New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-04-06

DEAR READERS: 1t is, of course. known to
YOU that have been absent from my post as
Editor Of this paper during the last dozen
weeks 1t is perhaps equally well known that
l accompanied the Commission Of Inquiry to
Ssnto Domingo authorized by resolution OF
Congress and approved by the President of the
United States The suddenness with which
was called to this mission left me no time for
friendly word at parting You have probably
already found an apology for this OMISSION but
you may not 40 easily account fer the fact that
have written nothing for the New NArIoNAL
ERA during our months of separation not even
on the subject concerning which l was every
day receiving more or less information. Let
me explain this failure. l have refrainsd from
writing on the subject of annexation Of Santo
Domingo for two reasons first. because | would
have allowed the subject to rest without agita-
ton till the proper time-which is the time for
action and. secondly. because ! sustained an
Official relation to the commission. whose duty
it was to make thorough examination and
report the result i'm full. You see that nv re,
ticence was less for want Of inclination than
from a sense of propriety. Our commissioners
were very far from being over-communicative
towards me at best. and they would have had
cause for even greater reserve if they had rea-
son to suppose | was picking up from them
crumbs Of news for my paper. Under the cir
cumstaaces. l think that you viii admit that
acted wisely. But now / am released The
commission has returned TO Washington. the
substance of their report is already known and
the report i'm full text may be placed before the
country before this letter shall he read by you.
This leaves to me liberty which have many
reasons to be thankful for--Inore reasons, in
fact. than my good readers can very we'll i'm
ayine and certainly more than have any pur
pose to disclose at this time and IN this place.
Though prophet is without honor in his own
country and among his own klnsman, gladly
part with whatever of this article met abroad.
for the comfort which find here in being once
more at my post and in the harness as of yore.
might here give nv readers brief sketch or
an imperfect picture of our voyage out, with
incidents illustrating the character oil the par
ties comprising the company on board OF the
great ship | might tell Of the acquaintance
sions discovered as well. 1t would be easy to
dwell upon the serene beauty of January tropi
cal skies and airs. as soft and warm as the
brightest days of our sweet month of June.
The sea, too, in these ATTITUDES rarsakes of the
delicious tranquility of air and ky. The flying
fish and the dolphin here sportivcly delight the
vision-the one class rising and skimming the
vxyes like knives Of silver, the other giving to
the eurface all the charming colors OF the rain
how. I might tell Of the hours spent in
watching from the deck the distant sails on the
hosom Of the deep blue sea. might tell,
after a seven days voyage, something OF the
feelings romsed by the first glimpse of land,
and with what eager interest everybody on
hoard neered into the dim distance 10 get first
view of this new promised land and not in vain
did thew strain their eyes Tor there were indeed
the Grand old mountains of Dominica, covered
from base 10 summit with the rich verdure of
eternal summer. here and there adorned by the
neecy drapery Of the blue overhanging frma
meat. There too, were the waves, the mighty
waves, sweeping on to the shore, and every
minnie becoming more visible and distinct |
were the pillows rolling in grandeur against the
rock bound coast, sending high in the morning
sunlight their starry spray, and thence return
ing to the sea over craggy cliffs in gushing tor
rents. We have now fairly entered the Bay OF
SANTANA A beautiful island stands high IN ITS
centre above its blue waters like faithful SEN
tinsl guarding its ample gateways right and
Left. The excitement increases All eyes are
turned to the shore again. all glasses are
Ieyeled for discoveries.
General SIcEL, genuine Tegton, and man
Of real culture, full of childlike epthc sasm, has
jast exclaimed, with startling emphasis. .,--e /
a mani" And sure enough. s,ridinr alo,o
ander the stately cOcoanut trees that lined the
shore beach, there ras man. followed by a
dog. Probably that solitary footman mot
aorseman) was never before an object a in {
erest TO SO many intelligent persons. We had I
come to spy out tho land, and had now caught