Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-01-23

GsasFzl EcCleIIsH's RspaFt abaH. Il In
1854

The following are the principal fsa-
tures Of the reports on San Domingo,
made by Brevet Captain George =,
Mcclellan to Hon. JEFF. Davis, SaCre-
tsry OF Wsr, BOD IS5A a report under
date Cf August -, 1854, says:
Their republic Of Dominica claims as
its western boundary the old line be-
tween the French and Spanish pOr-
tiJuz Of tle island. This commenced,
on the north, at the mouth of the Da-
isbau gT Massacre river, about eight
miles east 0i Port Dauphin, and fol-
lowed that stream to its head. 1t
then, % the ulT-lW8Td Of west, fol-
lowed. as I8r a. the DOndCn and Mar
mal8Gp, tho crest Of the mountains
separating the valley of the
Gsave from the streams running to
the north; then, running a little
east of south, the summit Of the
range separating the waters Of the
Goave from those emptying near
G0uai-as, ETC., had crossed the Arti-
bOnite at Mirebal8is; there its direc-
tiOn was about southeast (crOssing the
Et8ng Sr Eache) as far as to the head
of the EglelDlles, and, finally, IL fol-
lowed tGzt stream to its mouth, at
Pitres Cove. The Ifaptiens now hold
possession g. th8t part Of the valley
of GCaVe on the right banks Of
RivleEa De ls Porte and the Guaya-
muCO. below the mouth Of the first
named stream. In other respects the
old boundary seems to be maintained,
and IS occupied by numerous g8rTi-
E8Bs. The island is traveTsed by
running nearly east and west; the
q st is north Cf the river Vague and
Yuma. and forms the northern bOun-
diary Of the Vega Real.
Several harb0rs are mentioned, but
none seem 70 equal Ssmana Bay, Of
which the report says; The largest
shiD-8t-tleIi can enter this bay
with the utmost ease and find secure
anchorage within, entirely out Of
cannon range nom vessels outside the
keys. The anchorage and small har
fJqrs 0u the northern side Of the bay,
near she entrance, are very good, and
have excellent h0ldlug-grOund. The
only objection to this bay arises from
the rareness OF land breezss, at certain
seasons OF the year at least; so that Ii
IS difficult FOX large vessels to sail out,
as the channel Is somewhat narrow
fJr them % beat through. This diff
Guilty en- be- Temedied by the use Of g
steam-tUg, by EEdgiDg, or Warping
were The channel well " buOyed out"
10 is probable that a ship-Oi-lhe-line
could, in case Of necessity, beat out.
with respect to steamers, there is no
obstacle IN the way Of their enter
ing or leaving at any time in
the day or night. The peninsula
of gsmana is almost an island
for at its base the land IS low and
swampy, much cut up by inlets, and
OvergrOWu with mangrOve bushes.
The approach from the main land is
for a league and p half over a narrow,
wfudinguath practicable for only one
man at time, partly under water 10
the armBirs. and in many places over
head 70 mud and water on either side.
The peninsula Itself IS high and Drok-
en-: the bills ranging from few hum
dred 20 two thousand fest in altitude
exceedingly steep, very Irregular 10 |
direction, and interspersed with mar |
row, slOping valleys, the whole GOV.
cred with q dense growth Of under /
brush, vines, and timber It is well /
The predominant rock is z limestone, !
generally porous, but often occurring
OF such q quality as 10 form q good
building stone ia that climate, and in
localities convenient for working.
The country itself Is not fayorably
reported on. The island IS described
as traversed by narrow paths, and no
roads could be found offering a way
for ordinary travel. The village Of
Bamana was the principal town on
the peninsula formed by Samana Bay.
IT had, at the time the report was
submitted, l,72l inhabitsnts-most Of
them negrOes-Wbo carried on q very
iangUid and meagar commerce with
the neighb0ring islands. The gamana
Peninsula Is represented as remark
ably heslthful and liSie subject to
yellow fever. Bituminoas coal was
found quite plentfuliy at several
points and Of excellent quality. The
mountain ranges are covered by a
luGuriant growth Of valuable timber,
mahogany, bulata, GcOma, menOsa,
palm and pine. The plains between
the mountain ranges are fertile and
healthfUl.
The city Of San Domingo had. at
the time Of the report, 5000 people.
The town was well fortified and
abundsntly supplied with guns. as
70 the deaeuses, the report saws
There are no GiiChes, except on two
fronts bordering the bay and In front