The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-06
, neglect Of tho flsherlos as in decay

the Commissioners, and the reports Of special in
country. migrants easily become accustomed to
the climate. On the coast, where hot weather pre-
northern States, now residing tho coast and en-
Rsged in cultivating plantations there, say they
can labor with their own hands, and that white
men may work under certain regulations as safely
as in the United States. The interior of the island
consists chiefly of elevated land.
The mountain slopes and valleys, overlooked or
surrounded by lofty ridges, are comparatively cool
and favorable 10 northern constitutions. within
a fCw hours ride inlabd farms were visited where
the temperatuie, cooled by the neighborinR peaks,
wBs bI8cing, and in the same fields could be seen
growing cabbsges and bananas, potatoes and plan
tains, Indian corn and sugar cane, &c. Effective
labor can be prosecuted Nv white men in such re-
eiors and general good health maintained The
process of acciimation TO strangers coming in was
may be said generally that this process presents no
greater obstacle to emigration than does the similar
pr, cess in several of our new States.
The physical conhguration of the island Is such
that decided d ference exists between its east
trn and western ends in regard to health. In the
eastern or windward portion of the island occu-
pied by the Dominican Republic the principal
mountain chains run in lines approaching an east
and west direction. The valleys between them are
Therefore swept during the greater portion of the
year by the trade winds which, in that latitude
cone from directions east and northeast. These
valleys are thus constantly supplied with pure air
ticm the sea, and malarious influences are rapidly
on the other hand, the west end of the island,
occupied by Hayt, is walled in on its eastern or
leewaTd side by chains of high mountains running
in Irregular curves from north 20 SOUTH It would
appear that these act to some extent barriers to
huence of neighboTing marshes and mangrove
Prince and the country about it have SO bad re-
Iutaton in regard to health.
As 10 the large towns there can be no doubt that
sanitary knowie ledge causes Them to rank far lower
in regard to health than they other rwise would.
Among the leading historical events connected with
the island OF Hayti or San Domingo which have
stamped themselves upon the public mind, are the
dreadful epide mics, principally yellow fever, which
ravRged the English the French and the Spanish
armies succe ssively landed upon the coast.
The victims were Europeans, and their sad fate
interested millions, 80 that In the public mind San
Domingo and yellow fever became almost synony-
1t is matter of history that the most fatal
Of these that OF the French at the beginning Of this
century, conducted its operations mainly in the
Hay tien part of the island. The English expedi-
ii, TO San Domingo which is sometimes referred to,
go far as can be ascertsined was not attended by
any greater loss of life from disease than might
| have been expected with the perfect sanitary
regulations of military forces which have existed
| down to very recent period The losses of the
Sran'sh army from illness were largely due TO the
utter lack OF sanitary care and the commissioners
satisfied that those losses have been enormously
| attention to the matter of health and beside get
| tirg Information from other quarters, they have
| ch rged two medical gentlemen to report specially
| uTon 1T, and their reports are appended Their
The popular IDEA that the Dominican territory is
ITtcuIary unhealthy, and that persons visiting it
periodically liable to yellow fever, is entirely
erroneous. The average general health and longe-
| that OF The United States as a whole Emigrants
are not liable to any more disturbance OF general
|
| SONS who pass from the old to the new States of
the United States, and, saving upon the seacoast,
| tie process is so gentle as to escape notice.
| Taking the year through, much agricultural
! work can be done without htctng health as can
! he cone in middle and western States, and
with greater results. Persons in all circumstances
can here enjoy, by selecting their locality, deli
less liability to diseases of the lungs to scarlet
fever and other fearful epidemics, and without any
| liability TO yellow fever.
| The Commission, its attaches, and the gentlemen
| Of the press, numbered thirty-two. The officers
and crew of the frigate numbered four hundred
and ninety six. This company of i've hun ired aud
twenty eight sojourned in the harbors, supposed
be the most unhealthy ports in the country, aud in
the interior of the island, about two months. Few
| any had been acclimated nevertheless, there was
but case of mortal disease, and that from
| unconnected with climate.
There of malignant and none of Sc
we're sickness among them. The steamer Nantas-
ket with its full complement of officers and sea-
| men, has been in the harbors of the island for
tbout fifteen months, and has not had single case
| OF yellow fever.
In 1872 there was a severe earthquake, which did
considerable damage in some portions OF the island.
| the course Of three and a half centuries. Since
| that time none have been experienced which, ac-
cording to the accounts of the peOple, did any
seTious damage to life and property. Almost every
| year very slight shocks occur, so uncomfortable
that scar ce a dozen OF the inhabitants awareI
| them About the time of the autumnal equinox
| hurricanes are not uDfTequent, and are sometimes
accoDIe enied with damage, especially with shipping
| lana and rivers.
Thor several rivers, as the Yana, Yaqui and
| OZan a, WHICH, uuIlnR greater part OF tne year,
lie nayigated by vessels Of light draught to
considerable distance into the interior. at present
| they simply afford facilities for floating down the
| timber which grows within easy distance of their
| banks,
The territory of the Dominican Republic is in
dented with numerous haTbors generally acI essble
| only by vessels Of light draught. The three great
| bgys, of Samaua Ocoa and ManZauillO admit yes
sells OF the largest draught and are impor ant a
| outlets of the commerce Of the country surround
| ing them, especially the bay of Manzano, which
ts at the entrance of the great valley of the Yaqui
| but neither OF the two last named have any great
| Importance in a military point of view.
| 1hs Bay of SANTANA, however, deserves more
CAREFUL attention, as, on many accounts, the most
| important in the West Indies IL Is at the north
eaftern extremity OF the island and Is thirty miles
long by about ten miles broad, and is sufficiently
Comnod odious for the largest fleets. IL is well pro-
ttCted from the winds, and especially those of the
| iOItLesst by the mountains OF the peninsula. Its
enhance presents obstacle TO ships of the largest
Crsupht IL narrower than that OF the barbOr OF st
hon as but is the more easily fortified on that
| count. AS shown by General Mcclellan in his re
| ICrt On this bay, very simple Notifications at.
entrance Of the hGrbOT and at Port jackson, Onsh
| roth shoTe, would guard 1t thoroughly.
lts situation gives it easy command of the Mona
TsfsgRe, the most important eastern avenue 10 the
Gull Of Mexico, whose Importance will be inn
mtpFtly enhanced should a new passa ge be opened
| 10 The worlds commerce through the Isthmus of
! naIIen 10 any Power having occasion to maintain
! "a feet in the West Indies, and especially to the
United States, having vast interests to protect
Ia the Gulf Ct Mexico. The value OF the position
"a "a ccaling station cannot be overlooked. Under
M At come point on this bay which would be of
ibe great commercial centres Of the West Indies.
Its value 10 the coasttrg trade Ia enhanced by the
tGct that what Is commonly called the peninsula is
In reality an island, as there is a passage which
tCuld easily be made available for ships of modern
ne from the west end of the bay TO the north
! CCaEt.
The testimony shows that a few citizens of the
United States have ACC uTed tho right 20 a consider