The New York herald., 1871-02-21

OF Louisiana wear It, and in dress and
everything else he looked like an ordl-
nary mulatto domestic. Except the respect
that was paid to his great age he was regarded by
those around him as on a footing with themselves.
He spoke English imperfectly, and, from his nervous,
rapid manner Of speaking 1t was difficult to under.
stand him at times Though he seemed tofavor
annexation he was not enthusiastic, but rather re-
ticenl, ON the subject
THE PARTY AT WORK.
The Commission, with Its corps Of geologists,
botanists and naturallss and the press correspond
ents, have been earnestly at work since we arrived
at Samana. Several parties have been sent out from
the Commission to explore the country bordering
the bay, up to the mouths OF the Yuma river and In
the Interior. Every day the Commissioners ana
others have been ashore to talk with the people Of
the village and to examine the o-caed plantations,
which are merely little cleared spots imperfectly
cultivated, and to ascertain what are the natural
products of the soil.
CoULEUR DE ROSE.
Almost everything has rose.colored hue TO these
gentlemen. Most Of them have never seen tropi-
cal country before and this looks Ike paradise to
Them The sudden transition from cold and dreary
winter at home to this warm climate and luxuriant
verdure has made them very enthusiastic. Even
the naked or halrclad, lazy natives appear to them
them as tn ey return to the ship exclalm In glow
ing language about the beauty and richness Of the
island. The English language is strained to the ut.
most to And snperiative aijectlves with which to
express their Impressions. One reports that he
found mahogany tree In the almost impenetrablc
interior worth 900 as 1t stands. Another avows
that an acre OF land will support family almost
without labor and that there is wealth IN abun.
dance to be made with scarcely any effort. All is
gorgeous, splendid and marvellous. or course The
people OF SANTANA, WHO 1eel interested In the Ques-
tlon OF annexation, or In the protectorate Of the
United States over them, make the best OF every.
thing.
According to their account there is no sickness
here worth speaking about. One man, an indus
trous and WI We caen oa Ine United
declared this country the healtliest III the world
wnile III the room adjoining the one In which We
SAT aud where ne made the remark his only child
was living sick with fever. Then, the people say TINS
is the hottest season OF the year. though the Sun IS
fifteen or sixteen degrees the other side OF the
ennaior and in June 1t Is right over head. This Is
called the dry season, although II rams every day
and Seh y down IN s wet e Taas
heavy and almost constant rains may, however,
modify the temperature 3ar ana make the season
the people OF SANTANA have for making q
those accompanying 1t, and the natural enthusiasm
OF nearly all In this expedition over q country so
luxurlant ana clluatc 50 mucu III contrast with
snat they had just left. 1t Is not surprising that
everything Is viewed In cOuleu1' de rose. Nor would
It be astonishing should everything be so repre-
sented BY the Commission and correspondents.
THE CLIMATE
stll, with all this exaggeration, the climate is
most agreeable, the breeLes on the bay and along
the shore are balmy aud refreshing. and the sur
rounding scenery is charming to behold. II Is not
an Arcadia, for there are no nOcks or herds, no
yaregated landscapes, with cleared ana highly cul-
tivated lands, beautiful gardens and shruoberies,
handsome residences and comfortable cottages nne
vhtah a-af
countries OF the temperate zone delightful. With
the exception oil lew poorly cultivated spots Of
acre or so, OF few acres OF most, with rude
hut on each for residence, WI widely apart all the
Is covered with dense wood lnterlaced by shrubs
and vines
There Is little raised for market except q few
oranges and cocoa nuts. The soil almost every.
where Is rch and this Is seen by the abundant and
rapid growth OF vegetation Even II passing along
machete to clear away the brush and vines that
grow so rapidly. different varieties OF the PALM
Including the cOcoanut tree, grow abundantly and
where the latter are cultivated In little groves In the
indenatons OF the bay ana along tue shore, 1Rnked
BY the thick and dark green forest rising 1D yhe
hills the scene is beautiful There Is no doubt that
the sugar cane, coffee, cocoa, oranges and all the
ggaG2 gGGqiHs \ q T aeFs FEsps pssoi iys r ma
men could be kept at work in this lazy climate.
Without that the country must remain Compare
tive WLderness. Corn, probably. could be raised
with little LABOR and great Yield. 1t Is said there Is
an abundance Of mahogany and other valuable
woods in the interior. But after ALL TO improve tns
country Is question OF labor. anil the 1rst thing Is
70 ascertain where thai Is 70 Come lrom.
ANOTHER VISIT or OFFICIALS. -
Yesterday the officials and principal men OF Sa-
maRa, to the number OF about fIteen. came on
board again, including the vertable nominal Gov
ernor, General Aoosta, by invitation OF the Commits