Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-15
Forty-Second COngress-First Session
WASHINGTON, D. c., March IA.
SENATE

WASHINGTON, ID. u, M arch IA.
SENATE.
Mr.. Sumner presented an address to the SEN
ate of the United States of North America, re-
monstrating against the proposed annexation of
Santo Domingo, signed by Thos. Bobadilla, late
president OF the central junta of the government
Of the Dominican republic; the president OF the
supreme court, the minister of state, and Sena-
tor Said of the republic; Pedro Pablo de Bouila,
late senator and president of the supreme court
Of justice, and Others.
The paper is in Spanish, and bears the dates
San Sancto dc Aguadilla Puerto Rico, January
9th, 1871. 1t alleges that Baez, for the purpose
of accomplishing the annexation of Santo Do.
mingo 10 the United States, a deed forbidden by
the constitution of the republic Of Dominica, has
caused many patriots opposed to the project to be
sentenced 10 death and executed; has put others
in chains; imprisoned many more, and imposed
vigorous ostracism upon majority of the most
influential and notable citizens of the country;
that, for the same object, realizing his inten-
tons, and in order to deceive the government
and people Of the United States with the APP
pearance of legality, he has forced Dominicans
to assemble for elections and compelled, with
threats the greatest part of the citizens to vote
for annexation, against their convictions and the
interests of the country; that majority of the
people are opposed to all foreign domination; that
the object of BaeZ in the project is to convert
into specie large amount of bills against the
treasury of the republic; that the annexation of
Dominica would result in grave complications
for the government of the United States, and
fatal consequences for the sons of the soil, and
would be a violation of international law.
Therefore, the memOrialists, in the name of
themselves and their Countrymen, solemnly
protest against a treaty of annexation which
has been presented by the government of Baez
to the cabinet at Washington.
During the reading of the paper by Mr.. Sum-
ner, Mr.. Sherman submitted the point that the
memorial was not in order, as under established
usage and rules of the senate, petitions from for
eigners are not allowed TO be presented to the
exclusion of the business of the country.
Mr. Thurman thought Mr., Sumner entitled to
read the paper, as part of any remarks he de.
sired to make
The vice president sustained the point of or
der the object of which was to prevent further
reading Of the memorial.
Mr. Sumner then proceeded to state the SUBJ
stance of the memorial, He said the position of
the remonstrants was peculiar, They were
eXied by the usurper Raez, who is now en-
gagged, with the aid of American guns, in the
work of selling his country, They protested
against this, as an outrage and wrong, because
their country was about TO be sacrificed The
question now was whether, upon simple princi-
pies Of justice, they was not entitled to be heard
here,
After some informal remarks, as to the right
of Mr.. Sumner to proceed when no question was
before the senate, that senator was about to
SVitih"S' ""Si 4"i nhOItol inqtllieu WnetneTJ
If it was in order for Mr.. Sumner to make a
speech at this time against Santo Domingo, re-
ply would be in order. If SO, he was in favor of
letting the gentleman 20 on.
The vice president said if question was
raised, he should have to decide against the sem
atOr's right TO proceed, as he had already de.
cided in the ease OF the senator from Massachu.
sets,
Mr. Sumner went on to say, that In ruling the
memorial out Of order, the chair had not acted
upon any rule, as there was none on the sub.
ject, and that the set called usage was changed
from that of former days.
The vice president finally reminded Mr. Sum
ner that point of order against his further pro-
ceeding had already been made three times, and,