The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-12-06

country inteligently. would not confer
upon tham the right to make our laws
nor to select those who do.
append to this message for conven-
lent reference, synopsis of the admin
istrative events and of all recommends
tons TO Congress made by me during
the last seven years, Time may show
some of these recommendations not to
have been wisely conceived, but I be-
heve the larger part will be no diseredit
to the administration. One of these
recomme dations met with the united
opposition of one politicaf party in the
Senate, and with strong opposition
from the other-namely, the treaty for
the annexation of Santo Domingo to
the United States, to which | shall
specially refer, maintaining as do that
ii my views had been concurred in the
country would have been in a more
prosperous condition to-day, both poit-
ically and fin ncially.
sANTO DOMINGO
is fertile, and upon its soil may be grown
Just those products of which the United
States use 50 much, and which are pro-
duced or prepared for market now by
slave labor almost exclusively. namely
sugar, coffee, dye-woods, mahogany,
tropical fruits, tobacco, etc.
About seventy-fve per cent Of the ex-
ports of Cuba are consumed in the
United States. A large percentage OF
the exports Of Brazil also find the same
market. These are paid for almost eX-
ctusively i'll coin, legislation, particularly
in Cuba, being unfavorable to a mutual
exchange Of the products Of each coun-
try. Flour shipped from the Mississippi
river to Havana can pass by the very
entrance to the city on its way to por-
ton Of Spain, then pay duty fixed
upon articles to here-e exported, be trans
ferred to Spanish vessel and brought
back almost to the point of starting,
paving a second duty and still leave ii
profit over what would be received by
direct shipment All that is produced
in Cuba could he produced in Sauto
Domingo. Being a part of the United
States. commerce between the island
and the main land would be free. There
would be no export duties on shipments
nor import duties On those coming here.
There would be no import duties upon
the supplies. machinery. etc, going
from the States. The effect that would
have been produced upon Cuban com
merCe WITH these advantages 80 II rival
are observable al ii glance The Cuban
question would have been ~,ttjed Ions
ago il favor Of free Cuba
HUNDREDS OF American VESSELS
would now be advantage0usly used il
transporting the valuable goods and
other products of the soil of the Island,
to a market and in carrying supplies ans
emigrants to IT. The island IS bu
spaf>eIv settled while it has All ares
sufficient for the profitable employmen
OF several millions of people. The sol
would have soon fallen to the hands O
United States capitalists The product
are so valuable in commerce that emf
grafton there would have been encour
aged, the emaneipated race OF the Soutl
; would have foUud there congenia
home where their civil rights would no
he disputed. and where their labor woult
be much sought after. and the poores
, among them could have found the mean
to go Tins III cases of great oppres
= sion end cruelty su1h as has been prac
ticed npon them in many places within
] tao last eleven years, Who'll
% comnunities would have sought refug
5 insSalto Domingo I do not suppose til
- whols race would have goD<, Tor is
! desirable that they should go, Thei
I labor is desirable -indispensible almos
where they now are; but the@possessio
I of the territory would have left til
: negro master Of the situation by er
4 abling him 10 demand his rights at HON
: on pain OF sending them elsewhere.
: do not present these views now as
T recommendation for the renewal of til
g subject of annexation, but l refer to
Q to vindicate my previous action in rt
Il gard to it
4 With the present Congress my of
o cial life terminates. It is not probabl
g that public life will ever again receiy
: stteution from me further than as cit
/ zen of the republic, always taking
q deep interest in the honor, integrity an
t and prosperity OF the whole land.
IS L. S. GRANT.
l. Executive Mansion, Dec. ). 1876.
o LOUISIANA