Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1871-04-15
Santo Domingo.
Message of tho President +!

The following il the Presidents message
transmitting the report Of the San Domingo
Commissioners
10 tic Senate and House IF Representatives.
have the honor to submit to Congress the
report of the Commissioners appointed in pur-
suance of the joint resolution approved Janu-
ary ~, 1871.
than sustains all that have heretofore said in
regard to the produC:vcuess and healthulness
OF the Republic of San Domingo Tie unani, |
nifty Of its people for annexation to the United
States and their peaccablc character
II is due TO the public, rs it certainly is to
myself. that should here give all the circuN-
stances which first led to the negotiation of
the treaty for the annexation Of the Republic
of San domingo to the United States.
When I accepted The arduous ana responsi-
ble position which l now hold, | did not dream
Of instituting any steps Cor the acquisition OF
any similar possession. | believed, however,
that our Institutions were broad enough To eX-
tend over the entire continent rs rapidly as
other peoples might desire to bring themselves
under our protection. believed further that
we should not permit any independent govern
men! within the limit of North America TO
pass from the condition OF independence to an
ownership or protection under an European
power Soon after my Inauguration rs Presi
dent | was waited upon by an agent OF Presi-
Gent Raez with proposition TO annex the Re-
public of San DOuingo to tho United States.
This gentleman represented the capacity OF
the Island, the desire Ct the people, and their
character and habits, about us they nave been
described by the Commissioners, whose report
accompanies this message lie gtaled lurlher,
that being weak in numbers and poor in purse
they were not capable of developing their
great resources that people had no Incentive
10 industry on account OF lack Of protecuon
for their accumulations and that il not I"'
Al.
which they loved above those Of any other
ratisn, they would be compelled to seek pro-
lection elsewhere. To these statements | made
no reply and gave no indications Of what j
thought Of the proposition. In the course Of
time, | was waited upon by second gentle
man from San Domingo, who made the same
representations, and who was received In like
manner.
In view Of the facts which have been laid
before me, and with an earnest desire TO main
tain the Monroe doctrine. believe that would
he derelict in my duty il did not take meas
ure 10 ascertain the exact wishes OF the gov
ernment and the inhabitants Of the Republic
of San Domingo in regard To the annexation,
and communicate the information 10 the Unit
ed States. Under attending circumstances, |
felt that if turned a deaf eur 10 this appeal,
might in future be justly charged with II
iiagrant neglect OF public interests and utter
disregard of the welfare Of down rOd irn
race praying for the blessings OF q fire" and
strong government, aud for protection in lhC
enjoyment of the fruits of their own industry
The opponents TO annexation who have
heretofore pyoiessed TO be pre- eminently The
friends of the rights of man, believe would
be my most violent assailauts IL l neglected 81
clear tfsiy Accordingly, after having ap
pointed commissioners 10 visit The island, wht
declined on account Of sickness, selected t
second gentleman, IN. whose capacity, judg
ment and integrity | had, and have yet thI
unhnuulpl pOnIilpnCp He wished Sut
Doningo, not 10 secure or hasten annexation
but unprejudiced and unbiased, To learn th,
facts about the government people and re
sources OF that Republic lie went ccr,0inly
rs well prepared 10 make an nniavornble +"
port US u favorable one II the facts warranted
II. His report fully corOboratcs the views o
the other commissioners, and upon its report
felt that sense of duty and due regard 10
our great national interests, required me to nc
gotiate the treaty for the acquisition OF the lte
public OF San Domingo. As soon rs II becam
publicly known that such treaty had bee
negotiated, the attention OF the country wa
occupied with the allegations calculated I
prejudice the merits ot the case, and wit
ihose whose duty had connected them with |
Amidst the public excitement thus created, tl
treaty failsd to, receive the requisite two third
vote In The Senate and WAS rejected br
whether the action OF that body was base
wholly upon the merits of the trecty, or migl
not have been Il. some degree influenced /
such unfounded aiegalions could NOT
known by the people, because the debates
the sonais In secret session, are not publishe
Under these circu nstancss, ! deemed II d'
10 the Office which ha,,. anu due TO the cha
Aossr OF the agents who ha1 been charged WI
the investigation, that such p-G eeedI' hou
be had as would enable the people to kSoW u
truth A commission was therefore Gons'' u
ed under the authority of Congress, cons'sllI
Of gentlemen selected with special reference
their high character and capacity for the lab
Tious work entrusted to them, who were Il
stIucted 10 visit the spot and report tho fact
Other eminent citizens were rsquisted To o
company the Commission, IN order that Il
people might have the benefit Of their view
hiudents IN science and correspondents of d
press, withoutregard TO Political opinions, we
fhxited 10 Join the expedition, and other mel
bens, were limited by the capacity Of the "
sell
The mere rejection by the Senate Of trea
negotiated By the President, only indicates
difference Of opinion, without touching
character or wounding the pride of either. i
when such rejection takes place slmultaneo
u with charges, openly made, Of corrupt
on the part OF the President or those empl,
ed ibe ease 10 different Indeed. In such C
the honor OF tho nation demands inyesti
tsn. This has been accomplished by the