The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-04-06


| Areaty-A Gentleman fror, Go, D,,,
~ ana Another Gentleman from
ga" domingo" Pushed It-Grant md n.
sH'e doctrine "A Few Shots Mt Summer
so't-soap for Seventy-Two-He Turr, n,
al hiRht According to His Commissioners,
Report, &c. S'''onerA
r. Id - April 5.-The President
Congress-: o'o"iis message TO
hUcs: " representa-
a.. nave the honor to submit berew;th -
t the Two Houses Of Congress the renart S os
Of of a .o;n nil appointed in pursuance
Ionh y 1on, resolution approved JanIIarv
report '''ei 'eo' that this
An"N sosTAINs ALL THAT / HAVE
:; HERETOFORE SAID
IN regard to the productiyeness and ba.,tL
lrtness OF the Republic Of San Dominun
Oh the lnanlmity Of the people. md ~ tls;,,
peaceable character. 1t is due to tho LII
lie, us it certainly is to VIZ pun
MYSELF
lnae should here give all the circumstances
"hicn nrst lead to the negotiation of a treaty
Ior tne annexation of the Republic of San
DoullnSO 10 the United States
w ilell accepted the arduous and resnon.
siDle pocicion winch l now hold I did not
cream OF lnstltutlng any steps for the ac-
qulSltlon OF lllSular possessions. believed.
however. that our institutions were broad
enough to extend over the entire continent
as rapidly as other people might desire to
bring themselves under our protection, 7
believed further. that we should not hermit
any independent Government within the
limits of North America to pass from a con-
dition of independence to one Of ownership
or
PROTECTION UNDER EUROPEAN POWER.
Soon after my Inauguration as President
| was waited upon by an agent Of President
Baez with Il proposition to annex the Re-
public Of San Domingo TO the United States.
This gentleman represented the capacity Of
the island, tn" desire ofthe people, and their
character and habits, about as they have
been described by the commissioners, whose
report accompanies this message. He stated
| further that, being weak in Numbers and
poor III purse, they were not capable of de
velopin@ their great resources ; that the
people had no incentive 10 industry on ac-
count of the lack of protection for their ac-
cumulationS, 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 pRoTEC-
T1oN ELSEWHERE.
To these statements | made no reply and
gave no indication Of what thought of the
| proposition. In the course of time | was
| waited upon by a second gentleman from
San Domingo, who made the same repre-
| sensations, and who was received in like
manner. In view of the facts which had
| been laid before me, and with an earnest
desire to maintain the Monroe doctrine,
| believed that | would he dereliCt in my
duty if | did not take measures to ascertain
| the exact wish OF the inhabitants of the
| Republic Of San Domingo in regard to an
neSation, and communicate the Informal
| ton to the people Of the United States.
Under the attending circumstances, felt
that if | turned Il deaf ear to this appeal |
might in the future be
| JUSTLY CHARGED WITH FLAGRANT NEGLECT
| OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
and an utter disregard of the welfare Of n
down-trodden race praying for the blessings
of free and strong Government, and for
protection in the enjoyment OF the fruits of
their own industry.
Those opponents Of annexation who have
| heretofore profesSed to be prominently the
Friends Of the Rights of Man [ believed
would be my most violent aSsailants if |
neglected so clear duty. Accordingly, af-
ter having appointed commissioner to
visit the island, who declined on account Of
sickness, selected second gentleman, in
whose capacity, judgment, and integ gritty
| had, and have yet, the most Ilnbounded
confidence. He visited San Domingo not
to secure or hasten annexation, but, UMPIRE
JUDGED and unbiased, to learn all the facts
about the Government, the people, and the
resources of the Republic. He went GER
tainly as we'll prepared to make an unfa-
vorable report us favorable one if the facts
warranted it. His report fully corobora-
ted the views of previous commissioners,
and upon its receipt felt that sense OF
duty, and due regard for our great na-
tional interests,
REQUIRED NE TO NEGOTIATE A TREATY FOR
THE ACQUISITION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SAN
| DOMINGO.
| AS soon as it became publicly known that
such treaty had been negotiated, the at
| tention of the country was occupied with
allegations calculated to pref udice the mer-
its of the case, and with aspersions upon
those whose duty had connected them with
it. Amidst the public excitement thus Gre
ated the treaty failed to receive the requi-
| site two-third vote of the Senate, and was
rejected. But whether the action of that
body was based wholly upon the merits OF
the treaty, or might not have beeen in some
| degree influenced by such '.
UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS
could not he known by the people because
the debates of the Senate in secret session
are not published. Under these crcum-
stances deemed it due to the Office which
| | hold. and to the character Of the agents
who had been charged with the inyestigi-
ton. that such proceedings should he had
as would enable the people TO know the
truth. A commission was therefore con-
stituted, under authority OF Congress, con-
sisting of gentlemen selected with special
reference to their high character and capaci-
ty for the laborious work entrusted to them,
who were instructed to visit the spot and
report upon the facts. Other eminent citi.
zens were requested to accompany the COM
mission, in order that the people might
have the benefit of their views. Students
of science and correspondents of the press,
without regard to political opinions, were
invited to Join the expedition, and their
numbers were limited only by the capacity
of the vessel.
The mere rejection by the Senate of a
treaty negotiated BY the President only in
dicates difference Of opinion between two
coordinate departments of the Government,
without touching the character or wound
ing the pride Of either but
WHEN SUCH REJECTION TAKES PLACE srMULTA-
NEOUSLY WITH CHARGES OPENLY MADE OF
CORRUPTION ON THE PART OF THE PREsI.
DENT, ...... ...,.....-.-..
or of those employed by him, the case is diff
terent. Indeed, in such q case the honor OF
the nation demands investigations, This has
been accomplished by the report of the
commissioners, herewith transmitted, and
| which fully yindicate the purity of the mo-