The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-01-26
San Domingo.

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This country has filed so large q
space in the public journals and in the
proceedings Of Congress, lately that we
subjoin brief history of IL:
The Dominican Republic Is the eastern por-
ton Of the island Of Hayti. comprising nearly
three-fifths o.; the island. It's area Is estimated
At II 500 square miles, and its population about
l36, 900, OF whom one-teDth claim TO be white.
The boundary between il and the Hayden ma
ton is an irregular line from the north TO the
south coast OF the island. Hayti was dis
covered by Columbus In l49S, and at Isabella,
on the north shore, was founded the first Span
ish COLONY in the New World ST. Domingo
was settled in laos. A body OF French colo
nists afterwards obtained a foothold In the west
Of the island, which was finally ceded in full to
France. At the termination Of the insurree-
ton OF the blacks In 1901, the independence Of
the entire island was proclaimed under one
government Civil war, however, ensued and
the Spanish section was again restored to Spain.
The whole island was, however, once more re-
united In 1872 under President Boyer, but In
1912 revolution against Boyer began. and the
inhabitants Of the east rose against the Hay
items, overpowered them, and In lsi4 formed
themselves into an independent State, under
the style Of the Dominican Republic.
The western section, known as Hayti, has
always been the best cultivated and richest
part If the island, as Il Is the most populous.
II was the most valuable Of all the French for
eign possessions In the west, and toward the
end OF the eighteenth century supplied Europe
with oue-half thesugar conFumed BY itspeople.
This, however, was under compul-
sorry labor system, Since the iuhabi-
tants we're left to themselves, like the
negroes Of Jamaica, they viii not work,
and they p oduee but little for exporia.
ton.
In regard to fertility and variety Of prodae-
ton il was surpassed BY the colony Of no other
nation. The staples Of cultivation in the island
are coffee, cocoa, sugar, indigo, cotton and
tobacco, but in the colonial times the same
country produced for export Eve or six times
the amounts now exported. The usual tropi-
cal esculenfs. grains and fruits ab0und the
mineral wealth is great and various, although
neglected for want Of machinery and capital,
and the mountains are clothed with majestic
products, Including the most valuable woods.
II is known that the people Of ilayti are
strongly opposed 10 absorption by any other
country, and the consequence might be hostili-
ties with the United States Involving an expeu-
diture Of life and treasure for which we could
gain no advantages in return that we do not
now possess without annexation. Its possible
that the geographical position of the island
may afford some solution to the unusual solicit
tude manifested BY the friends Of St. Domingo
annexation, inasmueh as at one point 1t is only
distant from Cuba, on the west, 81 miles, and
from Jamaica il6 miles, and In the east, from
Porto Rico, another Spanish possession, rs
miles. IL Cuba. however, is the real object,
the craftsmanship that would seek il by this
roundabout process ia rather too mysterious
for common comprehension. Yet 1t is fact
that various administrations have in the past
entered into negotiations on the subject OF some
acquisitions In thatquarter, mostly with n view
Of securing rights for naval station only.
The expedition sent out by Congress
to inquire into the condition Of that re.
public, preparatory to its annexation to
the United States, sailed from New
York, on Tuesday the 18th inst. The
Commissioners will not be able to fulfil
their mission aud return before Con-
gress adjourns. And yet, If they pro-
tract their stay in the island much
beyond that period, they will expose
themselves to the fever. Their report
viii doubtless favor annexation, and
annexation would probably lead to CON-
piications with Hayti, unless that por.
tion OF the island could be absorbed
along with St. Domingo, and then a
more Industrious population would have
to supplaut the present residents before
the island could be brought to its for
mer productivehess.
General Grant has ordered a guard Of
riarines to accompany the San Domingo
Commissioners, to protect them from as.
sassination while on shore. His faith
in the annexation feelings Of the people
Of San Domingo cannot be strong. II
the Commissioners are 10 danger Of as.
assassination when simply inquifing into
the condition Of the island. what will be
the state Of affairs, when forcible an.
nexation is accomplished, aud the peo
pie held by Federal bayonets ? Win il
pay to obtain this country at so high {
price ?