The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-23

una ana tne supposed coal beds. lie
visited all the places mentioned by McClel-
Ian in bis report; he took bearings and
names OF all the headland bays ct al so
that his report is Typographical as well as
geological. He found that the Peninsula
Of Samana was practically an island, a
branch OF the Yuma river 10 high water
severing Il from the mainland.
Among the last excursions the Commits
sloners made was to the plantation of Mrs.
Dichmain, about two miles from Samana.
1t was bright, lovely day, with mild
sea-breeze tempering the hot sun, warm,
but Infinitely more agreeable and exhila-
rating than the close, sultry, Summer days
at Long Branch, or other seaside resortes.
The curved shore Of the little bay where
we landed was fringed with cocoa-palms,
laden with the tempting looking ripe
fruit. IL was but the work of q moment
for native to climb tree and throw
down a number of smooth, shiny, green
nuts. The negro took his machete-a
long knife worn at the side ia q wooden
scabbard, and used to peel an orange or
clear jupgle--and cut off the end of one
of the nuts which was quite soft and white,
and filled with delciously cool sweetish
liquid which afterwards hardens, aud
thickens into milk. As we saw it, it was
almost colorless and very refreshing. The
nuts were lined with delicate pulp which
could be eaten with spoon. After this
romantic repast we set out for the plants>
tion, which was at the head Of delicious
little valley running inland from the sea-
A doleful squeaking noise attracted our
attention, and we soon found that it pro-
ceeded from primitive sngar-mill, con-
sisting of three wooden rollers in frame
surmounted by palm thatch. The mill
was turned by two bulls, and thatch and
all reyolvod like an od-fashioned wind
mill. Near by was building where the
juice was boiled and made iuto coarse
brown sugar
Mrs. Dichmain gave US cordial recep-
ton, and talked very freely on all subjects.
She has been AZ years in Santo Domingo,
was married when she was 20 years old,
and has had Is children, and 80 grand
children. Her farm consists Of 100 acres,
which produce bananas, pineapples, sugar,
coffee, and chocolate. The dwelling house
is slight wooden structure, 80 feet by 18,
thatched with palm-bark. Her old house
was burned by the Spaniards in 1864 She
was most decidedly in favor of annexation,
longing intensely for quiet and order.
After pleasant chat we returned to the
beach and waited for the cutter to take us
on board of the Tennessee. 1t was
gloriously beautiful day, and the air was
filled with baliny fragrance unknown in
colder climes. One of the Commissioners
seated himself on rough log of mahogany,
and another balanceh himself on dug
out, followed from the trunk Of the saber
tree. We were in the cool shade of
palm grove, while. around US were orange
and lime trees. The air was full of golden
butterflies and humming- birds. Green
lizards basked in the sunlight on the
smooth bark of the palms. The surf beat
musically at our feet, and we talked of the
times when Columbus in his clumsy cara
walls had anchored in that very bay, and
was less Hospitality received by the natives.
AT THE CAPITAL.
Santo Domingo City, February 2.-We
left Samana early Monday morning, the
S0th, and steamed slowly along the bold
headlands, with wind and sea against US,
and Tuesday afternoon came in sight of
Santo Domingo, the Oldest city in America,
and one rendered the most interesting in
its early history by the fact that it was
founded, under Coumbuss advice, by his
brother Diego. We strained our eyes as
we neared the town to see the tower where
the great navigator was confined in chains
by the unworthy people to whom be had
given new world. We cast anchor in
the roadstead, where we were tossed by a
heavy sea and made extremely uncom-
Portable. Santo Domingo can never be
place of commercial Importance, for it has
no harbor for vessels drawing over ten feet.
They are compelled to remain outside, at
anchor, cheered by the pithy remark of
the West Indian pilot ain case of storm
or strong south wind, be prepared to slip
your cable and put to sea, for your anchor
will not hold /; or, if it holds, the cable
will part, and you will drift on the rocks"
Such vessels as in Columbuss day were
monsters in size, can cross the bar at the
mouth of the Ozama river, and find quiet
anchorage inside.
Ia order to save time the Commission
decided to move on shore and go to house.
keeping. President Baez, in the name of
the government, very politely rendered to
the Comm ssioners the use Of public
building, called for euphony "the Palace"
but they felt they would be more indepen-
dent and retired ia private house. So
they secured very pleasant one near the
Presidents residence and the public offices,
and moved in to-day. The house is partly
furnished from the ship and partly from
town, aud the public may be interested iu
knowing that the rent paid is $40 per
month in gold. The Dominican govern
ment, while regretting that the Commits
sioners did not feel able to avail themselves
of the quarters which had been assigned
them, expressed their perfect satisfaction
aud appreciation of what they had done.
The scientific members of the Commission
and the reporters are lodged in the palace,
fact which will probably be stated 10 the
Podunk Gazette as follows 'The immedi-
ate attaches of the Commission are now
reveng in the Halls of the Montezumas
The formal reception took place this
morning with the usual diplomatic cere-
monies. President Baez seemed to feel
deeply all he said, and made a most favor
able impression ON the Commissioners.
Tomorrow informal interviews will take
place.