Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-21
SAN DOMINGO.

San Domingoton City, Feb. 3. The Ten
nessee arrived here day before yesterday
evening, having had very prosperous voyage,
but did not land formally till to-day. She
touched first at SANTANA, but there were no ia
cilities whatever for sending coal to ships Of
the class of the Tennessee. They were de-
tanned six days to bring off coal in the steam
er's launches. The Commission spent the
time at hard work. and got a statement from
representatives of all classes, most Of which
were favorable TO annexation. Many office
holders are specializing whether they will be
displaced by American officers; and while
they did not raise the question with the Com
mission, talked freely with others. There is
nothing whateverto show that any official of the
United States is concerned in any operations
of private nature in the vicinity of SANTANA,
but Fabins and OSulliyan, with some asso-
ciates of the former, have lease of nearly
all the water front, and for considerable dis
lance back, which has deep water in front of
it. The grant is far below the usual rates,
and the annual consideration of SIP is with
out regard to increase the price. Faben has
also imrorted'lumber and other stores free of
duty, under the plea that they were the
United States. There is no system of inter-
nal taxation and it is doubtful whether the
natives would submit. The country is
most earnest that friendship should be repre-
scented, and the season at present is very
healthy and the heat less than at Washington
in the summer. The people are very igno
rant and mostly live in huts, and the whole
land seems asleep. The most prosperous part
of the population is a negro colony which
came from Philadelphia in 1864. They now
number 5OO and all are Methodists. The
harbor of SANTANA will not admit ships of
second-cass like the Tennessee. 1t will re-
quire large expenditures to put coal station
in proper condition; but it is capable of
making one of the finest in the world. For
tifications will necessarily be as extensive as
at New York city. There is no harbor at this
place except for vessels below the fourth rate.
All our steamers lay in the open roadstead
with banked fires. The Commission is hon
estly arriving at full and free investigation,
but none of its members express their opin-
ion. Their reception here was quite formal,
and followed by familiar conversation. The
ceremony took place at the Executive Man
sion of the Republic. Del Monte, Ganter,
and the Minister of War were present. Mr..
Wade presented a statement of the action of
Congress, and read the following letter of alL
thority from President Grant:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 10, 1871.
To His Excelency, b. Baez, President of the
Republic of San Domingo:
SIR I'm accordance with the joint resolu-
ton of the two Houses of Congress of the
United States, have appointed three distn-
guished citizens of the United States, to wit
Hon. B. Wade, many years Senator, Prest.
A. ID. White, of the Cornell University, and
DR.. L. G. Howe, distinguished for his philan-
thropy, learning, and services in relieving the
blind of much of the monotony of life Incl
dent to their infirmities, by opening to them
the world of letters, as Commission to visit
the Republic of San Domingo, and to obtain
the information called for by the resolution.
Associated with the Commission is Judge
Allen G. Burton, Secretary to the same, a
gentleman who has honored his country by
serving it in diplomatic capacity. beg to
introduce these gentlemen, and to ask for
them your kind offices.
With great respect, your ob't serv't,
(Signed) L. s. GRANT.
Baez replied:
GENTLEMEN Il have received with much
pleasure the autograph note which His Excel
lency President Grant has sent me through
so highly an appreciated medium. understand
that your mission, ordered by the United
State, is one absolutely of peace. This is the
aspiration and object of the Republic. One Of
the grand motives which has produced these
negotiations, is that our people desire the pac
ifcation of the country and the Development
of it's riches by means of labor, and to so
guarantee the existence Of liberty and the
property of the citizens. You may count on
the most ample and absolute liberty; and in
exercising your commission the Government
offers whatever data you may consider neces-
sary, and will take special pleasure in giving
you every satisfaction. In making your in
vestigation as to the spontanity of the resou-
ton of the Dominican people, we desire
ardently that you will consult not only the
| immense majority in favor of annexation, but
also those who are opposed to il.