Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-12
SAN DOMINGO.
The Presidents Message to Congress.

The Presidents Message to Congress.
WASHINGTON, April 5.--The follow
ing lis the Presidents message, transmit
ting the report of the San Domingo
Commissioners:
To tie Senate and House of Represen-
tatives.
/ have the bonor to submit herewith
to the two houses of Congress the report
of the Commissioners appo;nted in pur
suance of a joint resolution, approved
Jan. IL, 1871.
1t will be observed that this report
more that sustans all that | have hereto
lore said in regard to the proiuc tiyeness
and healthfulness of the republic of San
Domingo, tie 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 give all the circumstances
which first led to the negotiation Of the
treaty for the annexation of the republic
of San Domingo to the United States
When | accepted the arduous and iespon-
sible position which l now hold, did not
dream of inst;tuting any steps for the &C
QUESTION of any insular possession. be
lieved, however, that out institutions we've
broad enough to extend over the entire
continent, as rapidly as other peoples
might desire to bring themselves under
our protection. | believed further that
we should not permit any independent
government within the limit of North
America to pass from condition of iu-
dependence to one Of ownership or pro-
lection under European power. Soon
after my Inauguration rs President was
waited upon by an agent of President
Baez, with proposition to annex the re.
public of Sau Domingo to the United
States. This gentleman represented the
capacity Of the island, The desire of the
people and the character and habits, about
as they have been described by the Com
missioners, whose report accompanies
this message. lie stated further, that
being weak in numbers and poor in purse,
they were not capable of developing
their great resources; that the people had
no incentive To Industry on account of a
lack of protection for their accumulations,
and that if not accepted by the United
States with institutions which they loved
above those of any other nation, they
would be compelled to seek protection
elsewhere. TO these statements made
no reply, and gave no indications of what
| thought of the proposition; and in the
course of time was waited on by Sec
ond gentleman from San Domingo, who
made the same representations, and was
received 10 like manner. In view of the
facts which had been laid before me, and
with an earnest desire to maintain the
Monroe doctrine, | believed that would
be derelct in my duty if | did not take
measures to ascertain the exact wishes of
the government and inhabitants of the
republic of San Domingo in regard to
annexation, and communicate the infor-
nation to tho people of the United States.
Uuder the attending circumstances, / felt
if | turned deaf ear to this appeal, l
might in the future be justly charged
with fragrant neglect of the public inter-
est, and an utter disregard of the welfare
of down trodden race, praying for the
blessing of free and strong government
for protection in the enjoyment of the
fruits of their own industry. The op.
ponents of annexation, who have hereto
fore protested to be pre- emiuently friends
of the rights of man, l believed would
be my most violent assailants if / neg
lected SO clear duty. Accordiugl, az
ter having appointed commissions to
visit the Island, who declined on account
of sickpess, | selected second gentleman
in whose capacity, judgment and ipteg
rity | had aud yet have upbounded con
fidence. He visited San Domingo, not
to secure or hasten annexation, but; un.
prejudiced, to learn the facts about the
government, people and resources of that
republic. He went certainly as well pre-
pared to make and unfavorable report as
favorable one, iffhe facts warranted it.
His report fully corroborated the views
of the previous commissioners and upon
bis report | felt that q sense of duty and
due regard for our great national inter-
ests required me to negotiate treaty for
the acquisition of the republic of San
Domingo. As soon as it became public
ly 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 connected
with it. Amidst the public excitement