New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-01-26
SANTANA BAY.
What the Members of the Company ES'
pect to make Out of theirV Venture.
From the New York Times
SDiAI-L.DI '

from Llb We" IOlh AtihCo'I.
STATEMENT OF Mr.. sPOFFORD.
A representative of the Times last night
called upon Mr.. p. n. SpotfOrd, the vice
president OF the company, and obtained the
following information respecting the pros
poets OF the company, and the probable
effect of the purchase of SANTANA upon the
commerce of the United States. Mr.
Spotford has evidently been the principal
mover in the enterprise, and, while uDWil-
ling to furnish information as to the imme-
date movements of the company. yet
readily and kindly furnished the Times with
the following interesting facts:
The purchase of SANTANA is intended TO
be but the precursor of the ultimate absorp-
ton of the entire territory known as the
Dominican Republic, and, in Dir. Spotford' 5
opinion, will be of vast service commercially
to the trading community OF the eoGntry,
and politically TO the whole of the United
States. For many years considerable COM
mercial connection has existed between
New York and San Domingo. Many New
York merchants hold landed property in
SANTANA. while certain corporations have
received valuable privileges from the
Dominican government. and it was with
the idea OF uniting these various interests
that the present company was organ
lied. As has already been stated.
the agricultural products are Of con
siderable value. and as il has been
found that many caluable woods such as
mahogany and lignum vita, grow ID the
island in great protusion, particular atten-
ton will now be directed 10 this branch of
trade. Politically speaking, the possession
of the island of San Domingo, which is the
natural sequence of the present enterprise,
will be Of great importance to the United
States. The island is in the most favored
position of any in the Caribbean Sea, and
is, indeed. the key to the islands of the
West Indies. Upon General Grants pro
posed purchase of the island in 1869, Mr..
Spotford had much to say, and considered
the subject to be one deserving of great
praise. He con sidered that, comparing San
Domingo. acre for acre, with the island of
Cuba, it is vastly superior, both in its
minerals and its agriculture Many per-
sons have been heard to say that the pur
chase OF Cuba for $500, 100000 would be
a cheap bargain to the United States,
and he (Mr. Spotford) thinks that the pur-
chase of San Domingo for $50 1000, 900 would
certainly be superior speculation, and yet
when it could have been bought for 81 1900,
600, the project met with general condemna-
ton, chiefly on the ground that the existing
debt OF tho islanG-Sl 800 000-would be
found upon investigation to be very much
greater. hlr. Spofford states that he has
obtained the most reliable information upon
this point, and is assured that the debt on
San Domingo would be found to be some
what less than was then stated, and the
revenue arising from the proper govern
ment of the island would in a short time
have entirely paid off the debt without any
disbursement on shat account whatever.
The passage 10 SANTANA occupies from five
90 seven DAYS, and the approach to the
harbOr. unlike that 20 cuba and the other
West Indian islands. Is % remarkable easy
one.
As % the harmony with which N. gov.
eminent of SANTANA will be conducted. Mr..
SpotlUrd thinks that there IS no occasion fOg
uneasness On that puint, ia. Dominican
republic having hi,h. rto shown the greatest
desire for friendly relations with the Unite;
States, as vel! 50 most profound respect
and admiration tor the business character
Of the american people. t'nrther than This.
the latest advice. received from there show
the native merchants and business. men Of
the entire republic looking forward with
the most eager and joyful antici.atioHs of
their certain prosperity when taken under
the protection and patronage % American
enterprise and industry.
MIR HAZARDS STATEMENT.
Mr.. Rowland b. Hazard. secretary Gf the
company. SAID last evening that he began
negotiation. ter the scheme about three
months ago. Al! that was done at that
time were preliminary steps III the accom-
p!ishment 81 the enterprise. He saw the
gentlemen who now form the company, and
conversed with them upon the subject.
Mr.. Thoma. w. Scott, of Philadelphia: Dr.
Howe. OF Boston, and Mr.. Oliver Ames, of
this city. were the frs! he visited, They
entered enthusiastically into the scheme, as
did the dozen othey gentlemen who have
associated themselves with them. Many
merchants afterward wished to take shares.
but there were none 30 dispose OF. as they
were limited.
Mr.. Hazard said tina: one OF the
theOrie. Of the company is that whichever
way the Cuban rebe!liOn may terminate. IL
will. result in the destruction o! the island
for many years to come. The Spaniards
will burn and destroy every thing before
they quit the country. should they be forced
to do SO. Cuban merchants wilt naturally
be attracted TO San Domingo al once. on
the establishment of a good and stable gov.
eminent there. A large Cuban firm has
already made preparations 20 remove its
business there. 1t Is "a better coffee and
sugar country than Cuba. and her vast for
ssts CT iogwoOd. mahogany and satin
wood. gold mines ont of which the
Spaniards 300 years ago worked S20,-
600 900 Of gold, mines of copper, and
mountains of pure bazalt. which
shine like snow in the sunlight. With all
these great resources, San Domingo has no
appreciable population to develop them.
Emigration is expected to the island from
New England and other parts Of tie coun-
try and the skilled colOred labOrers are TO
receive every inducement to make it their
home. One of the recommendations of the
scheme is believed by the company to be
the sparse population of the country. 1t is
only 100 600, and President Grant, in his
message, said that investigations of the
government commission sent there had sat
isfed him that it was capable of supporting
100000 600 of people in luxury. The COM
p4ny anticipate that SANTANA Bay will be
the great metropolis of the tropics 1t
has an almost unparalleled. harbOr, and
the largest ships can float at ease in its
waters. 1t is now United States naval
station, and large dry dock is shortly to
be built by the government. SANTANA will
be made free city, without import or ex-
port duties. This, it is believed, will at
tract the exchange business of the whole
island system of the Caribbean sea and
Spanish main. The company's ships, with
SANTANA bay as the great centre, will ex
change the productions of the tropics for
the manufactures of Europe and America
free OF duty. The company have now only
one steamer the Tybee, which has been
purchased from the Spoffords but it is I'M
derstood that 1t will soon construct several
large and first class iron steamships. and il
is thought that the Pacific Mail and
Brazilian and New Yerf. Steamship Com
panies vii! make SANTANA bay coal
ing station and depot. y veteran express
man. interested in the company, will also
probably organize an express company from !
SANTANA to all American and island ports. .;
Thus do the inaugurators of this scheme !
expect to build mp, not only a f1ourshing
city. but State with a government mod. !
eled after the best forms, and administered |
for the benefit of all who chose it as a place /!
Of residence. The governmental! idea vii! |
be republican. Some portions of its plan !
have already been fully decided upon. !