Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-24
ESPECIAL DISPATCH.

SANTo DOMINGO CITY, Feb. 14th, via New
YORK, Feb. 23.-The commission has been busy
in looking over the records of the government
during the last week, and in gathering state
ments of persons representing various classes,
upon the feeling in regard to annexation. The
large majority who appear before the commits.
sion, and most come voluntarily, express them
selves as cordially in favor of the change. All
of the commissioners, however, admit the exis-
tencc Of decided minority against it. lnlor-
nation obtained concerning the complications
with Hayti has caused change in the plans
which had been formed with regard to return
ing, and the present intention is to visit the
capital of Hayti, and try to fathom the whole
subject. If Cabral is as warmly, though
somewhat secretly, supported by Haytiens
as is reported here, but more decidedly by way
of st. Thomas, it will be regarded by the COM
mission as very grave matter, as indicating
the purpose OF that nation. The commission
has had long interview with a priest of high
rank, sent out from Rome to examine the title
of the church to many extensive ruins of con-
vents, chapels, colleges and other church build
ings, and the grounds upon which they stand
He informed them that the pope dispatched him
nearly a year ago, and Immediately upon learn.
ing the intentions of the United States in regard
to the island. He wished the commission to
know the number and extent of the claims
which could be insisted upon by the church, in
case of annexation, so there might be no
future misunderstanding. The titles to all prop
erty in question are in dispute under former ne
gotiations.
The material resources of San Domingo are
found to be all that they have been represented,
but the best of the public land and more valua-
BILE mining privileges and the main natural lines
for railways, with grants Of adjacent lands, have
been made over to several companies of Ameri-
can capitalists The commissioners do notnow
propose to visit the interior, unless conflicting
reports from the distrcto of Cibao, on the north
side of the island, should seem to make it neces-
sary. Statements from parties, apparently
equally trustworthy, are exactly opposite
to each other, one representing the
the people as rife for trouble, if annexation is
agreed upon, and the others declaring them all
to be in favor of the plan. The exploration of
most of the interior will be left to the various
students and professors of the sciences who are
with the commission. The latter, however,
have requested and obtained long report upon
the geology and mineralogy of the island from
Prof. Gabb, the geologist of the New York land
company, which is surveying the public domain
under a contract that Fabens made with Baez.
Parties are now out, officially following Prof.
Blake with the geological party, and Professor
Crane for the commission, on their way across
hot 10 prOfnsspr Ward is
exploring La Vega. General Sigel has gone to
Azua, Professors Marvin and Miller are making
botanical observations, and Dr.Newcomb is pur-
suing medical resealching in various directions.
An earnest effort will be made next week from
Aqua to send party to Cabral's camp. Per-
mission and a safe conduct will be granted by
BaeZ for the purpose. An effort will also be
made, before leaving this city, to ascertain the
facts about the several political prisoners said to
be under arrest for expressing themselves, among
their friends, against annexation. The commits
sion met last evening and exchanged views in
regard to the work remaining to be DONE and
properly forwarding preliminary report.
The investigation, SO far as made, and particu-
larly the result of the past few days, begins to
open wider than expected az the first of the week,
and 1t was agreed to name the middle of April
as the time of arrival in Washington. Upon
the question Of brief report by mail, il was de-
cided not to send it, in view of the fact that con-
siderable important information, but lust OIL
tanned, might materially modify any report
made up from what had been already consider.
ed. The secretary of statewa addressed in brief
letter, giving in outline, the work already done,
and the list of expeditions sent into the Interior
together with the objects of each. The date
named above was also communicated as the
probable time OF reaching home.
President Baez has called the attention of the
| commission to the fact that the second paw
| ment for SANTANA has not been made This
| violation of faith, as 1t is regarded here, has