Litchfield enquirer., 1871-04-13


 ] 7T-T - TTTT7 T1-77TTI -f1- IT secure or hasten annexation but, unprei- udiced and unbiased. to leRrn, all the facts about the government, people and resources of that republic. He wenE certainly e we'll prepared t0smak fan u11f Favorable ro. port as aafavofable e0ne;if sths 4acts warrant. ed it. His report fully zorro 0borated the views of the previous c6@missionerS, and uponai its feeeiptI felteHSba a sense Of duty anda due regard for 0ae great national inc terests required me to liieROtiate c treaty for the acquisition of the fepnblic of San Domingo. As soon as it became publicly known that such treaty had been neR0. tiated, the attention of the country was co. cupied with allegations calculated to preiu- dice the merits of the case, and those whose duty had connected them with it. Amidst the public excitement thus created, the treaty failed to receive tue requisite two thirds vote of the senate, and was rejected, but whether the action of that body was based wholly upon the merits ot the treaty, or might not have been in some degree in- fnenced by such unfounded allegations, could not be known by the people because the debates of the senate in secret session are not published. Under these circum- stances deemed it due to the office which I hold, and due to the; character of the agents who had been charged with the in- vestigation, that such proceedings should be had as would enable the people to know the truth. A commission was therefore constituted under the authority of congress. consisting of gentlemen selected with special reference to their high character aud capacity for the 1aborious work entrust- el to then,i who were instructed to visit the spot and report upon the facts. Other eminent citizens were requested to %. company the commission in order that the people might have the benefit of their views. Students of science and correspondents of the press, without regard to political opin. ions, were invited 10 join the expedition, and their numbers were limited only by the capacity of the vessel.
 The mere rejection by the senate of the treaty negotiated by the President only indicates the difference of opinion of the government without touching the charac- ter or wounding the p,ide ot either. But when such rejectisn takes place simultane- ously with chargeQ openly made of corrup- tion on the part of the President, or those employed by him, the case is different. Indeed, ill such Q case the honor of the ma. tion demands investigation. This has been accomplished by the report of the commissioners herewith transmitted, and which fully vindicates the purity of the motives and the action of those who rep resented the United States in the Megotia- tion, and now my task is finished, and with it ends all personal solicitude upon the subject. My duty being done, yours begins, and l gladly hand over the whole matter to the iudgement of the American people and of their representatives in con- gress assembled The facts will now be spread before the country and a decision rendered by that tribunal whose convic- tions so seldom err, and against whose will have no policy to enfotce. a
 My opinion remains unchanged; indeed, it is confirmed by the report that the in terests or our country and San Domingo alike invite the annexation of the republic. In view of the difference of opinion on this subject, suggest that no action be taken at the present session beyond tie printing and general dissemination of the report. Before the next session of Congress the people will have considered the subject and formed an intelligent opinion concern ing 1t, which opinion deliberately made up, 1t will be the duty of every department of the government to heed, and no one will more cheerfully conform to it than myself. It is not only the theory of our Constitu- ton that the will of the people constitU. tionally expressed is the supreme law. but I have ever believed all men wiser than any one man, and if the people upon a full presentation of the facts shall decide that the annexation of the Republic is not de- sirable, every department of; the govern ment ought to acquiesce in that decision. In again submitting to Congress the sub ject upon which public sentiment has been divided, and which has been made the subject of an acrimonious debate in Con- gress as we'll as unjust assertions elsewhere. Itmay, trust, be indalged in single re- mark. No man can hope to perform duties So, delicate and responsible as pertain to the Presidential office without sometimes mourning the hostility of those who deem their opinions and wishes treated with in. sufficient consideration, and he who un- dertakes to conduct the affairs of @ great govern nent as faithful public servant, if sustained by the appro oval Of his own cons cience, may rely with confidence upon the candor and intelligence of a free people whose best interests he has striven to sub. serve, and can bear with patience the cen. sure of disappointed men. saa
 ..af3 i glSlgned, s1gssU.oS. GRANT. Executive Manson, April L5,, 1871.