St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1871-02-24
SAN DOMINGO WIDE AWAKE.

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the distinguished visitors or to crafty
Idle curiosity. a salute was fired and
many other marks of honor were bestow-
ed. The formal reception Of the CON-
missioncrs by President Baez took place
at the executive mansion of the republic,
del Monte, Gauticr and the minister of
war being present. Mr.. Wade present
ed statement Of the act of Congress or
dering the commission, and read the fol-
lowing letter from President Grant -
PRESIDENT GRANT TO BAEZ.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1871.
His cxcelency Il. Bacz, president of
the republic of San Domingo -
Sir: In accordance with joint rcso-
luton of the two houses of Congress of
the United States, have appointed three
distinguished citizens of the United States
to wit, Hon. Is. +. Wade, for many
years a senator, President A. ID. White
of Cornell university and DR.. 5. G., Howe,
distinguished for his philanthropy, learn
ing and services in relieving the blind of
much of the monotony Of life incident TO
their infirmities, by opening to them the
world of lcttcrs,-as Il commission TO
visit the republic of San Domingo, and
10 obtain the information called for by
the resolution Associated with the com
mission is Judge Allen G.. Burton, sccrc-
tary of the same, II gentleman who has
Eonolcd his country by serving it in 4
diplomatic capacity. | be- TO Introduce
these gentlemen, and rs ask for them
your kind Offices
With great respect, your obcdient ser
want. II. =. GEANr.
REPLY FL BiEZ
BAcz replied in spec Ii Of which the
followin. is the official tran>latiCn:
s'GcntIcmcn: have received with
much pleasure the autograph note which
his cxcelIcncy, President Grant, has sent
through 50 highly appreciated a medium.
| understand that your mission ordered
by the United States is one absolutely of
peace. This is the aspiration and object
OF tie republic, One of the grand mo-
t:vcs which ha. produced these ncgoia-
tions i, that our people desire the paci
ticalinm Of the country, the Development
Of its riches by means of labor, and to so
guarantee the rights Of liberty and the
property Of It's citizens. You may count
on the most ample and absolute liberty
in the exercise OF your commission. The
government offers whatever data you may
necessary, anl will take special
pleasure in giving you every satisfaction
i'll making your Investigations is 10 the
>pontancity ot the resolution of the Do
minican people. We desire ardently that
you Will consult not only the immense
majority in favor Of annexation, but also
those who are opposed"
TIE COUNTRY AND TIE CLIMATE.
The richness of the country, the mag
niliccncc OF the foliage and the Lcauty
and grandeur of the mountains cannot be
Overatcd. The season ut present is very
healthy, and the heat less than ut Wash
in=tun in summer There has been no
case of illness, and, 50 far as heard from,
all the United States officers upon the
island are well.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE.
Notwithstanding the richness of the
islands, however, there is neither energy
nor thrift among the people. They are
very ignorant and INDECENT, mostly live
in huts, and the whole island seems to
be asleep. The most prosperous portion
of the population is 4 negro colony, which
went from Philadclphll in 1921 and
now number 800, WHO are all Metho-
diss. There is no system Of internal
taxation, and it is doubtful whether the
natives would submit 10 any.
TIE FEELING OF ANNEXATION.
Daring the six days that the Tonnes
see was detained 1T SANTANA the commits
sioncrs were hard at work. and got state
mcnts from representatives OF all classes
Most of these were favorable 10 annexa-
ton. Many of the Uiiicc-holdcrs, how
ever, are specializing whether they will
be displaced by American officers, and,
willie they did not raise this question
with the commission, they talked freely
with others.
What was seen of the people around
SANTANA was of little consequence, how
ever, compared with the investigation
into the value Of the place rs a naval
station. All seem to agree that, if the
present condition of our finances would
justify it, the harbor where the coaling
is should be obtained by our government
by lease or purchase. The harbor will
not admit ships of the second class like
The Tennessee, and it will require an cx
pcnditure to put the coal station in prop
cr condition, but it is capable of being
made one oil the finest in the world. The
Notifications Will necessarily be AS extern
slvc rs those of New York city.
There is no harbor ut San Domingo,
except for vessels below the fourth rate.
All our steamers lie in the open road
stcads, with blnkcd fires.
SETTLING DOWN TO WORK
Although the commissioners made
such inquiries rs they could during the
delay ut SANTANA, the real investigation
mo the views and disposition of the pco-
pie and the resources of the country be-
gins at San Domingo A second and
less formal meeting had been arranged to
take place ut Bacz's house. The cumis-
sion is proceeding in an transformations