The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-04-14

him, the case Is different. Indeed in
such case the honor OF the nation de.
mands investigation. This has been ac-
complished by the report of the Com
missioners herewith transmitted, and
which fully indicates the purity of mo.
tive and action Of those who represent.
ed the United States in the negotia.
tion.
And now my task is finished, and
with 1t ends all personal solicitude up.
on the subject. My duty being done,
yours begins, and / gladly hand over
the whole matter of the Judgment of
the American people and of their rep.
resentatives in Congress assembled. The
facts will now be spread before the coun.
try, and decision rendered by that
tribunal whose convictions so seldom
err, and against whose will / have no
policy to enforce. My opinion remains
unchanged. Indeed, it is confirmed by
the report that the interests of our
country and of San Domingo alike in
vite the annexation OF that Republic.
In view of the difference of opinion
upon this subject, suggest that no &C.
ton be taken at the present session be.
yond the printing and general dissent.
nation of the report. Before the next
session of Congress the people will have
considered the subject and formed an
intelligent opinion concerning it, to
which opinion, deliberately made up,
1t will be the duty of every department
of the Government to give heed, and
no one will more cheerfully conform to
it than myself. 1t is not only the theo.
ry of our Constitution that the will of
the people, constitutionally expressed,
is the supreme law, but have ever be-
lieved that all men are wiser than any
one man, and if the people, upon full
presentation of the facts, shall decide
that the annexation of this Republic is
not desirable, every department of the
Government ought to acquiesce in that
decision. In again submitting to Con-
gress subject upon which public senti-
ment has been divided, and which has
been made the occasion of numerous
debates in Congress, as well as unjust
aspersions elsewhere, l may, trust, be
INDUCED in single remark. No man
can hope to perform duties so delicate
and responsible as pertain to the Presi-
dentiol Office without sometimes incur
ring the hospitality of those who deem
their opinions and wishes treated with
insufficient consideration, and he who
undertakes to conduct the affairs of a
great Government as faithful public
servant, if sustained by the approval of
his conscience, may rely with conf
dence upon the candor and intelligence
of free people, whose best interests he
has striven to observe, and can bear
with patience the ccnsure of disappoint-
ed men. U. s. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, April 5, 1871.
REPORT OF TIE SAN DOMINGO COM.
MISSION.
w, report of the Committee of in.
quiiy into the Condition of the Domin.
ical Republic, was submitted to the
President to-day, and by him transmit.
ted to Congress.
1t opens with the statement that the
Commissioners traversed the Republic
from end to end, and in several direc-
tions, either by their agents or in per-
son, spent several weeks at the capital
in conference with the President and
oh lief Gnyarnmapt pNipprs ayami N n ~
official records, and as at all other pla.
ces, in constant intercourse with the
people and taking testimony Of witness.
es. They also visited the vicinity OF
the western border, where the disturb.
ances were reported, and remained a
week at the capital of Hayti, where
supplementary Investigations were
made.
The report gives Il full account Of the
form of Government and refers to the
revolutions preceding the administra.
tion of Baez. The Commissioners
found the Baez Government in full and
peaceablc possession OF all parts of the
Republic, except on the Haytien bord-
er, which is disturbed by insurrectiona-
ry leaders, aided by Haytien intrig-
uers, Whatever defects there might
have been in the original title of Baez
to the Office, it was confirmed by the
National Convention and ratified by
the people.
The instructions which still exist
are headed by Cabral and Leuperon.
The former of these is universally con-
coded to be the more important, but
neither has distinct flag or regular
organized army neither is the expo
nent of clearly defined policy.
To the surprise of the Commission,
almost all parts of the country, even the
remotest, the people were found to be
familiar with the question of annexa-
ton to the United States, and to have
discussed it among themselves with in
telligence. All classes in all parts OF
the Republic were consulted, ard ev-
erywhere there was a general agree
ment in the declaration that their peace
and prosperity is in annexation to and
becoming part of the people of the Uni
ted States. This is partially due to tn c
presence in various parts of the coun-
try of small colonies of colored people,
formerly from the United States.
The exceedingly small proportion
who opposed annexation could only be
found by diligent search. They are
chiefly traders or agents of foreign
houses, whose business would suffer by
the change. The rumors that there are
parties in various sections of the coun-
try ready to resort to desperate mea
sures against annexation, seem to be
disproved by the fact that the Commits,
sioners were free from the shadow OF
molestation during their sojourn, al
though they had at no time anything
in the shape of Il guard. The condition
of the people, the physical, mental and
moral condition Of the inhabitants OF
San Domingo was found to be much