Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1871-02-24
SAN DOMINGO.
What the Commission win Report.

Gen. Boynton, the special correspondent
OF the Cincinnati Gazette with the San
Domingo commission, in special dispatch
to his paper, under date of the Sd inst,
| says, in reference to the work, views and
report of the commission, as follows:
The commission is proceeding in an un-
ostentatious way, and is very industrious.
1t will report what it sees and discovers
bearing upon the question embraced in the
opinion upon the policy of annexation
What was seen of the people around Sam
ana was of little consequence compared
with the Investigation into the value of
the place as naval station. All seem to
agree that if the present condition of the
finances would justify it that harbor
where the coaling station is should be OBJ
tanned by our government by lease or pur-
chase.
The real investigation into the views
and disposition of the people and resources
of the country will begin here. 1t is the
present intention to go from this place
some time next week to Azua, and visit
the region around the Bay of Swae, thence
proceed to the north side of the island,
probably stopping at Port au Prince for
one or two days. If deemed advisable,
from Puerto Plata, or some point near,
either the commission or small parties will
visit the great plains of the south, and one
or two of the principal inland cities.
Thus far the problems which seem to be
regarded as most important are, the diff
Guilty of assimilating such mixed popu-
lation the question whether our system
of taxation would be submitted to; wheth-
er war with Hayti would not soon follow,
and whether our Treasury just now can
stand the strain of the large appropriations
which the annexation would require i'm
mediately.
The magnificence of the foliage, beauty
and grandeur of the mountains, and rich
ness of the country can not be overrated.
There is, however, neither energy nor
thrift
The commission hopes to start home
soon after the 1st of March. There has
been no case of illness in the party, and
the season is healthy everywhere in the
island, SO far as heard from. All the
United States officers upon the island are
well.
The report of the commission can hardly
be ready for Congress before the latter part
of March, or ten days after their arrival in
Washington. 1t will doubtless contain a
very favorable summary of the material
resources of the island, and a strong COM
mendation of Samana as a naval station.
The bearing of the observations made and
pICSSntCQ upOu tuS pOllIlCdi anu
social and economical questions connected
with the annexation, will probably be
touched upon only so far as to call public
attention to them, but without presenting
an argument either for or against annexa-
ton. The sport will undoubtedly fully
vindicate the Presidents motives, and de-
clare that his sole connection with the
matter has been in his official capacity,
and that he is not concerned in private
operations of any kind.
The survey of public lands by a New
York company is going rapidly forward.
The contract with the Dominican govern
ment gives them one-fifth of the whole
amount. The contract was first made with
Fabens, and he arranged with the New
York capitalists. Interests have been of
fered to official persons in Washington.
The agent of the company here making
the survey is also an agent of the govern
ment to see that the company do not get
all the best land. Thus far $4,000 has
been expended in the survey. The COM
pany is selecting as far as possible outside
of all the doubtful Spanish grant. There
are millions of profit in the scheme if an.
nexation takes place.