Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-04-14

the Republic of San Domingo In regard to
and communicate the informa-
ton to the people of the United States. I'm
der the attending circumstances l felt that,
If turned deaf car to this appeal, /
might in future be justly charged with a
fragrant neglect of the public interests and
an utter disregard of the welfare OLA down
troddon race, praying for the blessings Of a
free and strong government and for protcc-
ton in the enjoyment Of the fruits of their
own industry. Those opponents of annex
alton who have hitherto proiessed TO be
pre-emincntly the friends of the rights of
man, I believed would be my most violent
assailants if | neglected so clear duty.
Accordingly, after having appointed COM
missioner to visit the island, who declined,
on account of sickness, / selected a second
gentleman, in whose capacity, judgment
and integrity l had, and have yet the most
unbounded confidence. He visited San
Domingo, not TO secure or hasten anneXa-
ton, but unpreiudiced and unbiased, to
learn all the facts about the government,
people, and resources of the Republic. lie
went certainly as well prepared to make an
uniavorable as n favorable one, if the facts
warranted it. His report fully corroborated
the views of the previous commissioners,
and on his report felt that sense of duty
and due regard for our great national inter-
csts required me to negotiate a treaty for
the acquisition of the Republic Of San Do
mingo.
As soon as it became publicly known that
such treaty had been negotiated, the at
tention of the country was occupied by al
legations calculated to prejudice the merits
of the case, and those whose duty had con-
nected them with it. Amidst the public
excitement thus created, the treaty failed
to receive the requisite two-thirds vote of
the Senate and was defeated. But whether
the action of that body was caused wholly
by the merits of the treaty, or might not
have been, in some degree, influenced by
such uniounded allegations, could not he
known by the people, because the debates
OF the Senate in secret session are not pub
lishcd.
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 enable
the people to know the truth. a commits
sion was therefore constituted, under the
authority of Congress, consisting of gentle
men selected with special reference to their
high character and capacity for the labori-
Gus work intrusted to them, who were in
structed to visit the spot and report upon
the facts. Other eminent citizens were re-
quested 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 their political opinions, We're invited tc
join the expedition, and their number was
limited only by the capacity of the vessel
The mere rejection by the Senate of "A treaty
negotiated by the President only indicates
II difference of opinion between those two
branches of the government, without touch
ing the character or wounding the pride OF
either. But when such rejection takes
place simultaneously with charges openly
made of corruption on the part of the Pres
ident, or those employed by him, the case
is different. Indeed, in such case the
honor of the nation demands an invcstiga-
ton. This has been accomplished by the
report of the commissioners, which is here
with transmitted, and which fully vindi-
Gates the purity Of the motives and action
Of those who represented the United States
in the negotiation.
And now my task is finished, and Will
it ends all personal solicitude upon the sub
ject. My duty being done, yours begins
| I
the Judgment of the American people ant
of their representatives in Congress assem-
bled. The facts will now be spread before
the country and decision rendered by tina
tribunal whose convictions SO seldom err
and against whose will ] have no policy t.
enforce. My opinion remains unchanged
and it is confirmed by the report, that tn,
interests of our country and Of San Do
mingo alike invite the annexation of tn
republic. In view of the difference of opin
ion upon this subject, / suggest that no &c
ton be taken at the present session beyon,
the printing and general dissemination O
the report. Before the next session of Con
gress the people will have considered tn
subject and formed an intelligent opinion
!
> ly made up, it will be the duty Of ever
= department of the government to give heed
? and no one will more cheerfully conforr
to it than myself. 1t is not only the theor
of our constitution that the will of the pee
pie constitutionally expressed is the su
preme law, but have ever believed tha
all men are wiser than any one man, anC
if the people, upon a full presentation {
the facts, shall decide that the anneAatio
= of the republic is not desirable every dc
partment of the government ought to a'
quesce in that decision.
In again submitting to Congress sui
ject upon which public sentiment has bee
divided and which has been made the occi
sion of acrimonious debate in Congress,
well as unjust aspersions elsewhere, ma,
/ trust, be INDUCED in single remarl
No man can hope to per form duties so de
icate and responsible as pertain to IL
presidential office without sometimes il
curing the hostility of those who deel
their opinions and wishes treated with il
sufficient consideration, and he who unde
takes to conduct the affairs of great go'
eminent as u faithful public servant, if su
: tanned by his own conscience, may rel
: with confidence upon the candor and int
ligence Of free people whose hest interes
he has striven to subserve, and can bel
l. with patience the tensure of dsappointC
men. l. >. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, April ., 1871.
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SR,.TTOR .UORRILL,S S.g.v M