The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-21
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

Lecture by Professor Newcomb on the
History, Geography, Products, People and
Manners Of 80. DOmiuao-Tho Popular
Desire for Annexation to the United States.
The regular monthly meeting OF the Geographical
Society occurred last evening. Judge DAILY, the
President. being detained at home py domestic
anliction. the Vice President presided. The report
OF the Treasurer showed that In the month OF Janu-
airy the amount of money on hand was $3.50 SO; the
receipts since then had been $500, making total
OF $500 80. The disbursements had been 1913 80,
leaving present balance OF $li7 81. The Librarian
reported that 200 volumes had been added to the
library Of the society, $50 OF which were donations
from various eminent persons and societies in this
country and Europe and 80 had been obtained by
purchase.
The Vice President introduced Professor W. New
comb, who-after remarkng that he was much
pleased to sec so large number OF persons there,
and especially OF ladies, for whom by the way he
acknowledged parhality, as he neld that In SCI
ence they more charitable In regard TO errors
tnan their masculine ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to
read his paper upon
''HIsPANIoLA;
Its Past, Present and Future"
After an elaborate Introduction he reviewed the
discovery and history Of Hspaniola, illustrating by
incident the heartiess cruelty Of the Spanish con-
querOrs toward the natives. or the 5000, 600 OF
happy Indians once innabiting Hispanioa, scarcely
trace now remains. To relieve the native race, at
the instance OF Das Garcias African slavery was at
length introduced; nut while The negro slaves In
creased rapidly IN numbers, the indians Continued
TO disappear. until ~ length they were eatlrely eX
tinct.
Referring to the principal geographical features
OF the Island. Professor NewcOmD said that the mag
nlcenJ BAY OF Samana ls capable OF containing the
whole navy OF Great Britain, could be defended
b. one monitor OF the United states. He described
the IN Juntan RANGES. rivers and other
|
Inc lake region OF the Island Is composed OF four
lakes when are surrounded by marshes OF great
| extent me rank tropical vegetation in this To-
calty generates malaria watch the breczes watt to
the westward. Gold, copper ana IRON are found IN
most Of of the fossils Which nave i been s foana
| Atlantic aud Pacific. The SUBMITS OF the mountains
before the great subsistence OF tue waters had been
ana east swept through the valleys OF the country,
coolng the atmosphere ana exercising saiubrous
influence. More tnan seventy distinct varieties OF
fruits are grown The SOIL Is various that almost
every KIND can he found, from the most barren 70
the richest and most fertile: Irrigation Is rractlsed
IN the sugar cane lands. The estimate oil TWO mil
lions OF tons of Tor the annual production Ii
| TOO low; IL should De placed ut three millions.
| The arabic land or
| is not one-fourth that OF st. Domingo The coffee
region OF the latter Is also very extensive comprs.
Ing not less tnan 2,0JO, 600 acres and the annual
export Is in Value about Sl2,0OO,ooa. The population
dues lot exceed 10, ooo Our commerce WIN ST.
gagged In other matters TO attempt securing the car
rylng OF her products. The whole amount OF export
IRON this Island Is really surprising wnen we con-
sider the small population ana the annoy ance
OF the border war. We can only find u
true explanation in the TACT That labor can
be performed IN the fields at all
times OF he year. Among The products OF the
country he mentioned the mango tree, the Gin
emilia, the cedar aud fruits OF seventy dlflerent
Kinds. the British mad almost entirely abolished
the export OF quinne IN consequence OF Lne ncslr
gence OF the United States, aud there was danger
thai the American people would oe almost entirely
deprived except at he highest prices Of TINS valu
apie drug. Port an Prince was one OF the most
deadly places III tropical America. From this TACT
mad grown up the Deei IN the unhealthy climate Of
ST. domingo. but having visited twenty.iour OF
the islands OF the West Indies. the lecturer had
hesitation In saying tnat OF all these
ST. DOMINGO WAS THE MOST HEALTHFUL.
This, Of course, did not lncluoe the towns on the
west coast or In Haytl.
The city OF ST. Domingo was the oldest OF Euro
pean origin IN America. Professor NeWCOmb gave
vivid description OF the ruins Of this ancient Span
1sh settlement, and especially OF the Monastery or
San Francisco. The people OF ST. Domingo, worn
| out by dlssens0ns desire most ardently u settled
| government and hold out their hands imporIngiv
TO the United states To give to them this means u
securing peace and prosperity.
When Professor NewcOmb hnShed he was very
warmly applauded.