Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-04-14
> SAN DOMINGO.
The Report Of the Commissioners--Ao-
companying Massage Of tho Presi-
dent. -, ..etr9fa .rs4 ss.,..
THE MESSAGE.

The Report OF the C0mm1s1101oFs..AO
companying Massage Of the Presi
dent. - .g.H3ga 4 .are4 i4 at
THE MESSAGE.
| WASHINGTON, April 5.-The following
is the Presidents message transmitting
the report of the San Domingo Commits.
sioners to the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives: a
have the honor to transmit herewith
to the two Houses of Congress the re.
port of the Commissioners appointed In
pursuance of the joint resolution approx
ed Jan. IL, 1871. It will be observed
that this report more than sustains all
what have heretofore said in regard to
the productiveness and healthfulncss OF
the Republic of San Domingo, the unan-
unity of the people for annexation to the
United States, and their peaceable char
acter.
It is due to the public, as it certainly is
to myself, that should here give all the
circumstances which first led to the ne
gotiations of the treaty for the annexation
of the Republic of San Domingo to the
| United States. When accepted the ar
duous and responsible position now
hold, did not dream of instituting any
steps for the acquisition of insular posses
sions. believed, however, that our in
stitutions were broad enough to extend
over the whole continent as rapidly as
other people might desire to bring them
selves under onr protection. l believed
further that we should not permit any
independent government within the limits
of North America to pass from cOndi-
tion of independence to one of ownership
or protection under an European power.
l was waited upon by an agent of Prcsi-
dent Baez with proposition to annex
the Republic of San Domingo to the
United States. This gentleman repre-.
sented the capacity of the island, the de-
sire of the people, their character and
habits, about as they have been described
by the Commissioners, whose report ac-
companies this message. He stated
further that, being weak in numbers and
poor in purse, they were not capable of
developing their great resources; that the
| people had no incentive to industry, on
account of the lack Of protection for their
accumulatiOns, and that II not accepted
| by the United States, whose institutions
they loved above those Of any other ma.
tion, they would be compelled TO seek
protection elsewhere. To thcsc state
ments made no reply, and gave no in
dicatiOns Of what ! thought Of the prop
OsitiOn. In the course Of time ] was
waited on by second gentleman from
San Domingo, who made the same repre-
sentations, and was received in like man.
laid before NC, and with an earnest de
sire to maintain the Monroe doctrine,
believed that would be dcrclict in my
duty If did not take measures to asccr
tain the exact wish of the government
and inhabitants Of the Republic Of San
Domingo in regard to annexation, and
TO communicate the information to the
people Of the United States. Under the
| attending circumstances felt if turned
deaf ear to this appeal that l might in
the future be justly charged with q fla.
in utter disregard Of the welfare Of a
down-trodden race praying for the bless
ing Of a free and strong government, and
for protection in the enjoyment of the
fruits Of their own industry. Those op-
pOnents to annexation who have hereto
fore prOfessed to be pre- eminently the
friends of the rights of man, | believed
would be my most violent a. a.sailants if
neglected so clear a duty. Accordingly,
after having appointed commissioner
to visit the island, who declined on ac-
count of sickness, l. selected second
gentleman, in whose capacity, judgment,
and integrity had, and have yet, un-
bounded confidence. He visited San Do
mingo, not to secure or hasten annexa-
tiOn, but, unprejudiced, to learn the facts
about the government, people, and re-
sources of that republic. He went Ger
tainly as well prepared to make an un-
favorable report as favorable one if
the facts warranted it. This report fully
cOrrObOratcd the views of the previous
commissioners, and upon its report felt
that sense of duty and due regard for
| our great national interests required me
to negotiate treaty for the acquisition
of the republic of San Domingo. As soon
as it became publicly known that such
treaty had been negotiated, the attention
of the country was occupied with allcga-
tions calculated to prejudice the merits
of the case, and with those whose duty
had connected them with it. Amidst the
excitement thus created, the treaty failed
to receive the requisite two-thirds vote of
the Senate, and was rejected; but wheth
er the action of that body Was based
wholly upon the merits of the treaty, or
|, hno in, II sv
fiuenccd by such unfounded allegations,
could not be known by the people, be-
cause the debates of the Senate in secret
| session are not published
Under these circumstances | deemed it
| due to the office which hold, and due to
the character of the agents who had been
charged with the investigation, that such
proceedings should be had as would en-
able people to know the truth. A COM
| mission was therefore constituted, under
the authority of Congress, consisting of
gentlemen selected in special reference to
their high character and capacity for the
laborious work intrusted to them, who
were instructed to visit the spot and re-
port upon the facts. Other eminent citi-
zens were requested to accompany 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
opinions, wore invited to join the expe-
dition, and their numbers were only linn
tied by the capacity of the vessel.
The mere rejection by the Senate of a
treaty negotiated by the President, only
indicates a difference of opinion in the
different branches of the government
without touching the character or wound
! ing the pride of either. But when
such rejection takes place simultanc-
ously with charges openly made of cor
ruption on the part of the President or
those employed by him, the case is differ
ent. Indeed, in such case, the honor of
the nation demands an investigation.
This has been accomplished by the report
Ofthe commissioner herewith transmitted,
which fully vindicates the purity of the
motives and action of those who repre-
sented the United States in the negotia-
ton. r
And now my task is finished, and with
It e,,a,s all my personal solictitude upon
the subject. My duty being done, yours
begins; and i gladly hand over the whole
matter to the Judgment Of the American
people and their representatives III Con
gress assembled. The facts VII now be
spread before the country and decision