The New York herald., 1871-03-17

ana the oarolinas. spcc,mens Of gold-be arn
quartz are found TOO, and l have handled several
but there is nothing in them, chat l have seen o
heard of. to indicate rich veins.
GOLD MINING IN ST. DOMINGO DOESN'T PAY.
SO far thero is nothing to show that gold minini
or washing would pay, Notwithstanding the fabulous
statements OF old Spanish writers about the minera
wealth Of st. Domingo. Nor are there any evi
dences OF strong copper-bearing veins, though thu
greatest efforts have been made TO persuade us there
are SUCH asked for specimens and facts to show
that, and was promised over and over again they
should be given; but they never came. Such Of
were pr0duced-and these were collected and pre-
served evidently with care-did not indicate on
abundance OF the mineral. The copper Is generally
found with iron, and in pockets. There is far more
mineral talk than mineral wealth, Is generally the
case in all countries, and particularly In new
or unexplorcd One There is however, at Neyba OF
the region of country about that place, an almost
unlimited amount of fine crystalized rock salt. Even
the socaled coal at Samana, which Professor Blake
says is Ignlte, but can be used for many purposes
Is not as good. am satisfied. as he represents.
THE RICH SOIL
With regard 10 the productive capaDility OF the
country do not think that even the imaginative
correspondents Of the press or impressionabe
commissioners can exaggeraUe that Throughout
the greater part and in every section the soil Is rich
and well motstened by cOpious rains. In many
parts, and especially at Samana and on the north
side or the island, upon which the broad Atlantic
rolls the mountains are covered with dense verdure
TO their very tops There are Of course some arid
or unproductlve spot g. but these few, and per-
haps there IS no country in the world OF correspond
ing area that has much rich soil and little bar
ren The slopes OF the mountains and hills and the
Lynn roin norlv
But nearly all Is left to nature.
THE DoMINICANs TAKE IT EAsY-COFFEE, SUGAR
AND TOBACCO.
The sparse population live upon little and that
natrre supplies almost without labor. The cultiva-
ton even for commerce is very limited aud confined
to few localities. The Coffee sugar, tobacco and
other things raised not OF the finest quality, and
are classed as inferior In the markets OF the
world. They might be improved by good
cultivation, but 1t is question whether the strength
OF the soil great humidity and consequens luxu-
RANT growth be favorable to lneness or deicacy OF
quallty-w neither sucn rankness OF growth and
great excellence in quality can go together. As to
the abundant yield there can be no question. There
been cut near the csast There are. also, lignum-
vlt9 and other valuable woods for use and orna-
mems, some OF which are peculiar to the country.
II is estimated there are $1,000 different plants. The
fauna Is very poor. There are few animals, and
FEW FLIES AND PLENTY OF FISH.
1t Is s remarkable however, and agreeable at the
the coasts, and hardly any such we have IN
abundance IN summer time TO torment cattle.
th sns 20 e 81 ne trade winds
There IS plenty OF fish OF different kinds, and some
very good, on the coasts and in the bays and rivers
HISTORY OF THE ISLAND.
History shows how, very productive the island
was at the end Of the last century and during the
republic OF st. Domingo, than OF the French part,
known as Haytl. Though the amount OF producuon
was much less-for the population was always much
smaller In the Spanish partthe soil generally is
rich as at the other end Of the island. At the time
OF slavery, and when the colony of st.
Domingo had reached Its height OF pros.
ne eaa the .Go yane Of
or $4,000 600 at this time. The amount OF French
tonnage entered that year was 55 4S and that left
So s2l The value OF property OF all kinds was about
$500, 100000, which was equal to more than double
that sum now. Mr.. Brown, In his history
attained a degree Of brilllancy that threw every
other colony In the world infinitely in the shade.
the soll, not yet exhausted and become elfete.
poured forth immense gains into the treasury Of
France and made the planters and merchants OF the
island mobiles and princes. 1t was splendid speci-
can accomplish when aided by the propitousness of
such genial soil and climate. y = An active
commerce united It with Europe, and twenty ports
OF trade were filled with fifteen hundred vessels
waiting to freight home its ricn productions. All
",
Humboldt the slaves Of both sexes were to be seen
dancing IN festive circles. and the sound OF music
The traveller captivated by the spectacle, blessed
the bene1cent hand Of nature which had provided
THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY RUINED ST. DOMINGO.
This island, like another magnificent colony OF the
Antilles-Jamaica-was ruined when slavery was
abolished, and has never been restored. While I
would not see slavery revived cannot close my
eyes to this significant historical fact. st. Domingo
no doubt, is as capable OF immense production
now as it was In former times, but 1t will never I'M
prove under the people that occupy and rule 1t at
present.
The mos important question OF all, then, as re.
CARDS the value and future OF st. Domingo, next to
that OF Q good and stable government, Is one Of
which Is now proposed to be annexed, come under
the government OF the United States the first con-
viii be or little use without labor to cultivate the
soil. Where Is that to come frOmS 1t is all very
well 70 talk OF the luxurance and beauty Of this
soil, and to let the Imagination run riot about
what might be done with 1t, but it Will remain a
wilderness, for the present production Is too lnsig
nificant to mention, without the right and sui-
clent labor. Where Is this to come from9 Most OF
the lmpracticable theorists with the Commission
soil, and imagine there would be large emigration
from the United States and Europe in the event OF
annexation.
WHITE LABOR OF NO USE
This is absurd and contrary to the laws OF nature
is as healthy probably as any large territory within
the tropics. TIE morning and evening breezes, too,
are refreshing, and tend TO restore the exhaustion
caused by the mid day heat. Nor Is the heat as ex
cessive as In some other tropical countries. But it
is hot climate always. In the winter as well as in
summer 1t Is hot III indeed, one can say there are
any seasons at all. The coolest and dryest
tnat hen the sun in south or the equator and then
the mean temperature is over seventy five degrees
Fahrenheit; IN summer or wet season, when the
sun is overhead, the mean temperature Is over
elghty-iour degrees. OF course this Is modified
more or less according to locality and the Winds
though the sun bears down all the year round in
the middle OF the day with a scorching heat. The
annexation theorists on board argue that white
laborers can work In the morning and evening and
rest in the middle Of the day. They could for q
time and while the vigor which they would bring
with them from the temperate zone might last but
they would become exhausted and the race would
die OF. They would not have the seasons Of their
own native climate aud zone to recuperate their
health and energies. The white European or
American race could live here as traders, managers
or superintendents. and perhaps, as mechanics, II
working under shelter always, but certainly not as
field laborers to cultivate the soil. To attempt
TO bring them here for such q purpose
would be a snare and cruelty. Tnen we need ali the
labor we have Tor own vast territory in the tenn
More we n w nur