Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-04-07


miss:oners appointed in pursuance Of the ilint
resolution approved January l.Jh, 1871. It
will be observed that this report more than sus-
tains all have heretofore ssid IN regard to the
proluctiyeness ami healthfuluess q the Republic
Of San Domingo, OF the unsnimity Of the people
= for annexation TO the United States, and their
b peacesbc character. Ii is due to tie public, IS
certainly as 10 myself. that I should here give
all the circumstances which FIRST led 10 the uero-
tiaiiol Of treaty for the annexation Of the Re
public ct San Domingo 60 the United States
When | accepted the srlu0us and responsible
. position ! now hold, did not dream Of iasutu-
ting any steps for the acquisition Of iusuar pos
sessions | believed, however, that our iusutu-
tons were broad enough to extend over the en-
tire continent, as rapidly IS other peoples might
desire to 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 in-e-
penleuce to enc Of ownership or protection tn
der European powers.
Soon after my Inauguration as President.
vas waitel uuCu by an agent 81 President Baez,
with proposition 10 annex the Republic Of san
Domingo 10 the Unitei States. This gentleman
represented the capacity Of The Island, and the
people and their character and habits, about as
they have been described by the commissioners
whose report accompanies this message. lie
stated further, that being weak in numbers 1cl
purse they we're rot capable u DEVELOPING l-eir
grea- res urces, that the people had NJ Incentive
90 industry on account Of the lacl. Of protection
for their accommodations. and thar If no- accepted
by tie United S.stes with the institutions which
they loved above those Of any Other nation they
would he compelled 20 seek protection e.seal-re-
10 these statements 7 made 10 reply, and gave
10 iuli. atoms Of what thought Of the pr0p1s.-
ton. 10 the course Of time vas waited upon
by a second gentlemen from san Domingo, who
made the same representation, and who was It.
ce.yei in like manner. In view C. tie facts
which were laid before me, AMI with sl earnest
desire to maintain tie Monroe doctrine, I be-
l.evei tLatI should be terelct ia Ey duty If I
dil not take measures 90 ascerta.g the exact wish
Of the government sni inhabitants os the re-
public OF San Domingo 10 recari 90 aElezs-
ti-u, Hui communicate the Iar0rmsti1u O.
the people Of the Initei Statts. Unier tie al
tending circumstances. I felt that hai turned
deaf ear 20 this appeal ! might IN
future Be justly charged with g ii-rll- le- .
gsct Of the public interests, AMI an utter isrs-
gard q the welfare Of a dowu---adicu rice.
TraJia- the blessing Of q fIeo and strong
government. and for protection in the enjoy .
meut % Tie fruits Of their own iuIgstry. .
Those opponents li annexation who heretofore .
Lave Tr0iessei 20 Be pre- emiuenry The friends
ct the rights Of man, believed would BE 10y
most violent assai'slrs j.; neglected So clear
q duty. Accordingly, after having appointed g
C -muIsi.1rer so visit the Lslani,Who declined Oh
aec-ua, q sickness, I selected q second gau-
tlamaa, 10 whose caplcity, judgment and iute-
gritty l bal, AMI have yet. the 3ost unbound
ell c9uhieuce lie visitli San Domingo, u4t
60 secure OF hasten annexation, t-- 20 learn All
the facts about the government, people and re-
sources Of that Republic lie went certainly as
al r.HH a.H o. Ia d ia
q favorable one, if the facts warranted IT, His
report fully corrotcrat-i the views cf previous
commissioners, and uHCE ne receipt
l5lt that sense 4 duty AMI p lue re
gard for our great national Interests.
required ue so ne.o-.a.e trelty for the
acquisition of The Republic cf san D5m.u-5
As soon as lt asi become publicly known that
slcl treaty hal been negotiated, che attention
of the country vas occupied WITH allegations
calculatel 90 prejudice the merits &C the case.
and with those whose duty hsG connected them
with IT, Amidst the public excitement thu.
created, the treaty ai.el 70 receive the requisite
tg0-third y0.e Of the Senate, ami Vas rs sc-aI
But whether tle action Of tha, boiy was based
wholly upon Tie merits f the treaty. or mi-h.
not have been ia some degree .nI-alcei by such
uuioludel allegations, could n1t he known h7
the people because the debates If tie Senate IN
s.lle. s.ss-o- "sle nor pa, -s-ei Under these
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