Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-01-18
The SAN Domingo Resolution
REMARKS OF MR.. WILLARD.

resolution to send q commission to the re-
public of Dominica in search of information !:
Mr. WILLARD. Mr.. Speaker, inasmuch
as my vote yesterday against the proposition
to take this measure from the Speaker 8
table is in conflict with the votes of large
majority of my political associates on this
floor, | deem it due to myselfto make brief
statement of the reasons which Influenced
my action.
In the first place, sir, am opposed to the
acquisition of the republic of Domin lea, a
part of the island of San Domingo, either by
treaty or by joint resolution, and being op-
posed to it l am opposed to taking any steps
on the part of Congress or the Government
of the United States looking to the incor-
poration of any part of that island into the
United States. The measure that has been
submitted to the House for our consideration
/ is proposed by the friends of annexation and
/ in their interest, and is, of course, lnge-
niously designed, so far as they can contrive
their machinery, to advance the purpose
they have in view. Those urging this reso-
luton well understand that it is an intro
duction to, beginning in, the acquisition
of the republic of Dominica, and am at lib
erty to conclude that they are Intending to
use the machinery they have invented to
help their project. | am obliged, IN this
I
being resolutely opposed to every phase of
this project of annexation, to refuse, so far
as my vote goes, to those pushing this meas
ure the opportunity of using this invention
in aid of their scheme
1t is well understood, Mr.. Speaker, that
the commission authorized by the resolution
is to spend only two or three weeks at the
most in their visit to the island OF San Do
mingo. This is not an inference from the
haste exhibited in rushing this resolution
through Congress, although such an infer
ance would be fully warranted. 1t is charged
and not denied, that the commission Is to
return to Washington, not only in season to
report before the expiration OF the present
/ Congress, but in time for Congress to act
upon their report What time will this
leave to make search after facts relating to
the subjects to be Investigated by the com
mission?
now ask the attention of the members Of
this House to the topics set forth IN this
resolution in regard to which the commission
are to inquire, and concerning which they
are to make report In the fret place they
are
Tonquire into, ascertain, and report the poltica
state and condition of the republic Of Dominica
If they are expected to get any informa-
ton this topic by visit to that island
that is not already accessible to them in our
public libraries they must spend lar longer
/ period than the time contemplated by this
resolution in Gscertaining the facts connect
ed with that inquiry.
I The commission are TO inquire with res
+ pect to
/ The probable number Of inhabitants.
We know something, Mr.. Speaker, Of the
/ time required to take the census of one OF
the States Of this Union, and we may there
. ]
the time that would be required to ascertain
the number Of inhabitants Of the republic
of Dominica. SIX months would at least be
required upon this matter of the census
alone.
/ They are also instructed to ascertain
The desire and disposition Of the people Of The
sand republic to become annexed TO and form part
I of the people of the United states
i ask, Mr.. Speaker, how is this TO be done?
/ Are they to inquire of Baez ? Are they to
ask Fabens? Are they to consult Cazneau
/ Or are they to traverse that island, in order
/ to make inquiry of it's inhabitants, from one
corner to the other, from one shore to the
other, and ask them what are their views in
respect to this question Of annexation Or
are they simply 70 inquire respecting the
vote which we are told has already been
taken in Dominica in favor Of annexation
II they are TO take this vote, as reported
]
subject And if they are TO inquire Of the
people, is it not ridiculous to suppose they
can make that inquiry in the space OF one,
two. three or six weeks
The commission are further, Mr.. Speaker,
TO inquire as to
/ The physical, mental, and moral condition Of the
said people, and their general condition a 70 ma
terial wealth and industrial capacity
4 This alone is a subject broad enough to
compel the attention of these commissioners
l Tor years before they can make any report
upon which accurate judgment can be
/ formed. To consider this subject with any
/ completeness would require the labor Of three
commissioners, not only for the remainder OF
this Congress, but during the life of the
next.
/ They are also to inquire in respect to
! The resources Of the country.
| Are they to do that. sir, by observation
/ by traversing the island, by examining what
are its minerals, what are its agricultural
products, what valuable woods are found
there or are they simply to consult some
gentlemen who are friends of this measure
and who will give them what purports to be
/ the facts in reference To these resources
| Obviously their information on this subject
must be second hand.
/ They are to inquire further in respect to
The general character of the soil, the extent and
] proportion
mate and health OF the country, its bays harbors,
and rivers; its general meteorological character,
and the existence and frequency of remarkable
meteorological phenomena
/ Suppose they stay there two weeks, Mr..
/ Speaker-and | do not suppose anybody
really believes they Will stay longer than
that-how many ecliPses Of the sun will they
probably notice in that time How much
| will they ascertain in respect to the frequency
of the storms and other meteorological phe-
nOmena they are instructed TO observe How
much Of value will we get from them on the
subject of earthquakes? In short. in that
time is it possible for them to get any in
/ formation as to this subject Of inquiry?
The commiss sion inv estigate the debt of the
. Government and its obligations.
In regard TO this, sir, there is no new fact
which, in my Judgment, they can get pos
/ session of by visit to the island Of San
/ Domingo which the Government has not al
ready in its own archives or if there be
another fact, it will be quite beyond their
power to get at it in any time which they
are expected TO remain upon the island. The
aggregate of the debt ofthe republic will be
found, if at all, by calling other witnesses
than Baez and hes confederates, and by ex-
aiming other documents, treaties, and
memoranda than those which Baez will sub
nit to the examination of this commission.
The commission is further to inquire in
respect to tho
/ Extent of boundaries and territories; what pro
portion is covered by foreign claimants by grants
or concessions and generally what concessions oi
franchises have been granted, with the names of tht
respective grantees.
This is a search which would require ar
examination not only of all the records, il
there such things records of that re
public, .but would require them to call be-
fore them witnesses, not only there but else
Where in regard To these grants concessions
&c.
| call attention to these subjects of inquiry
and very briefly of course, simply to show
that the scOne of this inYestigation is 81