The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-12-07

those recommendations not to hsve been wisely |
conceived, but believe the larger part 20 Re no
discredit to the Administration. One OF these
recOmmendatlons met with the unlteo oppo ond
with strong opposition from the other-name-
", the treaty Tor the annexation OF Ssnto
Domingo to the United States, 20 which l snail
specially refer, maintaining, as do, that II my
views had been concurred in, the country wouiu
be in a more prosperous condition today, ooth
politically and Financially.
5krTo DOMINGO i
is fertile, and upon its soil nay he grown lnst
those tropical products Of which tEs united
States use so much, and which are produced or
prepared for the market now by slave labor al
most exclUsiVclyi namely, sugar, coffee, dye
woods mahogany, tropical fruits, tobacco, etc.
About IS per cent. of the exports y CpDa are
consumed in the United States; large Pefcens
age of the exports of Brazil also find the same
market mere. and are paid for almost exclusively
in COIN legislation, particularly in Cuba, beng
unfayorable to mutual exchange of the products
Mississippi Rifer 20 Havsna can pass by
the very entrance 70 the city ON
its way TO portion Of Spain, hen
pay duty fixed upon articles 20 be re-expeTteS
almost to the pOint Of starting, paying second
duty, and still leave proet over what would be
received by direct shipment. All that IS pro
duced in Cuba could be produced in santo 20
mingo. Being part OF the United states, the
commerce between the island and the main lana
would be free; there would be no export duties
l
| coming here. There would be no import
| duties upon the supplies, machinery, etc:, &C.
/ ing IRON the States. The effect that would nave
/ been produced upon Cuban commerce, with these
/ advantages 10 America, IS Observable az
| glance. The Cuban question would have been
! settled long ago in favor of free Cuba. Hun
| ATeds of American vessels would now De adNah
| tageOusly used in transporting the valuable wood
| and other products OF the SOIL o
the island to a market, and in carrying sup
plies and emigrants TO 1t. The island Is ~
| sparsely settled while it las an area SUI
hcient for the production and employment 0
| several millions OF people. The soil would nav
soon fallen into the hands Of United States CAPT
| talsts. The products ere SO 7aIiaDle IN com
merce that emigration there wcule nave pee
encouraged. The emancpated race OF the Soutl
would have found there a congenial home
where their civil rights could not be disputed
and where their labor would be much sought al
ter. The poorest among them could nave 1oun'
means to go there. In cases of great oppression
and crueties such as have been practlced upOI
them in many places within the last clever
| years whole communities would have sough
| refuge in SantO Domingo. do rot suppose 10
whole race would have gone, nor is 1t deslrael
that they should go. Their labor 10 desirable
Indispensable, almost, where they now are; bt
| the possession of this territory would nave lie
the negro master of the situation by enabling hi
to amend his rights at home on pain of sendln
| them elsewhere. | do not present these view
| now as a recommendation for the renewal OF u
| subject of annexation but do refer 70 1t 10 VIZ
| dictate my previous action in regard to 1t.
| CONCLUSION.
With the present Congress my ofhclal lie te!
inmates. 1t is not probable public analrs vi
ever again receive attention from me, tortne
than as a citizen Of the republic, always takiT
A deep interest in the honor and integrity an
pr fSiPgnedI u '-' "''-' ''' U. S. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Dec 5, 1876.