Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-04-06
Massage ofPresident Grant.

missioncrs appointed III pursuance OF JOINT re-
solution approved January -. 1871.
1t will be observed that this report more
than sustains all that | have heretofore, SaId III
regard to the productiveEess and heathtulne@S
of the Republic of San Domingo; OF the IN
animity of the people for annexation to the |.
S., and of their peaceable character.
It is due to the public, as it certainly. is to
myself, that I should here give all the crcunl-
stances which first led to the negotiation OF a
treaty for the annexation Of the Republic OF
San Domingo to the L. 5; When | accepted
the arduo,ls and responsible position which
now hold l did not dream OF instltuting any
steps for the acquisition Of insular possessions.
broad enough to extend over the entire cont
nent as rapidly as other peoples might desire
10 bring themselves under our protection.
believed further that We should not permit any
independent Government within the limits Of
North America to pass from a condition Of i'll
dependence to one OF ownership or protection
under an European Power.
Soon after my Inauguration Is President
was waited upon by an agent Of President Bacz
with proposition to annex the Republic OF
San Domingo to the /. 5. This gentleman
represented the capacity Of the Island, the de-
sire Of the people and their character and ha-
bits about as they have been described By the
Commissioners. whose report accompanies this
message lie stated further. that being weak
in number and poor in purse they were not
capable Of developing their. great resources:
that the people had no incentive to industry on
account Of lack OF protection tor their accumu,
lations and that if not accepted by the nitcd
States. with institutions which they loved
above those of any other nation. they would be
- nls n
these statements | made no reply. and gave no
ton.
In the course Of time was waited upon by L
second gentleman from San Domingo. who
made the same representations. and who WAS
received in like manner.
I'm view of the facts which had been laid be-
fore me- and with an earliest desire to main
tain the Monroe doctrine. | believed that
would be lerect i'll my duty il did not take
measures to ascertain the exact wish OF the
Government and inhabitants of the Republic
Of San Domingo in regard to annexation. and
communicate the information TO the people Of
the t. 5 Under the attending circumstances
I felt that if turned a deaf ear to this appeal
| might in the future be Justly charged with i
fragrant neglect Of the public interests and ali
utter disregard Of the welfare OF L d0wn-rud
den race praying for the blessings Of a free and
strong Government and for protection in the
endowment of the fruits Of their own industry.
Those opponents Of annexation who have here
toforc professed to be pre-eminently the friends
Of the rights Of man, l believed would be my
most violent assailants if neglected SO clear a
duty Accordingly: after having appointed
Commissioner to visit the Island, who DECLINED
on account Of sickness. | selected 4 second gen
tleman: in whose capacity, judgment and i'll
tegrity had and have Yet the most unbound
ed confidence He visited San Domingo not
to secure or hasten annexation, but unprej u
diced and unbiased. to learn all the facts about
the Government. the people and the resources
Of that Republic. lie went certainly a. we'll
prepared to make an untayorablc report is I
favorable one. if the facts warranted 1t. His
report fully corroburated the views of previous
Commissioners, and upon its receipt felt that
4 scnsc Of duty and due regard Tor our great
national Interest,". required NE To negotiate
treaty for the acquisition ni the Republic Of
San Domingo.
As soon as it becamc publicly known that
such treaty had been negotiated the attcn-
ton Of the country was occupied with allega-
tons calculated IL prejudice the merits of the
case. and with aSpersions upon those whose
duty had connected them with il. Amidst the
public excitement thus created the treaty fail
ed to receive the requisite two-thlrds vote Of
the Senate and was elected: but whether the
action Of that body was based wholly upon the
merits Of the treaty. On migh not have been III
some degree influenced by such unfounded al
legations. could not be known by the people
because the debates of the Senate in secret ses-
Sion are not published Under the clrcumstan
ces deemed it due t. the office which held
and due to the character of the agents who had
been charged with the investigation, that such
proceedings should be had rs would enable the
people u know the truth. \ Commission was
therefore constituted under authority Of Con
grcsS consisting Of gentlemen selected with
special reference 10 their high character and
capacity for the laborious work entrusted to
thcui who were instructed to visit the spot and
report upon the facts. Other eminent citizens
were requested to accompany the Commission
in order that the people might have the bene-
fit of their views. Students of science ard cor
respondents of the press. without regard to po-
litica opinions. were invited to join the cXpc-
dtion, and their numbers were limited only by
the capacity of the vessel.
The mere rejection by the Senate of Il treaty
negotiated by the President only indicates Il
difference of opinion between two coordinate
departments of the Government without touch
either But when such rejection takes place
simultaneously with charges openly made Of
corruption on the part Of the President: or of
those employed by him, the case is different.
Indeed, in such case, the honor of the nation
demands investigation. This has been accomp-
lished by the report Of the Commissioners here
with transmitted, and which fully vindicates
the purity Of the motives and action of those
WIN rrnrrScut,d thr I'nitnd States in the Nero
tiation
And now my task is finished, ana with it
ends all personal solicitudc upon the subject.
My duty being done, yours begins and | glad
ly hand over the whole matter to the judgment
of the American people and to their Represen-
tativcs in Congress assembled. The facts will
now be spread before the country and de-
cision rendered by that tribunal whose convic-
tons so seldom err, and against whose will |
have no policy to enforce. My opinion remains
unchanged-i indeed, it is confirmed by the re-
port--that the interests of our country and of
San Domingo alike invite the annexation of
4 III. ID l.: