The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-04-13
President Grants San Domingo Message.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, April s, 1871.

L
two houses of Congress the report of the COM
missionera appointed in pursuance of joint
resolution, approved January IL, 1871. twill
be observed that this report more than sustains
all that have heretofore said in regard to the
productiyeness aud healthfulness of the Re-
public of San Domingo, of the unanimity OF
the people for annexation to the United States,
and their peaceable character.
1t is due to the public, as it certainly is to
myself, that I should here give all the circum-
stances which first led to the negotiation of
treaty for the annexation of the Republic OF
San Domingo to the United States. When /
accepted the arduous and responsible position
which I now hold, 1 did not dream of institu-
ting any steps for the acquisition of insular
possessions believed, however, that our.in-
stitutions were broad enough to extend over the
entire continent as rapidly as other peoples
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 condi-
tion of independence to one of ownership or
protection under any European power.
Soon after my Inauguration as President,
was waited upon by an agentof President Baez,
with proposition to annex the Republic OF
San Domingo to the United States. This gen.
tleman represented the capacity of the island,
the desire of the people, and their character
and habits about as they have been described
nies this message. He stated, further, that
being weak in numbers and poor in purse, they
were not capable of developing their great re-
sources that the people had no incentive to in
dustry, on account of lack of protection for
their accumulations and that, if not accepted
by the United States, with institutions which
they loved above those of any other nation,
they would be compelled to seek protection
elsewhere. To these statements, l made no re-
ply, and gave no indication of what thought
of the proposition. In the course of time, l
was waited upon by second gentleman, from
San Domingo, who made the same representa-
tions, and who was received in like manner.
In view of the facts which had been laid be-
fore me, and with an earnest desire to maintain
the Monroe doctrine, I believed that I would
ures to ascertain the exact wish of the Govern
ment and inhabitants of the Republic of San
Doniingo in regard to annexation, and com
municate the information to the people of the
United States Under the attending circum-
stances, felt that if turned deaf ear to this
appeal, / might i'll the future be justly charged
with fragrant neglect of Che public Interests,
and an utter disregard of the welfare of down
trodden race, praying for the blessings of a free
and strong government, and for protectlon In
the enjoyment of the fruits of their own indus
try Those opponents of annexation, who
have heretofore professed to be prominently
would be most violent assailants if neglected
so clear a duty Accordingly after having ap-
pointed a commissioner to visit the island, who
declined on account of sickness, selected a
second gentleman, in whose capacity, judgment
and integrity had, and have yet, the most un-
doubted confidence. Ho visited San Domingo,
not to secure or hasten annexation, but, un-
preiudiccd and unbiased, to learn all the facts
about the Government, the people and the re-
sources of that republic. He went, certainly,
as we'll prepared to make an unfavorable report
as favorable one, if the facts warranted it.
His report fully corroborated the views OF pre-
vious commissioners and, upon Its receipt
felt that sense of duty and q due regard for
our great national interests required me to ne
sotiate treaty for the acquisition of the Re
public of San Domingo.
As soon as it became publicly known that
such treaty had been negotiated, the atten-
ton of the country was occupied with allega-
tions calculated to prejudice the merits of the
case, and with aspersions upon those whose du-
ty had connected them with it. Amidst the
public excitement thus created, the treaty failed
to receive the requisite two-thirds vote of the
Senate, and was rejected but whether the ac-
ton of that body was based wholly upon the
merits of the treaty, or might not have been,
in some degree, influenced by such unfounded
allegations, could not be known by the people
because the debates of the Senate in secret ses-
sion are not published. Under these circum-
stances, deemed it due to the Office which (
hold, and due the character of the agents who
had been charged with the Investigation, that
such proceedings should be had as would enable
the people to know the truth. A commission
was, therefore, constituted, under authority OF
Congress, consisting of gentlemen selected
with special reference to their high character
and capacity for the laborious work entrusted
to them, who were instructed to visit the spot
and report upon the facts. Other eminent
citizens were requested to- accompany the COM
mission, in order that people might have the
benefit of their views. Students OF science and
correspondents of the press, without regard to
political opinions, were invited to join the eX-
uedition and these numbers were limited only
by the capacity of the vessel. .
The mere rejection by the Senate OF treaty
negotiated by the President only indicates q
difference of opinion between two coordinate
departments of the Government, without touch
ing the character or wounding the pride OF
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 accom-
plished by the report of the Commissioners,
herewith transmitted, and which fully vindi-
Gates the purity of the motives and action OF
those who represented the United States in the
negotiation. 80,
And now my task is finished, and with ID
ends all personal solictude upon the subject.
My duty being done, yours begins; and gladly
hand over the whole matter to the judgment of
the American people and of their representa-
tiyes in Congress assembled. The facts will now