The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-25
ST. DOMINGO.
Onicial letter from the Admiral Comnlan ding
the North Altar mite SGuadrOu.
UNITED STATES STEAMER SEVERN,
OFF 81. DOMINGO CITY. Jan. 8, 1871.


UNITED STATES STEAMER SEVERN,
OFF 81. DOMINGO CITY. Jan. 8, 1871.
Hon. GEORGE NJ. robson, Secretary OF the Navy
The Severn arrived here on the lat inst. Sunday
and found the Yantic Commander irwin; the Swa.
tara. Lieutenant Commander Allen and the English
man-of-war Raccoon, Captain Howard at anchor or
TINS city. The next day (Monday. January p tho
severn fired national salute of twenty-one guns
ana mad the Dominican nag at the fore, which was
returned from the fort, ana then our commercial
seven guns
Accompanied by the latter and my full STAFF I
called on President Baez ana was very kindly re.
celved ny himself and his Cabinet. assured him Of
the continued desire and effort OF President Grant to
secure the annexation OF Dominica TO the United
States and OF my belief that tins object would be
ultimately secured have had two other interviews
WIN PRESIDENT Baez, both IN the presence OF hls
portion OF my STAFF and In the last only by Captain
Caldwell, the chet.0l-stan.
have not ascertained satisfactorily what ia the
situation here, but viii brieny state my belief on
the subject
President Baez as statesman and patrior sim
cerey desires the annexation OF Dominica to
America. Delay III accomplishing TINS IL attended
by financial trouble, Anxiety and risk OF Insured
ton. There Is very rich and large extent OF val
ley country on the western frontier Of Dominica,
watered by the aiiuents OF the Antibonite, contain
Ing some small towns. bearing Spanish names,
the complete possession. 1t is here that Cabral
operates with small predatory party, which
by Hayti. Cabral is now at San Juan, say forty
miles east OF the boundary line between Dominica
ana Hay,l according 70 the treaty between spain
bers but always SMALL whence he makes raids and
retreats as occasion requires His last operation.
was very insignificant and amounted to 1
few persons killed, wounded and captured by
his followers. AT !. Aqua and at the posts
Dominicans have some 1000 or 800 troops These
seem to be IN position for defence against incursion
from without or nsurrection from within. rihey
appear to form the main organization OF troops,
though there are some troops here and In other
places. though the ordinary expenses of the mill.
tary, which Is the chief administration. are estl-
mated ut about $1,000 monthly, the revenue IL so
small and the paper money OF the country is Of SO
little value that the employees OF The government have
been long time unpaid, ana measures are now pro-
posed looking 10 treating the paper money like our
Continental currency and the French ass,g'tats, and
duties wherewith to carry on the government.
There Is geological survey OF Dominica now IN
progress under Professor Gal, for the government,
Tor which some New YORK capitalists supply the
funds ana for this they are 10 be repaid by public
lands.
There 10 q survey 10 progress by Mr.. Wilson,
the English engineer, for q railroad from Santiago
black Of Puerto Plata TO SANTANA Bay. 1t leads
through rich and productive valley country and is
considered practicable. me capital this enter
prise Is expected from England, and the labor from
this island; There Is now steamer making
Plata. SANTANA and this city. This steamer
brings supplies for this part OF our squadron Is cu
II
The United States have the capital and skilled labor
OF every kind which this island wants.
Under our government Dominica can supply the
United States with cheap cOiiee and sugar ana in
crease our coast trade and home market.
The military defence would De inconsiderable
than that OF great part OF our
own coast or that OF the West India islands gene
rally Its naval defence would need no addition to
our feet The Chief defence Of all these Islands 1s
the maritime strength OF the countries to which
they belong.
Dominica, nom its capacity for the tropical pro.
duciOns which the comfort OF our people requires
necessity to America, and never, perhaps, IN the
tide OF time have any people received the offer of so
valuable possession for so small a consideration.
The prejudicia cry OF speculative interests IN be-
half Of annexation seem entitled to small c0nsdera.
ton, since capital ana enterprise are just what
wanted here and the more che better-all beng free
to enter this great and inviting eld OF profitable in
vestment and production. Like. objections would,
with much more force, have applied to the acqusl-
ton of California. After all, II is simply the soy.
oreignty that the United States really IN
the interest Of our people and those people. The
population Of Dominica is small and confessedly ex-
cellent OF this kind. With the annexation OF Do
minlca the boundary question will be settled by an
easy and natural revolution of opinion In Haytl for
annexation TO America. The circumstances all
seem favorable. Respectfully yours. s. P. LEE.
Rear Admiral Commanding North Atlantic feet