The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-04-13
sANTO DOMINGO.
Presidents Message
A d
Commissioners Report.
THE <MESSAGE.

OOtuullSS1OAO1S xNOpO4G u
THE ~MESsAGE.
To the Senate and House Of Representations:
l have the honor to submit herewith to the
two Houses of Congress the report of the Com
mssioners appointed in pursuance Of the joint
resolution offered January 18th, 1871.
1t will be observed that this report more
than sustains all ! have heretofore said in re-
gard TO the prOductlVeneSS and healthtu lneSS OF
the Republic of san Domingo; of the unanim-
~ OF the people for annexation to the United
States, and their peaceable character. 1t is due
to the public as certainly as to myself, that
should here give all the circumstances which
first led to the negotiation of treaty for the
annexation of the Repub bile of San Domingo to
the United States.
When | accepted the arduous and RESPONSE
BILE position | now hold, l did not dream of in
shtutlng any steps for the acquisition of insu-
lar possessions. | believed however, that OIL
Institutions were broad enough to extend over
the entire continent as rapidly as other peoples
might desire to bring themselves under our
protection. | believed further, that we should
not permit any independent Government within
the limits OF North America, to pass from a con-
diton of independence to enc of ownership or
protection, under European powers. Soon af-
ter my Inauguration as President, was wait
ed upon by an agent of BaeZ. with PROPOSE
ton to annex the Republic Of San Domingo to
the United States. This gentleman represen-
ted the capacity and the desire or the people
and their character and habits about as they
have been described by the Commission, whose
report accompanies this message.
He stated further that being weak in num-
bers 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 ofprotection for their accumulations,
and if not accepted by the United States, with
the Institutions which they loved above those
Of any other nation, they would be compelled
to seek protection elsewhere. To these state
ments, made no reply, and gave ne indication
Of what thought of the proposition. In the
course of time | was waited upon by second
gentleman from San Domingo, who made the
same representations, and who was received in
the same manner. In view of the facts which
We're laid before me, and with an ernest desire
to maintain the Monroe Doctrine, believed
that | would be dereict in my duty, if did
not take measures to ascertain the exact wish
OF the government and inhabitants CT the Repub-
lie Of san Domingo, in regard to annexation,
and communicate the information to the people
Of the United States. Under the attending cir
"umStancPs, felt that if turned q deaf ear to
the app al might in future be justly charged
with 1lagrant neglect of the interests and an
utter disregard of the welfare of a down-trod-
den race praying for the blessing OF free and
strong government, and Tor protection in the
enjoyment of the fruits of their own industry.
Those opponents of annexation who hereto
| fore have professed to be preeminenty the
| friends of the rights of man, | believed
would be my most violent assailaDts If | ne
| elected so clear duty. Accordingly after hay
! ing appointed commissioner to visit the island
| who declined on account of sickness, | selected
| "A second gentleman in whose capacity, Judge
ment and integrity had and have yet. the most
| unbounded confidence. He visited San DOmin-
| go, not to secure or hasten annexation but to
| learn all the facts about the government, peo-
| Pile, and recourses of that Republic. He Went
| certainly as well prepared to make an unfavor-
able report as Il favorable one, if the facts war
| ranted it. His report fully corroborated the
| views of previous commissioners, and upon its
| receipt | felt that sense of duty and due regard
| tpy our great national interests required me to
| negotiate treaty for the acquisition of the Re-
| public of San Domingo. As soon rs it became
| publicly known that such a treaty had been
| negotiated the attention of the country was Oc-
! cupied with allegations calculated TO prejudice
| fine merits of the case, and those whose
| duty had connected them with it. Amidst the
public excitement thus created,!t ,!thc treaty failed
| to receive the requisite two-thlrds vote OF the
/ Senate, and was rejected, but whether the ac-
| tion Of that body was based wholly upon the
merits of the treaty, or might not have been in
| some degree: influenced by such unfounded al
legations, could not be known by the people,
because the debates of the Senate in secret ses-
| sion were not published. Under these circum
| stances | 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.
| \ commission was therefore constituted un-
| lerthe authority of Congress, consisting OF gen
| tlcmrn. selected with special reference to theil
| high character and capacity, for the laborious
work intrusted to them; who were Instructed
! to visit the spot, and report upon the facts
/ Other eminent citizens We're requested to ac
| company the Commission, in order that the peo
tl,p Of haif. 1tl
| dents of science, aud correspondents of the
press, without regard to political opinions
| were invited to join the expedition, and theil
number was limited only by the capacity of the
i vessel.
negotiated by the President. only indicated the
| difference Of opinion of the Government, with
| out touching the character, or woundlng the
pride of either; but when such rejection take:
place simultaneously with charges openly madt
of corruption, on the part of the President. ant
| those employed by him, the case is different
Indeed in such case, the honor of the natiol
! demands investigation.
| This has been accomplished by the report o
| the Commissioners herewith transmitted, ant
| which fully indicates the purity of the motives
| and the actions of those who represented the
| United States, in the negotiations. And now my
task is finished, and with it ends all persona
sociu,e on the subject. My duty being done
yours begins, and gladly hand over the whole
| matter to the Judgment of the American peo-
| pie, and their representatives in Congress as
sembled. The facts will now be spread before
| the country, and Il decision rendered by that
| tribunal whose convictions SO seldom err, anC
against whose will | have no policy to enforce
| MY opinion remains unchanged; indeed, 1t Is
confirmed by the report that the interests o.
| our country and San Domingo, alike invite
the annexation of that Republic. In view O.
Tho difference Of opinion upon this subiec
no action viii be taken at the present session
| beyond printing, and Il general dissemination o.
| the report
| Before the next session Of Congress the peo
| pie will have considered the subject, and form
ell an intelligent opinion concerning it, to which
opinion, deliberately made up, it will be the du-
| ty of every department of the government to
| give heed, and no one will more cheertully con-
| form to it than myself. 1t Is not only the theo-
~ of our constitution that the will of the people
| Observation-Disclosures is the supreme law
| but | have ever believed that all men were wis
| er than any one man, and il the people upon O
| full representation ofth facts shall decide that
| the annexation of the Republic is not desirable
/ every department of the government ought to
| acquiesce in that decision. In again submit
| ting to Congress Il subject upon which public
| sentiment has been divided and which has been
made the occasion of acrimonious debate IN Con-
| greSS, as well as unjust assertions elsewhere,
| may. trust, be indulged in single remark
No one can hope to perform the duties so deli
cate and responsible as pertain to the Preslden-
tia Office without some times mourning the
hostility of those who deem their opinions and
| wishes treated with insufficient consideration.
And he who undertakes to conduct the affairs
of great government rs Il faithful servant, il
sustained by the approval of his own conscience,
NAV rely with confidence upon the candor and
intelligence of free people whose best inter-
eStS he has striven to subserve, and can bear
with patience the censure of disappointed men
[Signed,l u. S. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, April 5, 1871
TIE COMMISSIONERS REPORT.
The Commissioners preface their report by
the recital of the resolution of Congress under
which they We're appointed, and after brief
narrative of the events of the expedition, give
Il concise statement of the political state and
condition and form of government of San Do
mingo. The government is in theory Consti-
tutional Republic, the President being elected
for six years by the provinces, and the Judici-
ary of the Supreme Court are chosen for five
wears by Senate from nominations by electoral
colleges. Each parish has also its acade, cor
responding to justice of the peace, holding Of
flee virtually during good behavior, and not one
was found whose character did not inspire re-
spect. Baez appears also legally and constitu-
tionay entitled to the office which he now
holds. The existing instructions, headed by
Cabtal and Luperon, are the eXponents of no
clearly defined policy. and have no hold on pub