Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-09-08

The present Administration was more
than that that pursued by pre-
ceding administrations, Mr.. Delano re. |
viewed the serious and difficult questions |
at issue between this country and foreign |
nations, dwelling more particularly on our
critical relations with Great Britain.
THE ALABAMA TREATY.
He gave a short history of the negotia-
tions for the settlement of these questions,
including the much-vexed question of the
Alabama claim. In connection with this
subject he said
An unsatisfactory adjustment of these
difficulties had been attempted during the
last days, and amid the expiring embers,
as it we're, of the last Administration, the
results of which were so distasteful that
they were at once repudiated by President
Grant, by the Senate, and by the people.
This first resolute announcement by the
President of the attitude of this govern
ment toward England was, think, the
cause of our subsequently successful nego-
tiations. There was no threatening, no
clustering, but an expression of determi-
nation 10 insist upon our rights. This,
also, came from one known to have fixed
purposes and fearless character Here
we paused, and Great Britain reflected,
and reflection led to an advancement by
England, ending, finally, in treaty which,
think, Is one of the noblest achieve
ments of diplomacy that has ever been ac-
companied by this government.
THE SAN DOMINGO JOB.
In the matter of the late negotiations
for the annexation of San Domingo, the
Secretary explained many facts hitherto
not generally known, which reflect credit
upon the President and present the San
Domingo question in light very differ
ent from that in which it has recently been
brought before the country. He said
This imperfect review of the foreign pol
icy and acts of the Administration would
be incomplete, were it not made to in
clude the San Domingo question, concern
ing which so much has been said and
written abusive of the Administration.
Every effort seems to have been made to
induce the belief that the scheme for the
annexation of the Dominican part of the
island of Hayti, or the acquisition of the
Bay and Peninsula of Samana, originated
with General Grant, and that he had used
undue means to effect those objects. A
greater blunder has not been committed,
and wish to show the exact process by
which the question was brought to its
present status. 1t is a matter of history
that as long ago as 1916, during the ad-
ministration of Mr.. Tyler, an agent was
| sent to Hayti to examine the Bay of Sa-
mana and the adjacent portion of the
island, with view to obtain foothold
there for naval station. Again, during the
administration of Mr. Polk, in 1916, Lieu
tenant D. ID. Porter, now Admiral, exam
ined the island for the same purpose, and
made favorable report. Also during
the administra ion of Mr.. Pierce, Captain
George B. Mcclellan made similar sur
vey for the same purpose, and returned q
favorable report. At this time, and fol
some years following the representatives
of Spain, Great Britain and France op
posed the acquisition by us of any rights
in the island, threatening the people there
with the direst punishment if they did MOI
at once forego such negotiations. 1t wa'
of the utmost importance to Spain to OBJ
tain exclusive control of the territory o.
San Domingo; with the bay and peninsula
as it would give her absolute control of thu
entrance to the Caribbean Sea, with all the
immense political and military advantage,
which would result therefrom; but sht
was compelled to abandon her efforts. Ii
August, 1865 provisional government
was formed, and in the same year nego
tiations were resumed with the United
States. In January, 1867, the Assistan
Secretary of State was sent out as a specia
agent, attended by Rear Admiral Porter
and invested with ample power to con
clude convention, subject to ratification
by the Senate, for the cession or lease o
the Bay and Peninsula of SANTANA, pro
vided it should be found to offer the ad
vantages that were sought. Owini
to a prohibition in the Domini
can Constitution, th9t aIr absolut,
| could efroru ht,t nffarad q looea ,,oo,
the details of which the parties failed {,
agree. President johnson, unwilling Il
relinquish the project, directed our com
mercial agent there to accept terms for
lease which had been rejected by the for
mer agent. No progress being made b,
the agent for some. months, his instruc
tions were revoked. Later in the sam
year, 1867, it was announced that the TIVE
powers on the island had entered into
treaty not to ALLEVIATE any portion of thei
territory. This was subsequently, founc
to be an error, but it had the effect to pu
a stop to our negotiations for a time
Again, however in November, 1867, tn
Dominican Government sought to renev
the negotiations, and they were pendin,
in march, 1868, at the time of the down
fall of Cabral and restoration of Bae2
This termination of our negotiations CAV
rise to great solicitude on the part of som
OF our leading men, the dstinguishe,
Massachusetts Senator among them, les
some European power should obtain DOS
session of the bay, the great importance o
which was then conc ded by all men VIII
had studied the subject. In December
1868, the government of BaeZ opened ne
gotiations with the United States for tn
annexation of the island, and the entir
unanimity of the people was assured.
This was the situation of the San Do
mingo question when General Grant wa
inaugurated. In June, 1869, he appointe,
Mr. Hunt, of Philadelphia, gentlemal
thoroughly acquainted in Hayti, to visi
the island and make report upon its re
sources, and the condition of lis popula
ton. Mr. Hunt accepted the appointment
but was prevented from sailing by a sever
attack of illness, and General Babcock, O
the army, was appointed in his stead. I'm
der the Instructions given him, the latte
concluded treaty for the annexation O
the San Domingo territory, and, as an al
tentative, convention for the lease of th
Bay and Peninsula Of Samana The term
of the treaty required ratification by citi
zens Oh that country, which was giyel
with great unanimity. This treaty, it vii
be remembered, did not receive the ratif
cation of the Senate, and the convention
for the lease of the Bay and Peninsula @
Samana is still pending
On the 18th of January 1871, under tn
authority Of joint resolution of Congress
the President appointed commission l.
visit the Island of Hayti and make a re
port of its condition, resources, etc. Tn
selection of this commission was such a
to fully satisfy the entire community, an,
their reports more than corroborated eve
rything the President had said relative t,
that country. 1t was elaborate, thorough
and able, setting forth in minute detail ev
erything of interest or Importance in rels
ton to the island and its people.
AT this point, the subject having passet
beyond the control of the President, h
transmitted the entire question to the Sen
ate, using in his message the following
| lQnDi1ana.