The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-17

SYNOPSIS OF SECRETARY FISH LETTER.
Secretary Fish's letter is lengthy, aud re-
views the questions embraced in the resolu-
ton. After referring to the boundary be-
tween Hayti and San Domingo, which b.
says is we'll defined, he states that no docu-
ment can be found which makes San Do
miDgo liable for any of the debt to FfaDce
assumed by the Government of Hayti. lie
sketches the history of the Dominican Re.
public, which was proclaimed in December,
1921, and details at length it's relations with
this country under Presidents Polk and
Pierce, both of whom sent commissioners
the former in regard tn the question of recoR-
milton, and the latter in regard to the pur-
chase Of Samana Bay as naval station. The
negotiations in regard to Samaua Bay
were broken off, probably by the interference
of foreign powers. During our late war
Spain tried to repossess herself of the island
In 1866 the effort to secure Samaua bav was
revived by the United States agents under the
direction of Secretary Seward. The DOmiui-
can Government secretly applied to the
United States for money and war material to
aid them in their war with Spain, Offering
SamaDa bay as a pledge. In January, 1867,
the Assistant Secretary OF State visited San
Domingo He was authorized to offer to the
Dominican Government 81, 600, 600, payable
one-half in cash and the other half in
arms and munitions of war, as q con-
sideration for the proposed cession.
He was instructed to require a full
sovereignty of the United States over the
territory to be ceded. The negotiation failed.
however, because the Dominican Government
could not consent to an absolute sale of ter
ritory without violating express provision
Of the Constitution of the Dominican repub-
lie just adOpted that it would be inconve-
nient to await amendments to the Oonstitu-
ton. The Dominican Government, there
fore, proposed lease of the Cages Levan-
tando, which command the entrance of the
Bay of Samana, and the use of the adjacent
waters, together with certain specified privi-
leges on the main land of the peninsula
This me asure would not answer the purposes
of the United States
The negotiations we're renewed in February,
but no progress having been made by Mr..
Smith, the power with which he was invested
was revoked on the Sth of MAY, 1867
Friendly sentiments concerning the delicacy
of the subject induced the Secretary of State
to direct that 10 publicity should be given to
these proceedings, and that no trace of them
should be left on the records of the CONNER
cial or consular agent of the United States in
San Domingo.
At subsequent periods during the year 1867
the Dominican Government was understood
to have entered into formal treaty with the
Republic of Hayti, by which those two pow
ers which divide the island of San Domingo
between them mutually stipulated that neither
would in any case ALLEVIATE any portion of its
territories; and proclamation was issued
by the President of the Dominican Republic,
announcing that he had not made and should
not make any cession of the bay or peninsula
of Samana to the United States or
to any other power. In November, 1867,
General Cabral sent Mr.. JuJol to Washington
to renew negotiations, which were terminated
by Cabral's downfall in March, 1868. Mr..
Somers Smith, United States Commercial
Agent, was in constant communication with
the two governments during 1868. Mr.. Fish
says mass of correspondence in the archives
Of this department, from variety of sources,
muc. of which was unprejudiced, and some
of which has been biased by prejudice or
interest, appeared to demonstrate the follow
ing pointE-Firsk That the Spanish portion
Of the Island of San Domingo was sparsely
populated.
The estimates varied from 150,0 900 to 30O,-
600 persons. Those who would appear to
have the best opportunities for correct infor.
nation fixed the number at less than 200, 900
Second. That the soil of that part of the
island was rich, and capable of productive
power beyond any corresponding extent of
the Island of Cuba. Third. That its actual
production was greatly diminished by the
disturbed state of its civil and political
society, caused partly by the Spanish inva-
sion, partly by the character of the popula-
tion, and largely by the aggressive policy
of the neighboring republic of Hayti.
Fourth. That all parties, with equal unani-
nifty, sought refuge from these disturbances
in more intimate connection with the United
States, which was regarded as the natural
protector of republican institutions in the
Western hemisphere. Fifth. That to this
end all desired to lease the bay end peninsula
of Samana to the United States for naval
station, as a first step toward ultimate an
pexation. Sixth. That the Bay of Samaua
was the key to the Mona Channel, was the
gate to the Caribbean Sea and the Isthmus of
Panama.
In June, 1869, the present administration
appointed Benjamin S. Hunt to obtain infor
nation in regard to the Dominican Republic,
but i'll health compelled him TO resign.
On the 18th of July, Brevet Brigadier-G Gen
eral Babcock, who was employed in the Ex-
ecutive office, and who enjoyed the full con-
| fdence of the Government, was, in the place
of Mr.. Hunt, instructed to proceed to San
| Domingo on the same mission, and sailed
| from New York about four days after receiv-
| ing his instructions. On his return
he made a favorable report, aud
| he was directed to return to
! San Domingo in order to aid Mr. Raymond
| H. Perry, the commercial agent of the United
States, in negotiating for the annexation OF
the whole territory of the republic to the
United States, and as an alternative PROPOSE
tion for lease of the peninsula and bay OF
Samana to the United States. A treaty fol
the examination of the territories of the re
public and a convention for the lease of thu
bay andlpeninsula of Samana were accordingly
concluded This treaty did not receive th'
assent of the Senate. Mr.. Fish then review
| tba Hatch case very brienv and closes n,