The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-04-13

The Message of President Grant on
Transmitting the Report OF the
San Domingo Commissioners to
Congress.
To The Senate AMI House IF R1rcscnt-
dtires::
| have the honor to submit herewith
to the two Houses of Congress the re-
port of the Commissioners appointed
in pursuance of a joint resolution ap-
proved January 18th, 1871. 1t will be
observed that this report more than
sustains all that | have heretofore said
i'll regard to the productivcncss and
healthfulness of the Republic Of San
Domingo. ''e rranimity Of the people
for annexation to the United States, and
their pcaceablc character.
1t is due to the public, and certainly
to myself, that l should here give all
the circumstances which first led to the
negotiations of the treaty for the annex
alton of the Republic of San Domingo
to the United States. When accept
ed the arduous and responsible position
which now hold, | did not dream of
instituting any steps for the acquisition
Of insular possessions. / believed,
however, that our institutions were
broad enough to extend over the entire
continent as rapidly as other peoples
might desire to bring themselves under
our protection. | believed, further.
that VIC should not permit any indie
pendent government within the limits
of North America to pass from a con-
dition Of independence TO one of owner
ship or protection under a European
power. Soon after my Inauguration as
President, ! was waited upon by an
agent of President Bacz, with propo-
sition to annex tie Republic Of San
Domingo to the United States. This
gentleman 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 accompa-
mics this message. He stated further that
being weak in numbers and poor in
purse, they were not capable of dcvcl-
oping their great resources; that Tie
people had no incentive to industry on
account Of lack of protection for their
Accommodations, and that if not accepted
by the United States, with institutions
which they loved above those of any
other nation, they would be compelled
to seek protection elsewhere. To these
statements | made no reply, and gave
no indications of what thought OF the
proposition. In the course OF tine |
was waited on by a second gentleman
from San Domingo, who made Tie same
presentations and was received in
like manner. ~ view OF the facts which
had been laid before me and with the
earnest desire to maintain the Monroe
doctrine, believed that ] would be
direlect in my duty if did not take
measures to ascertain the exact wish of
the government and inhabitants of san
Domingo in regard to annexation, and
communicate the information to the
people Of the United States. Under
attending circumstances, ] felt that
If turned 4 deaf ear TO this appeal !
might in future be justly charged with
a fragrant neglect of the public interests,
and utter disregard Of the welfare Of
the down-tiodd.n race praying for the
blessings Of free and strong govern
9 H. ALL l.. .rst".t.n4 IT. IT.. "7'"Y-
..ans 1t ta fruits fa@r5s mr@ ',ar.
try. Those opponents 10 anne1ali""
who have heretofore protested to be
pre-eminently the friends OF the rights