The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-02-04
The San Domingo Commission.

After considerable discussion, Congress
week before last agreed to authorize the Pres
ident to appoint a commission of three to
proceed to the island of San Domingo to
inquire into the condition of the Republic
of Dominica, and to ascertain the desire
and disposition of the people to become
annexed to the United States. The resolu-
ton granting this authority contained a
previso that it should not be construed as
committing Congress to the policy of anex-
alton, thus postponing the final Congress
sional fight on the subject. Still the friends
of the project feel highly gratified with the
progress they have already made. The
Commission is composed of ex-senator
Benjamin Wade, of Ohio, President Andrew
White, of Cornell University, and DR..
Samuel G. Howe, of Boston. General Sigel
was to have been Secretary of the Commits
sion, but he declined that position on
account of a lack of sufficient fluency in
speaking Spanish, although he is perfectly
familiar with the language. The Commits
sion is good one, and as it is to be accom-
panied by a corps of able scientific assistants,
its report will enable Congress to act intelli-
gently when the final vote is reached
The Commission is only empowered to
ascertain the condition, etc, of the Repub-
lie of Dominica, but it is understood that
the authorities of Hayti are quite willing
to be annexed, and are, in fact, only wait
ing for the Spanish Republic to take the
initiative. 1t must be borne in mind that
San Domingo is divided between two
republics, Dominica on the east, which is
composed of mulattoes who speak the
Spanish language, and Hayti on the west,
whose citizens are negroes and sneak French
exclusively. The island is, after Cuba, the
largest and most beautiful of the West
Indies. 1t is four hundred and six miles
long, and one hundred and siXty-three
miles broad in its widest part; it's area
being about equal to that of South Caro-
lima. 1t is very irregular in its form, being
deeply indented with bays and inlets, SO
that its coast-line, which is estimated to be
twelve hundred miles in lenght, is relatively
very extensive and affords numerous excel
lent harbors The climate of the island is
hot and moist, but is generally salubrious.
In the north, and especially in the more
| elevated portions, there is perpetual
spring. The seasons are divided into wet
and dry, and the rainy season occurs on
the opposite shores of the island at different
ioIc Of no Tn
years have passed without single heavy
shower. Gold and other minerals abound,
but although once mined, now receive little
attention, from want of the requisite
machinery and capital to work the ore.
The vegetation is chiefly Of a tropical char
acter, while the mountains are clothed with
| forests of mahogany, lignum-vita, satin
wood, wax-palm, and numerous other cabi
net woods. The richest of Towering plants
abound, and the usual tropical esculents
and fruits. The staples of cultivation are
coffee, cocoa, sugar, indigo, cotton, and
tobacco, while bananas, yams, oranges,
pineapples, melons, and grapes are abun-
dant.
The western or French end of the island
has always been the best cultivated, but
the production of the island has not been
what it might be, owing either to lack of
enterprise or want of suitable laborers.
Dominica on the east comprises an area of
seventeen thousand miles, and a population
of 14O, 600, while Hayti on the west, with
an area of ten thousand square miles, sup
ports population of 575. 900. AS neither of
these republics have enjoyed very good
credit with the capitalists, they are not
burdened with heavy debts-which is for
tunate for us-and it is estim ated that
the acquisition of the entire island will
not cost us more than five million dollars.
| 1t is claimed, moreover, that the entire
island can be made to very nearly supply
all the sugar and coffee needed in
the United States. This will, of course.
ern and Caucasian blood will develop the
productive capabilities of the island, for its
fertility is acknowledged beyond dispute.
1t has long been deemed advisable by
many Statesmen that the United States
should gain foothold in the West-Indies,
and if this policy be sound, San Domingo
is probably likely to prove as valuable to us
as any other island in the group, except
perhaps Cuba. Much, however, is urged
against the acquisition of the island by
men whose character and intelligence
entitle them to a careful hearing. 1t is
said that the inhabitants are, like other
dwellers in tropical climes, untitled for
elfgovernment, and that the scheme of
annexation is a grand land speculation
destined to benefit only a favored few. If
these or any of the numerous other charges
urged by the opponents of this acquisition
movement be proven, they may arise as
objections to annexation, hereafter but not
to an examination of the subject now. 1t
was wise plan to appoint committee of
investigation, and it will be we'll for the
public to await its report before coming to
a final decision, either in favor OF or adverse
to annexation.-HearM and Home.