New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-02-22
PROM san DON1INGO.
Samaua Bay-Alta Vela and the southern
Coast-San Domiugo City, Etc.

Coass-San Domiugo City. Etc.
SAN DOMINGO CITY, February TO-
EDITOR REPUBLICAN,:
At tho close of my first letter we were
steaming along the northern shore. from
Isabella toward Samana. The mountains
there rise close to the sea, with a steep as
cent. and to 4 considerable elevation, leav
ing only few level tracts OF moderate
width between them and the sea. But ut
the back of these mountains there is a wide
and fertile valley, called the plain OF
Santiago, which is drained by the river
Vague. At one.tllird of the distance
from Isabella 20 Samana. Puerto
di Plata is reached, named thus
by Columbus, the white capped
tale mountain commanding it being at first
supposed to be silver, so glittering was ii at
distance. It's neighborhOod is rich, how
ever, in every species of wood, and wants
nothing but industry and the guarantee OF
trade to improve its dormant resources.
Sixty miles further is the elevated rugged
mountain Of old Cape Francois. barren
looking region. well named Ia Bahia Escose-
So, or Scots Bay. is passed. and the mouth
OF the small river of Limon, or Citron, from
the shore of Samana Island. with good ill.,
let, and rich coffee lands, and the best of
wood for buildn, all along its banks. is
passed.
SANTANA BAT.
Passin. around to the east of the island.
the great Bay of Sanana is entered. In
point of size. situation. productions and
communication with the interior of the
country this bay possesses incalcnlable ad-
vantases, which, i'll the hands of industry
and enterprise, would make it one OF the
most interesting spots in all the West In
dies. Its entrance is closed and guarded by
. perfect bulwark OF rocks that leave only
the entrance clear. 1t is sixty miles long.
eighteen miles wide. and bounded on every
| side by Il romantic and fertile coast suited
| to all the uses Of trade. and has smaller
| ports for its convenience. In it whole
| fleets might ride at anchor and be secure.
| Its waters are increased by the great river
| Yuma. which. after being joined by the
| Camu. meanders navigabie through the
rich plains of La Vega Real. Cotuy. etc.
passing through an extent OF nearly two
hundred miles. and receiving increase from
upward Of forty smaller streams that cross
the country in all directions. with advan-
tages Of locality and intercourse almost un-
equaled. This splendid bay WAS called by
Columbus de las Flechas. or Bay of Arrows.
from Il little affair with the natives. armed
with bows and arrows. but it long since re-
| srmed its more sonorous Indian name.
The French Admiral Lesseyues caused a
| particular survey of this bay for his i'm
| perial master. The French We're always
sensible OF its local advantages. justly con
s!der;ns !, IS il ia. the key to the Mexican
| glil. RON ..s windward and commanding
position. !, IS. in IA manner, the Keystone
TO 7le sn.;Ie arch of the West India islands.
and n sr..- meek on the whole OF the South
Ameli.an archipelago. But all the vast
resources and advantages of this spot have
thus ar remained unimproved and buried in
ne.i.:;, pr.r .ipally owing to the brutal wars
o1 iIs former owners. the Spanish, French
| and I.Dci.f. 'oi which, as says Sir. Walter
Scott. in .clerrng to those against TOussaint
| LOuye-.ure. we are thankful it is not our
task % race the dcplOrable and CHASTITY
particulars. There is not, perhaps, sitlla-
lion in America so proper for an arsenal
and dockyard with the union Of 50 many
requisites, as this astonishing bay. 1t has
never been pretended that the shores OF
this bay are adapted to mining, although
there is an abundance OF gold. silver and
copper i'll the upper part OF the valleys
watered by the streams leading to this bay,
and particularly upon the Vague. further
west. There is very fine silver in the noun
tains Of Puerto iii Plata. although spoke
of that particular mountain as being com
posed of tale only. SANTANA not being the
great naval and coallng station that it is to
be hoped it may soon become, the Tennessee
was detained here nearly a week in getting
a supply OF fuel
THE EASTERN AND SOUTHERN CoAsT>-YUMA
| BAY-SAONA-ROMANA Btf-CUMAfAZO-
| AZUA-ALTA yELA-THE IRIARS, ETC.
Leaving Samana about the first of this
Il. month, we passed around Cape Rafael on
the south side OF its tsentrance. From here to
Cape Espada, named from its sword blade
shape, forming the southeastern point OF the
island is beautiful extent OF declivities,
crowned with lofty and verdant forests,
slopin. gradually to the east as far as the
eye can reach. Soon Yuma Bay is seen.
into which falls the river Higuey. Here is
an abundance and variety of woods, as
well Tor ornament as construction, o.: a
close grain, heavy, and susceptible OF a
fine polish. Near are the islands Mona and
Monita (the monkey and her cub. and
further along tho large fertile island of
Saona. Had the industrious Dutch. instead of
the dreaming Spanish, discovered this charm
ing island, what garden spot would it now
be, suited as it is to every species of colo
NAL productions, with forests lofty and
romantic. At present it lies unnoticed and
unknown. troddcn only by few solitary
fishermen who annually visit it to collect
tortoise-shell or ensnare the wild cattle
that abound and prOcreate in the solitude
This island of SaOna is twent -One miles in
extent and seven wide. 1t abOunds in fish
and terrestrial and aquatic wild birds.
of various species, particularly the pigeon.
| that here comes in annual migration, un-
disturbed. to produce her young.
A little further west is the harbor of Ro
mana, as romantic a locality as can we'll be
conceived beautiful river-fOrmed by
| some strong cOnvulsiOn of nature-whOse
deep banks are hung with variety OF ever