Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-04-06
Grants Message Upon the
Report Of the Santo Doming0 Com.
nniSS1nn

10 the Sendte ana House or RepTesentG.
tees.
I have the honor to submit herewith to
the two Houses Of Congress the report Of
the Commissioners appointed in pursu-
ance OF the joint resolution approved Jan.
IL, 1871. 1t will be observed that this
report more than sustains all that I have
heretofore said in regard to the productiv.
ness and healthfulness of the Republic of
San Domingo; of the unanimity of the
people for annexation to the United States,
and their peaceable character. 1t is due
to the public as certainly IS to myself
that should here give all the circum-
stances which first led to the negotiation
of the treaty for the annexation of the
Republic of Santo Domingo to the United
States. When accepted the arduous and
responsible position I now hold, did not
dream of instituting any steps for the &C.
QUESTION of insular possessions I be-
lieved, however, that our institutions
were broad enough to extend over the
entire continent, as rapidly as other peo-
pie might desire to bring themselves
under our protection. I believed, fur
Their, that we should not permit any indie
pendent government within the limits of
North America to pass from condition
of independence to one of ownership or
protection under European powers.
Soon after my Inauguration as Presi-
dent, was waited upon by an agent of
President Baez with proposition to an
mex the republic of San Domingo to the
United States. This gentleman repre-.
sented the capacity of the island, the de-
sire of the people, and their character and
desires, about as they have been described
by the Commission, whose report accom-
panies this message. He stated, further,
that being weak in numbers and poor in
purse, they were not capable of develop
ing their great resources; that the people
had no incentive to industry on account
of the lack of protection for their accu-
mutations, and that if not accepted by
the United States, whose institutions they
loved above those of any other nation,
they would be compelled to seek protec-
ton elsewhere. To these statements I
made no reply, and gave no indication OF
what 1 thought of the proposition. In
the course of time, I was waited upon by
second gentleman from San Domingo,
who made the same representation, and
who was received in like manner. In
view of the facts that were laid before me,
and with an earnest desire to maintain
the Monroe doctrine, I believed that 1
would be derelict in my duty if did not
take measures to ascertain the exact wish
of the government and inhabitants of San
Domingo in regard to annexation, and
communicate the information to the peo-
pie of the United States.
Under the attending circumstances,
feel if turned a deaf ear to this appeal, I
might in future be justly charged with a
fragrant neglect of public interest and
utter disregard of the welfare of a down
trodden race praying for the blessing of
free and strong government, and for pro-
lection in the enjoyment of the fruits of
their own industry. Those opponents of
annexation who heretofore have professed
to be prominently the friends of the
rights of man, believe, would be my most
violent ASSISTANTS if neglected so clear q
duty.
Accordingly, after having appointed a
commissioner 10 visit the Isianu, who de-
clined on account of sickness, selected a
second gentleman, in whose capacity,
judgment and integrity, had and have
yet the most unbounded confidence. He
visited San Domingo, not to secure or
hasten annexation, but to learn all the
facts about the government, people and
resources of the republic. He went, GER
tainly as we'll prepared to make an un.
favorable report as favorable one, If the
facts warranted it. His report fully cor
roborated the views of previous commits
sioners, and, upon it's receipt, felt the
sense of duty and due regard for our
great national interests required me to
negotiate a treaty for the acquisition of
the republic of San Domingo.
As soon as it became publicly known
that such a treaty had been negotiated,
the attention of the country was occupied
with allegations calculated to prejudice
the merits of the case, and with those
whose duty had connected them with it.
Amidst the public excitement thus Gre
ated the treaty failed to receive the re-
quisite two-thirds vote of the Senate and
was rejected. But whether the action of
that body was based wholly upon the
nature of the treaty, or, might not have
been in some degree influenced by such
allegations, could not be
known by the people because the debates
Of the Senate in secret session were not
published, under these circumstances II
deemed it due to the Office which I hold
and due to the character of the agents
who had been charged with the investi- |
CATION that such proceedings should be
had as would enable the people to know
the truth.
A commission was therefore constitu-
ted under the authority of Congress, con-
listing of gentlemen selected with special
reference to their high character and cap
,city for the laborious work entrusted to
hem, who were instructed to visit the
pot and report upon the facts. Other
eminent citizens were requested to &C.
company the commission in order the
people might have the benefit of their
7iews. Students of science and corre-
pondents of the press without regard to
political opinions were invited to join the
their number was limited
,nly by the capacity of the vessel.
The mere rejection by the Senate OF
reatv negotiated by the President only