The New York herald., 1871-02-08

WASHINGTON, Feb. Z, 1871.
In response to the resolution OF Senator Sumner
January A. the President to-day transmitted to the
Senate copies of the instructions to the commander
or our naval squadron In the waters OF the Island OF
| st. Domingo since the commencement Of the late
negotiations with the Dominican government and
| the replies Of the commander. The document is
very volumnous and comprises letters OF The Secre-
try Of State to the Secretary OF the Navy, directing
IN The name OF the President chat the naval force
tho West indies be directed to Inquire into the pollt
cal and financial condition Of the republic OF St.
Domingo and especially regarding the annexation
question: al expenses to be betrayed by the State
Department. II contains also the Instructions TO
Commodore Selfrdge.
In accordance with the above Lieutenant Com
mander Seri5ge. under date OF July H. 1862 reports
that II any port In Dominica be purchased or leased
By the United States he recommends that of Nicola
Mole at the north end OF the island, and that 1t was
a good time 60 contract, saluave was hard
pressed. and the gilt OF couple OF worn-out monl-
tors would be sufficient price; that the English and
French interests are antagonstlo TO tho United
States acquiring o part Of the Island that may be
made useful naval station, though not adverse
to the acquisition OF the whole, they believe It
would help their trade His report closes as
foiiows:-
While my short stay the island win not permit
me TO speak wtn authority, 1t is my Individual opn
the representation Of party, II would be found an
eiephant-both costly IN money and lives.
There Is considerable correspondence regarding
the sending of Captain Owen to seize pirate. BY
telegraph communication from the Secretary Of tho
Navy to Commander Owen, under date OF July Is,
1869. he is ordered to remain with his ship at
samana, on the coast of st. Domingo, and to give
him the moral support Of his guns. telegraphIc
order OF January 20, 1870 to Rear Admiral Poor,
at Key West, says:-
You are commanded to proceed With the Severn
and Dictator to POrt-au-Prince. communicate with
ten authorities that this government Is deter
mined TO protect the present DOMINICAN GOV.
them procsod to ~ Donin.caa a'"ssi ana uSs your S
force to give the most ample protection to the Do
mnica9 N government against any power attempting
tai anu see the United States power and authority
secure there. There must be no failure in this ma-
ter. Ii the Hayhens attack the Dominicans with
their Ships destroy or capture them; that there
= proper force both at SIS. Domingo city aud
Samana.
Then followed the correspondence between saget
and Poor In which Saget is informed OF Poor's In
structions and his determination to carry them out
and variety OF unimpOrtant letters and dispatches
Baez on one occasion asking for United States war
vessels to carry hts mails over to st. Thomas, In
order TO catch the steamer. Tie last compluDica-
tion is from Admiral Lee to the Secretary of the
Navy, as follows:-
Admiral Lee wrote to the Secretary OF the Navy
from ST. Domingo January H. lS7l:-
would like to wait here for the commission. but
think 1t best to be near the Captain General OF Cuba
have ordered tha Swatara hence 10 Oil with coal
ana provisions at SANTANA, and tnen 10 proceed to
communicate with all the accessible ports on tho
north side of st. Domingo; thence with all the
healthy and accessible ports from the east end. by
the south ports off CUBA, to Havana have also
ordered the Nantasket, now at Porto Plata to come
here and keep ready for any service whicn the COM
mission may require. Commander Irwin, In The
Yantic, Will be the senior officer here.