Year: 1871

OP ANNEXATI0N-A LAST WORD.


WAsuD;GToN April 5-The following is the Presi-
dents message transmitting the report Of the Sano
Domingo Commissioners:


To he Senate and House or Representatives:


have the honor to submit to the two Houses Of Con
gross the report OF the Commissioners appointed In pur-
suance OF the joint resolution approved jan H. ls7 IL
will he observed that this report than susains all
that have heretofore said regard to the productyeness
and heahulness OF the Republic OF santo Domingo, Oh
the unanmity Of the people annexation to the United
States and Of their peaceabc character 1t is due to the
public, as it certainly is to myself, that should here
give all the cpumstances which first led 20 the nogoa-
tion OF treaty for the annexation OF the Republic OF
santo Domingo to.theUnhed States.


When accepted the arduous and responsible position
which now hold, did not dream Of nstituting any
steps for the acquisition OF nsuar possessions be-


eved however that our institutions broad enough
10 extend over the entire continent rapidly ss other
people desire bring themselves under protection
believed further, that should not permit any inde-
pendent Government within the limits Of North America
10 pass from condition of independence 10 OF owner
ship or protection under European Power.


Soon after my Inauguration President was waited
upon by agent OF President Baez. with proposition
TO annex the Republic OF santo Domingo TO the United
States. This gentleman represented the capacity Of the
Island the desire Of the people and their character and
habits, about they have been described by the Com
mssionors, wlo report accompanies this message He
stated further mat being weak IN numbers and poor In
purse, they not capable Of developing their great
resources that he people had incentive to industry,
on account Of lack OF protection for their acoumulaons,
and that II not accepted by the United States with ins
tuons which they loved above those any other nation
they would be compelled to seek protection elsewhere
To these statements made reply. and mdica-
tion OF what I thought OF the proposition.


In the course OF time was waited upon by second
gentleman from SantO Domingo, who made tho same
and aR
In view OF the facts which had been laid before ne and
with earnest desire TO maintain the Monroe Doctrine,
believed that would be dercct in my duty II did
not take TO ascertain the exact wish OF the
Government and the inhabitants OF the Republic Of sntO
Domingo, n regard annexation and communicate the
Information to the people Of tho United states. Under
the attending circumstances felt that II turned deaf
this appeal might in the future, be justly charged
with lagTant neglect ofho public interests and utter
disregard OF the welfare " downtrOdden race, pray
ing for the blessings OF iree and strong government,
and for protection IN the enjoyment Of the fruits Of their
own industry Those opponents Of annexation who have
heretofore profsscd to he preGmnently the friends Of
the rights Of man, believed woud be my most violent
as.ailan,s II 1 neglected SO clear a duty.


Accordingly, after having appointed ai Commissioner
to visit the Island who declined account Of sickness
selected second gentleman in whose capacity, iudg
ment and integrity had and have yet, the most un-
bounded confidence. He visited santo Domingo not to
secure hasten annexation but unprelulced and un
biased learn all the facts about tho Government the
people, and the resources OF that Republic. He went
certainly well prepared to mako an uufavorabe re-
pOIt favorable II the facts warranted IT, His re-
port fully corroborated tho views OF previous Comms
sioner upon ts receipt felt That sense OF duty
and due regard for great National interests required
me TO negotiate q treaty for the acquisition OF tho
Republic OF sauto Domingo As as 1t became pub


cly known that such treaty had been negotiated, tie
attention of the country occupied with allegations
calculated to prejudice the merits OF the case, and with
those whose drty had connected them with Il. Amid
the public cXeemor; thus created, tho treaty failed 10
receive the requisite twofhirls vote Of tie senate ard
WIS rejected But whether the action OF that body
based wholly upon the mor!t- of the treaty. might not
have been in Dc Influenced by such unfonndod
allegations could he known by the people, because


the debates OF tho Senate IN secret session aTe not pub
Hshed Under those circumstances, deemed it due TO
the Office which hold and due TO the character Of tho
agents who had been charged with the investigahol
that such proceedings should bC ha a. NOud enaOie inc
people to know the truth.


A Commission was therefore constituted, mder au-
tborty Of Congress- consisting OF gentlemen selected
with special reference their high character snd ca
rocttv for tho laboIi0us work intsed 10 them, who
were instructed visit the spot and report upon tho
facts Other eminent citizens weTeirequested TO accom-
pany tho Commission, in order that the people hght
have the benefit OF their views. Students Of science aud
correspondents OF the press without regard TO political
opinions we're invited 10 Join the expedition and their
numbers were limited only by the capacity Of the vessel
The mere rejection by the Senate OF treaty negotated
by the President only indicates difference Of opinion OF
mo Government without EtOuching the character or
vyoundng the pride either But when such rejection
takes place Simultaneously with charges openly made OF
corrpton on the part OF the President Of those en-
Moved by him, the case IS different Indeed, In such
case the honor OF the nation demands investigation
This has been accomplished by the report OF the ComniB
eoners herewith transmitted and which fully yindcates
the purity OF motives and action Of those WLo repre-
eepted the United States In the negotiation


And now my task is finished and with 1t ends all per
sonaI solcitude upon the subject. My duty being done
yours begins; aud gladly hand over The whole matter
10 The judgment Of tho American people and OF their
Eopresentatyes in Congress assembled. Tho facts Will
now be spread before the country aud decision rem
dered by that tribunal whose convictions no seldom or
and against whose win have policy TO enforce Ny
opinion remains unchanged; indeed it Is confirmed by
the report that the interests country and OF ssnto
Domingo alike invite the annexation OF the Republic
In view Of the difference OF opinion upon this subject


suggest that action be taken at the present session
beyond the printing and general dissemination Of the
repOr Before tho next session OF Congress the people
will have considered the subject and formed 0n inte
gent opinion concerning IT, to which opinion deliber
atey made up IL win be the duty OF every department
NJ the Government 10 give heed and will more
chcerfuy conform TO il than myself IL s not only the
theory OF our Constitution tbat:the win OF the people
constitutionally expressed, is the supreme law but
have ever believed that all wiser than any one
man; and II the people, upon full presentation Of the
facts shall decide that the annexation Of the Republic
Is moi desirable every department OF tho Government
ought TO aequiesoe IN that decision


In again submitting TO Congress subject upon which
nuIic ,oniment has been divided and which has been
made he occasion Of acrimonious debate Ia Congress-
well as unjust persOns elsewhere may trust, be In
duged i'm single remark No man can hope TO perform
duties so de,atc and responsible pertain TO the Prcs