The New York herald., 1871-03-15
American aud English West Tadian Move


Governor Pint, the British Governor Of the
West India province Of Antigua, sailed for
England recently, carrying with him well
oonsidered scheme for the confederation Of
the British West Indies under Sir Charles
Peter Grant as Governor General, with the
capital In Jamaica. The British possessions
In the vast archipelago on our southeastern
edge include the greater number Of the islands
aud some Of the richest and most desirable in
strategic military point Of view. The BAHIA
mas, that low surface of rich coral formation,
almost within sight of Florida, Jamaica,
Trinidad, Barbados and most of the
groups of Windward and Virgin islands,
rich in salt, lead, copper and various mine
rails, and aggregating population of 800, 900
people, present an exceedingly inviting
array of neighboring dominions to place
under the one strong bond Of union
as confederated colony of Great Britain.
Placed as they are across the great highway
OF travel and commerce, destined to become
an overfowing thoroughfars with the opening
of the Darien ship canal, Great Britain already
sees that they can be made to absorb immense
profits from the great wealth that will take its
way by the new route. The st. Domingo pro-
ject is the only effort we are making at pres
ent to Offset this movement Of England, to
secure our measure of the golden fruit that is
to fall, or to pre-empt our cheap wild lands
in what is to become the rich mart
of the future. With st. Domingo, however,
Hayti will come eventually, and tlen we shall
have territory extending over 5000 square
miles in area, containing a population Of
over 700, 900 people, rich in minerals and fruits,
mountainous and salubrious, and lying more
directly within the line of commerce than
either island Of the proposed British confedera-
ton. We say that Hayi will come to us
eventually, but we do not mean by conquest
or even by purchase, but that the irresistible
influence of q neighboring territory, well or
dered, peaceful and prosperous, such as St.
Domingo will be under the new regime that
will attach it to the United States, will cause
that hot and unquiet title republic to seek
our companionship for it's own peace and pro-
lection.
The rivalry Of the two great English-speak-
ing nations for supremacy and control in the
West Indies, like the temperate and earnest
discussions of the Joint High Commission on
the Alabama claims, is merely rivalry in the
interests Of peace. There is no need of clash
ing in our race for the commerce of the Darien
Canal. There will be enough there for two,
and there are not likely to be any more claim
ants. The little French colony of Martinique
is already broaching the subject of annexa-
ton, and the great Spanish colony of Cuba
has been so ruined by Spanish imbeciity and
misrule and the incubus Of slavery that it can
offer no hearty competition. The two govern
ments of England and America will be the
only contestants for the golden profits, and in
view of the energy with which England is pur-
suing her plan it behooves us to train up the
sentiment Of our Senate to favorable conside-
ration of the st. Domingo annexation treaty
when it next comes before it.