The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-06
THE SAN DOMINGO TREATY,
MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT GRANT.

The following important message of the
President Of the United States was sent to
both Houses of Congress yesterday morn
ing
| have the honor to submit herewith to
the two Houses of Congress the report Of
the commissioners appointed in pursuance
OF joint resolution approved January
18th, 1871. 1t will be observed that this
report more than sustains all that have
heretofore said in regard to the produc-
tiveness and healthfulness of the Republic
Of San Domingo, of the unanimity of the
people and of their peaceabe character.
1t is due to the.public, as 1t certainly is to
myself, that | should here give all the cir
cumstances which first led to the negota-
ton Of treaty fer the annexation of the
Republic Of San Domingo to the United
States.
When l accepted the arduous and re-
sponsible position which now hold, did
not dream of instituting any steps for the
acquisition of insular possessions. / be-
lieved, however, that our institutions were
good enough to extend over the entire con-
tinent 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 condition of independence to one
OF ownership or protection under an Euro
pean power
Soon after my Inauguration as Presi-
dent, ! was waited upon by an agent of
President Baez with a proposition to an
mex the Republic of San Domingo to the
United States. This gentleman represent
ed the capacity of the island, the desire of
the people and their character and habits
about as they have been described by the
commissioners, whose report accompanies
this message. He stated further that, be-
ing weak in numbers and poor in purse.
they were not capable of developing their
great resources, that the people had TO in
centive to industry on account Of the lack
OF protection for their accumuations, 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 made no reply
gave no Indication Of what l thought of
the proposition. In course of time was
waited upon by second gentleman from
sensations, and who was received in like
manner. In view of the facts which had
been laid before me, aud with an earnest
desire to maintain the Monroe doctrine, l
believed that l would be dereict in my
duty if did not take measures to ascer-
tain the exact wish of the government and
inhabitants of the Republic of San Domn-
go inr egard to annexation, and commune
cate the information to the people of the
United States. Under the attending cir
cumstances, I felt that if turned a deaf ear
to this appeal | might in the future be
justly charged with a fragrant neglect of
the public interest and an utter disregard
efthe welfare of a down-trodden race, pray
ing for the blessings of free and strong
government and for the protection in the
enjoyment of the fruits of their own indus
try.
Those opponents of annexation, who
have heretofore professed to be pre-emi-
nently the friends of the rights of man,
believed would be my most violent assail-
ants If neglected so clear duty. Ac-
cordingy, after having appointed COM
missioner to visit the island, who declined
on account of sickness, selected second
gentleman, in whose capacity, Judgment
and integrity had and have yet the most
unbounded confidence. He visited San
Domingo not to secure or hasten annexa-
tion, but, unprecedented and unbiased, to
learn all the facts about the government,
the people, and the resources of the Re-
public. He went certainly as we'll pre-
pared to make au unfavorable report as
afavorable one if the facts warranted it.
Ito f111l Al r
previous commissioners, and upon its re-
ceipt felt that sense of duty and due
regard for our great national interests re-
quired me to negotiate treaty for the ac-
QUESTION of the Republic of San Domingo.
As soon as it became publicly known
that such treaty had been negotiated, the
attention of the country was occupied with
the allegations calculated to prejudice the
merits of the case, and with aspersions
upon those whose duty 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 action
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 session are not published.
Under these circumstances deemed it due
to the office which hold and to the char
acter of the agents who had been charged
with the investigation, that such proceed
ings 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 commits
sion in order that the 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 expedition and their
numbers were limited only by the capacity
of the vessel.
The mere rejection by the Senate of a
treaty negotiated by the President only in
dicates difference of opinion between two
coordinate departments of the Govern
4 II