The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-04-14

ment of the Case-The President
Fully Sustained.
WASHINGTON, April 5.-The fol- !
loving is the Presidents message
transmitting the report of the San |
Domingo Commissioners:
To the Sesats and House of Representatives:
have the honor to submit here
with to Congress The report of the |
Commissioners appointed in pursu-
ance of the joint resolution approx
ed January II, 1871.
1t will be observed that this report
more than sustains all that 1 have |
heretofore said in regard to the pro-
ductiveness and healthfulness of the
Republic of San Domingo; the unan-
unity of its people for annexation to
the United States, and their peace
able character.
1t is due to the public, as it GER
tainly is to myself, that 1 sholld
here give all the circumstances which
first led to the negotiation of the
treaty for the annexation of the Re
public of San Domingo to the Unit
ed States.
When accepted the arduous and
responsible position which l now
hold, did not dream of instituting
any steps for the acquisition of any
similar position. believed, howev
.er, that our institutions were broad
enough to extend over the entire
continent as rapidly as other people
might desire to bring themselves un-
der our protection. l believed, fur
ther, that we should not permit any
independent government within the
limit of North America to pass from
the condition OF independence to any
ownership of protection under an
European power. Soon after my
Inauguration as President / was
waited upon by an agent of Presi-
dent Baez with a proposition to an
mex the Republic of San Domingo
to the United States. This gentle
man represented the capacity of the
Island, the desire of the people, and
their character and habits, about as
they have been described by the
Commissioners, whose report accom-
panies this message. He stated fur
Ither that being weak in numbers
and poor in purse they were not ca
pable of developing their great re-
sources; that the people had no incen-
tive to industry on account of lack
of protection for their accumula'
tions; and that if not accepted by
the United States with institutions
which they loved above those OF any
other nation, they would be compel
ed to seek protection elsewhere.
Ito these statements l made no re-
iply, and gave no indications OF what
/ thought of the proposition. In the
course of time, was waited upon
lby a second gentleman from San Do
Imingo, who made the same repre-
lsentations, and who was received in
like manner.
In view of the facts which have
been laid before me, and with an
earnest desire to maintain the Mon
roe doctrine, believed that l would
be derelict in my duty if did not
take measures To ascertain the exact
wishes of the government and inhab-
itants of the republic of San Domin
90 in regard to annexation, and com
municate the information to the peo
pie of the United States. Under at
tending circumstances, | felt that II
| l turned a deaf ear to this appeal, l
might in future be justly charged
with fragrant neglect of public IN
terests and utter disregard of the
welfare of a down trodden race pray
ling for the blessings of a free and
strong government, and for protec-
ltion in the enjoyment of the fruits
of their own industry.
Those opponents to annexation
who have heretofore professed to be
pre-eminently the friends of the
rights of man, I believed would be
nv most violent assailants if l neg
lected so clear a duty. Accordingly,
after having appointed commission
ers to visit lie Island, who declined,
on account of sickness, | selected a
second gentleman, in whose capac
ity, judgment and integrity / had,
aud have yet, the most unboundeG
confidence. He visited San Domin
90, not to secure or hasten annexa
| ltion, but, unprejudiced and unhias-
nd. to learn the facts about the gov
er ument, people and resources OF
that Republic. He went certainly
as we'll prepared to make an unfavor-
able re Uort as a favorable one, If the
facts wa rranted it. His report fully
lcorrobors tes the views of The pTevi-
GUS commissioner, and upon its re-
port i felt that a sense OF duty ana
due regard for our great national
interests, required me to negotiate
the treaty for the acquisition OF the
Republic of San Domingo. AS soon
as it became publicly known that
such treaty had been negotiated,
I the attention of the country was oc-
cupied with the allegations calculat-
| ed to prejudice the merits Of the
case. and with those whose duty I ad
connected them with it, amidst the
public excitement thus created, the
treaty failed to receive the requisite
ltyo-thirds vote in the Senate, and
was rejected; but whether the action
iof that body was based wholly upon
the merits of the treaty, or might
not have been in some degree inhu-
enced by such unfounded allegations,
could not be known by the people,
be,.ause the debates in the Senate,
in secret session, are not published.
Und these circumstances, l
deemed it due to she Office which l
had and due to the character of the
AGENTS who had been charged with
the investigation, that such proceed
mos should be had as would enable
the people to know the truth. A
commission was therefore constitut-
| ed under the authority of Congress,
consisting of gentlemen selected
with special reference to their high
character and capacity for the labor
| ions work entrusted to them, who
were instructed to visit the spot and
, report the facts. Other eminent cit
| izens we're requested to accompany
the Commission, in order that the
:-LA have Tho boroff Of