The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-04-21
The Presidents San Domingo Message.


Domingo Commissioners to the Senate
and House of Representatives
| have the honor to submit herewith TO
the two Houses of Congress the report of the
Commissioners appointed in pursuance OF the
Joint resolution approved Jan. IL, 1871. 1t
will be observed that this report more than
sustains all that | have heretofore said in
regard to the productvcness and healthiul-
ness of the republic of San Domingo, the
unanimity of the people for annexation To
the United States, and their peaceable char
acter.
1t is due to the public, as it certa My is to
myself that should here give all the cir
cumstances which first led to the negotia-
tons of the treaty for the annexation of the
republic of San Domingo to the United
States. When ] accepted the arduous and
responsible position | now hold | did not
dream of ms ituting any steps for the Gcqui
sition of insular possessions. | believed
however, that our institutions were broad
enough to extend over the entire continent
as rapidly as other people might desire TO
bring themselves under our protection. |
believed further, that we should not permit
any Independent government within the
limit of North America to pass from a condi
ton Of independence TO one of ownership or
protection under Europea power. Soon
after my Inauguration as President, | was
waited upon by an agent of President Baez
with the proposition to annex the republic of
San Domingo to the United States. This
gentleman represented the capacity of the
island, the desire of the people and their
character and habits about as they have
been described by the Commissioners, whose
report accompanies this message. He stated
further, that being weak in numbers and
poor in purse, they were not capable of de-
Veloping their great resources; that the peo-
pie had no incentive to industry on account
of the lack of protection for their accumula-
tons, 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 protection elsewhere. To
these statements | made no reply, and gave
no indications of what | thought OF the pro-
position. In the course of time was waited
on by a second gentleman from San Domln
go, who made the same representations and
was received in like manner. In view OF
the acts which had been laid before me, and
with an earnest desire to maintain the Mon
roe doctrine, believed that | would be der
elicit in my duty if did not take measures
to ascertain the exact wish of the govern
ment and inhabitants of the republic of San
Domingo in regard 10 annexation, and to
communicate the information to the people
of the United States. Under the attending
circumstances, | felt if | turned II deaf ear to
this appeal that might in future be Justly
charged with flagrant neglect of the public
interest, and an utter disregard of the well
fare of a down-troduen ace praying for the
blessing of a free and strong government,
and for protection in the enjoyment of the
fruits of their own industry. Those oppo-
nents TO annexation who have heretofore
protested to oe pre- -eminently the friends of
the rights of man | believed would be my
most violent assailants if neglected so clear
a duty. Accordingly, after having appoint
ed a Commissioner to visit the island, who
declined on account of sickness, / selected
second gentleman, in whose capacity, judy
ment, and integrity had, and have yet, UNI
bounded confidence. He visited Sen Do
mingo, not to secure or hasten annexation,
but unprecedented, to learn the facts about
the government, people and resources of that
republic. lie went certainly as well pre-
pared to make an unfavorable report as u ia
vorable one if the facts warranted it. This
report fully corroboratcd the views of the
previous Commissioners, and upon its report
! felt that q 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 be-
came publicly known that such 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 ere
ated, the treaty failed TO receive the requi-
site two-thirds vote of the Senate, and was
rejected but whether the action of that body
was based wholly upon the merits of the
treaty. or might not have been in some de-
gree influenced by such unfounded allega-
tons, could not be known by the people, be-
cause the debates of the Senate in secret
session are not published.
Under these circumstances 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 proceed
ings should be had as would enable people to
know the truth. a commission was there
fore constituted, under the authority of Con-
gress, consisting of gentlemen selected in
special reference to their 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 were requested to accompany the
Commission in order that the people might
have the benefit of their views. Students of
science and CORES ondents of the press,
without regard to political opinions, were in
vited to join the expedition, and their num-
bers were only limited by the capacity of the
vessel.
treaty negotiated by the President, only in.
dicates a difference of opinion in the differ
ent branches of the Government without
touching the character or wOunding the
pride of either. But when such u rejection
takes place simultaneously with charges
openly made of corruption on the part of the
President or those employed by him, the
case is different. Indeed, in such case the
honor of the nation demands an investiga-
ton. This has been accomplished by the
report of the Commissioner herewith trans
m.tted. which fully vindicates the purity Of
the motives and action of those who repre-
sented the United States in the negotiation.
And now my task is finished, and with it
ends all my personal solctude on the sub
ject. Ny duty being done, yours begins !;
and gladly hand over the whole matter to
the judgment of the American people and
their representatives in Congress assembled.
The facts will now be spread before the
country and a decision rendered by that
tribunal whose convictions so seldom err,
and against whose will l have no policy to
enforce. My opinion is unchanged indeed
it is confirmed by the report that the inter-
ests of our country and San Domingo alike
invite the annexation Of the Republic. In
view of the difference in opinion upon this
subject, | suggest that no action be taken
during the prpspnt session havoud tho nript