New-York tribune., 1899-08-06

patches addressed 10 ulysses Simpson Grdnts
President Of the United States Of America.
The President seeming somewhat perpexed
explained now came in possession or theH'
He quietly remarked:
Very good Hold them until go 20 Secre-
tary Fishs. at GarrisOns Landing, on the Hud-
son. on Monday. l invite you my guest You
can lodge at the hotel across the river at West
Point. II there is none at the Landing or
private house"
Mr.. President" said l. "the dispatches are in
Spanish. You must have an interpreter.
Not necessary. l learned enough Spanish at
West Point and In the Mexican War TO get an
idea Of their contents"
So the dispatches rendering the annexation
OF the Island Of San Domingo by the Baez Gov
errment 10 the United States were placed in the
Presidents hands he had Indicated at Sec
retary Fish's country seat.
PEOPLE FAVORABLE TO THE TRANSFER
The President lost no time In hesitation or
delays General O. f. Babcock. Corps OF Engi-
neers. was summoned. On July H. 1863, he
was off for San Domingo with the Presidents
answer and Instructors. After forty days in
vestlgation Of the slc..d and its resources Gen
eral Ba bcock returned with memorandum OF
points ,-greed upon. at the same time assured
that President laez his Cabinet and the people
were favorable to the transfer Of the island.
On November 16, 1869 General Babcock. ac-
companied by General Delos b. Sackett. In
spector General. Spanish scholar, and Gen
eral Rufus Ingalls,. Quartermaster GENERA
]
er Albany. returned to the island with the treaty
Of annexation. prepared for official signatures
RAYMOND H. Perry was appointed commerce. cna
agent November Ii. 1869 with full powers
The treaty negotiated by General Babcock was
signed by him on the part OF the United states
and by Gauter for San Domingo on November
%. 1869. Ii embraced the annexation or the
whole island. and a lease OF Samana Ba! anu
peninsula for $4,000 a year for hfty years
This lease was included in the transfer 10 the
United States in case Of the annexation OF tne
island. popular vote required resulted in al
most unanimous support.
General Babcock returned with the document,
which accepted and sent TO the senate az
once The Texas plan Of ratification by Jo'ii'
resolution attempted. but Congress ad-
journed on July IL. 1870. before action could De
reached.
SUMNER OPPOSED THE TREATY
On May 81 1870, President Grant transmitted
an additional article. extending the time or ra'-
ihcaton and limiting al. final obligations not 10
exceed Sl,5o00o0. Charles Sumner, chairman
OF the Committee on Foreign Relations, bitterly
opposed the treaty. accusing Baez OF being an
adventurer held in power by the United states
Navy. - o-o
The treaty on a direct vote on June 80 1870.
falling TO receive two-thirds. was rejected
The result as to Senator Sumner was his re-
moval by vote of the Senate from the cnalI-
manship of the Committee on Foreign Relations
at the head Of which he had been for years
He was classed with Democrats, and other hu-
miliations were heaped upon him by his FORMER
colleagues
He delivered a severe arraignment Of Presi-
dent Grant and wrote sharp letter 10 James
G.. Blaine giving his reasons for not supportlhe
the regular party nominee. HIS influence Weil'
to Horace Greeley. After a time however
cordial relations were restored.
When President Baez was apprsed or the
result by a special messenger from our Depart
ment of State, he addressed the dominican
Congress THE measure will nevertheless, sue
ceed in the end. for it is a necessity IN the
progress Of humanity whose unseen agent ~
Providence itself" -
The vote on the treaty was taken about 3
o'clock in the afternoon. a number OF senators
had previously called at the Executive Mansion
to assure the President Of their support. lie
felt confident Of success
General Horace Porter. now Ambassador 10
France then private secretary 10 the frtsl-
dent When the result wired TO the EN-
ecutive Mansion from the Capitol ii was i'm
portant 10 secure the vote which having been
taken in executive session, was confidential
The President had dispatched Secretary Por-
ter to make the effort The Importance Of the
issue and the feeling engendcred had put every
Senator on his guard.
BY methods often tried with success. after
much buttonholing, the vote was obtained
Those were cobblestone days on Pennsylvania
ave Even by means Of cab transportation the
Presidents impatience was not much abbreVi-
ated.
THE PRESIDENTS DISAPPOINTMENT
Upon reaching the corner Of the Treasury
grounds l sped the President alone walking
was a hot June afternoon He wore linen
duster had on high hat and was at the time
wearing side whiskers. He did not look like the
Grant OF history.
AS hastily alighted he approached with
equal alacrity
"Have you the vote?" his laconlc inquiry
/ handed it to him.
He turned about quickly. remarking;
I'VE Will 60 the White House. Come with
me-"
AS he retraced his steps he scanned the list
and had an opinion TO express about more than
one Of its negative members. Through having
come TO him with pledges OF cooperation he
seemed to take the negative vote or john scott
Of Pennsylvania, more to heart than any or the
others. OF Ross OF Kansas. he said that he
had taken up much of his time in repeatedly IN
forming him that he would vote for the treaty
Several attempts made TO persuade the
President repeat the effort, there being better
prospects. the subject being more fully under
stood. He always declined, however, upon one
occasion remarking: Il have done my duty. |
am entirely willing to let the judgment or pos
terity determine between the Senate and me- as
to the wisdom Of adding such splendid pos
session to our National domain and OF securing
such a superb strategic position for our protec-
ton at home and naval prestige in the islands
] ~ he West