New-York tribune., 1899-08-06
HOW DOMINGO WAS LOST.
TUE 1-NwRITTEN HISTORY OF THE AN
NEXA1ION MOVEMENT.
PRESIDENT GRANTS DISAPPOINTMENT AT
THE DEFEAT OF THE TREATY-HIs
CONFIDENCE THAT TINE WOULD
vINDIcATE HIS COURSE.

VINDICATE HIS COURSE.
r,roro the excited manner in which some peo-
ia comment upon the latest acquisition Of ter
,,ory u might be inferred that territorial ex-
.arsion is a new thing These people even call
:. unconstitutional II they would read up some
:, the history and organic documents OF their
Inn Government they would not be long In
LEARNING that the doctrine Of expansion as
,,,al principle is even older than the Consttu-
ton itself.
After Lexington and Fort Ticonderoga, the
first aggressive movement against Great Britain
nv the Colonial forces was the invasion OF
canada in 1875 by Ethan Allen by way Of Lake
Champlain TO Montreal which taken,
and by Benedict Arnold by the Kennebec River
the two forces forming junction before Que
bee The campaign was failure. being too far
from base. but the principle was there.
Article XI Of the Articles Of Confederation
and Perpetual Union between the States QI7O
extended 70 Canada the fullest opportunity to
,oin the United States and enjoy all the advan-
tages Of the Union of the Independent States
Of America, but no other colony was to be ad-
mitted unless agreed to by nine States. 1t is
generally conceded that John Hancock, Samuel
Adams Elbrdge Gerry, Roger Sherman, oliver
Wolcott Robert Morris, Francis Lewis, Francis
IIghtfoot Lee, each of whom signed the Dec
laration Of Independence, and forty others. rep
resenting every State. knew what they were
about in making this tender.
Therefore. expansion in the simple sense Of
expansion Of dominion. without any sugar coat
ing of sentiment or apology. may be regarded
as one Of the fundamental principles OF Ameri-
can institutions as laid down by the Continental
fathers
The United States has had six experiences on
these lines not to speak Of desirable oppor-
tunites which have been rejected or set aside
II French Spanish and English intrigues and
Ben Franklin's infatuation for France had
neen permitted to have their way in settling up
the boundary question at the close of the war
for independence the Allegheny Mountains
would have been our western limit, and Eng
land would have held all the region north OF
the Ohio 10 the Mississippi. and Spain all south
except Louisiana.
John Adams and John Jay. original expan-
siorists may be thanked for bringing England
20 terms beating her at every point and forcing
her TO the dennitive treaty OF 11S3.
Since then there have been the Louisiana and
Alaska purchases from France and Russia, the
conquest of Florida, Mexico, Porto Rico and the
Philippines with a money bonus paid for the
privilege Of thrashing them. The victory over
England in 1S12-'14 gave the United States
commercial independence. and the cession OF
Hawaii added valuable territories to the Ma
tiopal area and expansion TO trade without an
ticipating the outcome in Cuba.
In President Pierce's time one Of the Central
American States offered itself free gift, but
the President rejected the proffer on his own
account.
THE REJECTION OF SAN DOMINGO.
The most noted instance Of a rejection OF
gift Of territory was In the case Of San Domin-
60. the story Of which. briefly told. is this:
June II. 1869. in the opening OF President
Grants term, found the steamer Ybee, which
had carried us. 1900 miles almost due south
from NewYork Harbor. at anchor on santo
Domingo City, the capital OF the republic OF that
name.
That city was again reached after spending
month in visiting samana Bay and the north
coast scaling the lofty Cibao range, descend
ing into La Vega Real. where christopher Co
lumbus had explored and Journeyins across the
roadless, bridgeess island. swimming rivers OF
ferrying across them in dugouts and sleeping
nights restfully in hammocks swung between
giant mahogany trees in pristine forests
Before departing on this cruise along the coast
and starting on an overland ride from Fort
Tarabella on the north TO Santo Domingo City
on the south the Government furnished letters
10 the Governors of the districts; which every
where received the most respectful consideration
At the time rival named Cabral was cruising
in Samana Bay on an ancient ferryboat called
the TELEGRAPH. mounting several smooth pores:
The Dominican Navy could muster fleet OF
four or five one and two masted schooners, each
carrying an S-inch Spanish gun Of the seven
teenth century. II was highly divertng 10
watch naval engagement under such condl-
tions.
The same afternoon Sefor Manuel Mona Gau-
tier. Secretary of State. called at the hotel with
an invitation to dine with the President, Buena-
ventura Baez, and the members Of his official
household at his own residence the Palace not
being occupied at the time. United States Con-
sui Somers Smith was also guest Besldes
those mentioned General Jose Hongria, Minis
ter OF War and Navy: Ricardo Cunel, OF the
Treasury. and Felix Delmonte, OF the Depart
ment OF Justice. were present.
Hidalgo Spanish. very weak Anglo-Saxon ano
vigorous French by the parties OF the hrst part
and very good Anglo-Saxon and very ricketty
French by the parties OF the second par' G9,, p,,.
s,ituted the vehicle Of lingual intercourse BUT
for Minister Gautier TO have walked spanish
would have best relieved the strain OF the situa-
ton.
dishes with bananas as raw material and some
excellent native fruits and wines
When the repast ended the President. over the
cigars talked very frankly upon the material
wealth Of the country. He had been a member
n, the Constitutional Convention OF 1914. nao
been President several times. and had the In
terests Of his people at heart. He referreo 70
the impoverished condition or the nnahces' anu
OF the advantage the protection or the strong
arm Of the great Republic Of the North would
be.
At this point Minister Gautier asked the name
n, President Grant. Having been informed
"U. S. Grant" he wished to know the name IN
full. which was given to him.
HOW THE OFFER WAS CONVEYED
President Baez complained Of the insecurity OF
the nails on the Spanish steamers when
,oucbed at the city He remarked that ON
c,al as well as private, letters were tampered
with and that some never reached their des-
,,ro,,on ue asked me as a great favor 10
,oLa oh,ree ~ an official letter TO PRESIDENT
o-.atr ofers Of annexation