The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-04-13
SAN DOMINGO.
THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS
ACCOMPANYING MESSAGE OF THE
PRESIDENT.

ACCO1IP ANYING MESSAGE OF THE
PRESIDENT.
WAsu1NaToN, April 5r-The following
is the Presidents. message transmitting
the report of the San Domingo Commits
sioners to the Senate and House Of Re-
personalities:
I have the honor to submit herewith to
the two houses Of Congress the report of
the Commissioners appointed IN pursu-
ance of the joint resolution approved Jan.
IL, 1871. 1t will be observed that this
report more than sustains all that have
heretofore said in regard to the produc-
tiveness and healthfulness OF the Repub-
lie of San Domingo. the unanimity of the
people for annexation to the United
States, and their peaceable character.
1t is due to the public, as it certainly
is to myself, that | should here give all
the circumstances which first led to the
negotiations of the treaty for the annexa
tien of the Republic of San Domingo to
the United States. When ! accepted the
arduous and responsible position | now
hold did not dream Of instituting any
steps for the acquisition of insular posses.
sions. believed, however, that our in
situations were broad enough to extend
over the entire continent as rapidly as
oGhsr peoples might desire to bring them
selves under our protection. [ believed
further that we should not permit any in
dependent government within the limits
of North America to pass from condi-
ton of independence to one of ownel-
ship or protection under European pow
er. Soon after my Inauguration as Presi-
dent, l was waited upon by an agent of
President Baez with proposition to an
mex the Republic of San Domingo to the
United States. This gentleman repre-
sented the capacity of the island, the de-
sire of the people and their character and
habits about as they have been described
by the Commissioners, whose report ac-
companies this message. He stated further
that, being weak in numbers and poor in
purse, they were not capable of develop
ing their great resources that the peo-
pie have no incentive to industry, on &C.
count of the lack of protection for their
accumulations, and that if not accepted by
the United States, whose institutions they
loved above those of any other nation,
they would be compelled to seek pro-
lection elsewhere To these statements |
made no reply, and gave no indications
of what thought of the proposition. In
the course of time was waited on by a
second gentleman from San Domingo,
who made the same representations, and
was received in like nasner. In view of
the facts which had been laid before me,
and with an earnest desire to maintain
the Monroe doctrine, | believed that
would BIG derelict in my duty if did
not take measures to ascertain the exact
wish Of the government and inhabitants
of the Republic of San Domingo in re-
gard to annexation, and communicate the
information to the people of the United
States. Under the attending circum-
stances, | telt if Iturned deaf ear to
this appeal that | might iii future be /
Justly charged with fragrant neglect off
the public interest, and in utter disre-
gard of the welfare of a down-troddenl
race praying for the blessing Of a free
and strong government, and for protection
In the enjoyment of the fruits of their
own industry Those opponents to an
nexatiQn who have heretofore professed
to be pre-eminently he friends of the
rights of man I believed would be my
most violent assailants if l neglee. d SO
clear duty. Accordingly, after having
appointed a commissioner to visit the
island, who declined on account of sick.
ness, | selected a second gentleman, in
whose capacity judgment, and integrity
Ihad, and have yet, unbounded confidence /
H visited Sap-Domingo not to secure or
Instrumentation, but, unprejudiced. to
learn the facts about the government,
people, and resources of that republic. |
He went certainly as well prepared toll
make an uniavorable report as a favor
able one if the facts warranted it. Thisl
report fully corrobor8ted the views of theI
previous commissioners, and upon its re-
port felt that sense of duty and duel
regard for our great national Interest re
CURED me to negotiate a treaty for thel
acquisitionof the republic of San Domin-
go. Assoon asst became publicly known
that such treaty had been negotiated, |
the attention of the country was occupied
with allegations calculated to prejudice
the merits of the case, and with those
whose duty had ccnnected them with it
Amidst the public excitement thus
created, the, treaty failed to receive the
requisite twothirds vote of the Senate,
and was rejected; but whether the action
of that body was based wholly upon the
merits of the treaty, or might not have
been in some degree influenced by such
unfounded allegations, could not be |
known by the people, because the debates