to myself that should here
give all the circumstances which first led to
the negotiation of a treaty for the annexation
Of the republic OF San Domingo to the United
States. When accepted the arduous and re-
sponsble position now hold, did not dream
OF instituting any steps for the acquisition of
insulaT 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 under
our protection. believed further that we
should not permit any independent govern
ment within the limits of North America to
pass from condition of independence to one
of Ownership or protection under European
powers. 2
Soon after my Inauguration as President
was waited upon by an agent of President
Baez, with proposition to annex the Repub-
lie of San Domingo to the United States. This
gentleman represented the capacity of the is
land, the desire of the people, and their char
acter and habits about as they have been de-
scribed by the commission whose report ac-
companies this message. He stated further
they were not capable of developing their great
resources; that the people have no incentive to
industry on account of the lack of protection for
their accumulatiOns. and that if not accepted
which they loved above those OF any other ma
tion, they would be compelled to seek protec-
tion elsewhere. 70 these statements made
no reply, and gave no indication of what /
thought of the proposition. In the course of
time was waited upon by a second gentle-
man 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 earnest desire to main
tain the Monroe doctrine, I believed that I
would be derelct in my duty if did not take
measures to ascertain the exact wish OF the
Government and 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 ciI-
cumstances felt that if I turned O deaf ear to
this appeal mightin future be justly charged
with hagrant neglect of the public interests
and an utter disregard of the welfaIe of q
down-trodden race praying for the blessing of
free and strong Government and for protec-
ton in the enjoyment of the fruits of their own
industry. Those opponents of annexation who
heretofore have protessed to be pre-. eminently
the friends of the rights of men I believed
would be my most violent assailants if neg
lected so clear duty. Accordingly, after hav-
ing appointed commissioner to visit the is
land, who declined on account of sickness,
selected second gentleman, in whose capaci-
ty, judgment and integrity had and have vet
the most unbounded confidence. He visited
San Domingo, not to secure or hasten annexa.
tion, but to learn all the facts about the Gov
ernment, people and resources of that repub-
lie. He went certainly as we'll prepared to
make an unfavorable report as a favorable one
If the facts warranted it. His report fully cor
roborated the views of previous commissioners,
and upon its receipt felt that sense of duty
and due regard for our great national interests
required me to negotiate treaty for the ac-
QUESTION of the Republic of San Domingo,
AS soon as it became publicly known that such
treaty had been negotiated the attention Of
the country was occupied with allegations cal
culated to prejudice the merits of the case and
with those whose duty had connected them
with it. Amidst the public excitement thus
created the treaty failed to receive the requi-
site two-thirds vote of the Senate and was re-
jected. But whether the action of that body
was based wholly upon the merits of the treaty
or might not have been in some degree influ-
encea by such unfounded allegations could not
be known by the people because the debates of
the Senate in secret session were not publised.
the Office which hold, and due 10 the eharac-
ter of the agents who had been charged with
the investigation that such proceedings should
be had as would enable the peopleto know the
truth. A communication was therefore con-
stitutted underauthority of Congress, consisting
of gentlemen selected with special reference to
the high character and capacity for the labor
GUS work entrusted to them,who were instruc.
ted to visit the spot and report upon the facts.
Other eminent citizens we're requesed to ac-
company the commission in order that people
might have the benefit of their views. Stu
dents of science and correspondents of the
press, without regard to political opinions, were
invited tosoin the expedition and their number
was limited only by the capacity of the vessel.
The mere rejection by the Senate of treaty
negotiated by the President only indicates the
difference of opinion Ofthe government without
touching.the character or wOundiDg the 4pride
OF either, but when guch rejection takes place
simultaneously with charges openly mado Of
those employed by him the case is different.
Indeed in such a case the honor of the nation
demands investigation. This has been ac-
complished by the report of the commissioners
herewith transmitted, and which fully indi-
Gates the purity of the motives and the action
ofthose who represented the United States in
the negotiation, and now my task is finished
and with it ends all personal solicitude upon
the subject. Ny duty being, done, yours be-
to the judgment Of the American people and Of
their Representatives In Congressl assembled
The facts will now be spread before the coun-
try and decision be rendered by that tribun-
al, whose convictions 80 seldom err,and against
whose will have no policy to enforce. My opin-
ion remains unchanged; indeed it is confirmed
blythe report that the interests of our country
and San Domingo alike invite the apnexation
of the republic In view of the. difference of
opinion upon the subject no action will be
taken at the present session beyond printing
and general dissemination of the report
Before the next session of Congress the people
will have considered the subject and formed an
intelligent opinion concerning it, to which
opinion, deliberately made up, it will be the
give heed, AID no one will more cheerfally con-
form to it than myself 1t is not only the theo-
ry of our constitution that the will of the peo-
pie, constitutionally expressed, is the supreme
law, but have ever believed that all men were
wiser than any one man, and if the people upon
full presentation of the facts shall decide that
the annexation of fthe republic is not desirable
every department. of the government ought to
acaliesce in that decision. In again submit
ting to Congress a subject upon which public
sentiment has been divided and which has
been made the occasion of acrimonious debate
in Congress as we'll as unjust aspersions else.
where, may, trust, be INDUCED in single
remark. No man can hope to perform duties
so delicate and responsible as pertain to the
Presidential office without sometimes incur
ring the hostility of these who deem their opin-
ions and wishes treated with insufficient con-
siderations, and he who undertakes to conduct
the affairs of great government as faitkEel
public servant, if sustained by the approval OF
his own conscience may rely with confidence
up0r the candOr and intelligence of free peO-
pie whose best interests he has striven to SUBJ
serve, and can bear with patience the censure
of disappointed men.
(Signed) U. s. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, April 9Th.
SYNOPSIS OF THE COMMISSIONERS REPORT.
The Commissioners preface their report by q
recital of the resolution of Congress under
which they were appointed, and after brief
narrative OF the events of the expedition1glve
concise statement of the political state and
| condition and form of government OF San
DomiBgO. The government is in theory con-
stitutional republic, the President being elect
ed for six years by the provinces, and the Ju-
dietary of the Supreme Court are chosen foI
five years by the Senate from nominations by
calde, corresponding to our justice OF the
peace, holding Office virtually during good be-
| havior, and not one was found whose character
| did not inspire respect Baez also appears legal!
| ly and constitutionally entitled to office which
he now holds. The existing insurrectioni
headed by Cabral and Luperon are the expon-
ents of no clearly defined policy and have nc
which they may temporarily occupy. Cabral
though once popular leader, is incompetent
lacking administrative ability, and claims NJ
authority beyond that of leader of the revolu
ton. Luperon is simply bandit, stained will
crime, his main exploits being robberies ant
piracies. Cabral has only few hundred mel
operating in the de9opulated districts of San
war material from Hayti.
The Commissioners believe that had botl
these leaders only welded their own forces ant
resources they would long ago have been pu