Year: 1870




Message of President Baez to the Dominican


Senate.


The interest felt by the American people in
Santo Domingo affairs because of the pending
propositions before Congress for the annexation
of that republic, induces us to make the follow
ing extracts upon the subjects of such anneXa-
ton, of Salnave's death, and of foreign rela-
tions from the long message sent by President
Baez to the Dominican Senate on the 1Sth:-


Existing interests unite or separate the fractions
in the evolutions of civilization from the great
point in the New World to the model republic of the
United States of the North the natural protector
ol Ine a dominican repuonc' ana Ienewa Oh nego-
sires manifested by the most important political
porsonages OF the Cibas and other provinces, natu
rally brought the Cabinets OF the two countries into
closer union, and led to the celebration OF two
tracts between my Government and a commission
deputed for the purpose by that OF Washington.
Necessary it is to have you bear in mind that the
alienation Of the Peninsula of Samana has often
been treated of in this country in times past and by
other administrations, and that this fixed dea in
grained In the mind of the people, reappeared upon
the carpet at my return to the head of the Govern
ment. The alienation OF this peninsula was never
theless insufficient to resolve for the future the
problem OF the subsistence of the country. What
ever quantity might be obtained would do no more
than assure short period OF existence even should
it not at the same time, by the pres ence of its i'm
which, If satisfied, would Illustrate all plans OF
economic salvation, or, If thwarted, would engen-
stood by the large property holders, by the right
thinking persons, lovers of peace and tranquility,
and DY the immense majority the peaceful tlerS
of the soi so frequently condemned in the past to
be torn from the lands they were fertilizing
with the sweat of their brows to shed their
blood in useless struggles, provoked by ambi-
tion and bad passions. l was not able to resist
ms general demonstration with the sole power of
Jny words. i therefore ceded and celebrated the
two ueaties, but only propositions and projects,
reseiying for the principal one whose legality must
neces ariy depend upon the sanction of the national
majority, submission to popular vote. A union
with the great republic, the only noble and possible
means OF regenerating our country, was the object
November.
AS for the contract for the lease of Samana for fifty
years, signed the same day. 1t was only govern
mental ON or ne Obtaining o OF certain pro-
estimates, in case that the treaty Of union should
not be carried into execution with that prompttude
u ents In Virtue of such relations the the
Government Of Hayti has been required
of our republic AS for the stipulated sanction Of
the treaty, by decree OF the executive issued
February iS polls were declared dec open throughout
the clear light of day, the vote that should accredit
will and resolution of the Dominican people; and
OF the thousands OF sufragans who presented them
selves at the polls not 1000 gave negative answers
The result OF this vote has been sent to the Cabinet
at Washington, and the American Senate is at
present discussing the question or anneXa-
tion. The worthy General Grant, actual Presi-
dent of the American Union, and of whose
noble and frank conduct this country has
already had many evidences, has told the
American Senate OF the reciprocal advantages
OF the projected annexation, to which it seems all
the nations OF America are called by common
manifest destiny. Opposition has been made to the
ratification OF the treaty, as always occurs in such
cases, but the ratification Is to be had despite
this it is necessity for the progress OF humanity
whose unseen agent is Providence itself. But let
things turn out otherwise the Government will still
have the satisfaction Of knowing only ceded the
requirements of the age and to the respectful de
sres OF majority OF the people having referred the
it has submitted to- and will always cause to be re
spected by minorites particularly when these ST. al
recur to the repugnant means OF civil war to back
mn their ODDOsitiOn.