Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-04-13
SAN D 0 N ! n 60.
A MESSAGE from the PRESIDENT.
His reply to Mr.. Sumner
The Commissioners Report.
WASHINGTON. Anril !

Ii will be observed that this report more
than sustains all ! have heretofore said in
regard to the productiveness and health
iuness of San Domingo: OF the unanimitv
of the people for annexation TO the United
states. and their peaceable character. In
i due TO The public. as certainly TO myself.
that should here give all the circumstsu-
ces which first led to the negotiation of a
treaty for the annexation of the republic
or San Domingo to the United states
hen accepted the arduous and re-
epon>ible position | now hold did not
dream OF ln>ututlng any steps for the ac-
QUESTION of insular possessions. | beIiey-
ed, however. that our institutions were
broad enough to extend over the entire
continent as rapidly as other people might
desire TO bring themselves under our pro-
lection believed. further. that we should
not permit any independent government
within the limits of North America TO pass
from a condition of independence to one
"i ownership or protection under Euro
pean powers. Soon after INV Inaugural
non a President | was waited upon bv am
agent of President Baez with a proposition
10 annex the Republic Of san Domingo to
the l niied States. This gentleman repre-
sentcd the capacity of the island the desire
oi the people. and their character aud hab-
lts- about A. they have been described by
the Commissioners whose report accompa-
MES this message.
lie stated further that being weak In
numbers and poor in purse. they were not
capable of developing their great resour-
ccs; that the people had no incentive to in
duSfry on account of the lack of protection
for their accumulations. and that If not ac-
copied by the United States. with the in
siitutioDS they loved above those of anv
other nation. they would DE compelled to
seek protection elsewhere. To these state
lncuts made no reply. and gave no iudi-
cation OF what thought of the PROPOSE
tiutI.
In course Of tifhc I was waited upon hv
second gentleman from san Domingo.
who made the same representations. and
who WAS received in like manner
In view Of facts which were laid before
me. and with an earnest desire 10 entertain
the Monroe doctrine. ! believed that
would bc direlict in my duty If | did not
take measures to ascertain the exact wish
~ the government and inhabitants OF the
republic OF san Domingo In regard TO an
neNuipn. ana communicate the inforina-
tiou 20 the people OF the United states.
nder the attending circumstances felt
that II turned a deaf ear TO this appeal
might in future be Justly charged With
hagranf neglect OF the public interests and
utter disregard Of the welfare Of down
ir"dden race PRAYING for the blessing Il 4
Tree and strong government. and for pro-
lection ia the enjoyment Of the fruits ~
their own industry. Those opponents 81
annexation who heretofore have profe.,ed
10 be pre-emnenily the friends of the
rights of man, believed would be my
most violent as>ailaut> il neglected 20
clear duty. Accordingly. after having
appointed a Commissioner 10 Will the Isl
and. who declined on account Of sickness.
! selected 4 second gentleman. in whose.
capacHr. Judgment and integrity. | had
aud have vet. the most unbounded conf
dence. He visited san Domingo. not 10
secure or hasten annexation. but 10 learn
all the facts about the government. people
and resources Of the Republic. lie went
certainly a well prepared Ia make an I'M
favorable report n n favorable one If the
facts warranted it, Thi, report fully cor
r"horated the views OF previous commits
sioners- and upon il receipt | felt that
sense of duty and due regard for our great
national interests required Inc 10 negotiate
treaty for the acquisition of the Republic
OF san Domingo.
A. soon a. ii became publicly known
that such treaty had been negotiated. the
attention of the country was occupied with
alle2 cations calculated 10 prejudice the mer-
IL of the ease. aud with those whose duty
had connected them with il. Amidst the
public excitement thus created. the treaty
failed To receive the requisite two-thiri-
vote of the Senate and was rejected But
whether the action Of that body was based
wholly upon the merits OF the treaty or
might not have been III some degree in
nuenced by such unionnded allegations.
could not be known by the people. because
the Debates of the Senate in secret session
were not published. Under these circum-
stances deemed il due to the office which
| held. and due to the character of the
agents who had been charged with the in
vr,uGailOu, that such proceedings should
hr had a would enable the people 10 know
the truth.
\ commission was therefore constituted
under authority of Congress. consisting of
gentlemen selected with special reference
10 their high character and capacity for
the laborious work entrusted TO them. who
were instructed TO wish the spot and report
upon the facts. Other eminent citizens
were requested 10 accompany the commits
sion in order that the people might have
The benefit of their views.
students of science and correspondents
q the press. without regard to political
opinion. we're invited to join the expedi-
ton. and their number was limited only by
the capacity Of the vessel.
The mere rejection by the senate Of 4
treaty negotiated by the President. only
indicates the difference Of opinion of the
government. without touching the charac-
Ter or wounding the pride of either. but
when such rejection take. place >imulta-
nrou>ly with charges. openly made 81
corruption on the par Of the President
and those employed by him. the case i,
different. Indeed, In such ease the hon
OF of the nation demands the investigation.
This has been accomplished by the report
Of the commissioners herewith transmit
ted. and which fully indicates the purity
~ the motive aud the action 81 those who
represented tin United State IN the uers.
tiaiious. and now ms task j. flushed. and
" ith il end- an personal soiiciiude upon
the subject.
NJ duty being done. your, begins. aud
gladly hand over the whole matter 10 tia.
jud .smeut 81 the American people aud Of
their Representative Ia Congress Assem-
BLEED. tn fact, will now De -pread before
tlc country and decision De- rendered by
that tribunal. whose convictions 20 seldom
err. and against whose will have no poll
az 20 enforce.
NJ opinion remains unchanged Indeed
il j. confirmed ~ the report thar the inter
e~ts Of our conuirv aud San Domingo.
ALIKE Invite the annexAi ion 0i the republic.
u view al the difference II opinion UPON
th. -nhjeci no action will be- taken al the
pre-eut session. beyond printing aud
general dissemination Of the report. Be
fore the next session of Congress. the peo-
pie viii have considered the subject aud
formed an intelligent opinion concerning
il. 70 which opinion. deliberately made up.
II will De- the duty Of every department Of
the government TO give heed and no one
will more cheerfully conform 20 il than my
self.
IL l. not only the theory Of our consfi-
tuition that the will Of the people. eonsti-
futionally expressed. i the supreme law
but have ever believed that all men were
wiser than any one man. and if the people
upon full presentation of the facts shall
decide that the annexation of the Republic
is not desirable. every department of the
government ought to acquiesce in that de-
ci>ion. In again submitting to Congress a
subject upon which public sentiment has
been divided. and which has been made
the occasion of an acrimonious debate in