Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1871-09-07

survey for the same purpose, and re-
/ turned a favorable report. - -"
at this time, and for some years fol-
lowing, the representatives of Spain,
Great Britain, and France opposed the
acquisition by us of any rights in the
island, threatening the people there
with the direst punishment if they
dldinot at once forego any such neg
citations.
1t was of the utmost Importance to
Spain to obtain exclusive control of the
territory of San Domingo, with the bay
and peninsula, as it would give her this
absolute control of the entrance to the
Caribbean sea, with all the immense
political and military advantages which
would result therefrom. But she was
compelled to abandon her efforts. In
August, 1865, a provisional government
was formed, and in the same year nepo-
tiations were resumed with the United
States. In January, 1857, the assistant
Secretary of State was sent out as a
special agent, attended by Rear Admiral
Porter, and invested with ample power
to conclude a convention-subject to
ratification by the Senate-for cession or
lease of the bay and peninsula of Sa-
mana, provided it should be found to
offer the advantages which were sought.
Owing t. a prohibition in the Domini-
can constitution, that governments could
not consent to an absolute sale Of terri
tory, but offered lease, upon the details
OF which the parties failed to agree
President Johnson, unwilling to relin-
quish the project, directed our CONNER
cisl agent there to accept the terms for q
lease which had been rejected by the
former agent. No progress being made
by the agent for some months, his in
structions were revoked. I ater in the
same year (ls67) it was announced that
the two powers in the island had en-
tered into treaty not to ALLEVIATE any
portion of their territory. This was sub
sequently found to be an error, but It
had the effect to put astop to our nego-
tiations for lime. Again, however, in
November, 1887, the Dominican govern
ment sought to renew the negotiations,
and they were pending in March, 1858.
at the time of the downfall of Cabral
and the restoration of Baez.
The termination of our negotis tions
gave rise to great solicitude on the part
of our leading men-the distinguished
Massachusetts Senator among them
lest some European power should obtain
possession of the bay, the great impor-
tance or which was then conceded by
all men who had studied the subject.
In December, 1868, the government of
Baez opened negotiations with us for the
annexation OF the island, and the entire
unanimity Of the people was assured
This was the situation of the San Do
mingo question when General Grant
was inaugurated. In June, 1853, he ap-
pointed Mr.. Hunt, of PhiladelphIa,
gentleman thoroughly acquainted in
,Hayti, to visit the island and make re-
port upon Its resources and the condi-
tion of Its population. Mr.. Hunt ac-
cepted the appointment, but was pre-
vented from sailing by severe attack
of illness, and General Babcock, of the
army, was appointed in his stead. Under
the instructions given him the latter
concluded treaty for the annexation
of the San Domingo territory, and, as
an alternative, convention for the lease
of the bay and peninsula of Samana.
The terms Of the treaty required q
ratification by the citizens Of the coun-
try, which was given with great unan-
unity. This treaty, 1t will be remem-
bered, did not receive the ratification of
the Senate, and the convention for the
lease of the bay and peninsula of Sa-
mana is still pending. On the 18th of
January, 1871, under the authority of
joint resolution of Congress, the Presi-
dent appointed a commission to visit
the island of Hayti and make q report
of its condition, resources, &c. The
selection of this commission was such
as to fully 4atisfy the entire community
and their report more than corroborated
everything the President had said re-
lative to that country. twas elaborate,
thorough, and able, setting forth in
minute detail everything of interest or
Importance in relation to the island and
its people. They said,
"All classes. In all parts of the repub-
lie wore cousulted-magistrate and &C.
clesiastics OF every grade, officials, civil
and military, citizens Of all professions
and occupations, in town and country
and everywhere there was q general |
agreement In the declaration that their |
only hope of permanent peace and pros
perity Is in annexation to and becoming |
part of the people Of the United States. |
They generally declare their belief that |
the strong arm OF this republic, takingi
them under protection as part of the na-
ton, would at once end the efforts and |
hopes of every seditious revolutionary |
leader, and establish law, order and !
prosperity"
"In reviewing the whole field of their
Investigations, looking to the interests
of both divisions If the island, they are
firmly persuaded that the annexation Of
Santo Domingo to the United States
would be hardly less beneficial to the
Haytian than to the Domirican people. |
This benefit would arise, first, from the
forded of q well regulated, orderly and
r,rOS Oar0ua atafa fha nraet naa1 ~ frat l
part of the world, and which it has as |
yet never seen., A second aud more !
direct benefit would arise from the |
equitable establishment of . boundary
line betr cen the French-speaking and
Spanlsh-speaking nations upon that isl
land, and its guarantee by strong pow
er. This would end the exhsusting
border warfare which has been one of
the greatest curses of Hayti as well as |
Santo Domingo, and would enable both |
to devote their energies thenceforward |
to the education of their people and the !
development Of their resources
At this point, the subject having pass
ed beyond the control Of the President, |
he transmitted the entire question to |
the Senate, using, in his message, the
following languages: "And now my task |
is finished, and with 1t ends all personal
sOllclbuue upOu bHe suOJocI. MY uuby |
being done, yours begins; and gladly |
hand over the whole matter to the judg-
ment Of the American people, and of
their representatives in Congress assem-
blsd. The facts will now be spread be-
fore the country, and a declslon render
ed by that tribunal whose convictions
so seldom err, and against whose will II
have no policy to enforce"
SIN view of the difference OF opinion
upon this subject. suggest that no Ao-
ton be taken at the present session be-
yond the printing and general dlssemi-
nation of the report.n
This is s.brief summary of the history
of the question, derived from the official
records Of the State department., and
contains facts not generally known to