New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-03-31
THK WEEKLY REPUBLICAN


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Rsbessa Replies se6enaer.
0ecretasy Robeson has written . letter to
Rear Admiral Lee, IN Which ne says that ne
| herewith encloses copy a > letter which
supports to- have been addressed ON
February 9Gh last by the officer COM
Inandine the Tennessee to the Hon. Be1ja-
mn r. Wade, chairman Of the commission
sent to San Domingo in that vessel have
Thought it right to correct the'unfounded
ideas therein contained, through you the
commandant Of the feet in those waters
You viii perceive that in this letter tho
writer aesumcs in effect that if any porsOn
connected with the commission was taken
nriaoner by the opponents of the Dominican
government within their lines, he would be
n reality q spy, and might under the rules
Of civilized warfare be treated a. such, be-
eause the United States has, in the opinion
of tho writer. through the orders OF it's ex-
Acutive TO the naval vessels on these shores,
to take part in the internal conflicts OF the
Dominican republic.
3 This statement il unfounded in fact and
inference. Tho United States is dealing
With the regularly constituted government
.Of the Dominican republic in q manner and
for 4 purpose not inconsistent with inter
national law. And though the right Of rev
olution against the constituted authority for
lust and adequate cause inheres in every
people, yet the constituted government ID,
unt3I It Il actually overthrow, the legal
REPRESENTATIVE Of the nation in all its rela-
1ions u other peoples, and the right Of rev
-olution does not carry with it to the revolu-
tionists pending their contest their right to
treat the agents of other nations as enemies,
wheu mot in arms against them, while they
arc acting and have an international right
to act in accordance with the laws OF the
.exieting government. But neither the
United States nor its executive has chosen to
take part or has taken part in the internal
conficts Of the Dominican republic. The
aituation Is this: The President of the
United States has by the constitution the
right to mako treaties, subject to ratification
by the Senate.
Tie Congress Of the United States in 1866
appropriated considerable sum OF money
for the understood purpose of acquiring by
leaee.or purchase q part of the island Of San
Domingo. The bay and peninsula OF SANTANA
were considered most appropriate for our
nurnoee - naval station; and the republic
81 San Domingo itself, with its favorable
position and natural resources, its friendly
government and people, seemed for the pur-
1oee of commerce and civilization the most
.6eaizable for the United States, the frag-
,nerte Of our continent which lie across the
rnteWays Of our domestic commerce and
shut MP the entrance to our great inland
aeae. TO initiate treaties is the cOnstitu-
tional right of the President, and he had the
constitutional power to negotiate the treaties
for the cession of SANTANA and the annexa-
ton Of the Dominican republic.
Ii, upon proper consideration, he thought
: It right and for the interest Of the country
vhcse interests are, to this extent,
infrusted to his Judgment, it was his con-
!. etitutional right if he did negotiate such
treafies with the Existing government of
tho repnblic, confessedly the government
nth II fdcto and de jMre. These treaties
vere Of course jseAoate and subject to be
: confirmed or defeated by the action of the
Senate Of the United States, and the people
/. of the Dominican republic. But BY such
treaties and pending such final action the
United States acquired an interest in the
thing negotiated, from which We could not
be hghtfally disturbed by any other power,
and it was the plain duty of the executive
g protect, if need be, the integrity of tins
SYSTEMATICALLY acquired interest, 80 that
the subject of negotiation might remain
intact till the final action Of the ratifying
powcr Of the country could be possibly had
.Snder the treaty,
Conereae for such purpose, we took posses
si01a az the bay and peninsula of SANTANA.
This poeoession We still hold, and while our
Aae fiee there We must protect, from every
inferfercnce. the interest which it presents.
m carrvine ont this recognized policy, the
eoverninent Of the United States has not
1ired shot nor landed . man in hostile
attitude in the Island, and has neither inter
ferod in the conflicts Of tho Dominican re-
rnblic NOR coerced amy other power. ltjhaa
imply announced to al people generally
md particularly to such - appeared in .
threatening attitude, IT. determination e
protect, until finally disposed OF, the interest,"
Il had acquired in that republic from all at
tacks from without it's boundaries, and from
interference by any foreign power; 90 that
81 the event Of the treaties being ratified
there would be left the thing contracted
z1ee, with no hostile possession intervening
d ella II certainly not to make war or to taxi
80 IN the conflicts Of the country, nor Il
seoerce nor to attempt to eOerce any power
II f. but the simple performance of duty y
~ Couxfees and to the nation. 1t 10 'th'
urereryS&3tm in its existing condition o
~ 10 have oonstitntionally entered int
negotiations oonstituti0nally to acquite un
dor tho orders g tho executive. 1t is par
/. 81 rs duty of thOse ships Of your flee
!. ~ ~ Domingo - maintain this ftatu
y s - eyery pewss And, while We Aoul,
+ nof vield the right u interfere with it =
- most powerful g0ydnment, We can no
:. .concedo t6at risht toth9 Zeakest. ~i.
GE6RGE n. GOBESON,
Secretaf pf the Navy.
.uersea,s Reply - savnsrx
Iasfke Gs1et6 ON Monday, IA llceoen fol
: Iouo1 II. elnqer. He remas
- iAfor from Massachusetts ea4 n
IA ~ in2Snd to argue the Quest4o4 q An
I ;1orafioa { 11Ieus6oce his object w. 10 -.
1870 49, IS ehaxge The President g. ~!
fiiKe6 Ul1 { I'd 81 last two Of ~ -
s,wffh FL onoe and miademcan
& ss,r1i 4 = lS11 Niifhout preparnti6ns g.