The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-10-19


the opinion of this House, it is serving
notice upon the world ] offer it in this
view, and want to see who is willing to
vote against it.
The question was taken on the motion
to suspend the rules; and there we're
yeas 90, nays 43, not voting 49,"
Now | have occupied so much time in
regard to Alaska and st. Thomas, as
preliminary to San Domingo, for the
purpose of showing where Judge D. and
myself have stood in regard to these
acquisitions, and leaving you to say
whose action best accords with your
wishes and judgment. I had another
object, and that was to show that the
man whe had been the loudest in de-
nouncing Gen. Grant for negotiation for
the purchase Of the large and fertile
island of San Domingo, for the small sum
Of 81 500, 900, carried through by his in
fuence, the worthless purchase of Alaska,
by which you were robbed of $7,2OO,0OO
in gold, and were subjected to a perpet-
ual annual expenditure Of 100000
The idea of the purchase of San Do.
mlngo did not originate with General
Grant. The administration of Mr.
johnson had that object in view, and he
urged it in his last message, and had
Seward remained in the office Secretary
of State few weeks longer, I have no
doubt he would have negotiated treaty,
but with this difference, that insl cad Of
agreeing to pay $1,500,000. he would
have agreed to have paid 100000 at
least, as he never could get below that
figure in any purchase, however worth
less. During the last session of the 40th
congress Mr.. Seward appeared in person
before the committee Of Foreign Affalre
to ask for an appropriation 10" the lease
of the Bay of SANTANA. He had made up
his mind that his St. Thomas purchase
was dead He seemed reconcled to the
fact, as he had found that a much better
place for naval station was to be had at
SANTANA for $4,000 year. The
committee did not act upon his request,
but few days after copy of a commu-
nication from President Baez, Of ST. Do,
mipgo, to the State department, was laid
before the committee. The letter ac-
credited gentleman to the government,
who was authorized to negotiate for the
sale of ST. Domingo. That gentleman,
in few days, appeared before the com
mittee to make explanations in regard to
the country and The offer of President
BaeZ This was but few days before
the adjournment OF Congress and eXpira
ton of Johnson's term. The subject was
talked over in committee, several mem.
bers believe being in favor of the pur
chase, Gen. Banks, I think. being one,
and my excellent friend Judge Orth, of
Indiana, being another. [ think that a
majority of the committee was favorable
to the purchase, but [ was not. Z
This was the attitude of the case when
Gen. Grant came into power He found
the matter much talked of and many
prominent men in favor of it, and its &C
QUESTION stuck him very favorably. The
island is magnificent one, and but for
the worthless population that cucumber
it, would be a desirable acquisition
The Bay OF Sarana offered one of the
finest larbors in the world. The Pres
ident believes IN the Importance of a
naval station in the. West Indies, and
that here was an opportunity Of acquir
ing one for merely nominal sum-
What did he do? Did he initiate
Seward, and sit down in Washington and
negotiate a treaty for its acquisition,
without knowing anything about what
he was going to acquire? Not at all.
Before doing anything to commit the
government in any way, he sent to San
Domingo one Of his most reliable and
trustworthy officers, one who had stood
near him during the trying years Of the
war, and in whose honor, integrity, judg
md oi,jlitvy h,a l,o1
dence to examine anC report on the
character and conditions of that island
Gen. Babcock, a gentleman who should
be praised as often as he IS named, Wis
tied ST. Domingo, made a thorough ex-
animation, negotiated treaty, and re-
turned to the United States
Before that treaty was acted upon by
the Senate, the Chairman of the Com.
mlttee on Foreign Affairs quarreled with
the President, and assailed him with,
great bitterness for the negotiation of it
accusing him and Gen. Babcock Of grave
offences He VIII could vote aud advo.
cate an appropriation Of $7,200,000 of
your money for Alaska, and could see no
wrong or corruption in doing so, over
flowed with charges of corruption and
usurpation against the President and
General Babcock. The President, con-
scious Of perfect rcctitude and the recti-
tude of his TREND, asked that commits.
sion might be sent to st. Domingo to in
quire into all matters that had been the
subject Of controversy. Congress au-
thorized the appointment of such a
commission, and the President, to whom
the power was given, appointed three of
the first men Of the nation, Ben Wade.
| President White, of Cornell University,
land DR.. S. G. Howe, an eminent citizen
Of Boston, and great friend of