The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-23

ApeulttOuS-tWO vi tuem SClenlluC iuc
third for the purpose of conveying dis
patches to President Baez at Santo Domin-
go. Our scientific party, under Professor
Ward, started for Cape Cabron, on gem
eral geological survey; while Prof. Blake
went to the head of the bay to explore the
region where coal has been said to abound
The party conveying dispatches to Presi-
dent Baez was accompanied by Mr.. Jacobs,
a practical farmer, who was requested to
report on the agriculture of the great
valley of the Yuma, named by Columbus
La Vega Real, the royal plain, which name
it still preserves. Professor Newcomb was
requested to report on the sanitary con-
dition of Samana, and the physical condi-
ton of the natives Mr.. Frederick Doug
lass to examine into the condition aud
ideas of the English-speakiug colored
emigrants of the Peninsula, and General
Sigel to report on the Bay of Samana in
relation to its protection of American in
terests in adjacent waters. The commits
sioners are determined to make a thorough
Investigation, no matter at what expense
of time and trouble, and shall endeavor
in this letter to give a slight idea of the
method adopted by them, which, if known,
must inspire confidence 10 their thorough
ness and impartiality.
While at sea the joint resolution Of Con-
gress, authorizing the President to appoint
the Commission, was carefully analysed,
and the various subjects of investigation
arranged under general heads.
o u 81
A mass of most valuable information is
furnished by the informal conversations
held with the natives, who are communica-
tive and generally well informed and in
teligent, far beyond the average Of their
race in the United States, the result,
doubtless, of their more independent life
here.
For the last few days the narrow streets
of Samana have swarmed with reporters,
who, notebook in hand, interviewed the
worthy inhabitants from the Governor and
Commandant down to the most modest
proprietor of bum-boat, and generally
with the same result The natives are in
telligent, and speak a little Of every lam
guage, English predominating. 1t was
quite discouragng to start out in burst
of pathological arder and poke your head
through the window of some palm-thatch-
ed dwelling and say politely to the worthy
matron, who was probably watching with
material interest nude infant basking on
the clay floor Bon Jour Madame, est-ce
que cous parlez Francais ? or, Eueaos dias
Sonora, habla 2. Espanol and he answer
ed, "What p with most unmistakable
American accent. AS matter of fact
more French is spoken than Spanish, and
both very horribly; but every one under
stands a little English, so that investiga-
ton is rendered comparatively easy for
those who speak no foreign language.
THE PEOPLE AND THEIR WISHES.
The Commissioners were especially
struck by the remarkable intelligence and
independence Of the negroes Of American
descent as compared with their brethren
of the present day in the United States.-
By their own unaided efforts they have
won for themselves the respect of their
neighbors, and have steadily advanced in
material prosperity Their great desire is
for annexation, for to them it represents
order and quiet, or, as one expressed it,
the privilege of reaping what one has
sown. They are tired of instructions and
revolutions, and midnight attacks. The
Catholic priest, very intelligent and
well-educated Italian, spoke favorably OF
annexation, for he said he had seen what
the Yankees could do in California. The
same testimony was, Of course, given by
the RaG. Mr.. james. the pastor of the
Methodist church.
Hay,i is cordially detested by all classes.
The Commissioners came with the idea
that the tie between the full-blooded
negroes of San Domingo and Hayti was
stronger than between the blacks and the
mulattoes. Such, however, is not the case
The question was generally asked, why
did you all vote for annexation to Spain
and then SO shortly rebel? The answer
invariably was: We did not all vote for
it, there was a respectable opposition;
besides, there was general misunderstand-
ing about it. A large number who voted
for it supposed it was only protectorate,
and IN no sense annexation
Among the most important interviews
was one held with Mr.. and Mrs. Burr,
Americans from Maine, who came to
Samana two years ago and leased piece
of land, on which Mr. Burr has built u
commodious house, and devoted himself to
the raising of fruit for the Northern mar
ket. At present he is raising bananas.
He said be had found no difficulty in
working hard at all seasons and hours of
the day. He would advise all newcomers
to rest an hour or two at noon. He and
family had been well with the exception
of a slight acclimating fever at first, but
no more serious than mild fever and ague
in the Northern States. The weather was
never so hot and uncomfortable as during
our summers, for the heat was always tenn
pered by land and sea breezes. By general
testimony there are no snakes or poisonous
vermin in the island aud no insects which
destroy tropical fruits, as with US northern
fruits are SO frequently destroyed. The
ants are little troublesome. but they are
easily.kept out, and there are no flies the year
round. Mr.. Burr was asked if, in his
opinion, as many persons out of 1000
died in SANTANA from the diseases OF the
country as die in New England from con-
sumption. He answered promptly, "noth-
ing like so many"
SCIENTIFIC PARTIES.
These Investigations, with visits to adja-
cent plantations, occupied several days,
during which time the two scientific expe-
ditions sent out, returned and reported