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YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
3 9002 09657 7060
H Secretary of State; ^H Report, in regard to San Domingo,
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
REPORT
OF THE
i
SECRETARY OF STATE
IN REGARD TO
SAN DOMINGO,
TRANSMITTED TO THE SENATE JANUARY 16, 1871, IN COMPLIANCE WITH A RESOLUTION.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING- OFFICE 3 871.DEPARTMENT OF STATE. REPORT
OF 'I'H H!
SECRETARY OF STATE
IN REGARD TO
SAN DOMINGO,
TRANSMITTED TO THE SENATE JANUARY 16, 1871, IN COMPLIANCE WITH A RESOLUTION.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1871.41st Congress, 3d Session.
SENATE.
f Ex. DocJ. \ No. 17.
MESSAGE
of the
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
COMMUNICATING,
In compliance icith the resolution, of the Senate of the instant, information relative to the -proposed annexation of the Dominican portion of the Island of San Domingo.
January 16, 1871.—Read, ordered to lie on the table and be printed.
To the Senate of the United States:
I transmit to the Senate, in answer to their resolution of the 4th instant, a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying documents, relating to the proposed annexation of the Dominican portion of the island of San Domingo.
U. S. GRANT.
Washington, January 16,1871.
Department of State,
January 16, 1871.
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the Senate of the 4th instant, " That the President of the United States be requested to communicate to the Senate, if in his opinion not incompatible with the public interests, copies of all papers and correspondence relating to the proposed annexation of the Dominican portion of the island of San Domingo, or the purchase of any part thereof, including the first and all subsequent instructions to any agent or consul of the United States, with the correspondence of such agent or consul; also any protocol or convention signed by such agent or consul; also an account of the debt and liabilities of the Dominican government, especially its obligations to the neighboring republic of Hayti; also the provisions of the existing constitution of Dominica, so far as the same relate to the sale or transfer of the national domain; also any treaty with Hayti or France, by which Dominica is bound or affected; also any communication from the neighboring republic of Hayti, or from our minister there, relating to the proposed annexation; also instructions to the commander of our naval squadron in the waters of the island since the commencement of the late negotiations, with the reports and correspondence of such commander; also any information tending to show what European power, if any, proposes to acquire jurisdiction of any part of the island, and if so, of what part; also any information2
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
with regard to the position of President Baez, under whom the treaty of annexation was negotiated, and the extent to which he has been maintained in power by the presence of United States vessels of war; also any information with regard to the sentiments of the people in Dominica, and the reported pendency there of civil war; also any information with regard to any claim of jurisdiction by the republic of Hayti over the territory of Dominica," has the honor to report to the President:
The limits of those parts of the island of San Domingo which were formerly under the dominion of Spain and Fiance, respectively, were defined with fullness and precision by the treaty between those powers signed at Paris on the 3d of June, 1777, a translation of which is hereunto annexed. This boundary has been compared with the line as shown by the official map of the island, published by the Dominican government, and has been found to correspond with it. A copy of that boundary line, as shown by the official map, is herewith transmitted.
By the ninth article of the treaty of peace between them of the 22d of July, 1795, commonly called the treaty of Basle, Spain ceded to France her territory in and sovereignty over that island, which, however, were restored to Spain by the eighth article of the treaty between the allied powers of Europe of the 30th of May, 1814.
By an ordinance of King Charles X of France, of the 17th of April, 1825, a translation of which is also hereunto annexed, the independence of the French part of the island was acknowledged upon certain conditions, one of which was that the inhabitants were required to make certain annual payments into the French treasury. ' These payments were further regulated by formal treaties between France and Hayti of the 31st of October, 1825; 12th of February, 1838; 15th of May, 1847, and 1st of October, 1854. In none of these instruments is any reference made to the Spanish part of the island of San Domingo, and no public document of any kind can be found which makes the territory or the inhabitants of that region liable for any of the debt to France assumed by the government of Hayti.
The independence of the Dominican Republic was declared, and a constitution for its government was proclaimed on the 1st of December, 1821. On the 19th of April, 1844, that government issued a decree equalizing the treatment to be given to the flags of all nations in its ports. Under date tl!ie 12th of October, 1848, it negotiated a treaty of commerce and navigation with France. On the 6th of March, 1850, it concluded a similar treaty with Great Britain. On the 8th of May and the 26th of July, 1852, other similar treaties with France and Denmark were respectively concluded. On the 22d of March, 1854, it concluded a treaty of commerce with Sardinia. On the 18th of February, 1855, the Dominican Eepublic concluded a treaty of commerce with, and its independence was formally acknowledged by Spain. On the 24th of July, 1856, it concluded a treaty of commerce with the Netherlands, and on the 24th of October, 1867, a similar treaty with the United States.
On the 22d of February, 1845, that government having applied to this Government for recognition, Mr. John Hogan was dispatched from this Department as a special agent, with instructions to inquire as to the extent of the territory of the republic; as to the character and composition of the population; as to the number and discipline of the troops; as to the people of the country and its division in races; and as to its finances.
Mr. Hogan reported that "the territories of the republic are those which formerly belonged to Spain;" that "the population was about 230,000, of whom 40,000 were blacks, and over 100,000 were whites;"DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
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and the other information called for was given in a correspondence and series of tables appended to the report. A copy of the instructions to Mr. Hogan, of his report, and of the inclosures in it, are herewith transmitted.
In the following year the subject was again taken up by the administration of Mr. Polk ; and, under directions of Mr. Bancroft, the then Secretary of the Navy, Lieutenant (now Admiral) D. D. Porter traversed nearly the whole island from east to west, and from north to south, traveling sometimes on foot and sometimes on a mule, and made an elaborate and highly favorable report of the resources of the island, and of the character of the population. It is understood that only fragmentary portions of this interesting document remaiu in the archives of the Navy Department.
During the administration of Mr. Pierce, Captain, afterwards Major General, George B. McClellan was sent by the War Department to survey the bay and peninsula of Samana, and a valuable report was made by him, a copy of which is herewith transmitted. The agent of this Department at that time wrote, with reference to this survey: " Captain McClellan wrote me on the 3d instant, informing me ' the position selected for a coal depot will require at least two square miles of land and perhaps somewhat more.' * * In pursuance of instructions I will endeavor to obtain these concessions."
l Efforts were also made underthe administration of Mr. Pierce to negotiate a. general treaty with that republic, which apparently did not result to the satisfaction of this Department.
On the 16th of January, 1856, Mr. Elliot, the commercial agent at San Domingo, wrote to the Department: " I have this day received word from President Santana (who has been all the time with the army) that he will be here in a few days, when the treaty shall be immediately attended to, and concluded as soon as possible." * * " They desire to make a separate convention in regard to Samana, when the country is more tranquil." On the 19th of July following the same officer wrote, " The Spanish charge and consul general arrived here about the end of December last, and from the very day of his arrival he began speaking to all the members of this government of the extreme injury the American treaty, if made, would cause to Spain, and advised the Executive, in all his interviews, to reject the same resolutely and at all peril. * * * After the treaty was signed he proposed to this government that they should withdraw it, or refuse to ratify its exchange, and in order to accomplish this, he offered a Spanish protectorate, a quantity of troops and a good navy; besides, he would answer for all the consequences that might occur in making opposition to the United States. This was also refused. He then declared that the Spanish government would infinitely prefer securing this for the Haytians than for it to be under any American influence."
On the 10th of September following, the same officer wrote to the Department that " on the 15th of the last July, the consuls of Spain, England, and France held a secret interview with the Dominican cabinet, the object of which was to oblige the withdrawal of the American treaty, threatening them in case of refusal to put in execution threats already made, declaring that it never would be permitted for the people of the United States to have a foothold in the Dominican Republic."
On the same day he wrote, " I am authorized to offer to the United States Government not only any location in the bay of Samana, for their purposes, but the coal mines in that harbor, and any other commercial, advantages they may require."4
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
On the 30tli of October following the acting commercial agent, Mr. Pereira, notified the Department of a change in the government unfriendly to the United States, and on the 22d of November he wrote that ''the common town cry was, down with the Yankees," and that he and his family owed their protection from violence to the unsolicited interference of the commander of a British man-of-war.
The government of Spain, which fell with the revolution of 1868 at Madrid, following the example of the French in Mexico, took advantage of the late internal dissensions and conflicts in the United States to endeavor to repossess the portion of the island of San Domingo referred to in the resolution.
The political and military objccts aimed at in this effort were too palpable to need extended comment. One side of the Mona Channel, being already under Spanish rule, the possession of the bay of Samana would give the absolute control of the main entrance to the Caribbean Sea, with the political and military consequences that would flow from that fact.
After sacrificing many thousand lives in endeavoring to force monarchical institutions upon a people who (as represented by the consular officer of the United States) were of opinion that " America should be ruled by Americans," Spain abandoned the contest about the month of August, 1865. A provisional government was established, and a call was made for the election of delegates to a convention for the purpose of framing a constitution.
A strong feeling in favor of a more intimate connection with this country found immediate expression in the consular correspondence. Under date of the 14th of August, 1865, the consular officer of the United States wrote to the Department that "in the month of August, 1854, our Government sent here the United States flag-ship Columbia, Commodore Newton, with General George B. McClellan and other engineers, who surveyed the bay of Samana for the purpose of obtaining a naval station in that first of bays in the Antilles. If such should still be the mind of our Government, I am sure it could be obtained."
Before the convention to frame a new constitution met, the provisional government was superseded by what the consular officer styled a "counter revolution," and "General Jos6 Maria Cabral was by proclamation announced as the protector of the republic,'7 (dispatch of September 25, 1865.) In the same paper the consular officer says, "Indeed the influence of our glorious republic is well nigh omnipotent here."
On the 25th of the same September, the convention for framing a constitution met, eight days having been spent in the election of its members.
On the 27th of October following, General Cabral resigned his position as " Protector of the Nation," and the convulsion that followed the departure of the Spaniards appears to have been closed by the election to the presidency of General Baez as the representative of the idea of " universal suffrage," (dispatch of October 25,1865,) and by the adoption of a constitution in December which was, on the subsequent April, (1866,) set aside, and a former constitution (adopted in 1854) substituted in its place. The consular officer styles the proceedings with which this was done as a "farce." The third article of the first title of this constitution is probably the one referred to in the resolution of the Senate— " The territory of the republic is and shall remain inalienable."
General Baez appears to have acted as president until the following August, (1866,) when three military chiefs, Pimentel, Garcia, and Lu-peron, calling themselves " The Triumvirate of the Republic," forciblyDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
5
drove him from power, and issued a decree for the election of a president by a u direct, universal, free, and spontaneous " vote, to be held during three days of the current month. It will oe observed that this election was called and held in direct violation of the provisions of the constitution of 1854, which provides for an election by an electoral college to be chosen by limited suffrage. The vote polled was very small, and General Cabral was returned with great unanimity, (dispatch of September 9, 18GG.) Mr. Somers Smith, who had just been appointed commercial agent, reports that he "felt sanguine that any arrangement that might be desirable could be effected advantageously."
The new government lost no time in conveying to this Government its willingness to part with some of its possessions on the bay of Samana. The manner in which this intimation was made, and the steps which were taken by this Government, cannot be better described than in the language of my predecessor, Mr. Seward.
# .# # # # #-'# #
On the 8tli of November, 1835, Sen or Jo.so G. Garcia, secretary of state, in charge of foreign relations of the Dominican Republic, addressed a "very confidential " letter to the Secretary of State of the United States. In that letter Senor Garcia inquired of the undersigned whether, in viow of the deplorable condition to which the Dominican Republic had been reduced in consequence of the unequal contest which it had maintained during two years with the Spanish monarch, the United States would be disposed to advance to that republic a million of dollars, in the character of a loan, on just, equitable, and reasonable conditions. Senor Garcia expressed a desire to learn also whether the Government of the United States would be disposed to give to the Dominican Republic, on credit, a number of pieces of heavy artillery, sufficient to meet the necessities she had for them, because all that she had were broken up in her fortifications before the then recent Spanish war. Senor Garcia solicited a confidential reply.
Senor Garcia's letter was accompanied by a dispatch of the same date from John Somers Smith, esquire, United States commercial agent at San Domingo, to the Secretary of State. Mr. Smith stated in that dispatch that he had been requested by the Dominican government to address the undersigned on the subject of such a loan as has been before mentioned. Mr. Smith stated that the necessities of the Dominican Republic impelled it to obtain a loan from some quarter, and it addressed the United States in preference to European powers. Mr. Smith stated the nature~of the financial embarrassment of the Dominican Republic, and he also set forth its condition in regard to debts and revenues. He stated that the Dominican government was desirous of purchasing certain munitions of war, and a small steam propeller for packet or other service. - Mr. Smith further stated that the Dominican government is very liberal in granting privileges to parties desiring to explore and work the numerous and valuable mines with which the country abounds; and that a great revival of business was anticipated to take place soon from the vast resources of that favored country, so rich in mines and valuable woods, and with a soil unsurpassed in the West Indies; and that it was confidently expected that the revenue would soon be adequate to me9t all expenditures in connection with the loan for which thejr applied; that he, Mr. Smith, had been authorized to offer to the United States the use of the coal mines of Samana, and certain keys called Levantado and Carenero at the mouth of the bay of Samana, for such purposes and for such time as might be agreed upon, if satisfactory arrangements should bo concluded. Mr.S mith represented that the possession of Le-vautado and Carenero would be of great advantage as a naval station, commanding, as it does, the transit from Europe to the Gulf of Mexico through the Mona Passage. Mr. Smith stated thatduringthe then recent Spanish annexation theSpanish marine used Levantado as their lieadguarters, and Carenero was a coal dep6t; that? the adjacent republic of Hayti was menaced with European war, while war was actually being carried on between Spain and the South American republics of the Pacific ; and that the Dominican government was apprehensive that if that war should extend into the waters of the Caribbean Sea, Spain might, in that event, seize again on her old position at Samana. In conclusion Mr. Smith added that he was desired to request of the Government of the United States that, in the event of their declining to accede to the proposition for the loan, it would consider as confidential the offer of that government to lease the islands in the bay of Samana, as its publication might be prejudicial to the Dominican Republic in her relations with other powers.
The United States have long desired, for naval, political, and commercial reasons, to obtain a station in the West Indies. The proposition which the Dominican government submitted furnished grounds to expect that those desired advantages might be secured by the United States, through some arrangement with the Dominican Republic,6
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
which would afford a moral guaranty of its independence, and a harbinger of prosperity and welfare of the Dominican Republic. Induced by these considerations, the Assistant Secretary of State, attended by Rear-Admiral Porter, United States Navy, on the 6th of January, 1867, proceeded to the city of San Domingo, invested with ampl-power to conclude, subject to ratification by the Senate of the United States, a convention with the Dominican Republic for the cession or lease of the peninsula and bay of Samana; provided that in the judgment of the Assistant Secretary, with the concurrence of the Admiral, that peninsula should be found to offer the advantages which were sought. The Assistant Secretary was authorized to offer to the Dominican government two millions of dollars, payable one-half in cash and the other half in arms and munitions of war, as a consideration for the proposed cession. He was instructed to require a full sovereignty of the United States over the territory to be ceded. lie was authorized to pay part of the consideration'money at once, if the cession should be made and ratified by the government of the Dominican Republic.
The Assistant Secretary arrived at San Domingo on the 19th of January, 1867. He was cordially received, and the government of the Dominican Republic entered very frankly upon a discussion of the affair with which he was charged. Conferences were continued so long as they promised any favorable result.
" On the 22d of January, 1867, the Assistant Secretary transmitted a final report. He stated that the Dominican government expressed a willingness and even a desire to make some arrangement with the United States in regard to Samana, which would provide us with a suitable naval harbor and coaling station; that it could not consent to an absolute sale of territory without violating an express provision of the constitution of the Dominican Republic just adopted; that it would be inconvenient to await amendments to the constitution.
"The Dominican government therefore proposed a lease of the cayes Levantado, which command the entrance of the bay of Samana, and the use of the adjacent waters, together with certain specified privileges on the main land of the peninsula. Their measure would not answer the purposes of the United States. The Assistant Secretary therefore declined to entertain that proposition, and stated frankly that we wanted no place at all, unless it was one which we should have absolute control over while we owned it, one which was large enough for our uses, and one which we could hold, fortify, and maintain against all enemies. The Assistant Secretary reported as the result of all the discussions that it was impracticable to conclude any arrangement at that time with the Dominican Republic, on the basis of the instructions of the Department ; that they offered to concede only such privileges as it needs no treaty to obtain in any part of the civilized world, namely, space for yards, wharves, buildings, &c., to be paid for by our money, but not to be under our flag or protected by our guns. The Assistant Secretary concluded that the project of selling or leasing the peninsula of Samana to the United States was one which commanded itself to the better judgment and sagacity of the leading minds of the Dominican Republic ; that they saw in it a relief from dangers and misfortunes that then menaced them, aud that they fully comprehended that such a transfer on such terms as the United States could offer, would be quite as advantageous to Dominica as it would be to the United States; that they were, nevertheless, reluctant to risk the responsibility of so bold a step, fearing the public sentiment, or the popular prejudice, of the Dominican people ; that the Spanish invasion and seizure of Samana had worked a distrust of foreign powers, a dread of foreign designs for aggrandizement; that time and reason would perhaps show how unfounded these prejudices were as regarded the United States, the one power whose presence and friendship would save them from the very evils which they dreaded, and lend peace and prosperity to a republic hitherto the theater of so many unhappy discords.
" On receiving this report, the President of the United States was unwilling to relinquish his desire that the very liberal propositions which the Assistant Secretary had made, and which had been disallowed by the Dominican government, might yet, upon reconsideration, be accepted. The President, therefore, on the 26th of February, 1867, transmitted a*full power to J. Somers Smith, esquire, commercial agent of the United States at San Domingo, authorizing him to conclude a convention for the cession of the territory and waters in question, should he find it practicable to do so upon the same basis with those submitted by the Assistant Secretary. No progress having been made by Mr. Smith, the power with which he was invested was revoked on the 8th of May, 1867. Friendly sentiments concerning the delicacy of the subject induced the Secretary of State to direct that no publicity should be given to these proceedings, and that iio trace of them should be left on the records of the commercial or consular agent of the United States in San Domingo.
" At subsequent periods during the year 1867 the Dominican government was understood to have entered into a formal treaty with the republic of Hayti, by which those two powers, which divide the island of St. Domingo between them, mutually stipulated that neither would, in any case, alienate any portion of its territories; and a proclamation was issued by the President of the Dominican Republic announcing thatDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
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he had not made, and should not make, any cession of the bay or peninsula of Saraana to the United States, or to any other power. The undersigned noAv learns with pleasure,
that the treaty thus referred to was not absolutely concluded."
*»»****#*#*
It appears that the government of President Cabral was unwilling to rest on the failure of the negotiations with the Assistant Secretary of State. Mr. Somers Smith wrote the Department confidentially on the^ 24th of November, 1867, that " an informal proposal had been made to him for a lease of Sam an a," to which Mr. Seward replied on the 13 th of December, 1867, that11 it would be inconsistent with the self-respect of this Government to entertain the question which Mr. Fiallo has raised without being first furnished with authentic evidence of powers of negotiation conferred upon him by the government of the Dominican Republic."
Upon the receipt of this emphatic letter Mr. Pujol was sent to Washington by General Cabral with full powers, and Mr. Somers Smith was confidentially informed that " the President in his refusal to cede territory had acted for the dignity and honor of his country, but that affairs had become desperate, and might terminate in complete anarchy; it therefore became necessary to yield to the situationand the President had been advised by u twelve of the leading generals in Cibao, at once to make a proposal to the United States for a lease of Sam ana."
These negotiations with the Cabral government, which promised to be successful, were terminated abruptly on the 6th of the following March, (1868,) by the downfall of the administration of General Cabral, and the reinstatement of General Baez as President of the republic by means of a revolution.
It would seem that this failure had caused apprehension in some minds lest some European power should avail itself of the opportunity which the United States was apparently letting slip from its grasp. The archives of this Department show inquiries on that point. On the first of June, 1868, the following letter appears to have been received at the Department, addressed to the "Hon. Wm. H. Seward, Department of State:"
Senate Chamber, May 30.
Dear Sir : If you have any information with regard to any movement on the part of the North German Confederation to obtain a naval station in the West Indies, I should be obliged if you would communicate it to me. Faithfully yours,
CHARLES SUMNER.
The answer to this letter is not fouud on the files of the Department. It is to be presumed, however, that efforts in that direction at that time by European governments were unsuccessful.
The new government at San Domingo reopened negotiations with the United States, and on the 9th day of December, 1868, Mr. Somers Smith wrote the Department:
I have had repeated interviews for the past fortnight with President Baez. General Luperon has protested against any kind of an arrangement between the United States and the Dominican Republic, and has written to President Salnave, saying that it was necessary to forbid all negotiation, adding that it was requisite to protect the negroes, the only caste that must 'govern this Island. Salnave refused to agree with him, and has sent to Mr. Baez the communication of General Luperon. General Pimentel has likewise protested. The only true government that possesses power aud popularity, and wishes to be under the protection of the United States, is that of Mr. Baez.
And again, on the 10th of December, 1868, Mr. Somers Smith wrote to the Department, that since his dispatch of the previous day, " Mr. Delmonte had called on me [him] at the special instance of the President, to inform me |him] that he, Mr. Baez, addressed letters to thedif-8
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ferent authorities throughout the republic, on the question of seeking the protection of the United States, and has received replies from all quarters, affirming that such a measure is most highly approved of, and is very popular in all parts of the country." Again, on the 19th of December, 18G8, the same officer wrote: " Mr. Baez is well aware that the Congress*of the United States may not be inclined to bring about the annexation of any State or country by an act of war, or what might be construed as conquest; but only by the free and general consent of the people, expressed in a constitutional manner. . The government of the Dominican Republic is prepared to obtain this national declaration by the common vote, or by acclamation, or in any form that our Government inay indicate as satisfactory."
Such was the condition of these negotiations when the administration of Mr. Johnson ceased.
A mass of correspondence in the archives of this Department from a variety of sources, much of which was unprejudiced, and some of which may have been biased by prejudice or interest, appeared to demonstrate the following points:
First. That the Spanish portion of the island of San Domingo was sparsely populated. The estimates varied from 150,000 to 300,000 persons. Those who would appear to have the best opportunities for correct information, fixed the number at less than 200,000.
Second. That the soil of that part of the island was rich, and capable of a productive power beyond any corresponding extent of the island of Cuba.
Third. That its actual production was greatly diminished by the disturbed state of its civil and political society, caused partly by the Spanish, invasion, partly by the character of the population, and largely by the aggressive policy of the neighboring republic of Hayti.
Fourth. That all parties, with equal unanimity, sought refuge from these disturbances in a more intimate connection with the United States, ■which was regarded as the natural protector of republican institutions in the western hemisphere.
Fifth. That to this end all desired lo lease the bay and peninsula ot Samana to the United States for a naval station, as a first step toward ultimate annexation.
Sixth. That the bay of Samana was the key to the Mona channel, "which was the "gate" to the Caribbean Sea and the Isthmus of Panama.
The policy which, led several previous administrations to entertain the negotiations which have been referred to, was regarded as too well settled by a practice of nearly seventy years to be then questioned. It was supposed, in the striking language of a then recent speech in the Senate on the acquisition of Alaska, that "our city can be nothing less than the North American continent, with its gates on all the surrounding seas.,f
Nevertheless it was thought best not to act without further information, derived through accurate and trustworthy sources, of which the administration had actual knowledge.
On the 2d day of June, 1869, Mr. Benjamin S. Hunt, of Philadelphia, a gentleman peculiarly well qualified for the mission, was instructed as follows:
The President deeming it advisable to employ a special agent to obtain information ifi regard to the Dominican Republic, has selected you for that purpose. The points to ■which your inquiries will be directed are: the population of that republic, in towns and in the country, on the north and south coast and in the interior, respectively ; the numbers of whites, of pure Africans, of mulattoes, and of other mixtures of the African and Caucasian races; of Indians, and of the crosses between them and Africans,DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
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respectively. You will also inquire and report upon the soils of the country and their production in each locality; as to the timber, dye woods, and minerals, and as to whether any mines are worked, .and the extent and value of their proceeds. You will likewise endeavor to obtain full and accurate information in regard to the disposition of the government and people of that republic toward the United States, the character of the government, whether it be military or civil, whether it be stable or liable to be overthrown. It is also desirable to know what the revenues of that country may be and whence derived, and the tonnage, to be classified so as to show the proportion of its foreign trade under its own flag and under those of other countries. Similar returns in regard to the coasting trade would be acceptable. You will also ascertain what the debt, foreign and domestic, of that government may be, how long it may have to run, and where the debt may be held. Inquiry should also be made as to whether any other foreign power may be seeking to obtain possession of any other part of that country. Generally, any information tending to illustrate the condition and resources of that republic, and the character and influence of those charged with its destinies, would be acceptable.
Mr. Hunt accepted the appointment, and was making preparations for his departure, when he was attacked by a serious illness, which compelled him to resign the appointment.
On the 13th of July, Brevet Brigadier General Babcock, who was employed in the Executive office, and who enjoyed the full confidence ot the Government, was (in the place of Mr. Hunt) instructed to proceed to San Domingo on the same mission, and sailed from New York about four days after receiving his instructions. The instructions previously given to Mr. Hunt were enlarged, by directing an inquiry into the issues of paper money, and as to the supposed views of foreign powers toward that country. They may be found in Senate Report No. 234, second session forty-first Congress, page 189, and also upon the third page of the correspondence confidentially communicated to the Senate hereinafter referred to, which is herewith transmitted.
The manner in which General Babcock executed those instructions has been minutely detailed by him in his examination before a committee of the Senate, which is reported to the Senate in the same document, to which report the Secretary of State respectfully refers.
Upon his return to Washington General Babcock made a favorable verbal report, fully confirming the information previously in the possession of the Department, as to the population of the island, the salubrity of the climate, the wealth of the soil, and the disposition of the people and government toward annexation ; and he presented, as a response to his instructions, the following documents: 1st. The paper dated September 4, 1869, (to be found on the 188th page of the Senate report already referred to,) in which were stated the terms upon which the territory of the republic could be annexed to the United States. 2d. A contract or treaty with Hartmont & Co., of London, which may be found on the tenth page of the printed copy of a letter from the Secretary of State to the chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, which were confidentially communicated to the Senate by the chairman on the 24th of March last.1 3d. The prospectus of that loan, which is to be found on the 14th page of that copy.2 4th. The statement of the " Dominican debt," to be found on the 15th page or that copy.3 5th. The official statement of the Dominican concessions, which is to be found on the 16th page of that copy.4 No other statement of the grants and concessions made by that republic has been returned to this Department, except the statements shown on the 21s,t and 22d pages of said copy, and the Secretary of State does not know of any other. 6th. A statement of the " national properties," to be found on the 17th page of said copy.5 7th. A statement of the population of the republic, to be found on the 17th page of said copy.5 A copy of these
1 See page 86. 3 See page 90. 3 See page 91. 4 See page 92. 6 See page 93.10
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
papers, thus confidentially communicated, is herewith transmitted, in compliance with the resolutions of the Senate.
The results of General Babcock's examination were deemed favorable to the maintenance of the American policy. He was therefore directed to return to San Domingo, in order to aid Mr. Raymond H. Perry, the commercial agent of the United States, in negotiating for the annexation of the whole territory of the republic to the United States, and (as an alternative proposition) for a lease of the peninsula and bay of Sam-ana to the United States. A treaty for the annexation of the territories of the republic, and a convention for the lease of the bay and peninsula of Samana, were accordingly concluded. Copies of these documents are herewith transmitted, in compliance with the resolution. The treaty did not receive the assent of the Senate. The convention is still pending. The terms of the treaty require that a popular vote should be taken upon the question of annexation. The almost unanimous affirmative vote, (the transcripts of which are in the Department of State,) to whose spontaneous character Mr. Perry bears repeated testimony, justified the opinion alike of the friends of General Cabral and of the friends of General Baez, (in other words, of all the political leaders of the republic,) that the whole people desire annexation to the United States.
So much of the correspondence of Mr. Raymond H. Perry, the agent who signed the treaty and convention on the part of the United States, as is not printed in the said Senate report, and relates to the information called for by the Senate resolution, is herewith transmitted. Some irreconcilable discrepancies will be observed in this correspondence. The communication from the Secretary of State to Mr. Perry, which will be found upon the 284th page of said report, comments upon the false information which he had communicated to the Department and upon his disregard of his instructions/ It is evident that nearly all parties in St. Domingo were favorable to annexation; but there appears to have been a hostility to the form in which it was to be consummated, growing out of the supposed repudiation by the Baez government of a grant of salt mines to one Davis Hatch, originally made by the Spaniards when they attempted to reassume their old dominion during the rebellion in the South, and confirmed by Cabral during the few days that he held power after the retirement of Spain. It is claimed that Mr. Hatch was a naturalized Spanish subject.
Having thus rapidly surveyed the negotiations between the two governments, extending over a period of twenty-five years, the Secretary of State is enabled to answer more intelligently the questions submitted to him by the President. He is asked for—
I.	"Copies of all papers and, correspondence relating to the proposed annexation of the Dominican portion of the island of San Domingo, or the purchase of any part thereof, including the first and all subsequent instructions to any agent or consul of the United States, with the correspondence of such agent or consul." In reply to this he has the honor to refer to the instructions to Mr. Hogan, already noticed, and his report, with its inclosures; to extracts from and references to the correspondence with the commercial agents at San Domingo, already made in this report; to the correspondence of this Department with Mr. Raymond H. Perry, in the Senate report already referred to ; to the extracts from the correspondence of that officer, which are herewith transmitted; to the copy herewith transmitted of the confidential correspondence already alluded to.
II.	" Any protocol or convention signed by such agent or consul."DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
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For the protocbl signed by General Babcock, tlie Secretary of State refers to the Senate report already referred to; for the convention he refers to the said " confidential" correspondence herewith transmitted.
III.	" Also an account of the debt and liabilities of the Dominican government, especially its obligations to the neighboring republic of Hayti." The Secretary of State respectfully refers to the said " confidential " correspondence, herewith inclosed, for the latest and most accurate account of the debt and liabilities of the Dominican government, in the possession of this Department; and has no knowledge of any obligation which it is under to the neighboring republic of Hayti, unless such obligation is shown in the papers contained therein.
IV.	"Also the provisions of the existing constitution of Dominica, so far as the same relate to the sale or transfer of the national domain.'7 It is not possible for the Secretary of State to determine, from the archives of this Department, which constitution is now in force in that republic. All parties alike have seemed to seek annexation to the United States as the surest hope for the future of the republic. The Secretary of State cannot decide whether the clause already quoted from the constitution of 1854 is or is not in force. It may be that all parties regard it as inapplicable to a fundamental change in the political character of the government which, like annexation to the United States, changes the relations of the national sovereignty without alienating the national domain, or it may be that it is not now in force. It is clear that it is not recognized by the friends of Cabral or of Baez as an impediment to annexation to the United States. The Department of State is in the possession of official information, of a secret and confidential character, fully confirming this statement, which it is understood that the President has transmitted confidentially to the Senate.
V.	"Any treaty with Hayti or France, by which Dominica is bound or affected." The Secretary of State has the honor, in reply to. this, to refer to the translation of the treaty of boundary, made in the year 1777, between France and Spain for determining the boundary between their respective possessions on the island of San Domingo; and, together with this, to a map of the island showing the position of this boundary to be the line now claimed by the Dominican Bepublic. Also to the ordinance of the King of France, dated April 12, 1825, herewith transmitted.
VI.	"Any communications from the neighboring republic of Hayti, or from our minister there, relating to the proposed annexation." The Secretary of State has the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a dispatch from the United States minister at Hayti, dated February 17, 1870, with its inclosures; also a copy of a note from the minister of Hayti at Washington, received by the Secretary of State a few hours after the introduction into the Senate of the resolution herewith answered, and a copy of the reply thereto. Although this correspondence (which is the only correspondence on the subject) did not reach the Secretary of State until after the resolution was introduced into the Senate, it is supposed to be the correspondence called for by the resolution.
VII.	"Instructions to the commander of our naval squadron in the waters of the island since the commencement of the late negotiations, with the reports and correspondence of such commander." No such instructions are to be found in the archives of this Department.
VIII.	"Any information tending to show what European power, if any, proposes to acquire jurisdiction of any part of the island; and if so, of what part." Information of this character is usually in a form that cannot be properly made the subject of a public official communication. The Secretary of State respectfully refers to the papers herewith transmitted12
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with Mr. Hogan's report; to the late attempted occupation by Spain; to the correspondence of Mr. Elliot and other consular officers of the United States, hereinbefore quoted; to the above-recited letter from the honorable chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; to the history of the relations of the leading monarchial powers of Europe to this continent; and to repeated statements of such purposes ami designs in the public press, to show that such an acquisition of jurisdiction was formerly contemplated, has been actually attempted during the period covered by the negotiations above narrated, and is supposed to have, been within the contemplation of some European power within a quite recent period.
IX.	"Any information .with regard to the position of President Baez, under whom the treaty of annexation was negotiated, and the extent to which he has been maintained in power by the presence of United States vessels of war." On the former point the Secretary of State has the honor to state that all the correspondence in the archives of the Department tends to show that, should President Baez fail in the effort to annex the republic to the United States, the popular disappointment may find vent in another revolution. On the latter point he refers to the correspondence of Mr. Raymond II. Perry, transmitted herewith, which tends to show that the people of the city of San Domingo were dissatisfied with the administration of General Baez, because more energy was not shown in taking the vote on the question of annexation ; and that the presence of a United States man-of-war in the port was supposed to have a peaceful influence.
X.	"Any information with regard to the sentiments of the people in Dominica, and the reported pendency there of civil war/' The Secretary of State has the honor to state that, except as hereinbefore set forth, he has no such information.
XI.	"Any information with regard to any claim of jurisdiction by the republic of Hayti over the territory of Dominica." The Secretary of State respectfully refers to the treaty of boundary of 1777, and to the correspondence between the minister of Hayti and this Department for the reply to this inquiry.
Respectfully submitted.
HAMILTON FISH.
List of inclosures.
I.	[Translation.] Treaty relative to the boundaries of the island of San Domingo, concluded between France and Spain the 3d of June, 1777, and ratified by the King the 4th of July, 1777.
II.	Map of the island of Santo Domingo, compiled from the large official map published in 1858, by order of the President of the Dominican Republic, under the supervision of M. Mendes, an officer in the French corps of engineers, and Knight of the Imperial order of the Legion of Honor.
III.	[Translation.] Royal ordinance of April 17, 1825, granting to the inhabitants of the French portion of Santo Domingo full and entire independence of their government, on the conditions expressed in the said ordinance.
IY. Message from the President, transmitting to the House of Representatives (January 9, 1871) the reports of John Hogan, Uuited States Commissioner, upon the resources and condition of the Dominican Re-DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
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public, made to the Department of State during the administration of President Polk.
Y. Message from the President, in answer to a resolution of the House, transmitting a report of Captain George B. McClellan upon the Dominican Republic in the yeai; 1854.
VI.	[Translation.] Extracts from the political constitution of the Dominican Republic of 1854.
VII.	Letter of the Secretary of State to the chairman of Senate Com mittee on Foreign Relations, communicating copies of the instructions under which the convention and treaty between the United States and San Domingo were negotiated, together with the accompaniments therein referred to.
VIII.	Treatv for the annexation of the Dominican Republic, signed on the 29th of November, 1809.
IX.	A convention between the United States and the Dominican Republic for a lease to the former of the bay and peninsula of Saraana, signed on the 29th of November, 1869.
X.	Dispatches from Raymond H. Perry, late commercial agent of the United States at St. Domingo.
1.	Mr. Perry to Mr. Fish, No. 5, January 8, 1870.
2.	Same to same, No. 6, January 20, 1870.
3.	Same to same, telegram, February 20, 1870.
4.	Same to same, No. 9, February 20, 2/870.
5.	Same to same, No. 12, March 12, 1870.
XI.	Haytian correspondence.
1.	Dispatch from Mr. E. D. Bassett to the Department of State, No. 40, with its inclosures.
2.	Mr. Stephen Preston to Mr. Fish, December 1-2, 1870.
3.	Mr. Fish to Mr. Preston, December 12, 1870.
XII.	Sundry statistical tables prepared to accompany the report of the Secretary of State to the President.
1.	Population and trade of the West Indies.
2.	National debt of Hayti.
3.	Slave products introduced into the United States for the year end-ding June 30, 1870.
4.	Relative importance of the West Indies in the commerce of the United States for the year ending June 30, 1870.
5.	Commerce of the United States with all countries for the year ending June 30, 1870.
I. [Translation.] Treaty, relative to the boundaries of the island of San Domingo, concluded between France and Spain the 3d of June, 1777, and ratified by the King the Atli of July, 1777.
[Taken from Marten's "Recueil de Traits." Gottingen, 1817. Vol. 2, p. 519.]
The sovereigns of Spain and France, being ever attentive in procuring all possible advantages for their respective subjects, and these two mon-archs being convinced of the great importance of establishing between the vassals of the two Crowns the same intimate union which reigns so happily between their majesties, wish to agree, by a common understanding, in accordance with the case and circumstances, in removing the difficulties and obstacles which be in opposition to so salutary an end.
The frequent discussions which, for several years past, have tafcea place at San Domingo, between the Spanish and French inhabitants of14
dominican republic.
that island, as much for an extension of land as for certain other particular privileges, in spite of the different conventions made provisionally between the commanders of the respective possessions of the two nations, have called upon the two sovereigns to take this important object under consideration, and to send, in consequence, orders and instructions to their governors in the said island, enjoining them to occupy themselves ■with the greatest care and the most sincere desire for success in establishing the best harmony possible between the respective colonists, in examining the principal tracts of land themselves, and to have very exact maps made, and to conclude with an arrangement of boundaries in terms so clear and positive as to put an end forever to all disputes, and which shall insure the closest union between the said inhabitants.
In execution of the orders of the two monarchs, all necessary explorations were made with the greatest speed; and at last Don Joseph a Solano, cammander and captain-general of the Spanish portion, and Mr. de Valliere, commander and governor of the French portion of the island, signed a provisional convention on the 25th of August, 1773; but the two courts, judging that this convention did not entirely fulfill their mutual desires, and that, as it was a question of banishing forever every motive or pretext of discord, it was necessary to make certain points still more clear, and therefore they sent new orders relative to this object.
The two governors, seriously animated by the same desire, concluded and signed a new convention, or description of boundaries, on the 29th of February of last year, 1776, and they named commissioners and engineers to make a topographical plan of the entire extent of frontier, from one extremity to the other, from north to south; and to erect the necessary landmarks, or pillars, from place to place. This commission was completely executed, as it appears by the instrument signed by the commissioners on the 28th of August following.
The two sovereigns having caused the most exact account of all these preliminaries to be rendered them, and desiring to put the seal of their royal approbation to a definite arrangement which should forever establish a union between their respective subjects, have determined that a treaty relative to the boundaries of the Spanish and French possessions in the island of San Domingo shall be drawn up in Europe, taking for a basis the convention of August 25,1773. The arrangement concluded the 29th of February, 1776, and, above all, the instrument signed by the respective commissioners on August 28 of the same year, 1776.
For this purpose his Excellency Don Joseph Monnino, Compte de Florida Blanca, Chevalier of the Order of Charles III, counsellor of state, and first secretary of state, and of the department of foreign affairs, appointed and authorized by his Catholic Majesty, and his Excellency le Marquis d'Ossun, grandee of Spain of the first class, marshal of the camps and armies of his most Christian Majesty, chevalier of his orders, and his ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary at this court, named and authorized by his most Christian Majesty, after having conferred together, and mutually exchanged their full powers, have agreed to the following articles:
Article I.
That the boundaries between the two nations shall remain perpetually and invariably fixed at the mouth of the river Daxabon, or of the Massaire on the north side of the said isle, and at the mouth of the river Pedernales, or of the Anses & Pitre on the south, in the terms which are specified in the article immediately following, observing heredominican republic.
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simply that if in the future any doubt should arise upon the identity of the rivers de Pedernales and Anses a Pitre, it is now decided that the river vulgarly called de Pedernales by the Spaniards is the one which, the plenipotentiaries wished to designate as serving as the boundary.
Article II.
With the understanding that the last operation which Don Joachim Garcia and the Yicompte de Ghoiseul, in the quality of commissioners,, have performed jointly with the respective engineers and the native inhabitants of the country, has been executed in the greatest detail, with cognizance of the arrangement concluded by the Spanish and French commanders on the 29th of February, 1776, and having examined the different tracts of la,nd, they have decided to clear up all doubts or ambiguities which might arise from the literal expression of the said arrangement, taking also into consideration the circumstance that the boundaries have been established by mutual consent, and that other more correct plans have been made, in which the said boundaries are marked one by one. Upon these principles the undersigned plenipotentiaries stipulate that the said instrument made and signed by the said commissioners on the 28th of August, 1776, and in which all the points, rivers, valleys, and mountains by which the line of demarka-tion passes are clearly and distinctly designated, shall be inserted in the present article, of which it shall form a part, as follows: Description of the boundaries of the island of San Domingo, concluded at At-talaya on the 29th of February, 1776, by definitive*treaty sub sperati, concluded between their excellencies Messrs. Don Joseph Lolano, chevalier of the order of St. James, brigadier in the royal army of his Catholic Majesty, governor and captain general of the Spanish portion, president of the royal audience, inspector of troops and militia, superintendent of the Crusade, deputy judge of the revenue of the post, and plenipotentiary of his Catholic Majesty, and Victor Th^rese Charpentier, marquis d'Ennery, count of the holy empire, marshal of the camps and armies of his most Christian Majesty, grand cross of the royal and military order of St. Louis, inspector general of infantry, director of the fortifications, artillery, troops, and militia of the French colonies, governor general of the French Windward Islands of America, and plenipotentiary of his most Christian Majesty, who, having signed the original treaty in th^ order of seniority, have given up their instructions in consequence to the undersigned, Don Joachim Garcia, lieutenant colonel of the army of his Catholic Majesty, commander of the infantry and militia in the Spanish colonies, and Hyacinthe Louis Vicompte de Choiseul, brigadier of the armies of his most Christian Majesty, appointed commissioner for the purpose of executing the articles of the treaty which determines' invariably the boundaries of the respective possessions of the two Crowns, to construct pyramids, to place landmarks wherever they shall be necessary, in order to put an end henceforward to all discussions which will affect the harmony between the two nations, and to draw up, with the assistance of a sufficient number of engineers, a topographical map, to which the undersigned refer for further elucidation, observing that it was not possible to have it signed by the Chief Engineer Sieur de Boisforet, as is stated in the treaty, he being employed by superior order in other functions of his profession.
In execution of the said treaty the line of demarkation of the boundaries commences on the north side of this island, at the mouth of the river Daxabon or Massaire, and terminates on the south at the mouth16
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of the river Pedernales or A.nses & Pitre, upon the banks of which the pyramids indicated by the map have been constructed; the first two carrying the number I, and the last two the number 221, with the inscriptions Espana, France, cut into the stone. The map clearly explains all the rest. Following the veritable position of the line, it must be understood that in the route followed by the commissioners, the right or left of the line is designated, and that in respect to rivers and creeks this is in regard to the course, viz, facing from the source. In ascending the river Daxabon op Massaire, its waters and common fisheries form the line of frontier up to the pyramid No. 2 of the islet, divided by the pyramids 3, 4, 5, and 6, according to the treaty; and this line is not tangent to the most projecting bend of the Ravine a Caiman, the swamp being impracticable.
The two pyramids, No. 7, designate that where the waters are united in a single arm between the twTo islets, the river becomes common, and forms the line below. The second islet is divided by the pyramids, from No. 8 to No. 17 inclusive, which have been erected in the manner shown in the plan, although in conformity with the treaty it should have been divided by a straight line from one extremity to the other, which now forms a fork where the right arm of the river takes the name of Bom Sebastian, and the other is named u Bras gauche du Massairebut the particular plan which has served as the basis of this article, figuring the island as elliptical and divisible by a single straight line, was so little reliable, that more precision was necessary in drawing up a new one, as it is figured on the general plan, and the islet has been divided in two lines which meet again, in order, in accordance with Article Y of the treaty, not to prejudice the essential interests of the vassals of his Catholic Majesty, whose land would have been taken from them by a division by a single straight line.
From pyramid No. 17, the waters of the river Massaire and of the creek Capotillo, are the boundary of the respective possessions up to the mark No. 22. In this interval are found two pyramids, No. 18, placed on the banks of the Daxabon and that of Juana Mendez, two at the inoutli of Capotillo, No. 19, two at the mouth of the brook La Mine, No. 20, and two marks, carrying the number 21, at the foot of the branch on which are placed the establishments of St. Gaston, where two small brooks, which form the Capotillo, join. The line follows along the inclosed waters of the left brook to No. 22, where the plantations which it runs around finish at No. 23, and the top of the branch, where it extends to No. 24, on the summit of the ridge. From this point the line of frontier passes over the summit of the mountains of La Mine and of Marigallega, following the old road of the "Bondes Espagnoles " to the mark No. 25, where the " Savanne du Syrojp " on the plantation of the late Lassalle Descarrieres commences; it continues along through the coffee plantation, surrounded by a hedge of citrons belonging to the said plantation, represented by Sieur Maingault up to " Piton des Perchesand descends in a direct line by Nos. 26, 27, and 28, into the savanna of the same name, by the right bank and past No. 29 ; it mounts to " Montagues des ratines, les grandes felles du Chocolat et de Coronadowhere No. 30 is found, from which, following the same mountain by a well-opened road, it reaches No. 31, placed on the slope of the " Piton de Bayahawhere the line admits of no doubt, by the summit of the mountain and by the well-opened road which passes over the crest of the "Loma de Santiago," or mountain u a TSndbres, by No. 32, by the " Piton de las Tablitasor " des Effentes to No. 33; " del Silgueralleaving to the right the sources of the river u Quaraguey71 or " Grande Rividrewhich runs into the French portion,DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
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and to the left the head of the brook " de Loslagos " or " des Eperlins" which pours its waters into the Spanish part.
From the said No. 33, the national bounderies continue by a well-marked road, traversing the deep gorges marked upon the plan, in order to reach " la Loma a Travesada," or " Montague Traversiereon the summit of which, and by No. 34, we find No. 35, which cuts " el Arrozo de Arenas," or " Ruisseau de Fables36, 37, on a common road running the length of a large wood, and No. 3S, on the brook Ziguapo or udes Chapelets," where, by the branch of the mountain of the same name, we reach No. 39, on its summit, where' the branch of mountain " des Chandelier^" commences; the line passes by the marks 40, 41, 42, to 43, placed at the junction which the "Ruisseau des Chandeliers " makes with the large river, and at the left is the inaccessible depth of the brook.
From No. 43, the waters of" Rio Guaraguay " or " Grande Riviere" from the boundary of the two nations up to the " Corps de Garde de Bahon," where pyramid No. 44 is placed, and to the mouth of the brook of this name, mentioned in the treaty, and which the commissioners could not follow as a frontier from the mountain udes Chapelets," nor from that of the " Chandeliers," by their route to the west, because it rises too far to the south in the mountains of Barrero Camas and Artemisa, without any junction with that of the Chapelets or Chandeliers, besides being occupied with quite important Spanish habitations, which extend to the river, or form plantations for food farms, or ecclesiastical revenue; considering that these peculiarities could not have been known at the time of the conclusion of the treaty, and that to draw the line from branch to branch by the left bank of the river to the mouth of the " Ruisseau de Bahon " would be of no utility to the French nation, on account of the small quantity and the bad quality of the land which would remain between the line and the river; that besides, this would keep the animals from water, which would be prejudicial to the vassals of his Catholic Majesty, without any profit to those of his most Christian Majesty; therefore the undersigned commissioners have agreed, and their generals have approved, that between the two above-named Nos. 43 and 44, the waters of the " Grande Riviere " shall form the national limit, and that in order to facilitate communication on this way the road shall be common, crossing the river on one side as on the other where-ever the difficulties of the ground or those of the said river shall demand it.
From the " Corps de Garde de Bahon," the line of the frontier ascends by the branch which ends at the pyramid; and from its summit the line passes by Nos. 45,46, 47, 48, and 49, and turning around the plantation of the "Frangois Conge " and " Laurent " on the right, and leaving oil the left the possessions of Bernardo familias, ascends to the im Corps de Garde de la Valine,where mark No. 50 is placed.
From the said post the line ascends upon the " Montague Noire" by a well-known road, and half-way up the hill No. 51 has been engraved upon two rocks, with the inscription Espana,France. No. 52 is placed on the summit at the entrance of the plantations of Sieur Milceus, and the boundaries extend along the coffee plantations which are on the crest, following Nos. 53,54,55, 56, and 57, running the length of the plantations of Sieur Jouanncaux, passing by Nos. 58 and 59 at the head of one of the branches of the Ravin see, and by the ridge of this name to the summit of the mountain, cutting the plantations of Sieur de la Prunarede.
Nos. 60 and 61 are at the head of the " Ravine stec," Nos. 62, 63, and 64, S. Ex. 17-218
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on the same ravine, around the plantations of Sieur Lariviere, and from 65 to 69, inclusive, are tlie boundaries of the plantations of Sieur Laferre, placed on the left of the summit of this mountain; up to No. 69 the line follows a common road, which it takes again in descending from the crest of the mountain, and'in turning about,the plantations of Poitier, Lalen, Serbier, and Beon, which bend toward the left, with the marks 70 to 79, inclusive, placed at the heads of the ravine Mathurin, upon the different gorges which form it.
From the peak where Sieur Beon is established, the line passes by a well-opened road upon the top up to • No. 80, which is at the head of the " Gorge Noirebetween the plantations of Siewr Golombier and of Mathias Nolcisco, from whose dwelling the line extends along the ridge, ascending and descending several ravines, until it meets Nos. 81, 82, and 83, through the coffee plantations of Duhart, upon the height called La Porte, which looks down upon the wood of the same name, and on the crest of the said height, in a well-opened road, the line descends around the plantation of Sieur Dumar to pyramid 84, erected on the old Corps de Garde of the Bassin Caiman, on the left bank of the river.
On the right bank, opposite to No. 84, is the pyramid 85, where the plenipotentiaries have placed the first stone at the foot of the ridge, where the mountain Villarubia commences. The line ascends to its summit, where mark No. 86 is placed, and descending by a branch to No. 87 it takes the top of the mountain on the plantations of Madame the Baronesse de Pis, which it follows, the water being poured to the right into the valley du Bondon, and to the left into the Spanish portion, until it meets the plantations of the said de Colliere. which are beyond the summit of the mountain, as well as those of Sieur Chiron, which < have been jointly shut in by the marks Nos. 88, 89, 90, and 92, where the line again takes the summit of the mountain, and follows, looking down upon the above-mentioned valley, up to No. 93 on the Montagne des Chapelets; and from its top the line descends to Nos. 94. and 95, cutting the ravine which joins the plantations of the Sieur Soubira, in order to reach No. 96, upon those of the Sieur Moreau, and from this point to descend in a straight line to the river du Canot, upon the right bank of which is the pyramid 97, at the point of the opposite branch, which descends from Marigallega.
The line of the frontier continues ascending by the said branch to the ridge of Kercabras, No. 97, and follows its summit, looking down on the plantations of the Sieurs Lecluse and Fripier, up to Nos. 99 and 100, whence it returns through the plantations of Messrs. Montalibor, Fou-quet, and Gerard, by marks 101, 102, and 103, to 104, and a ridge of rocks upon the heights of the establishment of Valero, and below the second house of Fouquet and Rodanes.
From this point the line follows, as straight as possible, a well-opened road upon a very rough country, (cutting the Ruisseau Rouge,) to mark 105, Buisseau Malio, to mark 106, and ascends, touching the Montagne des Cannas or Lantanniero, upon the summit of which is No. 107, whence it descends to the Ravine a Fourmi and to pyramid 108, situated upon the left bank between the abandoned establishments of the Spaniard Lora and those of the Frenchman Fouquet, owner of the territory known in the treaty under the name of Beau-fosse, at that time a partner of Fouquet.
Crossing the Ravine a Fourmi, the line meets pyramid 109, on the right bank upon the branch, by which it asceuds the mountain of Maria Ga-Xante, passing by Nos. 110, 111, to No. 112, whence the waters divide andDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
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flow into the French and Spanish portions, and from there it commences to descend, following the mountain, whence the water throws itself into the Rividre du Bois cPInde by the marks 113 cut on a rock, 114 upon a branch, 115 on the Ritisseau des Eperlins, 117 on a ravine, 118 on the Hauteur Pelee del Dorado, 119 in the gorge of the Coucher, 120 on the Br ullage de la Montague sale, 121, 122 in the savanna of the said mountain upon the side of the royal road; and ascending to the ridge the line descends to No. 123, which is at the source of the Ruisseau a Bentelles, between the said Montague sale and the Montague Noire of the Gonaives, upon which the line ascends by No. 124 to No. 125, where the undersigned, finding the summit impracticable, were obliged to turn around it by Spanish ground in order to reach the opposite side in the direction of the line of frontier, which, like all other inaccessible places, has been measured trigonometrically from No. 125, passing by 126 to the ridge of the savanna of Paez, and 127 at the Pont de Paez indicated by the treaty.
Here the boundary line continues toward the top of the Coupe a VInde, passes by the mark 128 to the " Petit Piton de Paez," 129, to a spring in the valley, and 130 in the middle of the said valley, cuts the royal road, which is called la coupe a VInde, between two mountains, and ascends the height, where the boundaries again join, in order to descend and reach No. 131, which is in a sunken portion of the said mountain, Go\ipe a VInde, whose summit the line follows by No. 132, on a rock, 133, at the bottom of an inaccessible pile of rocks called Hauteurs des Tortues, to No. 134, on the height by the side of the road of discovery, (most of whose summit is impracticable,) up to the source of the river Gabeuil; but nevertheless Nos. 135 and 136 have been put in the Vallee des Cedras, and 137 in the valley Polanque ; the mountain still continues, and its waters are poured into the French and Spanish portions by mark 138, placed above the Cabeuil, upon the mountain called by the Spaniards Los Oallerones.
The line above the source of the Gabeuil follows the summit by marks 139 and 140 to where the Becouverte joins the Montague Noire des Gahos at mark 141, near the plantations of Bebere and Gui ; it cpntinues by Nos. 142, 143, and 144, cut upon three rocks, and 145, 146, passes through the plantations of Poirier to 147 and 148, at Raulin's, and 149, where it commences to descend and reaches the first plantation of Fieffe, passing on the Spanish side of the summit of the Montague des Gahos, and which has been bounded by the marks 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, and 155, and turning it takes and follows the crest to his second plantation, which touches that of Casenavi; and the two are inclosed by the numbers from 156 to 160, inclusive. The line, passing by No. 161, extends from point to point of the crest of the mountains, the positions of which is here not at all doubtful, to mark 162, at the entrance of the plantation of Perodin, which is inclosed by Nos. 163, 164, and 165, where the line again takes the summit up to No. 166, through the plantation of Cottereau, passing the summit at the left, and inclosed by the marks from the said 166 to 171, inclusive, by which and upon the top of a branch, it reaches Nos. 172 and 173, through the plantation d?Ingrand, where the greatest height of the Montague Noire or Grand Gahos becomes impracticable; and its summit indicates the national boundary up to the Porte or Saut de la Riveire Guaranas, which joins the White River at the place called by the French Le Tron <?' Enfer, where mark 174 has been placed on the road.
From here the line follows the summit of the Montague de Ja'iti, which pours its waters into the French and Spanish portions up to the hill of the orangery, which it passes on the right and reaches mark 175, cut20
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
upon a flat rock of the said mountain called Reposoir; extending by the possessions de HubS, it follows the adjoining- ridge to No. 179 in the small savanna de Jaiti, in order to reach the great savanna where the corps de garde of this name was formerly stationed; it crosses this savanna, extending southeast by the marks 180 placed in the middle and 181 on the point, in order to extend in the same direction to the Paste de Honduras, cutting a very deep ravine and coasting the mountain on the left by its branches until it descends, to No. 182, placed in the Savanne des Betes, and 183 on the right bank of the river Artibonile. which it crosses at this point in order to reach No. 184 on the left bank, and 185 on the Ruisseau d? Isidore, and reaches 186 at the Corps de Garde of Honduras. In order to ascend to the top of the mountain a Tonnerre, it passes a second time by the Ruisseau d!Isidore to No. 187, the line rising by Nos. 188 and 189 toward the top—which is a well known boundary on account of its water-shed—up to Nos. 190,191, aud 192, in order to reach la Roche de Neibouc at the side of the royal road, and on both sides of which relative inscription and the No. 193 have been cut.
The foot of the height called Neibouc, by which the line continues, being inaccessible from the said rock, the undersigned went to the Spanish side in order to reach it and put mark-194 on its top, whence the line, in a well opened and distinctly marked road, passes by the elevation de la Mahotiere and the crest of the mountain in order to descend (by a gorge which it divides) to the Ravine Chaude, which it also crosses after its junction with the Riviere deslndes, or Du fer a Cheval, which the undersigned passed for the first time, and put mark 195 on its left bank; they were constrained by the new ground on the right bank to cross its extended waters and small islands to reach the Corps de Garde of the Vallee Profonde and No. 196, situated beside the plantations of Columbier.
From the said garde the undersigned, crossing the river, put No. 197 on a rock on the first branch, and continued to open the line, dividing t e branches and gorges of the large mountain, on account of the impossibility of following them, by marks 198 and 199, up to No. 200, at the jFond des Palmistes, in order to reach No. 201 on the top, along which the line is prolonged by Nos. 202 and 203 to No. 204, and, crossing a gorge by No. 205, reaches la Riviere de Gascogne, on whose.right bank they placed No. 206; 207 is on a branch, 208 in the flat country, and all three along the plantations of Mousset, established between la Rivi&re de Gascogne and la Ravine des Pierres Blanches.
From No. 208 the line crosses the ravine in a southerly direction; extends by the establishments of Mauclerc and Guerin, by the branches which lead to No. 209, on the highest elevation of tbe Montagne de Neibe, where there are some ponds. It follows the summit of this mountain to No. 210, where practical guides pointed out la Bajada Grande, or " Great Descentand added that it would be impossible to continue to advance by the summit of the mountain designated in the treaty as the national boundary; and descending into the Spanish portion, the undersigned went to the foot of la Grande Descente to place a royal way and mark there, 211; from which crossing the lac or Etang tiaumate, and moving in the direction of that point of the mountain which extends most into the pond in the southern pari, near the landing of the savanna of the White or River ravine, the line reaches No. 212, cut into the rock at the above-named point, where it ascends toward the summit of the mountain, passes mark No. 213, on the road to la Montagne du Brulage, crosses the gorge of the fond oranger, and from its peak descends to No. 214, cut in a rock, in another gorge, below tbe establishment ofDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
21
Pierre Bagnol, and follows the said gorge to No. 215, at the junction of another gorge at the foot of the plantations of the said inhabitant.
From this point the line, directed toward the south, cults the mountain on which Bagnol established, up to No. 216, cut on a rock, where the Bivihre Blanche, which has not run since the last great earthquake, joins that which takes its rise at Beaulieu's and SoleMetfs. In order to save their plantations, which are on each side of the running ravine, this is passed, and the summit of the mountain Majagual, or des Mahuacs, forms the line up to the branch, which it descends to Nos. 217 and 218, in two dry brooks, through the plantations of Soleillet. The line continues by the right brook in a well-opened road, aloog which large trees have been marked, (on account of a want of stones in the desert which were adapted to making landmarks,) up to the head of Pedernales, or river des Anses a Pitre, the line, making several turns (traced on the plan) by branches, in order to ascend to the Princis Mountain, passes the peak of Brulage de Jean Louis, by the savanna of baucaji patate, by la Savane de la Decouverte and its little pond, into view of the Montange de la. Flor, on the left by la Gorge Obscure, by la Source des Mis-dres, by la DSfrichement des Negres Marrons du Maniel, in order to reach the source of the river named Pedernales by the Spaniards, and Riviere des Anses a Pitre by the French, on whose banks the undersigned have placed two marks, each bearing the same number, 219, with a double inscription.
The bed of the saicl river is the boundary of the two nations. It has been followed to its mouth on the southern side; observing that along the first part the water disappears several times, the inscription and the No. 220 were cut in a rock in the middle of the bed of the river, which at this point does not flow at all; and at its mouth two pyramids, Nos. 221, have been placed on the two banks in sight of the Corps de Garde, with the respective inscriptions.
The undersigned, in order to execute this important work with the greatest precision, have always had the treaty of February 29, 1776, be fore them; and, with the exception of the division of the second islet, and the drawing of the line between 43 and 44, for reasons already explained, they have literally followed their instructions, accompanied by a sufficient number of men knowing the country all along the line; besides being guided by their own sense of honor, animated by a desire to fulfill the intentions of their sovereigns in favor of the prosperity and tranquillity of their respective subjects, having also the example of harmony and good faith given them by the plenipotentiaries, they have set boundaries to the actual plantations, and made inhabitants retire who had passed beyond the line of one or the other party, as was directed by articles IV and Y of the treaty, and II, VI, and VII, of the instructions, except the before-mentioned de Voisins, who voluntarily abandoned his position. Observing that in all these portions of country a decree was published making any one subject to the punishment of death who'should tear up, carry-away, or injure the marks or pyramids of the line, and that every one who passed beyond it should be punished according to the exigencies of the case.
The commissioners being perfectly agreed as to the contents of the present description, written in the Spanish and French idioms, have signed it at the capital, the 28th of August, 1776.
CHOISEUL.
D. JOACHIM GARCIA.22
dominican republic.
Article III.
In order to give more solemnity to this arrangement and to prevent all doubts wliich might arise in the future, the two plenipotentiaries shall sign the same original topographical plan which has been sent from the island of San Domingo, signed by Don Joachim Garcia and by the Viscount of Choisenl, commissioners. Assuming that all places where the pyramids comprised between Nos. 1 and 221 are found, are as marked in the said plan, with the respective inscriptions Espana, France, this is considered as a very essential part of the present treaty, and is to be signed by the two plenipotentiaries. It is to be remarked on this subject that, as there should be two copies of the treaty and as there exists but one plan, in order to supply .this fault by an equivalent formality, their excellencies, the Count d'Aranda, ambassador of the Catholic King, and the Count of Yergennes, minister of foreign affairs of his most Christian Majesty, shall sign the other plan also, which is at Versailles and which has also been sent from the island of San Domingo, having been signed by the same commissioners and with the same solemnity as the one which is here.
Article IV.
In order to prevent all contests as to the use of the water of the river Duxabon or Massaire, and to render useless in advance all attempts and enterprises which the subjects of one or the other monarch might make on the bank of their frontier, to the prejudice of the free course of the water of the said river, it is stipulated from now on that the respective commanders of the two nations shall have full and absolute power of inspecting, (in person or by commissioners,) the execution of this article; that is to say, that the Spanish commander shall see that he commits no infraction on the bank under the French jurisdiction, and the French commander that he commits none on the bank of the Spanish portion, and if the least infraction in this regard is observed, the commander of the portion injured shall complain to the commander of the offending part, in order that the latter may destroy, without delay or excuse, the work he may have raised, and have things restored to their primitive condition, it being understood that if he refuses the said commander of the injured nation shall be authorized to execute justice himself on the spot. .
What is said in the present article shall hinder neither party from erecting on the bank of his own territory all embankments necessary to guarantee against a rise of water or inundation, provided that these embankments do not interrupt the free course of the water.
Article V.
Although in former conventions doubts and difficulties have arisen relative to the 'footing on which certain colonists rest, whose plantations have encroached upon the limits of the neighboring nation, this point having been individually arranged by the instrument signed by the respective commissioners on the 28th of August, 1776, the present article confirms the said arrangement, so that if by any means the colonists, who in conformity to the terms of the said instrument should abandon certain possessions, have not yet retired from them, they shall give them up without delay.
Article VI.
In order that the landmarks and pyramids by which the boundariesdominican republic.
23
tyave been fixed shall remain in their actual condition and in the same places where they have been put, the present article approves and confirms the decree published by common accord by the commanders of the Spanish and French possessions in the said isle, declaring every person whoever guilty of rebellion who shall have the temerity to take away, destroy, or change any one of the said marks 5 that the criminal shall be judged by a council of war and condemned to death; and that if in trying to escape from one of the two jurisdictions he takes refuge in the other, he shall receive there 110 succor or protection.
Article VII.
Although the boundaries between the two nations be clearly and distinctly marked throughout the whole extent of frontier, it is nevertheless stipulated by the present article that there shall constantly be from place to place an inspector, who shall watch over the execution of all points agreed to and settled by the present treaty.
Article VIII.
Without prejudice to wThat has been established regarding the boundaries, the plenipotentiaries, having regard for the general good and in order to render this arrangement more advantageous to the vassals of the two crowns, confirm also the regulation made by the respective commanders on the 29th of February, 1776, relative to the power of the Spaniards to cross into the French possessions at places indicated in the instrument made by the respective commissioners, in all necessary cases, with no exception except that of marching in troops. The French may also cross by ways indicated by the same instrument signed by the respective commissioners, and not by other routes, into the Spanish possessions in all cases which may arise, (without excepting that of the passage or march of troops;) observing, nevertheless, that as to the march of troops, that it must be preceded by a notice given mutually by the respective commanders and by an agreement made between them; but when it is a question of transporting merchandise or other articles of commerce, each nation can make such rules and take such precautions as are most conformable to its own laws, in order to prevent this concession serving in any way as a pretext for contraband, the right of passage reciprocally accorded by the two parties having simply the object of facilitating between the vassals of each power the communication indispensable among themselves.
It is therefore made known that the French are to be permitted to repair the road or communication between St. Raphael and the Coupe a l'lnde at their own expense, although the ground where this communication passes belongs to Spain.
Article IX.
The present treaty shall be approved and ratified by their Catholic and most Christian Majesties within the term of two months, or sooner, if possible, and without loss of time; authentic copies shall be sent to the respective commanders of the island of San Domingo in order that they may have it punctually and invariably observed.
In faith of which, we, the undersigned ministers plenipotentiary of their Catholic and most Christian Majesties, have signed it and have caused the seal of our arms to be affixed to it.
Aranjuez, the 3d of June, 1777.
[l. s.J	OSSUN.
And at the bottom of the Spanish column,
[l. s.]	EL CONDE DE FEGRIDA BLANCA.24	dominican republic.
II.—Map of the island of Santo Domingo, compiled from the large official map published in 1858 by order of the president of the Dominican Republic, under the supervision of M. Mendes, an officer in the French corps of engineers, and Knight of the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honor.
[See opposite page map.]
III. [Translation.] Royal ordinance of April 17, 1825, granting to the inhabitants of the French portion of Santo Domingo full and entire independence of their government on the conditions expressed in the said ordinance.
Charles, etc.:
In consideration of articles 14 and 73 of the charter, wishing to provide for what is demanded by the interest of French commerce, the misfortunes of the former planters of Santo Domingo, and the precarious state of the present inhabitants of that island, we have ordered and do order as follows:
Article 1. The ports of the French portion of Santo Domingo shall be open to the commerce of all nations. The duties collected in these ports, either on vessels or on merchandise, both on entering and leaving, shall be equal and uniform for all flags, except the French flag, in favor of which these duties shall be reduced one-half.
Art. 2. The present inhabitants of the French portion of Santo Domingo shall pay into the general French deposit-fund, in five equal installments, from year to year, the first falling due on the 31st of December, 1825, the sum of one hundred and fifty millions of francs, designed to indemnify those former planters who shall ask an indemnity.
Art. 3. We grant, on these conditions, by the present ordinance, to the present inhabitants of the French portion of the island of Santo Domingo, full and entire independence of their government. And the- present ordinance shall be sealed with the great seal.
CHARLES.
Done at Paris, April 17, 1825. By the King:
Count De CHABROL, Minister of marine and, of the colonies.
IY. Message from the President to the House of Representatives, {January 9, 1871,) transmitting the report of John Hogan, United States commissioner, upon the resources and condition of the Dominican Republic, made to the Department of State during the administration of President Pollc.
Message from the President of the United States in ansicer to a resolution of the House of 5th instant, transmitting a report of the Secretary of State relative to the Dominican Republic, January 9,1871.
To the House of Representatives:
I transmit to the House of Representatives, in answer to their resolution of the 5th instant, a report from the Secretary of State, with the accompanying documents.
U. S. GRANT.
Washington, January 9,1871.SVLouTi
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25
Department of State,
Washington, January 9,1871.
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 5th instant, requesting the President, 44 if not incompatible with the public service, to furnish, for the information of the House, the reports of John Hogan, United States commissioner, upon the resources and condition of the Dominican Republic, made to the State Department in the administration of President Polk; also the report of Captain George -B. McClellan upon the same subject, made during the administration of Pre&ident Pierce," has the honor to submit a copy of the report of John Hogan, requested by the resolution, and to state that no report of Captain George B. McClellan is now or, so far as the records show, ever has been on file in this Department.
Respectfully submitted.
HAMILTON FISH.
The President.
List of papers.
No. 1. The President of the Dominican Republic to the President of the United States, December 5, 1844.
No. 2. Dr. Caminero to Mr. Calhoun, January 8,1845.
No. 3. Mr. Calhoun to Mr. Hogan, February 22,1845 ; with inclosures.
No. 4. Mr. Hogan to Mr. Buchanan, October 4, 1845. Inclosures to the report.
No. 5. Mr. Hogan to Mr. Burbank, June 10, 1845.
No. G. Mr. Burbank to Mr. Hogan, June 24, 1845. Memorandum; replies made to Mr. Burbank.
No. 7. Mr. Harrison to Mr. Hogan, June 26, 1845.
No. 8. Mr. Harrison to Mr. Hogau, July 4, 1845.
No. 9. Mr. Hogan to Mr. Bobadilla, June 12,1845.
No. 10. Mr. Bobadilla to Mr. Hogan, June 19, 1845.
No. 11. Mr. Hogan to Rev. Mr. Stevenson and others, June 13, 1845.
No. 12. Members and congregation Episcopal church to Mr. Hogan, June 18, 1845.
No. 13. Mr. Hogan to the Rev. Th. De Portes; no date.
No. 14. Mr. Portes to Mr. Hogan, June 15,1845.
No. 1.
[Translation]
our country—dominican republic.
Pedro Santana, President of the republic, to his Excellency the President of the United States of America :
Most Excellent Sir : The people of the ancient Spanish portion of San Domingo, weighed down by the outrages and vexations which they have for twenty-two years suffered from the domination of the Haytians through one of those fatalities to which nations are subject, entered into a revolution on the 27th of February of this year, to vindicate their imprescriptible rights, and to provide for their own welfare and future felicity, and Providence being propitious to their desires, has favored26
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
them. They have succeeded in the most satisfactory manner in accomplishing their separation, erecting themselves into a free, sovereign, and independent state, under the basis of liberal government, capable of attracting the esteem and consideration of cultivated and philanthropic nations.
Our envoy near your government, Doctor Jos6 M. Caminero, who is invested-with full powers, will have the honor to present to your excellency our fundamental law, and to assure the government over which your excellency presides so worthily, of the sentiments which animate the republic to the maintenance of peace, union, and harmony with all nations, and of its especial fellow-feeling with the United States, whose inhabitants, in their relations with this republic, will always find a kind reception, and security and protection.
We doubt not that the Government of the United States will be disposed to extend to this new political society all the attention which is to be expected between individuals who conduct and keep in view the great interests of their nation, and the welfare of the human race.
I avail myself of this occasion to offer to your Excellency the assurances of high consideration with which I have the honor to be your most humble servant,
SANTANA.
Santo Domingo, December 5,1844.
| Translation.]
Pedro Saltan a, President of the Republic :
By these presents we authorize and give full powers to Don J. M. Caminero, an inhabitant of this city, and former member of the constituent congress, to treat as a public envoy near the Government of the United States, with his Excellency the President of that republic, with the Congress and ministers, or sub-delegates, to whom he will make known the disposition on the part of the Dominican Republic to establish, strengthen, and conclude relations of friendship, alliance, and commerce in good faith and understanding with all great nations, and principally with the United States, the founders of the liberty of America, who have traced out to the people of Columbus noble examples of patriotism, and has called them to occupy a rank among civilized nations. The said Dr. Caminero may therefore make and give, in presence of the said authorities, and other proper persons, all the measures necessary for proposing treaties, agreeably to his instructions, adjusting and concluding them, reserving our approval and the sanction of the congress, according to our fundamental compact. For all which we invest him with the requisite faculties, without, however, preventing him, in case it be proper, from acting for want of especial powers, clauses, or requisites not here expressed; for with regard to the principal matter and its accessories and dependencies, we give him the present, without limitation, with the intention that whatever he may do for the common- good and the interest of the nation, and which may tend to strengthen the bonds of union, friendship, harmony, and commerce between the two nations, shall be firm and valid, save only as respects the necessity for our ratification and the sanction of the national congress.
Given, sealed, and countersigned by our undersigned secretary of state for foreign relations, in the capital city of St. Domingo, on the 5th of December, 1844, the first year of our country.
SANTANA.
By the President of the republic :
BOBADILLA,
Secretary of State for the Departments of Justicc,
Puilic Instruction, and Foreign Affairs.
[Translation.]
Washington, February 22, 1845. Sir : I had the honor to receive your note of the 21st instant, whereby, among other things, you inform me of the appointment made by the President of Mr. John Hogan, ©f New York, as commissioner, to proceed to the city of St. Domingo, with the objectDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
27
of investigating and obtaining information on the points on which the Government desires to be informed, in order to guide it in its decision with regard to the recognition of the independence of the Dominican Republic; and allow me to avail myself of this opportunity to recommend to you for the interest of the said republic that so soon as Mr. Hogan shall have made his report, the Government will deign to give its decision and to make it known to me as you state in your said note; because the least delay rnay occasion the greatest injury, on account of the arrest of the progress of international and domestic affairs, supposing them to remain in statu quo until that time.
Permit me likewise to recommend to you, sir, to submit to the consideration of the Government, that if the Dominican Republic has directed itself in preference to the United States, it is because it desires to contribute to draw more closely the bonds and interests of all America, and because it knows that in every point of America the influence and control of European nations should be kept off. This great and important question cannot have escaped your perspicacity; and it appears, moreover, that the confederacy of the United States of America, as the oldest nation and the most powerful, from the force of its institutions, from its extensive means and resources, and even from the order of nature, appears to be called to be the support and safe1-guard of the West Indies.
Being persuaded that the commissioner, Mr. Hogan, will find the accounts of the Dominican Republic given by me to this Government exact, it is to be hoped that its independence will be promptly recognized; the more as its firm establishment must redound to the benefit of the greater security of the islands and possessions in its-vicinity where slavery exists, as it has freed itself from the Haytian negroes, and has thus diminished the force of the bad example offered by those negroes, and restrained them from usurping the territory of others.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Dr. J. M. CAMINERO.
The Hon. J. C. Calhoun, Secretary,
No. 2.
Doctor CaminerOj political agent of St. Domingo, to Mr. Calhoun.
[Translation.]
Washington, January 8,1845. In order to comply with the wishes of the Government of the United States for information on various points connected with the actual condition and organization of the new Dominican Eepublic, as expressed in the first interview on the 6th instant, I have the honor to submit the following to your consideration:
The former Spanish portion of the island of St. Domingo remained under the dominion of Spain until the beginning of 1822, when from one of those fatalities to which nations are subject, in consequence of factions formed in times of political changes, and from having natural enemies as their neighbors, the country was united de facto to the republic of Hayti, which then occupied the western part of the island formerly belonging to France, and this union, together with the abolition of slavery at the same time, occasioned a general unsettlement of habits, as well as of the principles of social life, to which the Spanish inhabitants had been originally subjected.
After enduring for twenty years the heavy yoke of Haytian despotism, the white Dominicans, in order to put an end to their sufferings by another act of a contrary nature, availed themselves of the opportunity offered by the revolution which led to the fall of Boyer, and on the night of the 27th of February, 1844, they raised the cry of independence, to which all classes responded, and, taking possession of the capital of St. Domingo and of other fortified points in its vicinity, they succeeded on the following day, the 28th, in effecting the surrender or capitulation of the general commanding the district and the Haytian forces, who a few days afterward embarked for Port au Prince.28
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
The new Dominican flag was then raised, and a provisional government was formed in the capital under the name of Central Junta of government, composed of eleven individuals from the various districts, whose authority was voluntarily recognized by the other cities and places, all rising, animated by the same enthusiasm and patriotism, and taking up arms to defend the just and noble cause of their beloved country.
The Dominican territory was then invaded through its eastern and northern frontiers by two Haytian armies of more than ten thousand men; that of the west, commanded by President Riviere Herard, arrived at Azua, where was posted the advance guard of the Dominicans under General Pedro Santana, consisting of about three thousand men, with three cannon. The fire was opened and the battle began on the 19th of March, when the Spanish Dominicans gained the victory, preserving possession of the place and repelling their enemy, with the loss of only two killed and tliree wounded, while more than a thousand Haytians remained dead on the field. After this complete victory the Dominicans withdrew their headquarters to the river Ocoa and the valley of Bani, where their cavalry and lancers could operate, and in this way they restrained the march of the aggressors, who could not advance beyond Azua 5 and having then attempted to open a way through the passes of the Maniel, .they were in every encounter driven back with loss.
The other Haytian army in the north, commanded by General Pierrot, appeared, on the 30th of March, near the city of Santiago de los Cabal -leros, where the Haytians were also repulsed, with loss as great as at Azua, while only one was wounded on our side; these great advantages being due to the fire of our artillery and to the zeal of our volunteers, protected by Divine Providence. This army abandoned the field of battle on the following day, and during its retreat was incessantly harassed and pursued, experiencing in this way additional losses. The army at Azua having failed in all its attempts to penetrate through the mountain passes, and suffering constant losses, likewise retreated to Port au Prince, committing before its departure the infamous and inhuman act of burning the houses at Azua. Since that time no further aggressions have been committed.
The territory being thus freed by the evacuation and retreat of the Haytian troops, whose usurpation and invasion were repelled by force of arms, the liberty and independence of the Dominican Republic were considered asestablished de facto ; and the central junta of government ■engaged in calling on the people to elect deputies and to form a constituent congress, which should ordain and establish the fundamental law of the land; and accordingly, on the 6th of November last, this fundamental law was decreed, of which I had the honor to present you a «opy, and by which you will see consecrated those social principles which secure liberty, property, equality, and the admission of foreigners to civil and political rights, under certain rules, rendered necessary by our situationll/t present in order to preserve union and internal tranquillity.
On the formation of the social compact, in the same month of November, Senor Don Pedro Santana was appointed and installed as president of the republic, with four secretaries of state, namely : Don Thomas Bobadilla, secretary of foreign relations and justice; Don Manuel Cabral Bernal, of the interior and police; Don Ricardo Miura, of finance and commerce; and General Don Manuel Gimenes, of war and marine.
The people were invited to hold elections of members of the conserve,-DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
29
Owe council (like your Senate) and of the tribunate (like your House of Representatives) for the next meeting of the congress.
The presidency of the republic, the high functions of the members of congress, and the magistracies for the administration of justice, are all elective, and held, during a fixed term, by the votes of the people; the right to vote is conceded by the constitution (article 160) to those citizens who, being in the full enjoyment of civil and political rights, are, moreover, owners of real property, or holding political employments or offices in the army or navy, or licensed to carry on some industrial pursuit or profession ; or professors of some liberal art or science, or lessees for at least six years of a rural establishment actually under cultivation.
All these persons, however, have a direct vote only on the appointment of their own parochial electors; these parochial electors, meeting in an electoral college (or assembly) at the chief place of each province, elect the executive power; each province voting in favor of one of its own citizeus and of some other citizen not belonging to that province; and if there be no absolute majority, congress then elects the executive power. The same electoral colleges also appoint the members of congress, and then form lists of candidates from among whom congress appoints the judges of the court and tribunals of justice. So that, by this mode of election, and by the sentiments which animate the principal class conducting the general administration, it is indubitable that the high functions and magistracies must always be held by the persons most capable and worthy to figure in the civilized world.
The governors, or superior political chiefs of each province, are likewise appointed for four years, but by the executive power, which will certainly be able to choose proper individuals for these important places.
The territory of the Dominican Republic comprehends two thirds or more of the island, its limits being the same which in 1793 divided it from the French portion, extending from the river Laxabon or Massaore River, which empties into the sea on the north "side to the river Peder-nales, which falls into the sea on the south leeward [west] of Beata Island. It cau contain many millions of inhabitants.
Its territory is mountainous, very fertile, and capable of yielding all the productions of the West Indies, with valleys and savannahs for feeding and watering cattle. It contains many mines'of copper, gold, iron, and coal; two great bays which formidable squadrons can enter and anchor in security—namely, the bay of Ocoa on the south, and the bay of the Peninsula, or Samana, on the northwest, the latter admitting the whale as well as pearl fishery, together with various other smaller bays, as, for instance, those of Monte Cliristi or Isabella, and Matanzas, on the north, and numerous ports and large rivers on the south.
The principal places and ports for trade are the capital city of Santo Domingo, and the city of Porto de Plata; and in order to encourage the increase and prosperity of our commerce, the ports of Azua, Samana, and Monte Cliristi have, since the establishment of our independence, been open to foreign vessels.
A constant trade is kept up with the islands of St. Thomas and Cura§oa; with the United States, principally with New York; with France, through the ports of Havre, Bordeaux, and Marseilles; with England, through London, Liverpool, aud with various places in the German Confederacy, whither are transported the greater part of our mahogany, and nearly two-thirds of our tobacco, the cultivation of which is increasing constantly.
Although our agriculture decayed in consequence of the nnion with30
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
the Haytian Republic, and the abolition of slavery in 1822, the cultivation of the cane has been partially kept up, and sugar enough is made for the supply of the people, and an equal quantity for exportation.
The principal articles of export are mahogany of the finest quality, espinillo fustic, lignumvitie, logwood, tobacco in leaf in great quantities, and cigars; cattle, hides, yellow and white wax, gum guiacuin, honey, and woods for building.
The city of Santo Domiugo, the capital of the republic, is surrounded by walls and fortifications, with the requisite artillery. The city of Santiago de los Cabelleros, the second in size, has been well fortified since the declaration of our independence. The cities of Puerto Plata and Samana are also fortified sufficiently. The fortifications of the city of Azua are now in progress, and fortifications will also be made at those points on the frontier toward our enemies, the Haytians, at which the nature of the grounds renders passage most difficult; and there will be kept forces sufficient to prevent all aggression on the part of the blacks. The republic possesses cannon, ammunition, and other articles of war enough, with an arsenal well provided with all necessary materials, and it can easily obtain a greater number of muskets and cartouch boxes.to arm, if necessary, all the men capable of bearing arms, the-number of whom amounts to about sixteen thousand, one-half of them now on duty. It has also for its defense four armed vessels of large size, viz, one brig and three schooners, all built in Cura^oa, which have proved very useful in the service against the Haytian negroes.
The revenues of the government are the custom-house duties on imports and exports, mole and tonnage duties; the produce of the rents of various properties and employments belonging to the state; stamp duties, license duties, and others from territorial or commercial revenues, sufficient to cover the ordinary expenses. . These revenues must necessarily increase so soon as the government can itself place the mines in operation, or contract with some company to do so, and after the cessation of the present state of things, which obliges us to maintain an imposing armed force, this force may then be dismissed, and all our citizens may devote themselves to the cultivation of their property or the exercise of their professions.
The population amounts to more than 200,000 souls, half of which are white, who hold the general administration; and two-thirds of the other half are mulattoes, a great portion of whom are landed proprietors, or else exercising mechanical arts and profitable professions. They are well-disposed and are fond of order and subordination. The remainder are negroes, the greater part of whom are free born, and, consequently, the number of ancient slaves is small. Slavery has been forever abolished in the republic.
One of the chief objects now occupying the attention of the government is to effect, immediately, the immigration of foreign agriculturists, who, by increasing the white population, will not only produce greater security, but also, by attracting and augmenting trade, will tend to the prosperity of the republic by the increase of its resources and revenues, and enable it to protect, at the same time, and encourage the advance of public instruction, the great engine of civilization.
With the same view the government has recalled (and no doubt they will come) all the white Dominicans who emigrated in 1822. To those persons the property which they left, and which was not alienated by the Haytian government, shall be restored; that government having, without regard to right and order of succession, sequestrated these properties in favor of the state to the injury of the present heirs, andDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
31
united them to its dominions, in defiance of the most sacred principles of the law of nations.
'The new Dominican Eepublic, under these circumstances, from the orderly character of the institutions, as set forth in its political constitution, sworn to and put in execution from the union and spirit reigning among its members, presents not only actual capacity to fulfill the obligations of an independent nation, but also the power to defend its sovereignty and to enter into relations with those nations which may grant it their sympathies, and with which it promises to act under the principles of justice, equity, and impartiality, and on the same footing, to maintain the integrity of its territory and the equal consideration of all.
It moreover presents to the world an exemplary and interesting case. Its cause is noble, just, and worthy of the friendship, the assistance, and the interference of civilized and Christian nations, especially of those of the American Continent; as it is the interest of humanity to place in shelter from all new oppression this portion of the great society of nations, which has by its heroic efforts succeeded in throwing off the yoke imposed upon it by the shameful usurpation of the Haytians, from whom alone can be expected or feared a new and unlawful invasion. This expectation or fear is founded on the innate and constitutional hatred of the Haytians to all the white race, to whom the right of holding property is denied throughout the whole of the republic, to their thirst for vengeance and their interest in preventing the progress of prosperity, and the increase of the white population in the other portion of the island.
The Haytian population is much greater, amounting to more than half a million of persons; and it may consequently prepare and execute another plan of usurpation by means of its greater forces 5 and though the Dominican territory has natural defenses, and the patriotic ferfor of its citizens will lead them to fight and defend themselves to the sacrifice of their lives, should fortune, which favored them in March last, turn ^against them, yet the soil of the primary portion of the Indies, of the first settlement made by its discoverer, the honored Christopher Columbus, in the immediate vicinity of so many Christian republics and civilized states, may present the horrible scene, the fearful spectacle of the destruction of its white inhabitants, and even of those of color, and of its cities and villages by conflagration, pillage, and murder, on the part of the intriguing faithless Haytian usurpers.
This fear and expectation of a new invasion should not prove an obstacle to prevent the intervention of the nearest nations; as the right of protecting nations unjustly oppressed enters into their general policy; and humanity moreover dictates, in our case, the redemption of the new Dominican state as an act sanctioned by the philanthropy of the other nations.
This is an exact and true sketch, so far as circumstahces allow, of the organization and state of the new Dominican Eepublic, which considers itself entitled to take a place in the family of nations in virtue of the recognition which it solicits from the magnanimous and Christian nation of the Confederate States of the American Union, to which it has addressed itself in preference as the founder of real liberty in the New World.
Upon the recognition of our country as an independent state, and the establishment of relations of amity and commerce, the Dominican Eepublic will be properly respected; for by this identification of its interests, the vigor of its forces and institutions will be increased, the confi-DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
dence necessary to attract immigration will be established, and sciences, arts, and commerce will flourish. Finally, it will be thus soon placed in a condition to advance rapidly and to secure its stability.
The question of its recognition as an independent state may be resolved affirmatively and in its favor, the more easily as it involves no responsibility whatever, like those of the other states which have hitherto presented themselves for recognition in this hemisphere. For with respect to the Haytian Republic, neither has its political existence been ever recognized by the United States, nor has it, nor could it ever have had legitimate dominion over the Spanish, portion, the shameful occupation of which was a real usurpation; and with regard to Spain, which held dominion over it, and of which the Dominicans were originally subjects, the indolence and indifference of that nation, and her entire abandonment of us for twenty years, under the oppressions and vexations of the negroes of Hayti, show and establish most positively the right of the Dominicans to'reassume their own sovereignty, and to enjoy it in freedom, and to constitute themselves an independent state, it being unquestionable that when protection on the part of the sovereign ceases, with it also ceases the duty of obedience in the subject, and the inhabitants of the Spanish portion should not be left in a worse condition than the other republics of the south which have been recognized by Spain.
Dr. J. M. CAMIKERO.
Lr. Caminero, political agent of San Domingo, lo Mr. Calhoun.
[Translation.]
- Washington, January 25, 1845.
As an addition to my note of the 8th instant, and in order that the government may ■well understand that the union of the Spanish portion to the republic of Hayti, in 1822, was not a spontaneous and voluntary act, but was forcibly produced by circumstanccB, I have thought it nacessary liere more particularly to show the manner in which it was effected.
The Spanish portion of the island of San Domingo remained under the government of Spain until the 30th of November, 1821, on the night of which the cry of independence was raised in the capital city, San Domingo, by Dr. Don Jose Nunez de Caseres, then lieutenant governor and auditor of war, to whom the officers in charge gave free entrance into the fortress, the arsenal, and the other, forts in the vicinity, with the people of his party; and on the following morning, after the governor and captain general had been arrested, he published an act of independence, assuming the title of president of the new state, to which was given the name of Spanish Hayti, and hoisting the Colombian flag.
A few days afterward, Brigadier General Don Pascual Real, the governor, and captain general, together frith the other head officers and garrisou of the deposed government, embarked for Spain, Porto Rico, and Cuba.
The appellation of Spanish Hayti, coinciding with that of republic of Hayti, which had been adopted by the negroes and mulattoes occupying the French portion of the island, was a material error, contributing to restrain the enthusiasm and prevent the cooperation of a part of the inhabitants. On the other hand, the political change had not been previously.communicated to that part of the population of each place which was required to make up the public opinion and to sustain it from the moment of the declaration of independence ; from which omission it had not been unanimously received by the people, and in a few days a difference of views and opposition manifested itself in two or three places on the north side, which was fomented by some-European Spaniards, inimical to American liberty, hoisting the flag of the republic of Hayti at Monte Christi and Santiago de los Caballeros, and entering into relations with the- chiefs of that republic.
The new president, Nunez de Caseres, in the month of December, officially communicated the declaration of independence to President Boyer, and made overtures to him for a treaty of alliance, offensive and defensive, and the appointment of commissioners to settle the proper stipulations to that effect; but. Boyer being informed of tho opposition declared by those places on the north side, which had raised the Haytian flag, and which already offered an opportunity for the breaking out of civil war among th«DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
33
Spaniards themselves, instead of acceding to the negotiation and recognizing Nunez as president., replied in January, 1822, styling him simply political chief of the Spanish portion of the republic of Ha.vti, inviting him to hoist the Haytian flag, with threats in case of his refusal, and manifesting all his views and p^aus for the immetiate union of the two countries, and the dangers of an opposite determination.
This unexpected answer demonstrated to Senor Nunez how far his ideas and hopes had been disappointed, and caused the utmost consternation in the public mind, particularly amoug that great mass of peaceable inhabitants, the heads of families, who took no part in the political change, and who foresaw the great and immediate peril to which their lives and properties were exposed, as well from the preludes to a civil war on account of difference of opinion, as from the approaching and inevitable invasion by the Haytiau negroes, the new government under Nunez being entirely without funds and arms necessary to resist it.
In tliis deplorable state of things all the civil and military authorities were convened in council at the capital, San Domingo, and having taken into consideration the threatening note of Presideut Boyer, and reflected thereon, regarding it as the only means of saving the people from the horrors of civil war, and from invasion on the part of the Haytian Republic, it was determined to submit to the unpropitious union thus forced upon them. The Haytian flag was accordingly raised, and President Boyer made his entrance into the city of San Domingo on the 12th of February, 1822, at the head of more than ten thousand men. On the following day he caused his constitution to be proclaimed, which had existed since 1816 for the French part only; he abolished slavery, and on his departure left Haytian laws and institutions, entirely different in character and customs from those of the Spaniards, for which reason the two nations could never be united, as shown by posterior acts, and by the general spirit with which all classes have fought for the expulsion of the Haytians forever from the Dominican territory.
I avail myself of this opportunity to observe that the portion of the people of color, that is, luulattoes and samboes, free by birth, are all nativeR of the same Spanish Dominican soil, and not of the French part; that these have always been in contact with the whites, and in the observance of the principles of religion and morality, to which they are accustomed from their infancy, according to the old laws of Spain ; and that in the course of the operations to throw off the yoke of the Haytians, and in the actions and combats, they have always taken the same resolution and displayed the same spirit and interest to repel them. All the republics of the south contain members of this class.
Dr. J. M. CAMINERO.
No. 3.
Mr. Calhoun to Mr. Hogan.
Department of State,
Washington, February 22, 1845.
Sir: That part of the island of San Domingo which was formerly under the dominion of Spain, bat which was subdued by Boyer in the year 1822, has recently shaken oft' the authority of his successors and established a government for itself under the title of the Dominican Republic. Doctor J. M. Caminero has presented himself to our Government as its envoy, with letters of credence from its supreme authority, and addressed a note to this Department, setting forth the events which led to the formation of the new government, together with sundry statistical statements in reference to the population, resources, and actual condition of the country, with a view to procure the recognition of its independence by the Government of the United States. You will herewith receive a copy of these papers, the originals of which have been laid before the President, who has examined their contents with a disposition favorable to the acknowledgment of the republic.
Before deciding, however, on so important a step, it is deemed advisable to take the course heretofore adopted by the Government m similar cases, by sending a special agent to examine into and make report to the Government of the power and resources of the republic, and especially S. Ex. 17-334
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
as to its ability to maintain its independence, and you have been selected by the President for the purpose.
The points to which you will more particularly direct your inquiries are:
First. The extent and limits of the territory over which the Dominican government claims and exercises jurisdiction.
Second. The character and composition of its population ; the degree of intelligence among the better portions of the people, and whether there is a general spirit of unanimity among all classes, and a determination to maintain their independence.
Third. The number, discipline, and equipment of the troops, and what irregular or militia force may be brought into the field in an emergency.
Fourth. The aggregate population of the country, and the proportions of European, African, and mixed races; their mutual dispositions toward the existing authorities, and the names and characters of the principal persons in the executive, judicial, and legislative departments of the government.
Fifth. The financial system and resources of the republic, together with its foreign, coastwise, and internal trade, and its connections, if any, with foreign powers. In a word, your attention will be directed to all the points touched on in Mr. Caminero's memoir, and to such other subjects as may be connected with the main object of your mission.
You w7ill be expected to communicate from time to time the progress of your inquiries, and to return as speedily as possible to the United States, when you will make your final report to this Department. In no event will you remain more than six months from the date of your depaiture from the United States, uiiless specially directed by the Department. In the mean time your compensation will be at the rate of eight dollars a day, exclusive of your necessary traveling expenses, of which you will keep a regular account, sustained by proper vouchers, in order that it may be submitted to the proper accounting officer of the Treasury.
[Translation of secretary of the treasury's report.") GOD—OUR COUNTRY—LIBERTY.
Treasury department, Dominican Republic. Estimate of probable receipts and expenditures for the fiscal year commencing 1st July, 1845, and ending 30 tk June, 1846.
Branches of revenue.	PROVINCES.					
	San Domingo.	Azua.	Seybo.	Santiago.	Vega.	Total.
	$197,282 59,740 9,275 2,740 2,670 9,269 5, C60 347 1,000 3,000 3,000	$16,000 5, 600 1,800 150 700 1,104	$8,540 1,460 850 550 620 1,130	$190,000 89, 320 8,270 3, 250 1, 580 15,050		$411,832 156,120 21,355 6, 930 6,140 29,713 5,060 927 2,109 5,400 3, 000
Exports................ Licenses................ Eegistry................ Stampa................. Butcheries..............					160" 240 . 570 3,160	
*		20	50 400	320 709 2,400	190	
						
						
Totals............						
	293, 393	25, 374	13,tOO	310,899	5,320	648,586DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.	35
EXPENDITURES.
Department of justice, public instruction, and foreign relations:
For the secretary of state....................................................................$3,600
For clerks in his office..........................................................................3, 396
For expenses on account of public instruction..............................2, 000
For supreme court of justice..............................................................10,400
For court of appeals....................................................7,520
For five supreme judges........................................................................24,000
For porters, jailors, bailiffs..................................................................15, 000
For diplomatic and incidental expenses..........................................10,000
--$75,916
Department of the treasury and commerce:
For the secretary of the same............................................................$3,600
For clerks in his office..........................................................................3, 396
For office account general....................................................................8,796
For office at Pa. Plata............................................................................4,776
For receiver's office at Santiago........................................................1, 440
For receiver's office at Azua................................................................1, 632
For receiver's office at Seybo..............................................................1, 440
For receiver's office at Sam ana..........................................................1,632
For custom-house at St. Domingo.................................4,712
For custom-house at Puerto de Plata................................................4,232
- 35,656
Department of the interior and police:
For the conservative council..............................................................5,430
For the tribunate, (or popular branch)..........................................9,930
For the president of the republic......................................................12,000
For his private secretary..........................................1,200
For secretary of dispatch....................................................................3, 600
For clerks in his office..........................................................................3, 396
For five political chiefs........................................................................9,000
For five secretaries to the same..........................................................3,000
For printers..............................................................................................2,500
For the archbishop elect......................................................................2, 400
For the church........................................................................................720
For almshouse........................................................................................2,000
For the widow of General Santana..................................................1,200
For donation to two widows..............................................................780
For repairs to the government house..............................................10,000
- 67,156
" Department of war and marine :
For the secretary thereof....................................................................3,600
For clerks in his office..........................................................................4,496
Expenses of the land and naval forces, marine hospital, and
arsenal................................................. 1,000,000
-- 1,008,096
Total.......................................................... 1,186,824
NOTES ON THE FINANCES OF THE DOMINICAN KEPUBLIC.
In the first place it must be borne in mind that the calculations upon which this general estimate has been founded are all approximative, as there were no previous data by which a system entirely new could form a fixed rule. The duties from customs during the year 1844 were collected, until the 1st July, in heavy money,* which mode of payment considerably diminished the entries, particularly of articles that paid heavy duties. It amounted, indeed, to a prohibition of various foreign imports, such as ginger, white sugar, and other articles which, as the country did not produce them, met with a ready sale, and which are now introduced in large quantities. From the 1st August the regulation under the custom-house decree of 1827 was put in force— a regulation which was not only very moderate upon articles of the first necessity, but which raised the duties considerably upon certain others which, from their bulk, might be easily smuggled; from which it may be readily inferred that, under the present custom-house law, the duties will amount to almost double that of former years, counting the doubloons at $48, which is but the half of what the heavy money-
* Money heavier than the standard weight of currency.36
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
system required. As to the duty on licenses, the amount will be greater, not only on account of the difference in the classification of the communes, but because the lucrative professions pay a proportionate license.
The trade of the island consists principally of mahogany, mulberry, pine, and other timber used for machinery and building; of wax and wild honey; of excellent tobacco, not only as it. regards quality, but size, in which it has no rival; of cotton, which the commune of Neyba produces of superior quality; of coffee, sugar, cocoa, and in general all the productions of the torrid zone, and though at every point it may be said that the harvests are good, the following classification will show those points and those productions where, and of which, the profits are most abundant:
Tobacco in the provinces of Santiago and Yega, and in the communes of St. Cristoval, Higuey, and Samana.
Cotton in the commune of Neyba, province of Azua.
Sugar in the communes of Azua aud JBarri.
Cocoa in St. Cristoval and Samana.
Mahogany of superior color and quality from the river Nisa-in-Ocoa.
Pine in Seybo and Higuey.
The republic has four practicable ports, namely, Santo Domingo, Puerto de Plata, Azua, and Samana. The latter, as well from its situation at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico, as from its extent, offers great advantages, particularly for vessels of heavy tonnage. Unfortunately the population of this peninsula is so sparse that it cannot consume the merchandise brought into it, aud the transportation by land is rendered impossible by the present condition of the roads, which in the rainy season are almost impassable.
Neither this government nor the Haytian have any merchant vessels. Those which the Dominican Republic possesses at the present moment are four vessels of war, and the ■coasters owned by individuals amount to fifty. From the general estimate there appears to be a deficit of $528,142 in the national finances; but this is merely the consequence of the existing war. In proof of which it is seen that all other expenses amount only to $178,728, so that even allowing $100,000 as necessary to maintain an armed force in a republic purely civil in its normal condition, the receipts will always exceed the expenditures by at least $371,000, which may be considered as the surplus of our republic over and above its ordinary expenses. Lastly it should be observed that the management of the finances heretofore, which was nothing more than an imperfect copy of the colonial system, rendered unproductive the best measures it was possible to adopt in this branch of the service; but a total reform, introduced since the revolution, leads us to form the most flattering expectations. Probity and zeal on the part of the administration, a faithful cooperation on the part of the merchants, as well domestic as foreign, and a spirit of liberalism which characterizes our present legislation, are the elements with which we count upon establishing an economical system which, while it will root out the abuses of the corrupt Haytian administration, will at the same time restore public confidence, which must be the basis of every financial operation. Although we have a loug road to travel before we reach the beautiful path we are called to tread, we need not lose sight of the fact that it would have been neither prudent nor physically possible to leap at one bound over the immense distance which separated us from that path, and all that can be expected is, that animated as the government is with the sincere desire of doing everything that may contribute to the progress and happiness of the republic, it will continue to observe, as it has hitherto done, the most scrupulous good faith in all its acts.
Santo Domingo, June 18, 1845, 2d year of the republic.
Secretary of the Treasury,
R. MINRA.
War Department.
GOD, OUR COUNTRY, AND LIBERTY.
Dominican Republic—Ministry of War and Marine—General state of the land and sea forces and of the munitions and elements of war of the republic.
Mounted cannon : 16 36-ponnders, 21 24-pounders, 30 18-pounders, 20 12-pounders, 10 8-pounders, 10 6-pounders, 20 4-pounders, 5 2-pounders. Dismounted cannon of various calibers, 55. Grapeshot: 200 36-pounds caliber, 300 24-pounds caliber, 350 18-pounds caliber, 289 12-pounds caliber, 140 8-pounds caliber, 130 6-pounds caliber, 290 4-pounds caliber' 80 2-pounds caliber. 20,450 pounds musket powder, 10,504 pounds cannon powder, 60,048 musket cartridges, 10,055 cannon cartridges, 10,000 blank cartridges, 10,000 cannon balls, 200 gunner's ladles, of various sizes, 260 rammers, 380 hand grenades, 500 bombs, 150 cannon cartridge-boxes, 140 -, 400 handspikes, 60 -, 260 powder horns, 200 pickers, 180 linstocks, 20 -, 15--, 100,000 musket balls, 13,000
muskets, 4,000 belts, 10,000 lances, 500 cavalry sabers, 50,000 flints, 320 pounds matches, 400 levers, 500 -, 100 -, 120 hatchets, 75 pikes.DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. The army.
37
•	Infantry.	Cavalry.	Artillery.	Police.	Total.	Total of all classes.
Veterans............. Civil guard...........	5,310 14,045	""3," 669"	1,600 1,022	300	7,210 18,076	| 25,286
						
The fleet.
Schooner General Santana, 84 tons.—Cannon: 3 12-pounders, 2 8-pounders, 2 6-pounders, 2 2-pounders. Muskets, 40; lances, 30; sabers, 20; boarding pikes, 15. Cannon cartridges: 48 12-pounds caliber, 36 6-pounds caliber, 30 2-ponnds caliber. Musket cartridges, 300; 150 balls, 25 levers, 100 grapeshot, 40 grenades.
Schooner Mercy, 83 tons.—Cannon: 3 8-pounders, 2 4-pounders. Muskets, 38; 25 lances, 26 sabers, 15 boarding pikes. Cannon cartridges: 48 8-pounds caliber, 30 4-pounds caliber. Musket cartridges, 250 ; 100 balls, 24 levers, 95 grapeshot, 38 grenades.
Schooner Separation, 75 tons.—Cannon : 1 12-pounder, 1 8-pounder, 2 6-ponnders, 2 2-pounders. Muskets, 37; 20 lances, 15 sabers, 14 boarding pikes. Cannon cartridges: 30 12-pounds caliber, 20 6-ponnds caliber, 20 2-pounds caliber. Musket cartridges, 230 ; 60 balls, 20 levers, 90 grapeshot, 20 grenades.
Schooner San Jos6, 90 tons.—Cannon: 3 12-pounders, 2 8-pounders, 2 2-pounders. Muskets, 55; 34 lances, 25 sabers, 20 boarding pikes. Caunon cartridges : 50 12-pounds caliber, 40 8-pounds caliber, 28 2-pounds caliber. Musket cartridges, 350; 140 balls, 28 levers, 110 grapeshot, 50 grenades.
Forts and castles.
In the capital........
Without the walls ...
Puerto Plata.........
Santiago.............
Monttt Christi........
Peninsula of Samana.
Total.
I certify that the above statement is true and. correct.
MANUEL JIMENES, Secretary of War and Marine.
San Domingo, June 18,1845.
Remarks.—Notwithstanding that the number of veteran soldiers is given at 7,210, a large portion of tliem are not now in active service, but are retired, without pay or rations, until further order of the goverumeut.
In the civil guard are only enumerated those capable of undertaking a march; there are, besides, a large number capable of bearing arms in case of necessity. The different public officers are not included in this enumeration.
The Hay tians have no fortifications nor caunon on the frontier. They only maintain a few cantonments in different points, to wit: on the northeast, in Juan Mendez, within their territory ; on the southwest, at Hincha and Caobas, within our limits; and in the south on a mountain called Los Pinos, within their borders. We, have as many cantonments on the frontier, dependent on the army of operations on the line. Besides, our posts being favored by nature and defended, by pieces of artillery, it is entirely impossible for the Haytians to penetrate into the territory of the republic. The civic guard, is equipped at the private expense of its members, thus augmenting the military supplies Of the state.38
DOMINICAN EEPUBLIC.
No. 4.
Mr. John Hogan to Mr. Buchanan.
I	[Received October 4, 1845.J
In conformity with the instructions from the State Department, under date of the 21st February, 1845, I proceeded, as the special agent and commissioner of the United States, to the island of San Domingo, or Hayti.
The duties enjoined on me by my Government were particularly to inquire into, and report upon, the present condition, capacity, and resources of the new republic of Dominica, as preliminary to any decision being pronounced by the Executive upon the propositions submitted by the representatives of that republic for a recognition of its independence.
During my sojourn in the territories of the republic I occupied my time in investigating these important subjects, and availed myself of every opportunity, personally to test the accuracy of the representations which I received from various sources, which I deemed authentic and entitled to credit, in my reference to them. The result of this examination I have now the honor of laying before you for the consideration of the President. It may be important, before I proceed to state in detail the results of my inquiries upon the particular topics especially adverted to in mty letter of instruction, to recall to your recollection some general views as preliminary to such more minute circumstances.
The island known under the several names of Elispaniola, San Domingo, and Hayti is, as is well known, in extent among the largest; and in fertility of soil, character and quantity of its productions, one of the most important of the islands of the West Indies. The central position which it occupies in that archipelago, separated from Cuba by a channel of only forty miles, intermediate between Jamaica on the west and Porto Bico on the east, its vicinity to the commercial ports of the United States, the provinces of Honduras and Yucatan, and what has been long known as the Spanish main of South America, confer upon it a political importance second only to its commercial. In the hands of a powerful and enterprising nation, its influence would be felt in all the ramifications of human concerns.
This island is again peculiar from the number and capacity of its harbors. The entire coast is studded with deep and valuable ports, and intersected with rivers penetrating far into the interior, which render all its resources, natural and industrial, available in augmenting the power and extending the commerce of the nation which might either acquire the power of sovereignty over it, or become connected with it in the relations of mutual independence. A glance at the map will exhibit at once to your eye the inestimable value of this island, and its commanding position in a military and commercial point of view. Independently of its own internal resources, mineral and agricultural, its position renders this magnificent island one of the most admirable positions which the world can exhibit for a commercial emporium. Its vast and secure bays would afford shelter for the congregated navies of the world. Its situation renders it accessible to the most important marts of this continent. All that is required to do more than restore it to more than its former grandeur, is that it should maintain its present independent character, preserve its free and republican character, continue to exercise the liberal principles upon which its institutions rest, and be preserved from any preponderating and dominating foreign influence. These points, which the most intimate investigations into the subject enable me confidentlyDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
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to assert as those most indissolubly connected with the prosperity of the new republic of Dominica, are at the same time so exactly in accordance with the interest, and harmonize so entirely with the policy of the United States, that I could not refrain from bringing them distinctly though in general terms to the view of the Government which I have had the honor to represent.
The policy by which the United States have been governed in analogous circumstances has been distinctly exhibited and pursued without deviation. While the leading maritime nations of Europe have sought to enlarge their commercial and political power by the establishment of colonies in every part of the globe, and by the subjugation to their authority of regions of vast extent, our institutions preclude the acquisition of such dominions. We have, therefore, sought to enlarge the field of commercial intercourse by establishing amicable connections throughout the world ; by cherishing the growth of liberal principles wherever we see them beginning to germinate, and by recognizing the introduction of new cotnmunities among the nations of the earth, whenever we discover in them the disposition to liberate themselves from the yoke of colonial subjection, and the capacity to maintain their political independence. The one founds her greatness upon the enlargement of her foreign dominions by such means as are appropriate, the other by a liberal and generous participation with other communities. In the menu while our enlargement of territory proceeds in our own immediate vicinity, not by subjecting by force of arms other nations to submit to our yoke, but by ihe incorporation, by mutual consent, of so magnificent a region as Texas, upon the footing of perfect equality, into our happy and powerful Uuion.	»
To return from this digression, my reception in Dominica was accompanied by every demonstration of personal and national respect. Every attention which courtesy could dictate was exhibited toward me by the public functionaries and individual citizens. Every facility was afforded me in prosecuting the object*of 1113' mission. Every source of information was cheerfully laid open, every inquiry fully and promptly responded to, and every disposition manifested to lay open to me the subjects which I was desirous of examining, and furnishing me with the information which I was solicitous of obtaining.
In this manner I have procured the information which it is my present purpose to lay before you, in the confidence that your experience in matters of sta;e will enable you to appreciate the results of my labors, and to deduce the important conclusions with which they appear to me to be pregnant.
The island, which has of late years resumed in the hands of the blacks its original name of Haiti, or Ha.vti, was usually known as San Domingo, by the English and French, aud as Hispaniola, by the Spaniards. It lies about southeast of the island of Cuba, from which it is separated by a channel of about forty miles in width. Eastwardly from Jamaica, which is at the distance of one hundred miles. Westwardly from Porto Rico, distant thirty miles. It is directly south from the city of New York, which is about fifteen hundred miles removed; from Charleston and Savannah, about nine hundred miles; within a few days' sail of Nicaragua, Yucatan, aud Honduras, and equally convenient to Trinidad and the northern shores of the South American continent. This commanding position, in both a political and commercial point of view, is materially strengthened by the number and capacity of its harbors. The bay of Sainana, on the eastern extremity of the island, trends into tlie interior for a depth of eight leagues, with a proportionate width, and.40
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
is capable of holding all the navies of the world. The character of the shores of this bay, and the noble timber which covers the adjacent country,, furnish inexhaustible means for repairing or even building ships of every dimension. This island extends, in its greatest length, nearly from east to west, a distance of about three hundred miles, and from north to-south its greatest breadth is about one hundred and fifty miles, with a superficial area of thirty thousand square miles. Its Indian name, Hayti, meaning mountainous, indicates the most striking feature in its physical conformation, the most elevated points rising to the height of about 6,000 feet above the surrounding ocean. The hilly region is, however,, intersected with numerous valleys, where the fertile character of the soil and a genial climate produce an exuberance of the most valuable and diversified vegetation. In other parts of the island extensive natural meadows or savannas appear, which furnish an abundant provision for large quantities of cattle and horses. San Domingo is, in generalr well watered by numerous rivers, which penetrate into the interior and add to the productive capacities of a soil of unsurpassed fertility. The irregular character of the surface, and the greater or less distance from the ocean, occasion considerable diversities of climate, varying from the oppressive tropical heat, which, combined with a humid atmosphere, renders some parts peculiarly obnoxious to the vomito or yellow fever, to the elevated mountain ridges, where the cold is soirtetimes found to be unpleasant to those habituated to the more enervating influences of the tropics. The excessive heat, which would otherwise be insupportable, of the seaboard is, however, delightfully tempered bv the sea breeze, which regularly, at 10 o'clock a. m., lends its refreshing influences to the weary and exhausted sufferers.
Under such propitious circumstances, as may readily be supposed, the vegetable products of the island are as abundant as they are diversified in character. Almost all the productions of the tropical and temperate zones find a genial soil and climate in some part of its various regions. The sugar cane, cotton, tobacco, rice, and cocoa are grown in great abundance, while the plantain, vanilla, potato, and other minor articles are indigenous to the soil. The mountains are covered with Taluable timber, among which are especially to be noticed the mahogany, satin-wood, live-oak, and other useful descriptions of tree.
Nor are the mineral riches of this island less important. It is well known that from the period of its discovery by the Spaniards, large quantities of gold have been extracted from the soil, chiefly, however, by washings from the hills. It is known that there also exist the most copious supplies of copper, coal, rock salt, iron ore, niter, and other valuable minerals. These,however, owing to the distracted state of the country, have been imperfectly developed.
This magnificent island, upon which nature has lavished her choicest treasures with a profuse hand, has, however, been the victim of all the misery which man can inflict upon his brother man. It was occupied by the divided authority of France and Spain, the former possessing the western portion and the latter the eastern part of the island, while the line of demarkation between them was irregular, extending in a northerly and southwardly course across it. The part belonging to Spain extended over rather a greater extent of superfices than that which appertained to France.
About the year 1789 the island had perhaps attained its highest condition of prosperity, and its exports were then deemed more abundant and more valuable than those of Cuba. At that period broke out those devastating intestine commotions which spread horror and misery overDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
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this unfortunate region, marked by traits of ferocity and a depth of human suffering rarely equaled and never surpassed. The black population of the French moiety of the island rose in insurrection against their masters; a servile war raged with all its terrors. Annies, the pride and boast of Fran -e, were annihilate.I by the co ubined influences of war and climate; the negroes established their ascendency, and the inde-pen lency of the H.iytiau Republic was finally recognized by the French monarch in 1825, in consideration of a large pecuniary indemnity, payable to the former proprietors of the soil.
It is, however, to be remarked, what cannot indeed be readily understood and has not been satisfactorily explained, so far as my information, extends, that although the political authority of the blacks has been extended as early as 1821 over the Spanish portion of the island, so that it was wholly subjugated to their sway, yet this recognition of independence by France is in terms restricted to the French part of the island.
This extension of the black authority continued without intermission until the opening of the year 1844, when the inhabitants of the Spanish portion of the island raised the standard of revolt, threw off the ignominious yoke which had been imposed b.v the authorities of Hayti, and declared tlieir independence. The republic of Dominica was then constituted Since that period the war between the two parties has been continued, but the new community has thus far successfully maintained its independence, has organized a regular form of government, established a written fundamental constitution based upon republican principles, and holds out the best founded prospects of triumphing in the contest, even to the extent of extending its authority throughout the entire island.
Such was the origin, and in brief such the present position of the new republic, to which I have had the honor of being commissioned.
The territories of the republic are those which formerly belonged to Spain, and constitute about a moiety of the island, whether we estimate the extent ot country, the character of the soil, and generally the sources of wealth. The population consists of about two hundred and thirty thousand, of whom forty thousand are blacks, and over one hundred thousand are whites. During the preponderance of the black government, such was the animosity which prevailed on the part of those in authority against all who had a white complexion, exhibiting itself in frequent assassinations and other means of personal annoyances, in the exclusion of the latter from all part cipation in the government, that many of the whites, unable longer to endure their positions so entirely subordinate to the negroes, emigrated trom the island, and established themselves elsewhere. The effect of the policy which was pursued would ere long have resulted in either the expulsion of the whites from the island, or their extermination upon it, and the reduction of the entire island to the exclusive dominion of the black race. The consequences might have been anticipated. Where that race had acquired the entire dominion and the exclusive possession of the soil, every part of the country had shown the effect of its deleterious influences. The agricultural products, coffee, sugar, &c., had declined in quantity as well as quality Nature was resuming lier sway over what had been reclaimed from her dominion, and extensive regions, once well cultivated and extremely productive, had relapsed into their pristine state. The negroes, whether owing, as some imagine, to an original and inherent inferiority ot intellectual power, incapacitating them from the ability of self-government, or the entire ignorance of political science, or the42
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habits growing out of a long-continued existence under the dominion of others, or possibly from the combined influence of all these causes, had diminished in numbers, deteriorated in character, and exhibited every symptom of declension. The form of governmental administration was scarcely preserved to the eye, morals were disregarded or openly contemned 5 the innate aversion to labor which characterizes the race having full scope for indulgence in the want or irregular exercise of authority, destitute of the stimulants to industry which a well-organized and well-administered government furnishes, and superseded by the natural capacity of the soil to supply all the necessaiies of life, have been powerfully operative causes in producing these unhappy results.
As might have been anticipated, the watchful eyes of England and France have not been closed to the interesting events which have occurred in this region. Their official and unofficial agents have been upon the spot, anxiously watching the course of events, and industrious in turning them to the advantage of their respective nations. Jealous of each other, but united in their jealousy of the United States, no means were left untried to annihilate in advance every hope on the part of this country to participate in the advantages to be derived from the present circumstances in which the republic of Dominica finds herself.
It is not easy to determine whether either of the nations which have been named has formed any definite system of "bperations or plan of policy in reference to this state of things, or, if they have adopted such, to ascertain with certainty what their plans are. It is beyond all doubt, however, that they are seeking to acquire to some extent and in some way an influence over the new government and its concerns, and to accomplish these designs for their own special benefit, to the exclusion, as far as possible, of any participation by us.
This position of things became obvious to me shortly after my arrival in the island. The information derived from intelligent American gentlemen on the spot was fully corroborated by my own observation. It appeared to me, therefore, to be one of the most important objects to be accomplished to disabuse the minds, as well of the government as of the people, of the impressions which had been industriously instilled into them in regard to the policy and objects of the United States.
I availed myself, therefore, of every opportunity of giviug fair representations of the views and designs of iny Government. In particular I represented that we neither sought for, nor would we accept, any special or exclusive commercial privileges; that it was our anxious desire that whatever was granted to us should be offered to the other nations of the commercial world. I explained fully to them that the United States did not wish or ask for any political influence in the administration of their own affairs, and that we should see with regret any such influence obtained by any other power; that our policy was to leave every government entirely independent in its operations, and the people wholly free in pursuing its own views of policy; that the commercial arrangements which we made with foreign nations were based upon the principles of equal justice and equal participation in the benefits resulting from the intercourse. I was highly gratified with the manner in which all such suggestions were received, and the happy effect which was obviously produced in awakening the kindest and most respectful feelings toward our country, the most candid assent to and concurrence in the principles I announced, and, as I have every reason to believe, a decided preference in all these particulars over the views and designs of the other foreign agents. I entertain the most unhesitating confidence that if the Government of the United States will cultivate the amicableDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
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disposition of which I have sown the seeds, no apprehension need be entertained but that our country will enjoy a large proportion of the respect and good feelings of the government and people of Dominica, and participate freely in every commercial privilege which may be granted to any other.
Accompanying this report, which has been prepared under all the disadvantages of a severe and enervating indisposition, you will find a map of the island of Hayti, (inclosure No. 7,) accompanied by such observations and explanations as will be eminently useful in exhibiting to you the subdivisions, &c., of the island. You also have an official report from Mr. Bobadilla, (inclosure No. 1,) one of the most intelligent members of the administration, in reply to a communication which I addressed to him, soliciting information; a tabular statement, with a report from the appropriate department, of the military strength of the republic, both army and navy, (inclosure No. 6,) showing the number of troops at its disposal, as well regular as of the national guards, the number and caliber of the cannon, muskets, the quantity of powder, ball, and all other munitions of war, the number and size of their public vessels, &c., &c., &c.; also a statement of the finances of the republic, (inclosure No. 5,) exhibiting its resources and expenditures, and indicating, under the existing impediments, the full ability of th} coantrr t > m set with promptitude every demand upon its treasury. In c j:ine ;tijn with this branch of the subject, I would take this opportunity of remarking that the exigencies of the war which Dominica is n >w waging for her existence occasioned her to incur a debt of somewhat over a million of dollars, which, with the exception of about two hundred and fifty thousand dol-las, has already all been extinguished, from the ordinary receipts of the treasury, while an otter made them bv an English a^ent to loan them a millio.L sterling has been declined. You h.ive also a statement of the number of American vessels engaged in the trade of the republic. I also transmit other interesting documents for your perusal; the one from the Roman Catholic bishop, (inclosure No. 4,) the other signed by alarge number of persons belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church, (inclosure No. 3,) which will exhibit to you the views taken by these parties of the moral and religious character of the people.
It only remains for me to add that, in reference to all these documents, I have every reason to believe that they may be confidently relied upon as accurate; that I entertain no doubt that the republic of Dominica, if not interfered with by foreign influence, has the entire capacity to maintain its independence, and even to extend its sovereignty, ere long, over the entire island; that the character of the population, and the form of its government, hold out every reasonable prospect of internal happiness and prosperity, while the nature and amount of its mineral resources and agricultural products will make it the theater of an extensive and lucrative commerce with the United States.
In conclusion, I would respectfully invite the special attention of the honorable Secretary of State to the useful and very intelligent reports, herewith submitted, of the secretaries of state, treasury, war, and navy of the Dominican Republic, and also to those of Messrs. Burbank and Harrison, (inclosure No. 2,) American merchants of high repute residing on the island of St. Domingo, together with the letters of the Right Reverend Thomas De Portas, Roman Catholic bishop, and Reverend Mr. Stevenson, Methodist clergyman, &c., giving in detail the state of morals and religion on that island, numbered from 1 to ti, inclusive.
JOHN HOGAN.44
dominican republic.
No. 5.
Mr. Hogan to Mr. Burbanlc.
City of St. Domingo, June 10,1845.
Visiting tlie island of St. Domingo for the purpose of ascertaining, as near as may be, the moral and political condition of its inhabitants, and learning from various sources that you are a citizen of the United States, and eminently qualified to render me valuable aid in my labors, from your long residence on the island, and from your having always kept aloof from the different political revolutions which have taken place at various times among its inhabitants, as well as from your high standing and-position as a commercial man, will you permit me to solicit from you information in relation to the present condition of the island and its inhabitants, as is indicated by the accompanying interrogations, together with such other facts having a bearing upon the subject as you may feel at liberty to communicate.
The following are the inquiries to which I solicit your attention, and to which I ask an early reply :
Of which ot the United States are you a native, and how long have you resided on the island of St. Domingo?
In what business have you been engaged since your arrival on the island, and in what part of the island has your business been principally transacted?
How many square miles does the island contain, and what are its mineral and agricultural productions'?
What is its climate1? Its soil? The number of its inhabitants ? What proportion of them are whites? What proportion ot them are of the African race, and what proportion of them are mixed ?
In what part of the island does the principal portion of the white inhabitants reside, and in what part the African and mixed?
Into what political divisions is the island now divided ? What are the boundaries of the different divisions? And over what proportion of the island does each government or political division exercise control? What part is called the Dominican Republic, and what is its extent? And what is its soil, and its agricultural and mineral productions?
What causes led to the establishment of the Dominican Republic? '
How long has the Dominican Republic existed?
Does it possess any good harbors or ports; and if it does, in what part of the republic are they situated ?
How many inhabitants does the republic contain? What is the character and composition of the population, and what is its character for education and intelligence, particularly among the respectable or better portion of the inhabitants?
What proportion does the white bear to the African or black part of the inhabitants? What is the proportion of the mixed race; and what is the character of each ?
What is the disposition of the different races toward the present authorities of the republic; and what is the disposition of the race toward each other?
Is there a general spir it of unanimity among all classes, and a fixed determination to maintain their independence ?
What are the names and characters of the principal persons in the executive, judicial, and legislative departments of the government?
What is the financial system of the present government? What are its resources ; and how and from what does it derive its revenues? Doesdominican republic.
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the government own any land or mines, and will its revenues from any and all sources increase or diminish1?
What are the principal cities and towns of the republic? What is the amount of the present foreign and coastwise trade of the republic, and what was its former amount1?
Is the republic connected in any way with any foreign power; and, if it is, with what power, and what is the nature of the connection ?
What is the disposition of the government and people of the republic toward the Government and people of the United States'?
What is the state of education in the republic, and what is the state of morals and religion ? Is the Dominican Republic, in your opinion, capable of supporting any more inhabitants than are now in it?
What is the state of the military and naval armaments of the republic ? What is the number of its soldiers? How is the republic provided with cannon, muskets, bayonets, cartridge-boxes, spears, powder and ball, and the other implements of war? What is its moral force?
In your opinion, will the inhabitants of the republic be able to maintain its independence against the attacks of the blacks, Haytians, and other opponents?
An early reply to the above will confer a favor upon your obedient servant,
JOHN HOGAN.
[Same to Francis Harrison, esq., merchant, Porto Plato, San Domingo.]
No. 6.
Mr. Burbank to Mr. Hogan.
San Domingo, June 24,1845.
I have had the honor, dear sir, of receiving your letter dated 10th instant, wherein you make known to me that, having learnt from different sources that I was a native of the United States and a long resident in the island, you begged to address me a few questions regarding its moral and political state, being fully persuaded beforehand that I would be able to put before you a good deal, if not all, the information concerning the divisions and wars which have lately, and do now, distract the inhabitants of this unfortunate islaud. The opinion that you so promptly formed of me, dear sir, is no less flattering than the task you have imposed on me is difficult and arduous; nevertheless, you will find arranged in the annexed sheet your interrogations and my replies in an alternate manner. The principal parts of these replies are based on the knowledge I have acquired of the country during my long sojourn in it, and the remaining parts of them, which are based on my private opinion, are the pure dictates of impartiality and conscientiousness.
I most earnestly desire that they may meet your purposes, and may contribute to establish friendly relations between our flourishing country and this incipient republic, which has so courageously shaken off the shackles of oppression and regained its independence, and which possesses resources that in a short time may cause it to flourish, and render its friendship precious.
Memorandum of replies made by Abner Burbank to sundry questions made by John Hogan, esq., to him, in his private and confidential letter bearing date June 10, 1845.
1. Question. Which of the United States are you a native of? how lonjrhave you resided in the island of San Domingo?—Answer. I am a native of New Hampshire, and46
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my family's place of residence in tlie United States is in Washington, N. C.; I have resided in the city of San Domingo for eight years.
2.	Q. What business have you been engaged in since your arrival in the island, and in what part of the island ?—A. Since my arrival I have been engaged in commercial affairs, and that in the city of San Domingo.
3.	Q. What is the size of the island of San Domingo in square miles ?—A. The size of the island of San Domingo, in square leagues, is 5,300 leagues, of 25 to a degree; the Spanish part holds 3,300 leagues.
4.	Q. What are the mineral and agricultural products of the island ?—A. The island of San Domingo, known as the most flourishing and fertile of the West India Islands, once surpassed them all, as regards the quantity as well as the variety of its agricultural products, which were cotton, indigo, sugar, coffee, molasses, cocoa, taiia or rum, mahogany, dye-wood, &c., &c. But since the independence of the country, its products have considerably diminished. The (before) French part of the island, or (now) Haytian Republic, exports coffee, cotton, mahogany, dye-wood, &c., &c. The (before) Spanish part or (now) Dominican Republic exports mahogany, dye-wood, lignumvitse, cocoa, honey, hides, wax, gum guaiacnm, tobacco, equal to Havana tobacco in quality. The coffee and sugar which is cultivated is scarcely enough for home consumption. The mineral products are none, as no mines have been explored. Suffice it to say that formerly very rich gold mines have been explored in the (now) Dominican Republic, which were a great source of riches to Spain. The continuation of the working of these mines was suspended by orders of the Spanish government, which thought proper to transfer this kind of work to the mines of Mexico, as it had already begun to experience the difficulty of finding natives to continue the work. Since the submission of this part to the Haytian government, several mineralogists and companies of mineralogists have come out and have positively assured the existence of several copper mines in the department of Santiago and in the environs of this city. However, none of them ever undertook any exploring enterprise, as the Haytian government always presented a series of difficulties to them until, in 1642, an English mining company came out and began the explorement of a copper mine in the environs of this city ; but ere they had been long at work new difficulties with the Haytian government forced them to cease and abandon their undertaking. This country no doubt contains in its different mines sources of imnieuse wealth, and which only demand to be explored.
5.	Q. What is the climate ?—A. The climate of the island is that generally of all countries situated under the tropics ; it is warm and damp ; the heal, is tempered by the sea breeze, which generally sets in every day at about 10 o'clock, and lasts until night, when it is replaced by the land breeze. Like other tropical climates, the year is divided into dry and rainy seasons.
6.	Q. What is the soil ?—A. The soil of the island is exceedingly fertile ; vegetation is very active; it only demands hands to develop its immense riches. The most part has never been cultivated.
7.	Q. What number of inhabitants in the whole island ? About what is the number of the white inhabitants in the island ? What is the number of the African race, and what the mixed i—A. The number of inhabitants in the island may be estimated at 650,000. It is out of my reach to say, with precision, the numbers of the different races, as, when the census was taken under the Haytiah government, no very particular attention was paid to the different classes ; however, I think that the whites ascend from 100,000 to 120,000; the rest being mixed and African—the latter class being much superior in number to the former. In the (before) French part of the island the whites are nearly all foreigners, to the exception of an almost imperceptible number, which, having participated in the fatigues and wars of the Haytians in their struggle for their independence, were admitted to the enjoymeut of the rights of Haytian citizens ; as the Haytians have always perpetuated in their constitutions the exclusion of citizenship to all those that do not descend from African origin, it is just to suppose that this small number, instead of increasing, has greatly diminished. Iu the (before) Spanish part, or now Dominican Republic, the number of whites ascend to half, if not more, of the population, and there are some towns and villages, in the interior part of the republic, such as Bani, Monte Christi, and Santiago, &c., mostly inhabited by white people.
8.	Q. Into what political division is the island now divided ? How is each'part located, and what proportion or part does each government in the island exercise political control over ?—A. The country is now divided into two different states : the Haytian Republic, which is located at the west end of the island, and extends its political control over that part of the island designated heretofore by French possession, and the Dominican Republic, located at the eas^ end of the island, extending its political control over that part of the island known heretofore by the Spanish possession.
9.	Q. Which part is called the Dominican Republic, and what is its extent; what is the soil, mineral and agricultural products?—A. The east end of the island, known formerly by the name of Spanish Possessions, forms the Dominican Republic; its extent is 3,300 square leagues, of 25 to a degree. The soil, agricultural and mineral products are specified in one of the preceding answers.DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
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10.	Q. What causes led to the establishment of the Dominican Republic ?—A. The causes that led to the establishment of the Dominican Republic are too many to be enumerated, and too long to be detailed; suffice it to say that they are founded upon the people's just and complete dissatisfaction of the Haytian administration, dissatisfaction which commenced ere they had been long under this government. Since then, despairing of ever being treated and governed as a nation that had rallied forcibly, by circumstances, to the Haytian government, and not as a conquered one, as their incorporation in the republic was merely to evitate a civil war, which would have been the cause of the loss of many lives, and of considerable property, they only awaited a favorable opportunity to shake off so ignominious a yoke. In fact, it may be said, with the greatest justice, that the twenty-two years that they were subject to the Haytian administration were twenty-two years of vexations, humiliations and oppression. Fatigued and harassed at last of the weight of so heavy a burden under which, with time, they would have been inevitably crushed, they took the firm and resolute determination of regaining their independence, or of dying in the noble and hazardous attempt. In February of 1844 they accomplished their noble determination, and their efforts were crowned with success.
11.	Q. How long has the Dominican Republic'existed ?—A. The Dominican Republic dates from the 2dth of February, 1844.
12.	Q. Are there any good harbors or ports in the Dominican Republic; if so, how many, and in what part of the republic are they?—A. In the Dominican Republic there are several good harbors, which are the following: Samana—splendid bay, very safe, situated at the east extremity of the island, large enough to contain a numerous fleet of any sized vessels. The peninsula of Samana, which gives its name to this bay, abounds in all kinds of timbers for the construction of all sized vessels; also in forests of pine trees. Ocoa—splendid bay, safe mooring, large enough -to contain a numerous fleet, situated to the southwest of this city. Santo Domingo—good and safe port, which, with some work, may be rendered deep enough to admit entrance to any sized vessels, situated to the south. Monte Christi, situated to the north. Porto Plata, situated also to the north, and may be easily rendered an excellent port.
13.	Q. What is the number of inhabitants in the Dominican Republic ?—A. The number of inhabitants in the Dominican Republic may be estimated from 200,000 to 220,000.
14.	Q. What is the character and composition of the inhabitants or population of the Dominican Republic?—A. The population of the Dominican Republic is composed of numerous white families, issue of European parents; of a quantity of liberated slaves of African race, and of a quantity of the mixed race, issue of the two other classes. To these may be added a number of American emigrants, black and mixed. As to the character of the population, they are a very quiet, docile and religious people. They are all Catholics, except the American emigrants, who are Methodists. These are allowed the full enjoyment of their own religion, the same as any other sects, as the constitution of the country tolerates all religions. In a word, the general character of the people is good, the public roads are perfectly safe, and very few crimes are committed.
15.	Q. What is the character for education and intelligence among the Dominicans, or rather the respectable portions of the inhabitants of the republic?—A. As to what regards education and intelligence among the Dominicans, I beg to say that this part of the island, when subject to her mother country, possessed a university, out of which came many men of distinguished talents; but since its annexation to the Haytian government, this university and other institutions, which existed anteriorly for the educating of the lower classes, were done away with, and the vehicle of public instruction became limited to a miserable day school, the expenses of which were defrayed by the state. It must be said that the lower clashes are not more advanced, not from their inaptitude or want of intelligence, but on account of the medium of acquiring knowledge having been so limited under the anterior government. The legislative body has recently passed a law for the organization of several public schools in the different parts of the republic, and no doubt, as soon as circumstances will permit, the university will be established.
16.	Q. What is the proportion of the white part of the inhabitants to that of the Afi icai ; what is the proportion of the mixed race; what is the character of each?—A. The white population of the Dominican Republic may be estimated from 100,000 to 110,000. It is out of my reach to say the quantity of each of the other classes. The character of the population is answered in some of the preceding numbers.
17.	y. What is their mutual disposition towards the existing authorities of the republic ?—A. Th^ disposition of the different colors towards the now existing authorities i f the republic is very good; they have full confidence in them and are completely
OOolaU.Hu lo lui;U' comuiauud.
18.	Q, What toward each other ?—A. Slaves in the Spanish colonies having generally been treated by their masters in a much milder manner than in the French and English colonies, there is no animosity whatever cemented in the black and colored classes, that were slaves, against the whites, or any way against themselves or each48
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
other. The different classes are perfectly friendly; no distinction of color or origin is made ; tliey are well disposed to ( aili other, aud live in perfect harmony.
19.	Q. Is there a general spirit of unanimity among all the classes, and a fixed determination to maintain their independence?—A. The most complete spirit of unanimity exists among all classes, and they are resolutely determined to sacriJice their affections, their interests, and their lives, to maiuta.in their independence.
20.	Q. What are the names and characters of the principal persons in the executive, judicial, legislative, and military departments of the government of the republic?—A. Pedro Santana is the name of the person intrusted with the executive power; Tliomas Bobadilla, with the judicial department and exterior relations; M. Jimenes with the war department ; Eicardo Muira, with the financial department; and Cabral Bernal, with the interior relations and policy. The principal members of the legislative body are I. Delmonte, B. Baez, I. B. Lovedace, Fco. X. Abren, ToribioL. Villanueva, K. Perez, &c. The foregoing named persona that now hold the helm of the state were chosen as being the most capable, as enjoying the best of reputations, and tully possessing the public confidence. The country possesses a great many more men of high consideration as well for their talents as for their good reputations, of wbich I shall only name a few. In the civil line Doctor Caminero, a mau of distinguished parts, chosen by the common consent as commissioner to the United States, and of whom no doubt you have been able to appreciate the distinguished qualities; Manuel Delmonte, Manuel Valencia, &c., &c. In the military line, General Felippe Alfan, General Puello, Abad Alfau, Juan Estevan Aybar, &c., &c., distinguished officers possessing military talents.
21.	Q. What is the financial system of the republic?—A. In regard to the financial system I will say that, when the revolution took place, the state was destitute of the necessary pecuniary means to accomplish the vast enterprise it had undertaken. Fortunately the generous inhabitants of the whole country spontaneously stepped forward to offer their help to the state. Consequently considerable sums were borrowed to defray the numerous expenses which the government is under in war. Before long the increase of imports soon furnished the state the necessary means to acquit itself of this debt, which is entirely paid. The government then thought proper to collect the Hay-tian paper currency then circulating in the republic, and to this effect emitted a certain quantity of its own paper, which circulates through the whole territory without the least difficulty, and increases in value almost every day. A little later the government found the means of selling the Haytian paper for Spanish money, which was invested in ammunition, muskets, and other warlike instruments. The legislature has recently promulgated a new tariff' of import and export duties, which exacts one-half of the import duties in Spanish money, and the other half in currency, the object of which is to accumulate Spanish money so as to redeem the paper a little later; however, the country not having as yet had time for making use of its numerous resources, I cannot Bay that they have yet adopted a financial system.
22.	Q. What are its resources, by what means does the government obtain its income, and from what source is it derived ?—A. The principal revenue or income of the country consists in the import and export duties on goods in the republic, added to this amount of leases of several ferry-boats, butcheries, aud government lands and other properties.
23.	Q. Will its resources increase or diminish?—A. There is no doubt but that the resources of the country will continue increasing, as they have greatly augmented since the independence.
24.	Q. What properties has the government; does it own lands or mines ?—A. The government possesses considerable property, houses, aud lands, on which, of course, there are mines.
25.	Q. What is the foreign trade and the coastwise trade of the republic at this time, and what was it heretofore?—A. The foreign trade of the republic consists in the importing of foreign merchandise and exporting of country produce. This trade has considerably augmented since the independeiice of the country. The coastwise trade of the republic consists in the shipping of mahogany and other produce on board of country vessels in ports that are not open to foreign trade, to be transported to those that are open. It has augmented considerably also.
26.	Q. Is the republic connected in any way with any foreign power; if so, with which, and what is that connection ?—A. The Dominican Republic, to my knowledge is in no way whatever connected with any power. In the month of November last Mr. Hendrick, of London, offered a loan of £1,:>00,000, and was refused.
27.	Q. What is the disposition of the government and people of the republic toward the Government and people of the United States ?—A. The disposition of the government and people of the Dominican Republic toward the Government and people of the United States cannot be better ; they are very well disposed toward t hem, and ardently desire to make a. treaty with them, and by so doing augment their friendly and commercial relations with them.
28.	Q. What is the state of education in the republic?—A. This question is answered in one of the preceding numbers.
29.	Q. What is the state of morals and religion in the republic?—A. The state ofDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
49
morals and religion in the republic is very good. They are a moral and religious people, very devout and sinoere in their religion, which is the Catholic, and entirely void of that fanaticism which generally characterizes the Catholics of Spanish countries.
30.	Q. Is the Dominican Republic capable of supporting more inhabitants than are now in it ?—A. The Dominican Republic is capable of supporting and maintaining ten times the quantity of inhabitants it now contains, provided they work.
31.	Q. What is the military and naval armament of the republic; what is the number of soldiers, cannon, muskets, bayonets, cartridge-boxes, spears, powder, balls, and other implements of war?—A. The Dominican Republic possesses about one hundred and ninety cannons of different sizes, of which there are one hundred and fifty mounted on the different forts, and forty dismounted; about seven thousand military soldiers, and in case of emergency, in my opinion, twenty-five thousand men can bear arms; about sixteen thousand muskets with bayonets in the government deposits; the national guard, being equipped at its own expense, increases considerably the number of muskets. As for accouterments, the commissioner sent to the United States has sent here a great quantity of them. There are about eight thousand spears, which were very useful in the beginning of the revolution against the Haytians. There exists in the arsenal of this city about four hundred quintals of powder, and a great quantity of balls and all kinds of implements of war.
32.	Q. What is the naval force ?—A. The government has four armed vessels, viz : the brig St. Joseph, with 3 cannons of 12-pounders, 2 of 8-pounders, and 2 of 2-pound-ers. The schooner General Santana, with 3 cannons of 12-pounders, 2 of 8 pounders, 2 of 6-pounders, and 2 of 2-pounders. The schooner Separation, with 1 cannon of 12-pounders, 1 of 8-pounders, 2 of 6-pounders, and 2 of 2-pounderB. The schooner Mercy, with 3 cannons of 8-pounders, and 2 of 4-pounders. All these vessels have muskets, spears, sabers, and other projectiles of war.
33.	Q. Will the republic of Dominica, in your opinion, be able to maintain and support its independence against the attacks of the Haytian or other powers ?—A. I am of opinion that it will and can do it. I am, moreover, of opinion that the Haytians will never attack them any more, as they are themselves in complete disunion, and cannot think of undertaking any war whatever, &c.
No. 7.
Mr. Harrison to Mr. Hogan.
Porto Plata, June 26,1845.
I acknowledge the receipt of your favor of date 10th instant, from city of San Domingo, in which you request from me, as a citizen of the United States long resident in this place, certain information relative to the state, present and past, of this island, its people,, institutions, &c., which, information you inform me the people of the United States at present seek.
I will endeavor to answer your questions to the best of my ability, in the order in which they are placed by you in your letter:
1.	Question. Which of the United States are you a native of?—Answer. I am a native of Pennsylvania, county of Philadelphia.
2.	Q. How long have you resided in the island of St. Domingo ?—A. I have resided in Porto Plata since 1836.
3.	Q. In what business have you been engaged since your arrival in that part of the island ?—A. As an importer of American manufactured goods and provisions, and a purchaser and exporter of mahogany, hides, and tobacco, the produce of this part of the island.
■ 4. Q. What is the size of the island of St. Domingo in square miles ?—A. It extends east and west from Cape Engano, longitude W. of Greenwich 68° 18', to Cape Dona Maria, longitude 74° 28', and is from 30 to 130 miles wide, its greatest width being 130 on a line from the Grange of Monte Christi to Cape Beata.
5.	Q. What are the manual and agricultural products of the island?—A. The manufactured products of the Dominican part of the island are next to nothing. It produces for exportation mahogany, fustic, logwood, lignumvitae, satin-wood, lance-wood, tobacco, coffee, cocoa, and hides, and abounds in valuable timber for ship-building, having also in the interior, on the borders of its rivers, forests of pitch pine.
6.	Q. What is the climate and what is the soil ?—A. The climate of the east or Dc-
S. Ex. 17-450
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
minican part is generally good. This place, Porto Plata, I consider the most healthy spot of the West Indies. Throughout the interior of the east or Dominican part the same delightful climate exists. The soil with common cultivation would bo very productive.
7.	Q. "What is the number of inhabitants in the island ?—A. As far as I can learn the estimation is about 800,000 for the whole island, about 200,000 of which is supposed to be in the east or Dominican part.
8.	Q. About what is the number of white inhabitants in the island ?—A. The white inhabitants of the island ares' all in the east or Dominican part, and I suppose them to be about one-third of its population, that is, of the Dominican part.
9.	Q. What is the number of the African race, and what the mixed?—A. I suppose, from observation and the best information I can collect, the African race to be one-ninth of the population of the east, the mixed race to be five-ninths, although in the mixed may be numbered some families of pure-blooded aborigines. But many of the mixed race call themselves white, and are, really, as much so as the Spaniards of some parts of old Spain.
10.	Q. In what part of the island does the principal part of the inhabitants reside; in what part the African; what the mixed?—A.. The white reside almost altogether in the east or Dominican part; the African principally in the west or Haytian part; the Spanish mixed race in the east or Dominican part, and the French mixed race in the French or Haytian part.
11.	Q. Into what political divisions is the island now divided?—A. The west, or old French part, is called the Haytian Republic. The east, or old Spanish part, is called the Dominican Republic.
12.	Q. How is each part located, and what proportion or part does each government exercise political control over?—A. The Dominican Republic extends from the extreme east end or Point Espada, on the south as far west as Cape Roxo. and from the same extreme east or Cape Engano, on the north side as far west as Djabon ; from this northwest point a due south line will nearly touch its southwest extreme. It comprises or takes in full two-thirds of the land of the whole island. This is the boundary of the old Spanish part. The Dominicans have possession of all their territory. The western part of the island from the above boundary or limits is the old French part and is the Haytian Republic.
13.	Q. What part is called the Dominican Republic, and what is its extent; what its soil, products, manual and agricultural ?—A. Refer to answers 5, 6, and 12.
14.	Q. What causes led to the establishment of the Dominican Republic?—A. The old Spanish part, or the east, was taken possession of and added to the Haytian Republic in 1822. Since that time, up to the revolution of February, 1844, the people of the east have been treated as a conquered people, the offices being principally held by persons sent from the west. The government being a military republic, all the generals that were placed over the people of the east were Haytians, of the French part, whose language, thoughts, and feelings were different. The white inhabitants of the east were especially treated with all sorts of indignity and contumely. The unchaste, licentious manners of the Haytians were introduced into the east. Many of the people of the east, by contact, became partly demoralized, and adopted the immoral mode of life—that is, living in a state of concubinage—that is so generally practiced in the Haytian part, where the people may, with propriety, be called a nation of bastards, the greater part of the children born there being illegitimate. To escape the indignities incident to the Haytian rule, and to preserve untarnished the honor of their families, many families of high respectability emigrated to Porto Rico, Cuba, and Colombia. Many more, whose property could not be realized, and who did not wish to leave all and emigrate as beggars, remained, trustiug that the time would come when they could liberate themselves from the ignominious yoke and immoral example of the Haytians. The revolution of February, 1844, in the east was in progress, morally, previous to the revolution of 1843, in the west, when President Boyer was banished and General Herard made President. When the last-named made his military tour through the east, after the banishment of General Boyer, he arrested many of the principal people of this part, whom he suspected of the intention of revolting against liis authority. As no proofs could bo brought against them, after being carried as prisoners to Port au Prince, they were liberated and returned to their homes, when they again made the preparations which resulted in the late successful revolution. Another cause is the ancient hatred that has always existed between the French and the Spanish, which is inherited from the European race by the two nations of this island. The black man of the east, or the Dominican black, has the same antipathy to the black man of the west, or the Haytian black, that the Spaniard of old Spain has to the Frenchman. The mixed race of the east, or Dominican Republic, has the same antipathy to the mixed and African race of the Haytian part, and the white man of the east has had all his feelings as a man wrought to the highest pitch and extreme of detestation against the blacks and mulattoes of the French or Haytian part, by the repeated and open insults which tbey have been the victims of for the past twenty-twoDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
51
years. All these causes led to the revolution of February, 1844, and I, as a witness of them, have always thought them more than sufficient.
15.	Q. How has the Dominican Republic existed ? Are there any good harbors or ports in the Dominican Republic ? If so, how many, and in what part of the republic are they ?—A. The Dominican Republic was created by a spontaneous movement of its people. The same spirit that created it, viz, the will of the people, has sustained it. In a financial point of view, it commenced without a dollar in its treasury. Voluntary loans were made to it by some of the merchants of St. Domingo and some of the merchants of this place. The same merchants imported muskets, powder, shot, cartridge-boxes, swords, pistols, lances, or pikes, and sufficient munitions of war to enable the first government of the republic, called the junta, aided by the spirit of the people, to defeat the two large armies that marched from the west, or Haytian part, in March of last year, commanded by President Herard on the south, and the now President Pierrot on the north. For all loans and supplies the merchants, with some small exceptions, have boon paid by means of an emission of national paper money, the same currency being used in addition to the revenue derived from the imports and exports, which was increased in a wonderful degree since the revolution, to pay all the general expenses of their government, which is economically administered. On the south there is the port of the city of St. Domingo, the basin of the river of which is a good harbor for any number of vessels drawing not over twelve feet of water, there being a bar at the mouth of the river, which could be easily removed to enable a frigate to enter the harbor. Of the other ports of the south side I am not acquainted. The harbor and bay of Samana is capable of receiving all the navies afloat, and would be a fine naval station for the navy of our own country. I have no doubt that, in the event of a recognition by onr Government, the Dominican government would gladly make a grant of the same. On the north side of Samana is the harbor of Port Jackson, which is not large, but it is an excellent harbor and has plenty of water in it for ships of the largest class; but as the country in its neighborhood is not cultivated, there are not any supplies to be had there for ships, except a plenty of good water. Matanzas Harbor is in latitude 19.22 north, and longitude 70.10 west, and is a good harbor for vessels drawing fourteen ■feet; there being also a man-of-war anchorage, which would not be safe in the hurricane season, of eight fathoms water. Cabart Harbor is about thirty miles east of Porto Plata; is a reef harbor, smooth and good, with the regular trades wind, but exposed to the north winds. From this harbor the principal part of the mahogany of the north is shipped. Porto Plata is a good harbor for vessels drawing fifteen feet; there being also a man-of-war anchorage, suitable for a sloop-of-war, where she would lie in five fathoms. Porto Cavello, two miles east of Isabella Point, is a spacious basin, with a narrow entrance, having a bar at its mouth, with only nine feet of water; but inside there is a basin that would contain one hundred frigates. Isabella Bay is spacious, the anchorage good, but exposed to the north winds, which make it unsafe. Monte Christi has a good anchorage for small vessels, well in under or south of a small island that lies under the Grange. Outside is good anchorage for any number of ships in from five to ten fathoms of water, sheltered from the regular trade winds, but open to the north. Manzanilla Bay is capable of containing one hundred line-of-battle ships, where they would lie well sheltered from any wind, as hurricanes are unknown there.
16.	Q. What is the number of inhabitants in the republic?—A. Refer to answer 7.
17.	Q. What is the character and composition of the population of the republic ?—A. The people, in general, are a kind, hospitable people, and, for its population, may be called an honest people, if the hon-commission of crimes which characterize higher grades of civilization would constitute them or characterize them as honest. As to the composition of the people, I refer to answers 8 and 9.
18.	Q. What is the character for education and intelligence among the respectable or better portion of the inhabitants?—A. During the misrule of the Haytians, education was, by the government, entirely neglected. The better classes, by the same misrule and oppression, became impoverished, and the means of education were, in a measure, lost to them; but still the better classes are intelligent, although there is among them much of the jealousy of foreigners which is characteristic of the Spaniards and their descendants.
19.	Q. What is the proportion of the white part of the inhabitants to that of the African ; what is tho proportion of the mixed raco, and what is the character of each ?— A. Refer to answers 8, 9, and 17.
20.	Q. What is the mutual disposition toward the existing authorities of the republic ?—A. The President, Santana, is generally popular, and, as far as I can ascertain, the people are generally satisfied with the present government.
21.	Q. What is it towards each other ?—A. Among the people of the east end, or Dominican Republic, there is probably less prejudice of caste than in any other country. Tho different races are friendly to each other.
22.	Q. Is there a general spirit of unanimity among all classes, and a fixed determination to maintain their independence?—A. Decidedly yes, among all classes of the real Dominican people ; that is, natives of this east end. There still remain a few of52
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
tlie mulatto Haytians in this republic, being men of property, and their interests being centered here; but they have no influence, and are watched by the government. They are naturally not friendly to the government that is composed of white men, as the present government of this republic is now constituted.
23.	Q. What are the names and character of the principal persons in the executive, legislative, and judicial?—A. President Pedro Santaua is, or always has had the reputation of being, a good, honest man. He was an extensive Awner of grazing farms and a mahogany cutter, and a man of much influence among the people of the country. Secretary of State Tomas Bobadilla was a lawyer before the revolution. He is a man of talent. Of his character as a honest man I know not anything. Secretary of Finance R. Muira: I have nothing to say about him, good or bad. Secretary of War General Ximenes : I know not anything about him. Secretary of the Interior Cabral: I know nothing about him. Administrator General Valencia is generally much esteemed. President of the Senate V. Baez is a person of talent. President of the Representatives I. Delmonte: I do not know anything about him. The judiciary, I believe, not yet fully established.
24.	Q. What is the financial system of the republic; what are its resources: and by what means does the government obtain its income, and from what source is it derived ?— A. The currency of the country is at present a depreciated paper money, which was authorized and emitted previous to the formation of the present constitution and government by the junta. The authorized emission is $800,000, which is at present worth about $250,000 good money. With this emission and their current revenue, derived from the dutie3 on imports and exports, and a light property tax, they have accomplished their revolution and kept clear of all foreign debt.
25.	Q. Will its resources increase or diminish?—A. The current revenue of Porto Plata for the nine months of the year 1844, ending the 31st January, was more than double that of any year previous, during the Haytian rule. Of the revenue of San Domingo, viz, that derived from the custom-house, I have not any knowledge. I have no doubt that the revenue of the Porto Plata custom-house, for the year 1845, will be treble that of any previous year. This is accounted for by the consumption of the northeast, for all imported provisions and merchandise being supplied now by Porto Plata, when" formerly much of it came from Cape Hayti and Port au Prince,'when it paid duties.
26.	Q. Will its resources increase or diminish ?—A. The east has been gradually improving, notwithstanding the misrule of the Haytians, and this revolution has given already a spur to the further improvement of the country. Its resources must naturally increase.
27.	Q. What properties have the government of the republic ; does it own lands or mines ?—A. A large part of the land of the republic is government lands, let on leave to the occupiers, who have a preemption right to purchase, if the government should ■wish to make public sales of the lands. But a very large proportion of the land is unoccupied and uncultivated. The republic is rich in copper atid iron mines, and in many parts the soil is auriferous. Much of the public lands are also covered with the valuable woods of the island.
28.	Q. Are there any cities or towns in the republic ?—A. San Domingo, on the south, is the only city of any note. Santiago, the inland city of Porto Plata, was once a fine town, but was destroyed by the blacks under Cristophe, and more latterly by the earthquake of 1843. Porto Plate is a thriving town. Moche and La Vega, inland towns of the northeast, are all improving rapidly, or as rapidly as the nature of the country will permit.
29.	Q. What is the foreign trade and the coastwise trade of the republic at this time ; what was it heretofore ?—A. At present there is a brisk trade between New York and Boston and the city of San Domingo, between New York and this place. I import into each place from New York American manufactured cotton goods of all descriptions, coarse shoes, flour, butter, lard, cheese, rice, beef, pork, and lumber. The consumption of all these articles of merchandise and provisions is rapidly increasing. As returns, I export mahogany, tobacco, and hides. In this trade I have many competitors, and since the revolution four importing houses have been established in this place, three of which are German, and one English, who import German and English goods, and export mahogany, tobacco, and hides. The trade is principally carried on by American, German, and British vessels; although from San Domingo much mahogany is shipped to Havre in French vessels. The foreign trade in general, since the revolution, has much increased. The coastwise trade is also improving. Many small vessels on the south side are employed bringing mahogany from the coast into the river of the city. I liaTe a pilot boat running as a regular packct from here to San Domingo, which is almost the only communication by sea with that place. But even that is an increase, for previously there were no such opportunities, and there is no doubt of a rapid increase also of that trade.
30.	Q. Is the government of the republic connected in any way with any foreign power; if so, with which, and what is the connection?—A. There is not, as far as I can learn, any connection with any foreign government. France has a consul in theDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
53
city of San Domingo, whose sympathies as a man were enlisted in favor of the Dominicans, and who therefore showed to them a friendly countenance, which had a good moral eifect in their revolution. The British government have never had a consul in the east. The friendship aud sympathies of that government are well known to be in favor of the Haytians. This revolution has broken a part of the chain of their plans to build up aud foster the black or mulatto government in Hayti. The only British merchant in the republic has lately established in this place. He is a reporter of all proceedings to the British consnl-gencral at Port au Prince. You are well aware that the Government of the United States has not one consul in the whole island.
31.	Q. What is the disposition of the government and the people of this republic toward the Government and people of the United States?—A. The white portion of the people of this republic look to the Government and people of the United States for sympathy and protection, which a recognition will morally give them. The Spanish mixed race, and also the African race, have sufficient sense to also know that their natural protectors, morally speaking, are the Government and people of the United States. I have assisted them in their revolution by importing munitions of war for them, which really enabled them to gain the victory at the battle before Santiago. The Americans are as popular and as much liked now in the Dominican Republic as they are unpopular and disliked by the Haytians, where this feeling of dislike to our countrymen has been fostered by the arts of the British agents.
32.	Q. What is the state of morals and religion in the republic?—A. Education under the Haytian misrule having been entirely neglected, there is now only a revival of the means of educating the masses, the present congress having made a law for the creation of public schools, which will soon go into effect. Morality is at low ebb. There is all room for improvement. The religion of the country is a cormption of the Roman Catholic. The people are decidedly a religious people according to their lights, but they want virtuous religious instructors.
33.	Q. Is the Dominican Republic, in your opinion, capable of supporting any more inhabitants than are now in it ?—A. I consider the territory of the Dominican Republic capable of supporting 5,000,000 of inhabitants.
34.	Q. What is the military and naval armament of the republic; what is the number of soldiers, cannons, muskets, bayonets, cartridge-boxes, spears or pikes, powder and ball, and the implements of war in the republic ? What is the naval force ?—A. The whole army is irregular, somewhat similar to our own militia. In time of necessity a general levy is made, which was the case when the Haytians marched on this part after their expulsion in 1844. They are not yet fully or well armed, but are gradually importing every necessary munition of Avar. The exact number of each article of arms and munitions I am unable to state, but I know they are in a better state of preparation to resist or defend themselves than the Haytians are to carry on an offensive war against, the Dominicans. The navy is three schooners of about 100 tons each, well armed, aud in tolerably good order, which are all ready for action.
35.	Q. Will the inhabitants of the Dominican Republic, in your opinion, be able to maintaiu or support its independence against the attack of the black Haytians or other power?—A. After the expulsion of the Haytians from the east in February aud March of last year, two large armies were immediately assembled at Port au Prince and Cape Haytian. The army of Port au Prince, under the command of President Herard, to the number of 25.000, marched for San Domingo. When they arrived near Azua they were opposed by less than 1,000 men (in one of the mountain defiles) under the now President Santana. They were repulsed. The Dominicans retreated, and the army of Herard entered Azua, where it was cooped up, harassed, and finally disbanded itself—the campaign in the south being a complete failure. The army of Cape Haytian, 18,000 men, under the command of the now President Pierrot, marched on Santiago. When it reached the neighborhood of Santiago it numbered about 12,000—one third of the army having deserted or were left behind from the fatigue of the march. The advanced guard of 4,000 men attacked Santiago, and were repulsed by about 2,000 men, who defended it. The panic of the repulsed advanced guard was communicated to the main body, when the whole army fled for the frontiers. Since that time the chiefs of the west, or Haytian part, cannot induce the masses, who compose their irregular army, to march on the east, or Dominican part, again. The people of this republic are now in a better state of preparation to resist, having now munitions of war, and having their towns and forts in better order; and there is now a general spirit among all classes of the native people to support their independence against the blacks of the west. Against any other power I do not think they could support their independence; for, in my opinion, an army of 5,000 well-disciplined troops, with a park of flying artillery, aided with a small fleet, could conquer the whole island,
I believe, sir, I have answered your questions briefly, but as fully as my information will allow.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
FRANCIS HARRISON.54
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
No. 8.
Mr. Francis Harrison to Mr. Hogan.	,
Porto Plata, July 4, 1845.
In addition to my two letters of dates 26th and 28th of June, allow me to make a few observations relative to what I consider the propriety, in a political point of view, of making the people of the Dominican government a nation by an acknowledgment of their independence by the Government of the United States.
The British government have lately openly declared what has always been well known by the statesmen of onr country, that the abolition of slavery in the British West India Islands, or colonies, was not, as they at the time declared, a measure of philanthropy, but a movement to in time have an influence on the social position of the Southern States of our Union. To strengthen this political move against the happiness and union of our country, they have always been the fostering and protecting power of the Haytian government, by watching over it and shielding it from the designs of the French, who have, on more than one occasion, been on the point of reoccupying the French part of the island as their colony. This revolution of the Dominicans, and the formation of their republic, weakens entirely the force of the Haytians; for, although the Dominicans are numerically inferior to the Haytians, still the finest part of the island, both as respects natural riches and climate, is in their possession, and forms their republic. This disunion completely paralyzes the financial operations of the Haytians, as it renders it a matter of clear impossibility that they can ever fulfill their treaty stipulations with France, by paying them the large sum due as the indemnity to the exiled planters. It makes the Haytians powerless to act as the allies of the British in any future move against the prosperity of our Union. A recognition would create for us friends, and would obtain for us, no doubt, a windward naval station, which in the event of a future war with our natural enemies, the British, would be all-important for our Navy to have. As a measure of philanthropy, it would protect 65,000 or more of our own race, who have been the trampled under foot, for twenty-two years, of the wretches who had the possession of their country. It is hardly possible for a man to conceive^ unless he has seen, as I have done, the insult that has been heaped on these people by their oppressors.
It may be urged possibly that the black man is the equal, as a man, of the white man, and when he has the power he has the right to exercise it. The black man may feel so and act so, but the white man must feel his superiority, morally, as a man, and must feel, in a more refined sense, his degradation when governed by the blacks. But as a nation of white men we ought to feel and ought to exercise a sympathy for the Dominicans, apart from wha,t I conceive to be, in an important national view, the political sympathy and protection which we ought to feel for and accord to these people. It may be said that the friendship of such a people as the Dominicans is of no consequence to the United States as a great nation, but in case of a war with Great Britain we could make them of consequence by occupying the beautiful bay of Samana as a naval depot; again, we could, by emigration of the proper description^ create an actual republic, wedded to the interests of the United States, that would always be of benefit and importance to us in the great struggle that will some day commence between the Great Bepub-lic of the New World and the monarchies of Europe. I see in this revo-dominican republic.
55
lution tWat has created the Dominican Republic unto us a very important political movement, viz : The creation of the proper description of independent government in the West Indies, whose political protectors the Government of the United States are by nature, as they ought to be by policy.
Another suggestion I offer relative to the proper protection that our mercantile interests ought to have in the Haytian part of this island.
The United States commercial agents, commanding not any respect, and being, in a commercial point of view, of no use or advantage there, ought to be withdrawn. And to give the proper security to those of our countrymen, citizens of the United States, that the spirit of enterprise and commerce prompts to visit or to reside there, one of our small class corvettes or sloops of war ought to be stationed, say on the San" Domingo station, the commander of which should have consular powers. This arrangement would answer the double purpose of properly protecting our commerce, which for many years back has suffered much from the insolent exactions of the officers in charge of the different customhouses, and we would have a proper and efficient watcher of the movements of the French and British naval forces that are always in this quarter. One corvette or sloop of war, in case there should be a necessity for such a measure, would be sufficient to destroy every city and town in the Haytian Republic. They have not an efficient battery on their whole line of coast.
These suggestions and opinions I address to you, thinking it possible that through you, sir, the opinions of a citizen of the United States, of true democratic principles, long resident in this country, may be properly appreciated and represented in this question.
FRANCIS HARRISON.
No. 0.
City of San Domingo, June 12,1845.
Sir : Having a deep desire to ascertain, in behalf of the people of the United States, the political and social condition of the people of the island of San Domingo, and more particularly that part of it kno\m as the Dominican Republic, as assisting me to arrive at correct conclusions in the subject of my inquiry, I take the liberty of respectfully soliciting from you a map of the island of San Domingo, and of asking you carefully to make on the map the line which formerly divided this island between France and Spain, and the line which now separates the Dominican from the Haytian government.
Will the minister be also kind enough to make on the map the political divisions of the present Dominican Republic, that is to say, the boundaries of the districts, counties, provinces, parishes, or of any other subdivisions, if there are any, into which the republic may have been apportioned, with the name of each subdivision; also where each fort or military garrison on the frontier of Hayti is situated % Will he please also to designate the cities and ports of entry within the republic, together with the mines, &c., whether of copper, lead, coal, salt, sulphur, &c., &cJ
Will the minister be kind enough to furnish me with copies of any papers in his department, if consistent with his duty, which will throw ny additional light on the previous history of the island of San Do-56
dominican republic.
mingo, while under the French and Spanish authorities, and while under the government of Hayti ?
Copies of stipulations, or any other documents which may have passed between President Boyer and the French and Spanish authorities, as to indemnities, &c., or for any other purpose; the nature of the agreement which was made between France on the one part, and the Haytian government on the other • the amount which Hayti stipulated to pay to France, &c., &c.
Will the minister likewise inform me at what time the Dominican government was organized, and what led to its establishment; the number of harbors and ports of entry within the limits of the republic; the number of square miles; the number of inhabitants, as near as may be known; which part of the republic is best adapted for the growth of tobacco, which for cotton, coffee, and which for sugar; whether the republic is possessed of any lands, mines, &c., and if it is, will he please state to what extent ? Will he also state what are the products of the different parts of the republic, which are its navigable rivers, the extent of their navigation, and their adaptation to other purposes ?
I would also respectfully ask to be informed of the amount of the commerce of the Dominican Republic, and what was its amount during the time it was subject to the Haytians? Will the commerce of the republic increase? And if it is your opinion that it will, be pleased, to state the reasons for that opinion, and the sources from whence you suppose that increase will be derived.
How is the political power of the republic distributed ? What are the names of the different gentlemen who compose the executive administrative departments of the government ? How is the judiciary organized? What is the principal system of the government? What is the probable amount of the annual revenues of the republic, and from what sources are they derived? Are there any commercial vessels belonging to citizens of the republic ? What is the amount of the foreign, and what of the coastwise trade ?
May I also be permitted to inquire whether any connection exists between the Dominican Eepublic and any other nation; and if there does, with what nation, and what is the nature of that connection, and to what extent?
What number of soldiers and men under arms can the republic muster, and at what points are they stationed ? What is the number of pieces of ordnance, and where are they mounted or placed? How many stand of arms are in the republic, belonging to the government ? What amount of powder and ball, and where are they deposited ? Will there be any more arms and ammunition imported into the republic for the use of the government? From what country have the munitions of war ordered by the republic usually been procured ?
What is the naval force of the republic, and how is it organized ?
Are the citizens and inhabitants of the republic permitted to exercise their own choice as to their religion, and are all sects held responsible only to their God for the peculiarity of their views ?
With assurances of the highest respect, I am, &c.,
JOHN HOGAN.
Hon. Thomas Bobadilla,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dominican Republic.dominican republic.
5T
No. 10.
god, our country, and liberty.
Dominican Republic—Ministry of justice, public instruction, and foreign relations, department of state, section of the exterior.
San Domingo, June 19,184 , and 2d of the country.
Honorable Sir : In compliance with your note of the 12th instant, it is gratifying to me to be able to send you a map of this island, on which are marked the boundaries which divide the territory of the ancient French part and those of the Spanish part, which forms the territory of the Dominican Republic, with its political division into provinces, cities, and towns, the latter designated, and the area in square miles of each part.
It is an admitted fact in history that Christopher Columbus took possession of this island, in the name of the sovereigns of Spain, on the 6th December, 1492, and from that time they exercised sovereignty over it, until the year 1795, when by the treaty of Basle they ceded it to France.
At that period the revolution among the blacks and mulattoes of the French part had already taken place, and in the year 1801 the general-in-chief, Toussaint Louverture, in the name of the French government, came to take possession of the eastern part, and the Spanish captain general, Don Joaquin Garcia, delivered it to him in obedience to the orders he had received from the court of Spain.
The troops which the Spanish government had here, those persons in its employment, and a great number of the people, retired into Spanish territory.
General Toussaint remained in possession of the ancient Spanish part until the year 1802, when General Le Clerc arrived, with a French army of more than 20,000 men, to take possession of the whole island, which he accomplished, making himself master of alt the cities and fortified places without difficulty. The blacks and mulattoes rose against the whites in the western part, and a war of extermination subsisted between them, in which the French soldiery fell a prey to the influence of the climate; the. yellow fever and other diseases committed such havoc upon this fine army that in 1805 there were scarcely 1,500 French left in the city of San Domingo, under the command of General Fer-rand. The Spanish part had made an opening into the part formerly French, occupied by the Haytians, and in the same year, 1805, General Dessalines, with an army of 22,000 men, invaded it, burned all the towns, devastated, pillaged, and committed every species of disorder and met with no obstacle until he arrived before the walls of the city of San Domingo, which he besieged for 21 days, at the end of which time he retired with his army to the western part, where he had himself proclaimed emperor of Hayti.
The French remained in the ancient Spanish part until the year 1808y when the Spanish government declared war against the French, and the natives of that part of the island, with Don Juan Sanchez Ramirez at their head, threw off the yoke of the French, and recovered their rights as Spaniards, regaining possession of the island, which submitted once more to the Spanish Crown, and by the treaty of Paris, of 1814r Spain reassumed her right to and possession of the island.
The Spanish government continued in possession of it until December, 1821, when the civil governor, Dr. Don Jos6 Nuenas de Castres^58
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
proclaimed independence and j>lanted the Colombian standard. But it seems the public mind was not yet prepared for such apolitical change ; the diversity of opinion, the fear of a disastrous civil war, induced the natives to bear the yoke of the Haytians, who took advantage of the occasion, and President Boyer, with an army of 10,000 men, marched upon the Spanish part, protesting that he came as a father, friend, and pacificator—protestations which he did not verify; for his government, which commenced in this city on the 11th February, 1822, was tyrannical, arbitrary, and altogether despotic, respecting neither the rights, nor property, nor religion of individuals, their usages and customs, nor anything which civilized nations regard and respect as sacred and inviolable.
The Haytians are characteristically vain, proud, little inclined to labor, fond of idleness, dissolute, immoral, without manners, without religion, disposed to thieving, to lyiog, to inebriety, and all the vices which constitute the degradation of a people, and scarcely a single civil or political virtue can be found among them. Practiced in assassinating, pillaging, and devastating, this is their predominant ambition, and they have never been able to establish a solid government, having lost sight of the elements which constitute a State under those laws of reason and justice which are recognized by the law of nations. Hence it is that instead of progressing they have been constantly retrograding. They are inimical to foreigners; do not permit them to marry in the country, to acquire real estate, nor do they grant them any civil privileges, but, on the contrary, they look upon them with general contempt; and the white man carries with him wherever he goes, in his color, a mark of reprobation among the Haytians.
The character of the Dominican Spaniards, of which you request some notice, is mild, docile, religious to a considerable degree, hospitable, of good manners, with all the qualities requisite to form an excellent nation. The natives love liberty, are animated with the desire of prosperity, are brave, and punctiliously honorable.
In the notes given to you by the minister of the interior, in its appropriate place, you will find the receipts and expenditures of the government, the present commerce, and the productions of the country: and the fertility of the soil is well known, the kindly influence of the climate, the plains which comprise so vast an extent of territory, with an infinity of rivers navigable into the interior of the island; as, for instance, in the south, the rivers Neyba, Osama, Macous, Loui, Camayaso, Romana, Guiaboa and Yunea; in the north, the Yaque, and several others, navigable for small vessels. We have the most beautiful ports, bays, and inlets, capable of containing an immense number of vessels, such as Baraona, Puerto Viego, Oeed, Samana, Mansanillo Bay, Puerto de Plata, Monte Christi, and an infinity of harbors on the different coasts and mouths of rivers, where vessels may anchor in all safety.
The territory of the Dominican Republic abounds in gold mines, copper, silver, iron, quicksilver, sulphur, stone coal, gypsum, salt, and other productions of nature. The gold and copper mines best known, and which have been worked, are those of Cebao, those of Cotuy, of Ste. Rosa de Hayna, of San Cristobal, and those of Samana.
The political power of the republic is divided into legislative, executive, and judicial, as you will see by a copy of the constitution which I have the honor to send herewith, as well as the law for the organization of the judiciary, and another for the government of the provinces, which will furnish you the most exact information it is in my power to give. General Pedro Santana is the actual president of the republic,DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
and the four ministers are Colonel Manuel Oabral Bernal, minister of the interior and of police; Ricardo Minra, of the hacienda and commerce ; the general of division, Manuel Timenes, of war and marine ; and myself, minister of justice, public instruction, and foreign relations. The chief political superiors, being representatives of the executive, are appointed by him, and are, for the capital, the general of division, Joaquin Pueblo; for the province of Azua, the general of division, Antonio Duberger; for Santiago, the general of division, Francisco Antonio Salcedo; for La Vega, the general of brigade, Felipe Bargues; and for Leybo, Colonel Jos6 Familias.
I send you also a list of the individuals who compose the legislative bodies, elected according to the constitution, and, as you perceive, they form the congress to take cognizance of certain cases defined by the fundamental compact.	1
I also send you a statement from the ministry of war, in which you will see the number of men able to bear arms in our republic, of cannons, muskets, fortresses, vessels, and other elements of war, with which we count upou defending ourselves from any invasion of the Haytians, and securing the stability of the republic.
Our present population exceeds 230,000 souls, by the nearest calculation, made from the ratio of those capable of bearing arms, a calculation in which the government was particularly interested, during the revolution ; for the Haytians will never agree to an exact census being taken of the population, on account of the great interest they have felt and still feel in making it appear that their population exceeds ours, whereas, on the contrary, we have historical and positive data to show that they cannot assemble an army of 35,000 men, more particularly since the year 1842, during which they suffered considerable diminution of population from those who were killed by the earthquake of May in that year; from battles among themselves after the revolution of Riviere; from the invasion they undertook of this part of the island after the separation, in which it is calculated that more than 2,000 were killed in the various battles and encounters that took place; to all which it must be added that the epidemic of small-pox has made, and is still making, the most frightful havoc among them in allcomers of their territory—from which the population of the Haytians may be estimated at 300,000 souls .at most, of whom the blacks and mulattoes are in the proportion of 25 to 1.
According to some historians of the French part of this island, its population before the revolution amounted to 523,803 souls—30,826 whites, 27,548 mulattoes, and 465,429 slaves; but it has gone on progressively to decrease in consequence of the continued civil war in which they have lived, the relaxation of morals, and the vices in which they indulged; these are the causes which, in the opinion,of all travelers and statesmen, have contributed to keep down the increase of population.
There is no certain datum by which to estimate the number of Dominicans who, during the revolution in the Spanish part, emigrated to foreign countries; but it may be set down at 10,000 or 12,000, and it may be regarded as certain that the greater part of these will return to their firesides as soon as the present government shall acquire stability; for the Dominicans in general are great lovers of their native soil, and most of those who emigrated left real estates here which they or their heirs will come to enjoy.
Calculating our population at more than 200,000 souls, the half of them are whites, and of the other half two-thirds are colored, and the rest morenos, the number being very small of those who were formerly slaves, as well because in this part of the island the slaves were never60
DOMINICAN ^REPUBLIC.
numerous, as because almost all of them, after Boyer came into possession, fled to the western republic and there remained.
It is worthy of particular remark that, among the Dominicans, the prejudices of color have never had much weight, men being distinguished more by their virtues and moral qualities, and hence it is that our men of color, and that class of morenos formerly free, are identified with the whites in sentiment; and even those who were once slaves have fought, and are at any time ready to fight, against the Haytians, because their government was so infamous, so inconceivably oppressive, as not to gain the sympathies of any of the classes.
The Spanish government, after the events of 1822, abandoned its rights over the old Spanish part of the island, denied to the natives the protection it owed them, and they were compelled to bear the yoke imposed upon them by the brutal force of a cruel aud inhuman government. Nor was it until the year 1830, in the month of January, that Senor Felipe Fernandes de Castros was sent to President Boyer, with powers from the King of Spain to reclaim possession of the ancient Spanish part, which was not accorded, and nothing more was afterward done.
In 1825 the King of France, as you will also see by a copy of the decree of Charles X, acknowledged the independence of the Haytians, on condition of an indemnity of 150,000,000 francs, confining his acknowledgment to the ancient French part, because he neither had, nor could have, any right to contract for a territory whicli belonged to another foreign nation, Spain, who has never to this day ceded her rights by any public convention or treaty.
The Dominicans, masters of the territory, almost the whole of which was their private property, abandoned by the mother country, compelled to suffer outrages, humiliations, and the tyranny of the Haytian government, which took possession of it by force, and which, so far from granting proportionate advantages to the inhabitants, ruined, impoverished, and degraded them, on the 27th of February, 1844, preferring death to a condition so abject, sounded the cry of separation; the whole population of the ancient Spanish part united in a cause so just; public opinion was prepared; the enthusiasm was general; our arms triumphed over the attempts which our oppressors made with their imposing forces to reduce us again to subjection. We erected ourselves into a free and sovereign state, and our independence is a fact consummated and irrevocable, LL for when a people choose to be free no human power can prevent it"
Our institutions are liberal j we have endeavored to draw toward us the sympathies of all nations, with whom we desire peace and relations of mutual advantages; hitherto, with none have we compromised our public credit, nor have we opened any negotiation; but nevertheless the English merchants, during the last year, offered us a loan of one million and a half sterling, which we did not accept. With the French also some propositions were made on both sides, at the.beginning of the revolution, which must be considered now as null and void. Some foreign commercial houses have already been established in this capital, in Puerto de Plata, and Azua; and it would seem to be a law of nature^ and a duty which nations owe to each other, that their beneficial action should be extended in favor of the people who have successfully struggled against those who may be called the enemies of the human race.
If the details into which I have entered should not prove satisfactory to you, I am ready to give any others that you may deem expedient orDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
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necessary to the fulfillment of the mission of your Government, with all requisite particularity.
I take this occasion to salute you with the most distinguished consideration.
bojbadilla.
Law for the Provincial Administration.
god, our country, and liberty. dominican republic.
The tribunate, in the exercise of their authority under the provisions of th.e constitution, have
passed the following law:
CHAPTER I.
Title 1.—Of the provinces and their subdivisions.
Article 1. The territory of the Dominican Republic is divided into five provinces, as determined by the constitution, that is to say: Compostela de Azua, Santo Domingo, Santa Cruz del Seybo, Concepcion de la Yega, and Santiago de los Caballeros.
Article 2. The province of Compostela de Azua is subdivided into nine communes, namely : Neyba, Azua, (head of the province,) San Juan, Hincha, las Matas, Barn5a, Caobas, San Rafael, and San Miguel. The military post of Baraona is a dependent of the commune of Azua, as the nearest, and that of Petitsu, of the commune of Neyba. The adjacent islands depending on this province are Beata and Alto Velo.
Article 3. The province of Santo Domingo is subdivided into seven communes, namely: SaDto Domingo, (head of the province,) Ban&, San Cristobal, Danos, Monte de Plata, Bayaguana, and Boga. The city of San Carlos, the town of San Lorenzo of the Mines, and the ports of Santa Cruz depend on the commune of Santo Domingo.
Article 4. The province of Santa Cruz del Seybo is subdivided into three communes: Seybo, (head of the province,) Highey, and Samana. The military posts of Hato Mayor and Sabana of the Sea shall be depended, the first, on the commune of Seybo; the second, on that of Samana. The islands adjacent to this province are Santa Catalina, Salvona, and all those upon this coast.
Article 5. The province of Concepcion de la Yega is subdivided into four communes, namely: La Vega, (head of the province,) Cotuy, Moca, and Macon.
Article 6. The province of Santiago de los Caballeros is subdivided into four communes : Santiago, (head of the province,) Puerto de Plata, Monte Cristi, and San Jos6 de los Mates. The military posts of these communes are Alto Mira, Puerto de Plata, and Dajabon de Monte Cristi.
• CHAPTER II.
of the political government of the province.
Title 1.—Of the chief political heads.
Article 7. Each province shall be administered by a superior political chief, who shall represent the executive power and reside in the capital of the province.
Article 8. The superior political chief exercises his functions conformably to the 140th, 141st, 142d, 143d, 144th, 145th, and 146th articles of the constitution.
Article 9. He possesses the following powers: 1. The publication of the acts and orders of the government. 2. The execution of the electoral laws. 3. The exercise of the general police and execution of the laws, decrees, and regulations relating to the administrative police. 4. The superintendence of permits and passports, and other licenses granted by law. 5. The installation of public functionaries, who shall take an oath before him when the law does not otherwise direct. 6. The superintendence, organization, and administration of the civil guard, in conformity with the law relating thereto, and of the police corps in the communes of his province. 7. The execution of the laws, with conscription of the army, and on all military affairs requiring the intervention of the civil authority. 8. The inspection of the prisons and other public establishments.
Article 10. The superior political chief shall have the care and direction of the rural administration, and the labors of agriculture; he shall execute the decrees granting national donations and compensations; shall inspect the roads, bridges, and boats, and all the public labors of his province, according to the laws, or in execution of the ordinances of the provincial deputation.62
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
. Article 11. The superior political chief shall communicate directly with the secretary of state, of the interior, and police, to whom lie shall give an account of his administration ; shall correspond also with the other public functionaries on all that relates to his province.
Article 12. In case of vacancy by death or otherwise, the duties of the superior political chief shall be temporarily discharged by the first named member of the provincial deputation, uutil the executive power shall determine otherwise.
Article 13. The military who shall be called by the president of the republic to the office of superior political chief shall not hold two appointments; they shall choose between their military rank and the office of superior political chief.
Title 2.—Of provincial deputations.
Article 14. Provincial deputations shall be appointed in conformity with the 147th, 148th, 149th, 150th, 151st, and 152d articles of the constitution.
Article 15. The secretaries of the provincial deputations, appointed in conformity with the constitution, shall receive during the session the following pay : In the provinces of Santo Domingo and Santiago, for the session, $40. In those of Azua, La Yega and Seybo, for the session, $30.
These salaries shall be paid out of the public funds of the province.
Article 16. The provincial deputations shall meet in the first fifteen days of the months of June and December. Nevertheless, the superior political chief may call an extraordinary session in the intervals.
Article 17. All deliberations of the provincial deputations shall be decided by an absolute majority of votes.
Article 18. The tribunate shall ratify or annul the decisions of the provincial dep\i-tations, according to the 156th article of the constitution. And to the congress shall belong the power to decide definitively the differences between the several provincial deputations, between these and the assemblies, and between either and the government.
Article 19. The powers of the provincial deputations are defined by the 154th article of the constitution.
Article 20. The superior political chief, as well as the members present at the sessions, shall sign all the acts passed by the provincial deputation. The acts aforesaid shall be recorded in the order of their date in a register numbered and signed by the superior political chief.
Article 21. The public funds of each province shall be proposed annually by the respective provincial deputations to the legislative power, which shall vote upon them in conformity to the constitution. During the interval the provincial deputations shall have the power of transferring the funds of one commune to another for the public service, provided the receipts of the latter exceed its expenditure, and provided due information thereof be laid before the legislative power it its next session.
Title 3.—Of the secretaryship of the superior political chief.
Article 22. Each superior political chief shall have a secretary. This official shall be appointed by the executive power, and shall receive from the public treasury the following salary: In the capital, $480 per annum; in the province of Santiago, $420 per annum; in the provinces of Azua, la Yega, and Seybo, $300 per annum. Besides these secretaries the superior political chief may, if the public service require it, ask of the executive power a copying clerk, who shall receive half the salary assigned to the secretaries.
Article 23. No person shall be at the same time employed as secretary of a superior political chief and as secretary of a provincial deputation or an assembly.
Article 24. The superior political chiefs shall wear a sash with the national colors, fringed and knotted with gold. All laws and orders contrary hereto are repealed, and this shall be sent to the conservative council for its sanction, agreeably to the provisions of the constitution.
Given by the tribunate chamber, on the 28th of May, 1845, in the second year of independence.
The national congress, in the name of the Dominican Republic: Let this law in relation to provincial administration be executed, and sent to the executive power to be promulgated within forty-eight hours.
Given in the city of Santo Domingo, capital of the republic, on the 9th day of June, in the year of our Lord) eighteen hundred and forty-five, and the second of our independence.
Signed by the president of congress.
BUENAVENTURA BAES.
Signed by the secretaries:
Bernardo Secundino Aybar.
T. N. Fejera,
Juan Bantista Ariza.DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
63
Be it fulfilled, communicated, and circulated throughout the territory of the Dominican Republic.
Given, signed and countersigned in the city of San Domingo, on the 9th day of. June, 1845, in the second year of independence. Signed,
SANTANA, President of the Republic.
By the secretary of the interior and police, the secretary of state, of dispatch, of justice, public instruction, and foreign relations. Signed,
BOBADILLA.
List of individuals who compose the legislative body of the Dominican Republic.
members of the populait branch.
Licentiate Jos© Joaquine Delmonte, for St. Domingo.
Francisco Xaviel Abren, for St. Domingo,
Juan Bantista Lovelace, for St. Domingo.
Toribie Lopes Villanueva, for Santiago.
Desiderio Valverde, for Santiago.
Joaquim de Portes, for Santiago.
Jos6 Concepuoz Tabera, for la Vega.
Juan Bantista Ariza, for la Vega.
Santiago Calderon, for la Vega.
Aleyo Justo Chaulater, for Azua.
Bernardo Aybar, for Azua.
Juan Fran. Heorera, for Azua.
Lorenzo Hernandez, for el Seybo.
Rafael Perez, for el Seybo.
Luis Devers, for el Seybo.
members of the conservative council.
Buenaventura Baes, for Azua.
Juan de Dios Correa Cruzedo, for St. Domingo^
Nolberto Luearos, for el Seybo.
Josd Maria Medrano, for la Vega.
Juan Curiel, for Santiago.
\
Charles, by the grace of God, King of France and Navarre, to all who shall see these presents, greeting:
In conformity with the 14th and 75th articles of the constitutional charter, called for by the interest of French commerce, the misfortunes of the ancient colonists of St. Domingo, and the precarious state of the present inhabitants of that island, we have decreed, and do decree, as follows:
Article 1. The ports of the French post of St. Domingo shall be open to the trade of all nations. The duties received in these ports, whether upon vessels or upon merchandise, as well on their entrance as on their departure, shall be equal and uniform for all flags except the French flag, in favor of which these duties shall be reduced one-half.
Article 2. The present inhabitants of the French port of St. Domingo shall pay into the general chest of deposits and consignations of France, in five equal annual payments, the first falling due on the 31st December, 1825, the sum of one hundred and fifty millions of francs, destined to compensate the ancient colonists who claim an indemnity.
Article 3. We grant, on these conditions, by the present decrees, to the actual inhabitants of the French post of St. Domingo, full and entire independence of government.
And the present decree shall be sealed with the great seal.
Given at Paris, at the castle of the Tuilerios, the 17th April, in the year of grace 1825, and of our reign the first.
CHARLES.
[Extracted from the works of V. Schohha.]64
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
No. 11.
[Inclosure to Mr. Jolin Hogan's report.]
Mr. Hogan to Reverend Mr. Stevenson, Messrs. James Falls and Isaac Miller, elders of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of San Domingo.
City of San Domingo, June 13,1845.
Since my arrival liere from the United States, and after numerous inquiries as to the social and political condition of the inhabitants of the island, especially that part of it known as the Dominican Eepublic, I have been informed that under the government of the republic a most liberal spirit exists toward the religious part of its citizens, and that every one is left to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience without molestation or interruption. Will you be kind enough to communicate to me your views on this subject, and to inform me "whether your religious rights and liberties are protected by the government of the republic, and whether the religious, moral, and social condition of the inhabitants living under the jurisdiction of the Dominican Eepublic is improved or retarded by the establishment of the present government ?
Will you also be kind enough to inform me of the number of Methodist Episcopal churches at present comprised within the Dominican Eepublic, the state of their prosperity, &c. I
And if you are in possession of other information which you may feel yourselves at liberty to communicate, touching the political condition of the inhabitants of the island, it will afford me great pleasure to receive it.
JOHN HOGAN.
No. 12.
Members and congregation of Methodist Episcopal Church to Mr. Hogan.
San Domingo, June 18, 1845.
We, the members of the Methodist Episcopal church of this ctiy, also many other Americans not attached to our body, having assembled in said church for the purpose of hearing the purport of your kind communication, which having been read, we proceed to answer:
1.	Question. " I am informed that under the government of the Dominican Republic a most liberal spirit exists toward the religious part of its citizens, and that man is left to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience without molestation or interference as to sects or colors."—Answer. It is with no small degree of pleas-tire that we do assure you that the above information is most unexceptionally true, as •was exemplified on the 3d of March, 1844, a few days after the occurrence of the revolution, we being in a great state of confusion, not knowing what would be our fate, owing to the difference of our religion. The native inhabitants used their utmost endeavors to pacify us, and the provisional government sent us a message in the which they made known to us that they had no hostile intentions toward us, but, on the contrary, they would respect and protect us in all of our civil, political, and religious rights; which promise has been most faithfully observed.
2.	Q. " Whether the moral and social condition of the inhabitants of that part of the island known as the Dominican Republic is improved or retarded by the establishment of the republic."—A. We perceive a very great improvement in the social condition, and no retardance in the moral condition of the inhabitants, and do think that there will bo great in the moral when the republic shall be older.
•"And any other information that you may have in your power to communicate todominican republic.
65
me touching the political situation of the inhabitants of tlie island."—Communication. This part of the island, which is by far the largest and the richest in mines and fertility of soil, being well timbered and well watered, having a salubrious climate, and bringing forth its produce spontaneously, is governed by a civil constitution, founded upon democratic principles, holdiug forth and guaranteeing universal liberty and equality to all men, which we all enjoy to our entire satisfaction, and as to the native inhabitants, they are great lovers of peace and tranquillity, and nothing short of imperious necessity will induce them to be joined in broils and war, when they evince great valor. Complacency of disposition, generosity, charity, candor, and humanity are the real characteristics of the nation.
3. Q. "Be good enough to let me know the number of Mctliodist Episcopal ehurches in the Dominican Republic."—A. One in this city, two in Saniana, and one in Port au Plata.
We, the undersigned, do hereby declare communication are our free and unfeigned ican government and its inhabitants.
James Fauls, Elder in charge. Moses Stevenson, Preacher. Caleb Hyland, Steward. John Hamilton, Isaac Fountain, David Brooks, John Jones, Trustees. John Hill. Lewis Hutchins. Clement Jones. Abraham Jones. Philip Thomas. Thomas Bostic. David Harris. t Isaac Pearson. Jonas Pearson. John Scroggins. Eobert Lankford. James Harris.	1
Peter Jones. James Jesper. Peter Holbrook. William Johnson. Jacob Johnson. Nelson Eoberts. Elijah E. Gross. Caesar Grant. James Manns. James Underhill. David Brown. Alfred Borney. John Small.
Theodore Hall.	*
John Conner. Elijah Conner. Samuel Nash.
that the above answers and views concerning the Domin-
Joiin Bowen. John Scott. James Scott. Ann Harris. Ann Stevenson. Amelia Roberts. Sarah Heron. Esther Jones. Esther Ann Thibon. Jane Bostic. Jane Fauls. Amelia Wayman. Phebe Pearson. Hannah Pearson. Catharine Jones. Mary Stevenson. Ann Gross. Harriet Murray. Catharine Alexander. Charlotte Thomas. Theresa Brooks. Ann Hill. Ellen Hyland. Eliza Pearson. ' Amelia Fountain. Julia Eoberts. Eachel Hall. Ann Gray. Henrietta Scott. Susan Hancock. Elizabeth Hernandez. Maria Eoberts. Eosetta Stevenson. Diana Woodhull. Elizabeth Lankford. Amelia Woodhull.
S. Ex. 17-566
dominican republic.
No. 13.
To the Eight Reverend Thomas DePortas, Catholic bishop of the diocese of
San Domingo.
Reverend and Dear Sir : Since my appointment and mission to this island by the President of the United States, and while in the city of New York waiting the departure of a vessel for this port in which I, was to .take passage, I had the pleasure of an interview with the Eight Reverend Bishop Hifghes, Catholic bishop of the diocese of the State of New York, and in the course of our conversation he expressed a deep solicitude for the spiritual welfare of the people of this island, and was very desirous, if practicable, of ascertaining from an authentic source some particulars as to their religious condition. • He was very anxious to know whether a bishop had been appointed to the bishopric of the island, or, if there is more than one, how many, and who the reverend gentlemen are. Will you, therefore, permit me to inquire of you the number of the churches now in that part of the island known as the Dominican Republic, the number of clergymen, the number of communicants or attendants at the churches, the number of youth at school, and the number of schools in the diocese; whether the education of the youth is generally attended to ; what the system of education is; whether the government of the republic encourages education; what is the comparative social and religious condition of the people now with what it. was during1 the time the territory nowlinown as the Dominican Republic was subject to the Haytian power ?
Will you also permit me to inquire as to the spiritual ^condition of the people now subject to the Haytian government"? Whether the inhabitants of that part of the island have any religious instructions; and if so, the number of clergymen and the number of churches within the boundaries of the republic? Also, whether any attention is'paid to the education of the rising generation; and if so, what system of education is pursued ? Also, as to the social and religious condition of the people?
I beg, my dear sir, that you will not consider these inquiries as addressed to you out of mere idle curiosity. Of the present condition of the people of this island very little is known in the United States, and it is my purpose, if possible, to obtain such information as will represent the people of San Domingo and the different governments of the island in the true light to the Government and people of the United States, who feel a deep solicitude for the welfare of the island and very anxious to know its true condition.
I have the honor, reverend sir, to be, yours, &c.,
JOHN HOGAN.
No. 14.
San Domingo, June 15,1845.
Honorable Sir : Your esteemed favor of 13th instant remains in my possession, and I have duly noted the sundry information you are pleased to make regarding the actual state of our church, the number of our clergymen, religious education of our youth, and other questions of same tendency.
With a sincere view to correspond to the kind solicitude and particular interest the right worthy catholic bishop at New York professes us, as also with an ardent desire of settling at once the opinion of theDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
67
people of the United States as to the religious and moral principles that are possessed by our people, I refer to the following:
The administration of the diocese resides in the hands of a vicar, with apostolic delegation from his Saintety the Pope, which functions have befallen to me, with all the pontifical faculties, and by the non-existence of bishops in this place I have also the delegation of conferring the sacrament of confirmation. The government of this republic has thought proper to select me for the administration of the archbishopric of the island, but I have resisted against this choice for many powerful reasons, and the principal is its having a dignity that 1 consider fearful in the state of our faith. However, the President has addressed his Saintety for my nomination to that dignity, and I have for a second time observed to the Sainted See my insufficiency and age of seventy-eight years.
The constitution establishes that the president, conjointly with the diocesan, can request of the Sainted See the grace of presentation for all the miters and prebends in the extension of the territory, and establish negotiations for tbe accomplishment of a concordat; and that in the meantime all difficulties arising from ecclesiastical questions shall be decided according to the sacred canons. In this understanding are the communications opened with the Sainted See.
The anti-Spanish part of the island, which now forms the territory of our new republic, had always been administered by a single archbishop, as-the spiritual necessities of the people were not such as to need the establishment of any other episcopal seat. In this moment, and according to actual circumstances, it seems to me that no new creations may be deemed necessary, and that the episcopal administration may continue as for the past; although in the literal sense of our constitution it may be understood that for the future more than one seat may be established, as also the reinstallation of the prebendaries of the cathedral, all having ceased to exist, I being the only survivor of fourteen. So far, I have attempted to satisfy your first desire.
The number of temples and clergymen is as follows:
1.	The principal temple, with two curates.
2.	The aid of the parish St. Michael Archangel, without any assistant.
3.	Another aid of the parish St. Andrews, without assistant.
4.	The Dominican Temple.
5.	Adjoining to this is the temple called the Third Order.
6.	The temple dedicated to our Lady of Mercy.
7.	Adjoining to this is one called the Third Order.
8.	The Temple of San Francisco.
9.	The Third Order of thi^, destroyed by the Haytians.
10.	The hospital of poor Indians, with its adjoining chapel.
11.	The chapel of our Lady of Altagracia.
12.	The hospital of St. Lazarus, with its chapel.
13.	The temple of the apostle of St. Andrews.
14.	The temple of our Lady of Remidies.
15.	The convent of Santa Clara, (destroyed.)
16.	The convent Regina Angelorum, with its beautiful temple, in which still exists a professional nun of 78 years of age, and one that has not professed, the possession of the Haytians taking place eleven months after her novitiate. Of this I have reported to his Saintety, as also of the selection of six young ladies whom I have prepared for their profession, if the Sainted Father deigns dispense them of part or the whole of their novitiate.
17.	The temple of our Lady of Carmel.68
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
18.	Iii the extreme end of the town, near the fort of St. Giles, exists a temple tliat was provisionally erected after the great earthquake.
19.	Another parish in the town with its curate, and a temple dedicated to Santa Barbara.
20.	Another temple, whose walls alone are remainiug, dedicated to San Antonio Abbey, destroyed by the modern Antiocliians.
Cities, toicns, and villages of the Dominican Republic.
J. In the town of Samana exists a temple without a curate.
2. The village of Savanna La Mar has a temple; no curate. This accounted to our penury of clergymen.
o. The town of Bayagnana has a temple and existing curate.
4. The town of Monte Plata, with a temple and curate.
. 5. Three miles from this is to be seen a precious domed temple in a village denominated that of Boya, a place greatly resorted to by pilgrims devoted to our Lady of Agua Santa.
6.	The village of Higuey, with a beautiful domed temple, where continually resort an. immense concourse of pilgrims devoted to the powerful influence of our Lady of Altagracia upon those unfortunate beings that invoke her with a fervent heart.
7.	The village denominated the Sauta Cruz of Seybo, with a most beautiful domed temple and existing curate, having a population of 1,600 souls.
8.	The village Hayto Mayor, with a temple under the patronage of our Lady of Mercy and its curate.
0. San Jos6 de Los Llanos, with a tolerable temple and existing curate.
10.	At a distance of 18 miles from this place is another temple that serves as an aid to this parish.
11.	Without the walls of this city is the villa of San Carlos de Ten-eriffe, with a provisional hermitage and its curate. The temple having been injured by the effect of the earthquake of 1842, is now in a state of repair.
12.	One and a half mile from this city is another small village termed Los Minos or San Lorenzo, with a ruined temple and without a curate, on account of the penury of clergymen.
13.	The village of San Cristoval, with a beautiful temple, erected at the expense of its actual curate.
14.	The village of Barri, with an ill-treated temple, and a curate.
15.	The village of Compostella of Azua, with a temple that was consecrated on the 22d of May last, and its curate.
16.	The village of Neyba, with an ordinjfry temple and curate.
17.	San Juan of Magiana, with a curate.
18.	Banica and other frontier villages burnt by the New Antiochians.
19.	The village of Cotuy, with a regular temple, ill-treated by the last earthquake, and in repair.	'.
20.	San Francisco of Macoris, with a regular, and its curate.
21.	The villa of the Conception de la Vega, with a good temple, but ill-treated by the earthquake, and a quarter of a league from thence is the famous mountain called la Vega, on the summit of which is seen a temple, where the hole made by Admiral Columbus for the planting of the sainted cross is still seen. This temple has been destroyed by the earthquake, but the parishioners have immediately constructed a provisional one in its place, which may last many years.
22.	The city of Santiago was entirely overthrown, and, with the same disaster, its temples; but the population, amounting to 18,000 souls, andDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
69
being a district of the immense tobacco cultivation, the parishioners raised a temple behind the two thafr were destroyed, and termed the large and small convents.
23.	The city of San Felipe de Puerto de Plata, with a very zealous curate, and a fine, beautiful temple. . Six miles from thence is a hermitage termed Altamira.
24.	Lastly is Daxabon, p the limits of the Haytians, and to the northward is the town of Monte Christi, with its curate.
25.	Las Matas de San Josd, with its curate, and six miles from thence is a hermitage.
Our past vicissitudes having obliged many of our clergymen to emigrate, leaving the parishes vacant, the divine worship was celebrated in them as well as circumstances could permit; but as our new state inspires by degree more confidence of stability, we hope soon to see the return of our clergymen, of which we have examples.
Notwithstanding of its being necessary to promote new ordinations, to prevent our being exposed to the danger of losing the spiritual paste, this has been dispensed to the faithful with security and abundance.
As regarding the number of assistants to the sacred worship, it is useless to give any further information, as you have been an eye-witness to the solemnity of this day, in which, after three years that the repairing of the cathedral required, from the great damages it had experienced from the earthquake, we have seen reestablished, with all possible solemnity, the sacred worship on its altars.
The moderation, religious conduct, and piety of the population have not been belied in this act; and the concourse has been so numerous, that well may we say, room was wanting to the faithful and not worshipers to the sacred temple. The Dominican people are, in general, essentially religious; such is this the predominant character, that I am convinced that tliey would spill the last drop of their blood in homage to religion. The proof of this assertion is, that our government, persuaded of the predominance of this sentiment, has adopted in our national colors the symbol of redemption, as most sympathetic with the people's affections. The exercise of religion till this day has been effectuated merely with the offers and presents of the faithful to the church.
Concerning the number of schools, youth attending them, the established system of education, and the stimulating of government for its greatest extension, the law of the 13th May, promulgated upon the matter, may give you a just idea of those facts, and our future hopes of seeing the reestablishment of our university, as there is no doubt that we shall rise to the level of the illustrations that are propagated, reversing our particular attention to religious instruction.
However, it is satisfactory for me to say that, before the promulgation of the law, our youth were not neglected throughout the republic, either by the private or public schools at the expense of government.
. We have several youth that are actually following a course of philosophy, and schools for young ladies, attended by gentlemen that pay the strictest attention to their progress of education.
Under the Haytian government the religious principles could not be stifled, notwithstanding the system of indifference and even despise of that government, that had no other tendency than that of permitting religious exercise as a political institution without any importance or transcendency.
The temples that could have been easily repaired during the Haytian occupation were completely destroyed and demolished, the fragments of which were appropriated to the private use of those that governed.70
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
Nothing was attempted to prevent the impending dangers that threatened our divine worship in our penury of clergymen, and in case that the spiritual director, depending on the Roman See, should cease to exist. It seemed to indicate that it was purposely intended to throw religion into decay, so that this Spanish part of the island should find ►itself in the same embarrassment and precarious state of the other part of the Haytian Republic; attended on its worship by pilgrim clergymen without any mission, and ejtan sometimes by false priests, without any other dependence or subordination but that of the executive power, who was in that case the arbitrary chief of religion in his state.
With this short description I believe I have nearly fulfilled my task of explanations as to the religious state of the Haytian people. They could not but feel the effects of the disordered state of their clergy. On another part this population is composed of the African race; its actual religious state is a miserable composition of unpleasant and superstitious exercise, mixed with some exterior appearances of our divine worship. Such, at least, is the opinion I have formed of their religious system in the connections which, for twenty-two years, we unfortunately suffered.
I think that, so far, I have terminated, and shall exert all my power to satisfy you in anything else that may be agreeable to you.
It is with the sentiments of the most distinguished consideration that I remain, dear sir, your most attentive servant and chaplain,
THOMAS DePORTAS, R. G.
V. Message from the President of the United States, in answer to a resolur tion of the House of 5th instant, transmitting report of Captain George B. MeClellan upon the Dominican Republic, in the year 1854.
To the Souse of Representatives :
I transmit, herewith, in reply to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 5th instant, copies of the report of Captain George B. MeClellan, upon the Dominican Republic, made in the year 1854.
U. S. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, January 11, 1871.
The Secretary of War has the honor to submit to the-President of the United States, in answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of January 5, 1871, copies of the report of Captain George B. MeClellan upon the Dominican Republic in the year 1854.
WM. W. BELKNAP,
Secretary of War.
United States Ship Columbia,
Pensacola Harbor, August 27, 1854. Sir : I have the honor to state that, in obedience to your orders of June 19, I reached the Bay of Samana on the 25th of July, and made the reconnoissance of which the following memoir and accompanying maps are the results:
The best harbors in the Republic of Dominica are those of Samana, Mansanilla, and Ocoa. Ocoa, nearly in the middle of the southern coast of the island, is entirelyDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
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out of the usual track of navigation, and commands nothing. Mansanilla, on the northern coast, about two-thirds of its length to the westward, is too far from the Mona Passage, is somewhat out of the way from the passage between Cuba and Hayti, and is badly situated with regard to the line of reefs extending eastward from the Inagua Islands, besides having dangerous reefs near its entrance.
The harbor of Samana is almost directly in the route of all vessels using the Mona Passage, and gives complete command of that very important thoroughfare, which is the most safely approached, and most advantageous in its position with regard to the Spanish main and Caribbean Sea, of all the frequented passages.
Having reason to believe that it possessed all the requisite properties, and great advantages over the others with regard to health and defense, I devoted allv my time and attention to its examination. The bay of Samana, extending some 30 miles from east to west, and from 9 to 12 north and south, is formed by the narrow j)eninsula of the same name. The entrance for vessels drawing more than 8 feet is contracted to 2,000 yards by a broad coral reef extending from the southern shore of the bay. At the north point of the reef are five keys, the largest containing about 100 acres, the smallest a mere sand-bank; the passage for vessels lies between the most northern key and the peninsula. The largest ships of the line can enter this bay with the utmost ease, and find secure anchorage within, entirely out of cannon range from vessels outside the keys.
The anchorages and small harbors on the northern side of the bay, near the entrance," are very good, and have excellent holding-ground. The only objection to this bay arises from the rareness of land breezes, at certain seasons of the year at least; so that it is difficult for large vessels to sail out, as the channel is somewhat narrow for them to beat through. This difficulty can be remedied by the use of a steam-tug, by kedging, or warping; were the channel well "buoyed out," it is probable that a ship of the line could, in case of necessity, beat out. With respect to steamers, there is no obstacle in the way of their entering or leaving at any time in the day or night. The peninsula of Samana is almost an island; for at its base the land is low and swampy, much cut up by inlets, and overgrown with mangrove bushes. The approach from the main land is for a league and a half over a narrow, winding path, practicable for only one man at a time, partly under water to the armpits, and in many'places overhead in mud and water on either side.
The peninsula itself is high and broken; the hills ranging from a few hundred to two thousand feet in altitude, exceedingly steep, very irregular in direction, and interspersed with narrow, sloping valleys, the whole covered with a dense growth of underbrush, vines, and timber. It is well watered by small mountain streams. The predominant rock is a limestone, generally porous, but often occurring of such a quality as to form a good building-stone in that climate, and in localities convenient for working.
There are on the hills near Point Cacas fragments of quartz, talcose slate, mica slate, &c.; and it was stated by the commandant that granite occurs among the hills. It seems probable that it is so, and that it might be made available for purposes of construction. The soil is excellent, even on the mountains.
The mahogany, (caoba,) acoma, and balata, are the most important trees. The palm abounds, and would furnish ample materials for the construction of wharves, &c.; but there is another tree (the name of72
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
which has escaped me) that is said to be even less liable to the attacks of worms than the palmetto.
I was informed by the commandant that on the mountains bordering the valley of the Susa there are large quantities of excellent oak, yellow and white pine. There is no harbor for men-of-war 011 or near the northern shore of the peninsula.
Port Jaquesson (Jackson) is the only harbor on that side; 12 feet to 13 feet can enter there; the entrance is almost one-half mile wide, much obstructed by reefs and rocks; inside there is a great depth of water. There is a horse trail bordering the southern shore of the peninsula; one leading from the village of Samana to the north shore, and one, but little used, along a part of this shore. These trails are very bad; in their present condition they are altogether impassable for carts or artillery, and would require much labor to make them practicable.
The construction of new roads would be attended with still greater difficulty. There is a road from Savanna de la Mar to San Domingo City. This, too, is a mere horse trail, and is a very bad one, especially in the wet season. It requires five days to pass over it and back again. The highest point on the road is 1,500 feet above the sea.
The village of Samana is the only one on the peninsula; it consists of from forty to fifty wooden houses, of a very rude construction. The inhabitants of the peninsula, nearly all of whom are negroes, numbered 1,721 in the year 1853, " including 300 American emigrants of color, and their i>rogeny." There is little or 110 commerce here, and the people appear to be very indolent.
Savanna de la Mar, on the southern side of the bay, is almost as large as Samana; behind it are plains which afford good-grazing. At the head of the bay is the mouth of the river Suna, the largest in the republic. On the bar at its mouth are but three to four feet; inside the bar five feet can be carried to near-.
The valley of the Suna is exceedingly fertile, and is separated from that of the Saque only by a ridge 150 feet in height, so that there is probably nothing to prevent the establishment of a good inland communication even with Manzanilla Bay, and thus drawing to Samana the trade of these two rich, but now deserted valleys. The peninsula seems to be remarkably healthy," and not much subject to the yellow fever ; probably owing to the absence of low ground, and to the prevalence of the sea breezes. Of the keys at the entrance of the bay, Bannister and Pascual are the most important. They are of coraline rock, with a thin layer of soil that supports a dense growth of brush and timber. The highest point of Bannister is 85 feet, Pascual is 56 feet in height. In position, slope and formation they are admirably adapted for the erection of defensive works; batteries upon them, and either Point Cacao or Point Caranero, would completely defend the entrance under the lee of these keys, and the small.
Northwest from Pascual there is a very good anchorage. Bannister Key is large enough to form a very good and convenient depot in itself, the only objection to it consisting in the fact that cistern water would have to be depended upon. Points Cacao and Caranero are favorable for the construction of heavy batteries.
A reference to the accompanying map will show that the little harbor of Caranero Chico. and Point Lirio unite all properties desirable in a depot.
The low grounds on Point Lirio, together with the small lateral valleys, give ample space; water is abundant and good; can be constructed on either side of Point Lirio; the advantages in the little harbor andDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
73
oft Lirio are excellent; the approaches to the depot can be perfectly well defended by works on the keys and the opposite points; the ground in rear is very favorable for defense against a land attack; and, finally, it is the nearest suitable spot to the entrance, thus uniting the advantages of controlling the entire bay of Samana, and making the distance to be passed over by vessels the shortest possible.
From the description that has been given of the peninsula, it will appear that, were the whole of it in our possession, it could be placed in the condition of an island; that is to say, a small work commanding the difficult approach from the main land would render it unapproachable on that side.
A similar work at Port Jaquesson would effectually protect that small habor; so that, the keys and entrance to the bay of Samana being strongly fortified, an enemy would be reduced to the necessity of landing on a rock-bound coast, and could, in case of disaster, depend on his ships neither for protection nor refuge. Under these circumstances, and bearing in mind the extreme difficulty (if not impossibility) of transporting artillery and supplies over the mountains, in any reasonable time, lie would be in no condition to undertake a regular seige. It seems necessary, then, to cover the approaches on the land side by occupying the commanding points by redoubts of sufficient strength to be impregnable against assault, and to be reduced only by regular approaches with open trenches and breaching batteries.
It is contemplated to form an important establishment at this place. I would earnestly recommend that the whole peninsula and the keys be obtained, if possible; for it would be much easier to defend the whole peninsula than a part of it; and the soil is of such a nature! as to become, in our hands, of great value.
If it is impossible or is not deemed advisable to obtain the whole peninsula, the tract indicated on the accompanying map, (about 3.2 square miles,) together with the adjacent keys, ought to be obtained.
The possession of Point Cacao,' and of Balandras, especially the former, would also be of great importance, as bearing on the sea approaches. Point Gorda and the hills immediately behind it are of some importance against land approaches. The ground marked on the map gives all that is absolutely necessary, although it would be advantageous to extend the tract as far as Point Grapin, in the direction, and Point Gorda in the other redoulits, on the hills marked A, B, 0, and D, or perhaps on three of them, would well protect the depot on the land side.
In any event, whatever extent of ground may be obtained, the possession of the Levantado Keys is absolutely necessary, and, as before remarked, they would, if nothing more can be had, answer very well of themselves.
Bituminous coal undoubtedly occurs in the peninsula in many places. I twice visited the locality examined by the French and English, about nine miles from Samana, and about 100 yards from the beach, on a small stream.
The coal was first discovered here in consequence of the effect of a freshet; and since the French made their examination the effect of the water has been such as to render further work a matter of more labor and time than were at my disposal. 1 dug down to the upper part of the coal bed, but on account of the water could not reach the good coal " in place." Some specimens that had been exposed to the weather for three years burned well.
I do not doubt the existence of abundance of good coal. Coal is said by the inhabitants to exist at a placq called Punta Gorda, about twelve74
dominican republic.
miles to the west of that I visited, in the hills back of Punta Gorda, at a place called La Carita, near the mouth of the Luna, on the south shore of the bay, to the west of San Lorenzo, and on Monte de Azucar, back of Saniana.
The information given by the natives is very loose and unsatisfactory; a thorough examination could be made to most advantage in the winter season and would occupy much time and require a great deal of labor.
These mines are not, nor have they been, worked; the French took out a few rocks to try on board a steamer.
The land seems to be partly in possession of the residents; a part of it belongs to the Dominican government, and a portion to a naturalized Englishman by the name of Hennirgson.
All possible assistance was most cheerfully afforded me by Commodore Newton, Captain Pendergrast, and their officers.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. B. MoCLELLAN, Lieutenant Engineers and Brevet Captain United States Army.
Hon. Jefferson Davis,
Secretary of War.
Philadelphia, September 30, 1854.
Sir : The republic of Dominica claims as its western boundary the old line between the French and Spanish portions of the island. This commenced, on the north, at the mouth of the Dajabon or Massacre River, about eight miles east of Port Dauphin, and followed that stream to its head. It then to the northward of west followed, as far as the Dondon and Marmalade, the crest of the mountains separating the valley of the Goave from the streams running to the north; then, running a little east of south, the summit of the range separating the waters of the Goave from those emptying near Gonaives, &c., and crossed the Artibonite at Mirebalais; there its direction was about southeast (crossing the Etang Sau Mache) as far as to the head of the Pedernales, and, finally, it followed that stream to its mouth, at Pitres Cove. The Haytians now hold possession of that part of the valley of Goave on the right banks of Rivere de la Porte and the Guayamuco, below the mouth of the first-named stream. In ott er respects the old boundary seems to be maintained, and is occupied by numerous garrisons. The island is traversed by three principal ranges of mountains, running nearly east and west; the first is north of the river Yague and Yuna, and forms the northern boundary of the Yega Real.
The second, the Cibao range, forms the southern boundary of the Yega, and is nearly on the central line of the island, extending from near Gonaives to Cape Rafael. This is the loftiest and most difficult of all. Sir R. Schoonburgh informed me that the highest peak of this range, the Yague, was, by his measurement, a little more than ten thousand feet in height.	.
The third extends from Cape Tiburon, south of the Artibonite, and is lost near the Ozoina.
Besides these principal ranges there are several minor ones, which may be regarded as spurs of the former, and the direction of which is readily seen by reference to the courses of the different streams.
The mountains are densely timbered—the higher with pine and oak; the lower with mahogany, balata, acona, m6nosa, palms, &c. TheDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
75
slopes are generally covered with rich soil, and are susceptible of cultivation. Between the ranges are many very fine valleys and savannas. The most extensive in the island is the " Vega Real." This fertile tract is composed of the valleys of the Yuna and Yague; the "divide" between the two is but one hundred and fifty feet in height, and the whole tract is in the republic of Dominica. North of the Vega Eeal, and bordering the coast, is a fertile savanna of considerable extent. South of the bay of Samana are several others.
East of San Domingo, and bordering the southern shore of the island, is the extensive plain known as the " Daro de los Castillanos;" near the center of the island is the valley of Santiago. The valleys of the Neibe, the Ozoma, and many other streams are extensive and fertile. Many of these interior savannas are quite free from timber and afford good grazing.
The interior and more elevated portions of the island are represented to be quite healthy, while the low and coast districts are subject to very malignant fevers.
The country in the vicinity of Samana appears to be an exception to this rule, and to be as healthy as a tropical region so densely covered with vegetable matter can well be. In sending thither whites, either as soldiers or laborers, it would, however, be a proper precaution to withdraw them to the mountains for at least the first summer.
I could not learn that coal occurs at any other points than on and near the peninsula of Samana; but as the same limestone formation is observed at San Domingo and near Cape Eugano, it is by no means improbable that it may exist in other parts of the island. As for gold, silver, and cinnabar, I can only say that " they are said" to exist in many places. I saw talcose slate in the peninsula of Samana; hence it is possible that gold ^ccurs there.
The most reliable information aTs to the harbors of Dominica is probably to be found in Sir R. Schoonburgh's pamphlet.
It is to be observed that the Haytian portion of the island possesses more good harbors than Dominica. That of the mole of St. Nicholas is, from its position, the most interesting to us, commanding the Windward Passage even more completely than that of Samana does the Mora Passage. It is so well known that I will merely mention that it is a good harbor for large vessels, and was, under the French, strongly fortified; the works here, as well as in all other portions of the island, are certainly out of repair and present no obstacle of consequence to an enterprising force.
Port Dauphin merits particular notice from the fact that it is so secure as a dock, and that the entrance is so narrow (400 yards) as to be susceptible of perfect defense with little labor and expense.
The city of San Domingo, having some 6,000 inhabitants, is fortified much in the manner of Vera Cruz. The curtains are from 14 feet to 18 feet in height, 2 feet thick at top, with a banquette varying from 3 feet to 6 feet wide; the mas& of the banquette being of earth or loose stone, supported by a thin vertical wall in rear; the only way of gaining access to the banquette is from the bastions.
The bastions are small and solid to the gorge; the gorge line being about twenty-five yards, the flanks twelve yards, the faces eighteen to twenty yards; none have more than two embrasures in a flank and three in a face; generally less.
The parapets are all of masonry, and there are no casemates. The thin curtains on the north side, nearest the Ozoma, are loop-holed, but their banquette is almost entirely destroyed.76
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
There are no ditches except on two fronts bordering the bay, and in front of the gate on the land side. There are ten land fronts; these, together with the water fronts, being pierced by about one hundred and fifty embrasures, which in the land fronts are confined to the bastions, there being no arrangements for artillery on the curtains. In the waterfronts on the bay there are three or four breaches, through which the town can be assaulted. The castle is connected with the enciente, and situated on a bluff near the bar; it is in bad repair, and can be counter-battened and breached from the opposite bank of the river. There are twelve guns mounted on the castle—ten in embrasure, 2 in barbette— from 24-pounders to 6-pounders. These are the only guns mounted around the enciente; all others that I saw, as well as the mortars, are dismounted and unserviceable, with the exception, perhaps, of some two or three bronze pieces and stone mortars. The gates of the town are three in number, two of them on the river fronts; they are weak and can easily be blown in. The town can, in fact, be easily taken by assault. The heights to the north command the town at a short distance,/
The anchorage in the outer bay is rather good in the winter; when the southerly winds prevail it is very dangerous.
The bar at the mouth of the river has but thirteen feet; it appears to be shoaling, for it is represented to have had seventeen feet in 1081, and fourteen and a half feet in 1800. When the wind blows fresh it is very dangerous for small boats; within there is a secure anchorage in sixteen to nineteen feet. At the town the river is about four hundred yards wide ; thirteen feet can be carried for fifteen miles from the mouth.
The Dominican navy is moored within the bay. It consists of an old Danish brig of war, ten guns; two American-built clipper barques, seven guns; two schooners. The schooners run as weekly packets to St. Thomas. The commodore of the navy is a Genoese; his ordinary avocation is that of a merchant. The other officers of the navy whom we saw were negroes and inulattoes. The captains receive $10 per month; those who command the schooners have $20 per month in addition, as well as a percentage of the freight and passage money. The sailors, pilots, &c., are negroes and mulattoes. I met quite a number of their army: officers, some of whom appeared to possess considerable intelligence, but few were at all educated. The majority were Creoles, and of the mixed white and Indian blood; many were mulattoes, and some negroes; the non-commissioned officers and men all negroes and mulattoes. The officers are permanently in the service, but the men serve by detail, under a species of conscription. All the inhabitants are liable to this during life. They serve fifteen days in each tour, and come on once in two months. Their pay is just enough to procure them food. I was informed that they keep about 8,000 men constantly under arms, but had no means of verifying the statement. In San Domingo there are at least 500 troops; on the peninsula of Samana, 50 men; at Savanna de la Mar, some 15 or 20; the mass of the army being on the Haytian frontier. The military duty is much complained of, by the inhabitants as greatly interfering with their agricultural labors. The constant liability to invasion by the Haytians seems to require the amount of force they maintain. They are too poor to keep up a well-paid and organized standing army of the requisite strength.
The appearance of these troops is anything but impressive; they scarcely pretend to such a thing as a uniform, and seem to be neither ,-well disciplined nor drilled. One would regard them with great contempt were it not for the recollection of the fact that in the affair of Agua 500 of them, under Santana, completely defeated 5,000 Hay-DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
77
tians under the personal command of Soulouque. The arms of the infantry are of the old United States flint-lock patterD, and are in serviceable order. The few pieces of artillery they have are old and barely serviceable. At Saniana they are making a number of very rude carriages for heavy pieces.
From the rough and thickly wooded nature of the greater part of the island it would seem that light infantry, with mountain howitzers, would be the proper troops for operations in the interior. There are no good roads in the island—in the Dominican part at least.
The distribution between the inhabitants of the two portions of the island appears to be that in Dominica many of the higher officers of government, and of the more respectable classes, are white, half Creoles, or mulattoes, while in Hayti they are all black. Among the lower classes many mulattoes are found in Dominica, few in Hayti.
There is certainly little reason, judging from what I saw, to call Dominica a " white republic." The great mass of the people are negroes and mulattoes. A general indolence and apathy appears to reign. There are no indications of either commercial or agricultural prosperity.
Money and the comforts of life are very scarce. Wages are low, except when foreigners are the employers. The mass of the people seem perfectly contented to eke out their existence in cave huts, trusting for support to their bananas and cocoa-nuts. The American negroes of Samana express more ambition and desire of improving their condition than the others. The best possible feeling appears to prevail toward Americans, much better than toward the English and French, whom they seem to regard with suspicion.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. B. McCLELLAN, Lieutenant Engineers and Brevet Captain U. S. A.
Hon. Jefferson Davis,
Secretary of War.
A true copy from the retained copy in my possession.
GEO. B. MoCLELLAK
Hoboken, May 7, 1869.
VI. [Translation.} Extracts from the'political constitution of the Dominican Republic of 1854.
political constitution of the republic.
Title I.
Of the nation and its territory. ********
Art. 3. The territory of the republic is and shall be inalienable. No power or authority can alienate the whole or any part of it in favor of any other power. For its better administration it shall be divided into provinces, and these shall be subdivided into communes, the number of which shall be fixed by law. The present provinces are: Compostela de Azua, Santo Domingo de Guzman, Santa Cruz del Seybo, Concepcion de la Vega, and Santiago de los Oabelleros.78
dominican republic,
Of electoral colleges.
Art. 14. The electoral colleges are composed of the electors appointed by the primary meetings of the communes; the number of said electors will be progressively increased by law, according to the increase of population, but is at present as follows:
Electors.
Compostela de Azua shall appoint..............................................16
Each one of its communes...............................................8
Santo Domingo de Guzman.... ....................................16
Each one of its communes...................................4
Santa Cruz del Seybo............... ............................................16
Each one of its communes....................................................................8
Concepcion de la Vega..........................................16
Each one of its communes ..................................................................8
Santiago de los Caballeros.............................................................16
The commune of Puerto Plata............................................................12
And each of the other communes......................................................4
Therrequisites in order to be an elector are: To be in the full enjoyment of civil and political rights, to be twenty-five years of age, to be an owner of real estate or a public officer^o have his domicil in the
commune which elects him. His functions shall last for three years.
* * * *■ * # # #
Title VII.
Of the executive power.
Art. 28. The president of the republic shall hold his office for the term of six years, and shall be elected in the following manner : Each elector votes for two individuals, of whom one at least must not be domiciled in the province which elects him. The election returns shall be sent, closed and sealed, to the president' of the consulting senate. When he has received the returns from all the electoral colleges,he opens them in public session, and then examines and counts the votes. If any one of the candidates has an absolute majority of votes, he shall be proclaimed president of the republic. When an absolute majority is wanting, the consulting senate shall separate the three having the largest number of votes, and shall proceed, by a secret vote, to choose one from this number. If on this first ballot no one receives an absolute majority, another vote shall be taken, between the two candidates who received the largest number of votes on the first ballot, and in case of a tie, the election shall be decided by lot. All these operations must take place in a single permanent session, otherwise they shall be null and void.
[1] VII. * Letter of the Secretary of State addressed to the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, communicating copies of the instructions under which the convention and treaty between the United States and San Domingo were negotiated, together with the accompaniments therein referred to March 24, 1870.
Department op State,
Washington, March 22, 1870. Sir : In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the 20th instant, I have the honor to inclose herewith copies of the instructions under which the convention and treaty between the United Statesdominican republic.
79
and San Domingo were negotiated, together with the accompaniments therein referred to.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
HAMILTON FISH.
Hon. Charles Sumner,
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, U. S. Senate.
*Mr. Fish to General Babcock.	[3]
Department of State,
Washington, July 13, 1869.
General : The President deeming it advisable to employ a special agent to obtain information in regard to the Dominican Republic, has selected you for that purpose.
The points to which your inquiries will be directed are, the population of that republic, in towns and in the country, on the north and south coast, and in the interior, respectively; the number of whites, of pure Africans, of mulattoes, and of other mixtures of the African and Caucasian races; of Indians, and of the crosses between them and whites and Africans, respectively. You will also inquire and report upon the soils of the country, and their production in each locality; as to the timber, dyewoods, and minerals ; and as to whether any mines are worked, and the extent and value of their proceeds.
You will likewise endeavor to obtain full and accurate information in regard to the disposition of the government and people of that republic toward the United States, the character of the government, whether it be military or civil, whether it be stable or liable to be overthrown.
It is also desirable to know what the revenues of that country may be, and whence derived, and the tonnage—to be classified so as to show the proportions of its foreign trade under its own flag and under those of other countries. Similar returns in regard to the coasting trade would be acceptable. You will also ascertain what the debt, foreign and domestic, of that government may be, how long it may have to run, the rate of interest, and where the debt may be held.
It is understood that the government paper money issued during one administration is often, if not usually, repudiated by its successor. You will endeavor to obtain full and accurate information on this point, the amounts of such money as may have been issued from time to time, and the sums on account thereof for which the government ma^ in any event, be liable.
Inquiry should also be made as to whether any other foreign power may be seeking to obtain possession of any part of that country.
Generally, any information tending to illustrate the condition and resources of that republic, and the character and influence of those charged with its destinies, would be acceptable.
The sum of five hundred dollars is now advanced to you toward your expenses, of which you will keep an account, to be supported by vouchers when they can be obtained. Should the sum referred to prove to be nsufficient, you are authorized to draw on this Department for such further amounts as may be necessary.
You are herewith furnished with a special passport for your protection.
I am your obedient servant,
*	HAMILTON FISH.
Orvllle B. Babcock,
Brevet Brigadier General.80
dominican republic.
[4]	* Mr. Fish to General Babeock.
Department of , State,
Washington, November 6, 1869.
sir : The President having directed you to meet Mr. Raymond H. Perry in San Domingo, and to advise with him, unofficially, as to the execution of the powers with which he is intrusted to conclude a treaty and a convention with the Dominican Republic, and he also having further directed you in case of the execution of such treaty and convention, then, as an officer of the army of the United States, to take steps to carry out the agreement of the United States contained in said treaty, to protect the people of that republic against foreign interference while the nation is expressing its will, and also to protect the interests and rights which the United States may obtain under such convention, 1 now place in your hands herewith draughts of such a treaty and of such a convention as the United States are prepared to enter into with that republic. And it being contemplated' that the United States shall make au advance to that republic, the President has also determined to place the advance in your hands, to be given to Mr. Perry when the negotiations shall have advanced to the proper point for its use; you will accordingly receive herewith, for that purpose, a draft on New York for one hundred thousand dollars, and also a quantity of arms and ammunition, valued at fifty thousand dollars, of which a schedule is annexed. Mr. Perry having been instructed to govern his course by your advice, I will add a few suggestions for your guidance in that respect, in the expectation that the minister for foreign affairs in the Dominican Republic will welcome you to his conferences with Mr. Perry.
No apprehension is felt that any serious objections will be made by the Dominican Republic to the language used in these instruments. They are framed with a view to carry out the understanding which the authorities of that republic came to with you on your late visit. JLf it should be proposed, however, to vary the form or language, and by doing so the negotiations can be facilitated, Mr. Perry should yield to the wishes of that government in this respect, provided none of the essential features of the draughts are altered, and no new principle introduced. It is, however, possible that the Dominicau government may propose that that republic shall be admitted into the Union as a State. Should this be the case, you wall not fail to advise Mr. Perry to make it clear to them that, in the opinion of the President, that course would conflict with the spirit of the Constitution of the United States. That instrument provides but one way for the admission of new States into the Union ; namely, through the agency of Congress. The third section of the fourth article of the Constitution says, explicitly : New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union.
He should also say to the Dominican government that, in the judgment of the President, it is clearly for the interest of their people that they should remain for the present in the condition of a Territory. You will represent to them that, und^r our forms of government, a Territory is almost as complete an autonomy as a State. It is true that the governor and some of the other functionaries are appointed from Washington, but the legislatures and the municipal corporations, which are the true depositaries of political power, are created by the local populations. These populations are entitled to be represented in Congress by a delegate, who sits in that body, but without a vote, and who is in a position to give to their interests all the care that a member of Congress could give to them. This representation will be open, in case of annexation,DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
81
* to any native of San Domingo upon whom the voters of that [5] country see fit to confer it. But should the Dominican Republic be admitted as a State, this right would cease. To be a member of the Senate of the United States a previous citizenship of nine years is necessary; and to be a member of the House of Representatives a previous citizenship of seven years is necessary. No native Dominican, therefore, who has not been several years a citizen of the United States could be a member of Congress; and it is quite likely that these responsible offices, with their important duties, would fall into the hands of designing adventurers, with no present interest in the fortunes of the island. Such a result could not but be injurious both to San Domingo and to the United States. A short time spent under the mild and beneficent sway of the United States, while it will give stability to the political institutions of the republic, will qualify its citizens to become legislators for the great American Union.
Mr. Perry will further say that the President does not doubt that Congress will be ready, when the proper time shall come, and at 110 distant day, to admit to the Union as a State the Territory of the Dominican Republic, should the proposed treaty be executed and ratified.
My attention has also been called to what is known as the Hartmont loan, and I am informed that the holders of that loan will claim a lien on Samana, and may even pretend that the lien is independent of the loan and may exist after its payment. I inclose translatipns of the contracts under which that loan was effected, which contracts were published in the Bulletin official of September 25, 18G9, from which I judge that the first claim is well founded, and that the latter is without foundation. It is understood that the Dominican g6vernment has received fifty thousand pounds on account of the loan provided for by this contract, and only fifty thousand pounds. If any more has been received it must be deducted from the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars, which is to be named in the treaty al the sum to be paid by this Government to that of San Domingo, and the contract or "treaty" with Messrs. Hartmont & Co. must be duly and legally canceled or relinquished by the holders before Mr. Perry signs any convention or treaty with the Dominican government; and lie is, in any such event, to provide for the entire release of Samana from any and every lien or claim, in case any money is to be paid by the United States.
There is also a loan, or a contemplated loan, known as the London loan. My information from London is to the effect that this has failed. Mr. Perry should, however, ascertain this fact, and make sure that if any part of it is outstanding, proper provisions are made for retiring the whole of it. All the subscriptions should be canceled, and all sums paid upon it should be refunded.
Anticipating the probable execution of these instruments, the Navy Department will receive orders from the President to place at your disposal, in the harbor of San Domingo, a force sufficient to enable the United States to comply with their agreement in the proposed treaty to protect the Dominican Republic until the will of its people can be ascertained, and also to receive possession of the territory and waters leased by the proposed convention to the United States.
As to the former object, you will, when the treaty shall be executed, point out to the naval officer in command the obligation which the United States will have assumed, and will leave him to execute it.
As to the latter object, in case of the delivery to the Dominican Republic of the one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and the execution of the proposed convention, the officer detailed for that purpose will pro-S. Ex. 17-082
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
[6] * ceed to the Bay of Samaria, and will there, under instructions from the Navy Department, take actual possession of the lands, coasts, islands, waters, and property leased, in the name of the United States, whenever it shall appear that the cession of the sovereignty and the dominions of the republic is not to be completed, and will give public notice that the occupation, title, and jurisdiction have changed, and that the United States will not respect any grants or concessions made by the Dominican Republic within the bounds of the territory leased subsequently to the preliminary arrangement made in September last, and that thereafter all titles must be derived from the United States.
As soon as possible after performing these several duties, the President desires that you will return to the United States, and Mr. Perry will hand you the treaty and the convention, if executed on the part of the Dominican Eepublic, in order that you may bring them here to be submitted to the Senate at ail early day. If it be possible, it is much to be desired that the authority from that government to its agent to exchange the ratifications at Washington should also accompany you.
Although the treaty allows four months for the ascertainment of the will of the people of San Domingo on the question of annexation with the United States, it is thought that the expression of that will can be obtained in much less time, and you will ask Mr. Perry to urge upon the government there this view, and induce them, if possible, to obtain the popular expression in the shortest time consistent with its fair determination.
The President enjoins that the fact and the object of your visit to San Domingo, as well as the provisions of the proposed instruments, shall be kept a. secret as long as practicable.
Your necessary personal expenses while awaiting the result of Mr. Perry's negotiations, and while carrying out the President's instructions afterward, will be borne by this Department, provided that you keep an accurate account of them, supporting the same with vouchers, when practicable.
In addition to the papers already referred to, 1 inclose a translation of itn official statement of the debt of the Dominican Eepublic, and also an official statement of the grants and concessions already made by that republic, with a translation of the same; all of which papers the President desires to have officially certified as true and correct statements mnder the seal of that republic. I also inclose an official statement of the national property of the republic, with a translation thereof, which will serve to guide Mr. Perry in framing the schedule to the treaty, and also to aid you in giving the directions as to taking possession. I also inclose an official statement of the population of the republic.
You will find herewith a sealed letter to the minister of foreign relations of the Dominican Eepublic, and an open copy of the same. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
y	1	HAMILTON FISH.
.Brevet Brigadier General Ouville E. Babcock.
JAM of inclosureti attached hereto.
1. Draught for proposed treaty. % Draught for proposed convention.
3.	Schedule of arms, ammunition, &c.
4.	Translation of the contract or treaty with Hartmont & Co*DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.	83
y
5. Prospectus of the London loan.
* 6. Translation of the official statement of the Dominican debt. [7]
7.	Official statement of the Dominican concessions, with translation of the same.
8.	Official statement of the national property of the republic, with translation of same.
9.	Translation of an official statement of population of the Dominican Republic.
| Lnclosiuo No. i.J Draught of 1 he proposed treaty.
The people ol' the Dominican Republic, having, through their government, expressed their desire to be incorporated into the United States, as one of the Territories thereof, in order to provide more effectually for their security and prosperity ; and the United States being desirous of meeting the wishes of the people and government of that republic, the high contracting parties have determined to accomplish, by treaty, objects so important to their mutual and permanent welfare.
For this purpose the President of the United States has given full powers to and the President of the Dominican Republic has given full powers to and the said plenipotentiaries, after having communicated to each. other their respective full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed upon and concluded the following articles:
articlk i.
The Dominican Republic, acting subject to the wishes of its people, to be expressed as hereinafter provided within four months from the date hereof, renounces all rights of sovereignty, and all existence as an independent sovereign nation, and cedes to the United States all its domains, to be held by them in full sovereignty and to be annexed to the United States as one of their Territories, subject to the same constitutional provisions with their other Territories. It also cedes to the United States the. absolute fee and property in all the public edifices, custom-houses, fortifications, barracks, ports, harbors, navy, and navy yards, docks, magazines, arms, armaments, and accoutrements, archives, public documents, and other property (public lands not herein enumerated alone excepted) of the said Dominican Republic, of which a schedule is annexed to this treaty.
Article II.
The citizens of the Dominican Republic shall be incorporated into the United States as citizens thereof inhabiting one of its Territories, and shall be maintained and protected in the fijee enjoyment of their liberty and prosperity as such citizens, and may be admitted into the Union as a State upon such terms and conditions and at such time as Congress shall provide by law.
Article III:
The public lauds and properly belonging to the Dominican Republic, not herein specifically ceded to the United States, are pledged to the payment of all the public debt, liquidated or unliquidated, which shall remain after the payment hereinafter provided for in this treaty.
Article IV.
The people of the Dominican Republic shall, within four months from the date hereof, express, in a manner conformable to their laws, their will concerning the cession herein provided for; and the United States shall, until such expression shall be had, protect the Dominican Republic against foreign interposition, in order that the national expression may be free.
Article V.	v
The United States shall pay to the Dominican Republic for the property hereby ceded the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars in the gold coin of the United States, suoh payment not to be made until the Senate of the United States shall have84
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
given its advice and consent to the making of this treaty, and an appropriation shall be made by Congress therefor, and until delivery of all the property ceded shall be made to the persons authorized to receive the same.
[8]	* Article VI.
The Dominican Republic engages to apply the amount so paid toward the redemption of its public debt, and to hold its public lands as a security for the payment of any part thereof, liquidated or unliquidated, which may remain unpaid after such application, and after the execution hereof, to make no grants or concessions of lands or rights in lands, and to contract no further debts, until Congress shall assume jurisdiction over the territory, and officers shall be appointed to administer the affairs thereof. The United States in no event are to be liable for the payment of any part of such debt, or of the iuterest thereon, or of any obligation of the Dominican Republic.
Article VII.
Until provision shall be made by law for the government, as a Territory of the United States, of the domain hereby ceded, the laws of the Dominican Republic which are not in conflict with the Constitution and laws of the United Spates shall remain in force ; and the executive and judicial officers of the republic shall retain their offices until Congress shall enact laws for the government of the Territory, aud until persons shall be appointed to office pursuant thereto.
Article VIII.
Immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty, the President of the United States shall appoint a commissioner to proceed to the Dominican Republic and receive the transfer of the domains and the property hereby ceded, subject to the foregoing provisions.
Article IX.
The present treaty shall be ratified by the contracting parties, it being understood that it must receive the constitutional advice and consent of the Senate of the United States before it can be ratified on the part of the United States; and the ratifications shall be exchanged at Washington within four months from the date hereof, or sooner if possible.	«
In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed th treaty, and thereto affixed their respective seals.
Done at	, the day of	, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and sixty-nine.
schedule of the edifices and other property ceded by the dominican republic to the united states, by article i of the foregoing treaty.
Witness the hands of the said plenipotentiaries, at , the day of .A. D. 1869.
[Inclosure No. 2.] t.	Draught of the proposed convention.
Whereas the United States of America and the Dominican Republic have simultaneously herewith entered into a treaty, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate of the United States, whereby, among other things, the Dominican Republic cedes to the United States all its dominions and sovereignty, and a portion of its public property, and whereby the United States undertake to pay to the Dominican Republic for such portion of its public property, upon such advice and consent of the Senate being given, and after an appropriation therefor made by Congress, the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars in the gold coin of the United States;
And whereas the United States have simultaneously herewith, and at the request of the Dominican Republic, paid to the Dominican Republic the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollkrs, to be by ttieru received as a part of the said sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars in case of the exchange of the ratification of said treaty as therein provided, and otherwise as hereinafter provided;.	y
And -whereas the United States desire to have some adequate security for the repay-DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
85
ment of the said sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, in case the said treaty is not ratified; and the Dominican Republic desires to give such security, and further * to insure to itself and its people the advantages which will come from [9] the occupation by the United States of the territory about the Bay of Samana, which is hereinafter described :
For this purpose the President of the United States of America has furnished with full powers	and the Dominican Republic has furnished with full powers
who, after exchanging their said full powers, found in good and due form, have concluded and signed the following articles :
Article I.
Immediate possession and occupancy is given to the United States of all the territory within the Dominican Republic which lies north of the parallel of latitude which shall touch the extreme southern point of the laguna near Cape Rafael, as shown on the map of the Island of San Domingo, made by Rev. A. Schombuck, and published in 1858, under the order of his excellency Buenaventura Baez, and east of the meridian of longitude which runs ten miles west of the Boca Grande, as represented on the same map, (or west from Greenwich,) together with all the lands, coasts, islands, islets, cays, knd waters embraced within sucjh limits. And it is agreed that the said extreme southern point of the laguna and the Boca Grande shall be determined by the naval officers of the United States when actual possession is given, and that plans thereof shall be made, and duplicate copies given to each government. The United States shall have, possess, aud occupy the same for the period of ninety-nine years from the date hereof, and the Dominican Republic hereby relinquishes to the United States the local jurisdiction thereof, and of all the persons and property therein, during the period of said occupation, and engages that the United States shall have, possess, and occupy the same, without molestation, hinderance, or interference of said republic, or any of the authorities or citizens thereof.
Article II.
• >
The United States may improve the said property by the erection of such structures and otherwise as they shall think proper and necessary to secure the occupation and enjoyment thereof, the safety of the vessels and property of the United States, and of the citizens thereof, and the development of the territory hereby conveyed. They shall also have the right to acquire the said territory at any time before the expiration of the said term, by paying to the said republic the sum of two millions of dollars in gold coin of the United States. They may make grants in fee of any part or parts of said land, or of any rights in the same, and receive the compensation therefor. And at the expiration of the said term, if the United States do not elect to purchase as aforesaid, the whole estate shall revert to the Dominican Republic, they paying the United States the value of the public improvements belonging to the United States, and recognizing the grants of the United States, and the United States paying to the said republic the sums received for such grants.
Article III.
During the continuance of said term, and the peaceable occupation of said territory by the United States, the United States shall pay to the Dominican Republic, at the treasury of the United States in Washington, on the	day of , in each year,
the sum of	thousand dollars in gold coin of the United States, as the annual
rental thereof. The said sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, with interest thereon at the rate of per cent, per annum, in like gold coin of the United States, is to be applied pro tanto to the payment of such rent. (l
Article IV.
In case the United States shall establish a naval or military station, or either, on any part of the tract hereinabove described, the Dominican Republic shall, on demand of the chief officer in command thereof, arrest and surrender to the United States all'deserters from the Army or Navy of the United States found within the said Territory of the Dominican Republic; but the expense of such arrest and surrender shall be borne by the TJnited States.
Article V.
In case the said treaty executed simultaneously herewith is ratified aud goes into effect, and the United States become possessed of all the sovereignty and property therein coded to it, this convention ceases to have any force or effect, and the sum of86
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
one hundred and fifty thousand dollar's above mentioned will be taken and esteemed to be part of the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars agreed to be paid by the convention Signed simultaneously herewith.
* Autici-e VI.
This convention shall be ratified by both parties; it being understood that-it cannot be ratified by the United States until it has received the advice and consent of the Senate of the United States, and the ratification shall take place at Washington within four months from the date hereof, or sooner, if possible.
In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed this treaty and have hereunto affixed their seals.
Done in duplicate at	, the day of	, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
[Tnclosure No. 3.]
Schedule of arms, munitions, ordered in the United States for the account of the Dominium
government.
100 Springfield breech-loading rifle-muskets, caliber .50, model. 1868.
50 Spencer carbines, caliber .50.
30,000 center-primed metallic cartridges, caliber .50.
15,000 Spencer carbine cartridges, caliber .50.
1,000 Springfield rifle-muskets, caliber .50.
1 forge and tools in 2 chests, (for mountain howitzers.)
1	set carriage-maker's tools in 2 chests, (for mountain howitzers.) 24 ammunition chests, (for mountain howitzers.) '
20 pack-saddles, harness, and equipments complete, for a battery for 4 mountain howitzers and carriages.
100,000 elongated ball cartridges, caliber .58. 500 sets infantry accouterments, caliber .58.
4 mountain howitzers and carriages, with implements and equipments complete.
250 mountain howitzer shells, fixed.
1,500 mountain howitzer case-shot, fixed.
250 mountain howitzer canister, fixed.
3,000 pounds mortar powder.
2,000 pounds musket powder.
7,000 pounds lead.
2	12-pound Napoleon guns, rebel.
2 12-pound gun-carriages and limbers, with implements and equipments complete.
180 12-pound shot, fixed.
60 12-pound shells, fixed.
240 12-pound case-shot, fixed.
120 12-pound canister, fixed.
2 3-inch wrought-iron rifled guns.
2 3-iuch gun-carriages and limbers, with implements and equipments complete.
360 3-inch Hotchkiss shells, rounds.
180 3-inch Hotchkiss case, rounds.
60 3-iuch Hotchkiss canister, rounds.
200 pairs shoes.
"25 bugles.
[Iiicloanre No. 4. |
[From the San Domingo Boletin Oficial, September 25, 1869.—De oflcio.] Tratado para el empr&tito.
Deseando el Gobierno de la Kepliblica Dominicana, contraer un empr6stito con ol objeto de desarro liar sus trabajos publicos, y la industria y comercio de sus naciouales, se han adjustado y convenido los siguientes pactos, entre dicho Gobierno representado por el Ciudadano Eicardo Curiel, Ministro de Hacienda, debidamente autorizado, y el Sr. Eduardo H. Hartmont, representando su casa Hartmont y Ca. de L6ndres, y cuales-quier otras caeas que puedan unlrsele en la ejecucion de este Tratado.DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
87
AKTfCULO I.
El Gobierno Dominicano recibe en empr^stito una suma de cuatrocientas veinto mil librae sterlinas, qne los Sres. Hartinont y Ca. se obligan & prestar al Gobierno Dominicano, bajo las condiciones estipuladas y que se expresar&n mas adelante.
* AllTfCULO II.	^ [11}
Para el interns y amortizaciou de esta deuda el Gobierno Dominicano se obliga a pagar & los cbntrat.istas del empr6stito una suma de cincuenta y ocho mil novecientas libras sterlinas al ano, pagadera por mi tad cada seis meses, el 15 de Diciembre y Junio de cada ano & lo mas tarde, por espaoio de vinte y cinco anos consecutivos.—EI primero de estos pagos se efectnarii el 15 de Junio 6 de Diciembre, siguiente d la emi-sion del empr^stito.	1
ARTfCULO III.
La deuda seri representada por emisiones al portador, y los Sres. Hartrnont y C". quedan autorizados para abrir 6 bacer abrir snscriciones en L6ndres, 6 en aquellas plazas que conceptuaren couvenientes para la colocacion des esas obligaciones.
ARTfCULO IV.
Quedan autorizados los Sres. Hartrnont y Cft. para fijar el montamiento nominal de las obligaciones que el Gobierno Dominicano deber£ suscribir; tienen derecho de dis-tribuir la dotaciou anual sobre el inter6s y la amortizacion a su discrecion, eon tal de que la suma total, & cuyopago anual se couipromete el Gobierno, no exeda de la dota.-cion estipulada.	4
Ahticulo Y.
Los titulos serau de la cuantfa que pluguiere fijarle & los Sres. Hartrnont y Ctt. La indicacion de su valor se darri, en libras esterlinas y francos. Los titulos so imprimirin en lengua espanola, inglesa y francesa; estaran firm ados por el Ministro de Hacienda, 6 por un Comisionado Especial del Gobierno Dominicano, nombrado ad-boc.—La forma de esos titulos Ber& de todo punto conforme & las ecsigensias de las Bolsas Europeas, y con particularidad de la Boise de L6ndres. Estaritn provistos de Cupones semestrales para veinte y cuatro anos, pagaderos en L6ndres, Paris, y cualeequiera otras plazas que designaren los Sres. Hartrnont y CB.
Articulo VI.
Los gastos de impresion de los titules, los de publicacion, todos los gastos, en fin-causados directa 6 indirectamente para la emision del empr6stito, serin a cargo de los, Sres. Hartrnont y CB.
ARTfCULO VII.
Los Sres. Hartrnont y C8. se obligan £ entregar la suma estipulada de cuatro cienta« veinte mil libras esterlinas de la manera siguiente : cincuenta mil libras esterlinas, el dia en que se flrmare el Tratado, ya sea en numerario, ya en libranzas £ sesenta dias de vista sobre los Sres. Smith, Payne y Smith en L6ndres, y el saldo & su arbitrio durante el ultimo semestre del corriente ano.
ARTfCULO VIII.
Todas estas entregaa incluri&n interns al precio que fijen las obligaciones desde el dia en que se hubieren efectuado; y los iutereses devengados de este modo sobre laa entregas precedentes se deducirin de las siguientes entregas.
ARTfCULO IX.
El pago regular de las snuias necesarias para el -servicio de los intereses y de la amortizacion estit garantizado por todo el aetivo del Estado de Santo Domingo, sua Aduanas, proventos y dominios.—Por el presente se acuerda £ los portadores de tituloa de este empr6stitn, primera hipotecn sobre los olijetos ante diclios, no teniendo el Estado de Santo Domingo, ningana otra deuda contraida.
ARTfCULO X.
Para mas afianzar el complimiento de los compromisos asnmidos por el Gobierno Dominicano, este tiltimo afecta, como garantia especial, los derechos de importacion y exportacion que ee recaudaren en las Aduanas de los puertos de Santo Domingo y88
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
Puerto Plata.—El Gobierno declara que los ingresos de esas Aduanas ascieuden anual-mente 5 cerea de quinientos mil pesos, como minimum de los anos ordinarios; pero que £ veces lian ascendido como £ ochoeientos mil; declarando ademas el Gobierno que di-chas Aduanas permanecen libres de todo grav&men.
[12]	* Art:£culo XI.
Con el fin de asegurar la pronta entrega de sus fondoa d los aoreedores, el Gobierno Dominicano, autoriza, por este Tratado, a los Sres. Hartinont y Cft. 6 la casa quo estos encargaren de laemision del Empr6stito, para que nombre un empleadoen cadauna de las Aduanas de Santo Domingo y Puerto Plata. Estos emplea.dos deboriki contraimnar los recibos expedidos por losReceptores de Aduana, colectar los derechos hasta concur-rencia de la sum a necesaria para el pago de los intereses y de la amortizacion del Em-pr6stito, y enviarlos al Consulado Britannico, en la Ciudad de Santo Domingo, quien los remitirii uiensualmente & Londres.—En caso do que el Consul Ingl6s no pudiere encargarse de esta mision, se le conferiria al Consul de S. M. el Einperador de los Franceses.—La coleccion de esos derechos por cuenta de los obligatarios, principiara, el 1° de Enero proximo.
Articulo XII.
Para facilitax todavia mas el pago de los dividendos, y disminuir en cuauto sea posible el movimiento de los fondos, las obligaciones deber&i acept-arse en pago en las Aduanas de Santo Domingo y Puerto Plata, en la proporcion fijada para el reembolso sucesivo. Con tal objeto se efectuara un sorteo en L6ndres el 31 de Diciembre de cada ano ; las obligaciones sorteadas se reembolsaran 6. la par el 21 de Diciembre del ano siguiente; pero durante el ano, que transcura desde la feclia del sorteo liasta la del reembolso, pueden presentarse las obligaciones sorteadas y deben ser aceptadas en pago de la mitad de todos los derechos de importacion y exportacion, pagaderos en los puertos de Santo Domingo y Puerto Plata, a la par.
\	Articulo XIII.
El Gobierno Dominicano se obliga 6, no disminuir los derechos de importacion y exportacion antes del reembolso total del empr6stito, amenos que una Comision nombrada por los prestamistas consienta en ello.
Articulo XIV.
Como garantia suplemeutaria, el Gobierno Dominicano otorga & los empresarios de este emprestito primera hipoteca sobre las minas de carbon y los bosques pertenecien-tes al Estado en la'penlnsula de Saman^ al E. del grande Estoro, asi como sobre los derechos que ingrese el Tesoro por la exportacion del guano o guanitos de la isla de Alto-Velo. Estas explotaciones se ban concedido & los Sres^ Hart.mont y Ca. por medio de Tratados especiales, y una clausula de esos Tratados dice: Que todos los derechos o proventos debidos al Gobierno Dominicano en razon de esas explotaciones se pagarfin directamente & los accionistas del empr6stito, para que se imputen en pago de los intereses y la amortizacion del emprestito.
ARTfCULO XV.
El Gobierno Dominicano pagar£ & la casa de Binco encargada del pago de los cupo-nes, la comision de 00 anual sobre el montamiento que se ha fijado para el pago de sus intereses y amortizacion.
Articulo XVI.
Se retendra de la totalidad de la ultima entrega del ompr6stito, la cantidad que baste para pagar el interes y la amortizacion del primer ano.
■ Arti'culo XVII.
El Gobierno Dominicauo se compromete a no establecer derecho ni impueto algu-no, cualquiera que sea su naturaleza, sobre los pagos que tendril que haces para la ejecucion de este Tratado. Se obliga ademas el Gobierno de mm manera solemne, & que las anualidades seran pagadas y las garantias se conservar&n intactas en todaslas circunstancias del pais, bien en paz 6 bien en guerra, y aunque el portador de una 6 varias de estas obligaciones sea 6 no siibdito del Gobierno con quien el Dominicano se halle en estado de guerra, 6 con el cual no tenga establecidaj relaciones diplomtfticas, 6 que estas se hallen interrumpidas.DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
89
ARTfCULO XVHI.
En todoa los c&loulos que tengan que hacerse para el arreglo de cuentas de este Em-pr&tito, so calcular^ la libra sterliua a razon de 25 francos, moneda francesa.
* ARTfCULO XIX.	[13]
Los Sree. Hartmont y Compa. tiencn derecho de traspasar este Tratado & otra casa que se colocaria en su puesto, como si bus nombres figurasen en este Tratado.
Hecho doble y de buena f6 en Santo Domingo & 1°. de Mayo do 1869.
RICARDO CURIEL, EDWARD H. HARTMONT.
Aprobado por Resolucion del Consejo de Secretarios de Estado de esta misraa fecha y en virtud del Decreto del Senado Consultor de fecha 29 de Abril ultimo.
Santo Domingo 1° de Mayo de 1869.
El Presidente de la Republica,
[l. 8.]	BUENAVENTURA BAEZ.
El Ministro de Justitia 6 Instruction Publica,
FELIX M. DEL MONTE.
El Ministro del Interior y Policia,
MANUEL M. GAUTIER.
El Ministro de Hacienda y Comercio,
RICARDO CURIEL.
El Ministro de Guerra y Marina, JOSI5 HUNGRIA.
i tratado adicional.
fintre los infrascritos, Ciudadano Ricardo Curiel, Ministro de Hacienda de la Republica Dominicana, actuando eu representacion de su Gobierno, por una parte ;
Y los Sres. Hartmont y Ca. negociantes de Londres, num. 7. Union Court, por otra parte;
Habiendo concluido ambos en fcchade hoy uu Tratado de Emprdstito, hancouvenido ademas en lo siguiente:
Articulo I.	^
Habiendo firmado el Gobierno Dominicano el dia de hoy un Tratado con los Sres. Hartmont y Ca., para la conclusion de un Empr6stito de cuatrocientas mil libras aterlinaa, se obliga & pagar d los Sres. Hartmont y Ca. una suma de cien mil libras sterlinas, como compeusacion de sus desembolsos y riesgos, y en calidad de comision. Esta suma se pagar£ a prorata de las entregas sucesivas que se hicieren & cuenta del empr6stito y los Sres. Hartmont y Ca. quedan autorizados para retenerla de los pagos sucesivos.
Articulo II.
En caso de que el Tratado celebrado con los Sres Hartmont y C\ se traspasase por el-los a otra casa, 6 pue los Sres. Hartmont, en virtud de los poderes que se le han confe-rido, celebrase un nuevo Tratado, lo estipulado en el articulo primero de este Tratado, 86 aplicar& al nuevo, y los Sres. Hartmont y Ca. percibir£n la Comision estipulada del mismomodo que se establece en el articulo 1°. de este Tratado.
Sin embargo, es de advertir que en este caso, no tendril el Gobierno Dominicano que pagar ninguna otra Comision, ya sea & la casa que emita el emprdstito 6 & cualquiera otra persona. Toda Comision de esa clase eer£ pagada por los Sres. Hartmont y Ca. y los pagos del Gobierno Dominicano no deben en ningun caso exceder de los estipulados en los Tratados que se han celebrado hoy.
Hecho doble y de buena f6 en la Ciudad de Santo Domingo a 1°. de Mayo de 1869.
RICARDO CURIEL.
HARTMONT Y Ca.
Aprobado por Resolucion del Consejo de Secretarios de Estado de esta misma fecha y en virtud del Decreto del Senado Colsultor de fecha 29 de Abril ultimo.
Santo Domingo 1°. de Mayo de 1869.
' El Presidente de la Bepuhlica,
[L. 8.]	BUENAVENTURA BAEZ.
El Ministro de Justitia 6 Instruction Publica,
FELIX M. DEL MONTE.
El Ministro del Interior y Policia, MANUEL M. GAUTIER.
El Ministro de Hacienda y Coma-do, RICARDO CURIEL.
El Ministro de Guerra y Marina, JOSfi HUNGRIA.90
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
[14j	* [Inclosnre No. 5.]
Prospectus of the London Times.
prospectus.
The San Domingo six per cent, government loan, 1869, for £757,700 British sterling, (nominal capital,) in one thousand bonds of £500 each, and two thousand five hundred and seventy-seven honds of £100 each, redeemable at par iu cash after six months' notice, or at par by an accumulative sinking fund within twenty-five years by semiannual drawings by lot, with special security on the proceeds of guano and customs, amounting to upward of £120,000 a year, to be issued at seventy per cent.
Bankers.—Messrs. Smith, Payne & Smiths, London. The British Linen Company, Scotland.
Brokers—Messrs. Mullens, Marshall & Co.
Messrs. Peter Lawsou & Son, of London and Edinburgh, beg to announce that, in accordance with the authorization from the San Domingo government, they are prepared to receive applications for the above loan on the following conditions :
The loan will be represented by bonds, to bearer, for respectively £500 and £100 each, bearing interest, until paid off, at the rate of £6 per cent, per annum, from 1st July, 1869, and having attached dividend warrants or coupons payable in London on 1st January and 1st July in each year.
An accumulative sinking fund to complete within twenty-five years from 1st January, 1870, the redemption of the principal sum of £757,700 by the addition of the interest on the bonds redeemed, will be applied to the reimbursements of this loan at par, by means of semi-annual drawings on the 15th of June and 15tli of December iu each year, the first drawing to take place on the 15th of December, 1869, or it may be paid earlier at par on the government giving six months' previous notice.
The bonds so drawn for reimbursement will be paid without deduction on the 1st of January or 1st of July next after each drawing, together with interest thereon at the rate of six per cent, per annum.
The price of issue is £70 per cent., payable by installments; the installments to be made as follows:
£5 per cent, on subscription as deposit to Messrs. Smith, Payne & Smiths, Lombard street, or to the British Linen Company's Bank in Edinburgh and its branches in Scotland.
10 on allotment.
15 on 1st September, 1869.
15 on 1st October, 1869.
15 on 1st November, 1869.
10 on 1st December, 1869.
£70
Subscribers may pay up in full on allotment or on any of the days on which an installment falls due, and discount will be allowed on such prepayments at the rate of five per cent, per annum.
Where no allotments are made the amount deposited will be returned, and in cases of partial allotments the balance of deposit made on application will be retained and applied toward the amount payable upon such allotments.
In default of payment of the respective installments all previous payments will be liable to forfeiture.
Scrip certificates to bearer will be exchanged against allotment letters as soon as possible.
Bonds signed by a special agent or representative of the government of San Domingo will be provided with all possible dispatch.
For repayment of the above loan and interest, being the first and only loan of this state, the general property and revenues of the Republic of San Domingo are liable. In addition to that security, thie government of San Domingo specially hypothecates the entire proceeds of the receipts of the exports and import custom dues of the ports of San Domingo and Puerto Plata, which, according to theofficial report of the minister of finance, are producing not less than from £100,000 to £120,000 a year, and are pledged for the payment of the interest and sinking fund of the loan, amounting to £58,900 per annum; and, in addition thereto, the royalties produced from the working and export of guano from the island of Alta Vela, and the revenues arising from the coal and other mines and minerals, as well as from the mahogany and other woods from the forests of the peninsula of Samana, are specially hypothecated for the service of the loan. A certificate from the contractors for the guano is subjoined as to its quality and value.
[15] * The representatives of the bondholders are to have the right to appoint aspecialDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
91
receiver of the customs, royalties, and revenues so hypothecated, and the government of San Domingo engages, in order to insure further provision for payment of interest and redemption of the bonds, that a sufficient amount of the proceeds of the export and import customs dues, royalties, and revenues shall be remitted to London,- to Messrs. Peter Lawson & Son, so as to be in their hands at least fourteen days previously to the periods respectively fixed for the payment of interest and redemption of the bonds.
The object of the government in contracting this loan is the construction of roads and railways; and the contractors for the guano on the island of Alta Vela, and of the working of the mines and minerals of Samana, are bound from time to time, as the royalties, revenues, and products due to the government arise, to pay them over into the hands of Messrs. Peter Lawson & Son for the payment of principal and interest of this loan.
Application for allotments to be addressed (in the annexed form) to Messrs. Peter Lawson & Son, Budge row, Cannon street, London, E. C.; and George IV Bridge, Edinburgh ; or to the brokers, Messrs. Mullens, Marshall & Co., 4 Lombard street, E. C.
Deposits on subscription and the installments to be paid to Messrs. Smith, Payne & Smiths, 1 Lombard street, London, E. C.; and the British Linen Company, Saint Andrew's square, Edinburgh, and at their branches elsewhere in Scotland.
The documents may be inspected at the office of Messrs. W. and H. P. Sharp, 92 Ger-sham House, Old Broad street, E. C., London.
This letter of application must be presented entire to the bankers.
San Domingo six per cent, government loan of 1869, for £757,700 British sterling.
No.
Messrs. Peter Lawson & Son :
Gentlemen : Having paid to the bankers	the sum of
as a deposit on my application for £	stock
of the above loan, I request that you will allot to me that amount, or any less amount, and I engage to accept the same, and to pay the further installments upon the amount allotted to me as they shall become due, and in default of the due payment, I agree that my previous payments shall be liable to forfeiture.
Name................................
Address..............................
Description..........................
Signature............................
Addition to be filled up if the applicant wishes to pay in full.
I desire to pay my subscription in full, receiving discount thereon, from the interval of payment, at the rate of £5 per cent, per annum.
Signature............................
San Domingo «tx per cent, government loan of 1869, for £757,700 British sterling. bankers' receipt.
No.	186 .
Received of	the sum of	pounds, being the deposit upon
an application for	scrip certificates of the above loan.
For Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Smiths,
For the British Linen Company's bank, N. B.—This receipt to be retained by the applicant until the delivery of the scrip.
[IncIOBure No. 6.] Dominican debt.
It has always been belioved that the debt of the Dominican Republic did not exceed $700,000, and it has sometimes even been placed at $600,000; but in this calculation there has been an error, arising from the difficulty of estimating the value of various kinds which are in circulation, and which are not consolidated.
From the last report of the minister of finance it is deduced that the republic had issued paper money at various times, and that the public had withdrawn from circulation above, (nominal dollars)......................................$2,628,300 00
Of this Bum there had been redeemed, (or extinguished)................ 606,780 80
Leaving
2, 021,519 2092	DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
/
[16] * To withdraw which from the public it will be necessary to use
about the sum of.............................................. $100,000 00
Bills payable, and obligations of the treasury whose payment has been
deferred on account of the lack of funds........................... 303,740 00
Public debt for expenses of the war against Spain, consolidated and
without interest....................................... $31.5,460 00
Redeemed............................................... 106,290 00
-- 200,170 00
Bills in circulation which must now be redeemed in customs duties, and which are issued always discounting the future entry, (approximate
amount to date)................................................... 250,000 00
(Note.—For all these debts a portion of the customs dues is appropriated, and there is only one of $ * * small amount which bears a fixed interest.)
Foreign debt.
Of the contract for a loan held with Messrs. Hartmont & Co., of London, there has been received the sum of £38,095 4s. 9d., representing £50,000, with interest at 6 per cent., which, at the close of the year,
will represent..................................................... 260, 000 00
Note.—For the general loan the import and export duties have been appropriated, and also the part belonging to the government for the taking of guano from Alta Vela, and for the working of the coal-mines and forests of Samana. If the loan be reduced to the first installment—that is, to £50,000, there will be appropriated for its payment only the duties on tobacco and the product of the working of Alta Yela. To Messrs. J. A. Jesurun & Sou:
25,000 contract of December 7, 1865, with interest at 4^ per cent....... 25, 000 00
Bill payable of January, 1866, for value of the schooner Capotillo, and
various munitions of war.......................................... 18,511 28
To these sums must be added a pending claim of Messrs. J. A. Jesurun & Son, for the liquidation of a loan which they made to the government in 1857, with interest at 18 per cent., and' which they raise to an amount exceeding................................................. 250,000 00
Total......................................................... 1,416,42128
In the foregoing amounts other debts for expenses caused by the late political events are not included, nor is the interest included on the $43,511 28 of the debt acknowledged as due to Messrs. J. A. Jesurun & Son, nor the arrearages of pay due to employ6s and soldiers; and, although it is to be understood that the Dominican government will endeavor in its arrangements to reduce these debts as much as possible, it is seen that there is no exaggeration in estimating the debt approximately at one million five hundred thousand dollars.
M. M. GAUTIEE,
Minister of the Interior.
San Domingo, September 3, 1869.
[luclosure No. 7. J
Official statement of the Dominican concessions, with a translation of the same.
LIST OF GRANTS WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC TO INDIVIDUALS AND COMPANIES.
1.	Grant made to Mr. Davis Hatch, September 27, 1866, for the working of the salt mines in the parish of Neyba, and the establishment of a line of railway from the coast of Barahona to the place where the said salt mines are situated. (Annulled.)
2.	To Mr. J. W. Fabens, for geological examination and general miueralogical work in all provinces and districts, made July 3,1868. This examination and work are superintended by Professor W. M. Gabb, of Philadelphia, as chief geologist.
3.	The agreement held with Mr. R. M. Funkhouser, on the 7th day of October, 1868, for the establishment of a line of mail steamers between the ports of New York and New Orleans and those of the republic, for which the latter will pay fifteen per cent, of the import and export duties on merchandise conveyed by the said steamers.
4.	The permit granted to Mr. Pedro A. Delgado, to take guano from Alta Yela. (Annulled by a resolution of the government, with the approval of the senate.)
5.	The grant made to Mr. Edward Hartmont, on the 1st day of February last, forDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
93
the building of a railway from Monte Christi to Santiago, or from Santiago to Yuna, * for which a donation of lands bordering upon the road will be made, and [17} this will be done by a special grant.
6.	Grant made to Messrs. Edward Prime and Edward P. Hollister, dated the 4th of July last, for the establishment of a national bank.
7.	To Mr. Edward H. Hartmont, in case the loan of £420,000 be effected, a grant for the working of the Samana coal mines.
grants of mines.
1.	To the Industrial Improvement Company, to work a copper mine in the district of El Cobre, parish of San Cristobal, (St. Christopher.)
2.	A grant to Mr. W. L. Cazneau, of a copper mine at Monte Mateo, in the district of Cambita, parish of San Cristobal, January 18, 1867.
3.	A grant to the same party of a copper mine at Mano Matuey, district of Cambita, parish of San Cristobal, July 12, 1867.
4.	A grant to the same, at the place called Loma do la Boca de Diamarte, in the parish of San Cristobal, July 12, 1867.
5.	A grant to Messrs. Cambiaso & Co., to work the copper mines at the place called Boca de Cuajo, district of Medina, Upper Jaina., jurisdiction of San Cristobal, under date of October 24, 1867.
There are other grants of small importance, which have been annulled on account of the failure of the parties who received them to fulfill their engagements.
M. M. GAUTIER.
San Domingo, September 3, 1869.
[Inclosure No. 8.1 Xalional properties.
The stroug place of the city of San Domingo, which contains the walls, sixteen forts and bastions, two large batteries, spacious barracks, two gunpowder magazines, the fortress called Homenaje, and one park of artillery, a complete armament of canons, bronze and iron mortars, and guns. The fort of San Ger6nimo.
The fort of Haina, upon the river of that name, (these two are in ruins.)
The fort of St. Luis at Santiago de los Caballeros.
The castle of St. Philip at Puerto Plata.
The fort of San Francis at Monte Christi.
The fort of Santa Barbara at Samana.
The fort of Cacaos at Samana.
The custom-house of San Domingo and its appurtenances.
The custom-house of Samana, (of wood.)
The ports open to commerce are—
San Domingo,
Macoris,
Azua,
Samana,
Puerto Plata, and
Monte Christi. ■	*
Herein are not comprised various other points designed for fortifications, nor other ports or bays of importance, such as:
Barahona, Puerto Viejo, La Caldera, Palenque, la Romana, Chavon, Blanco, Matanzas, Estero Balza, and Manzanillo.
The government also owns two fine palaces in the capital, and various other public edifices, without couuting its magnificent temples.
It also possesses, in the other towns of the republic, some buildings and houses of small importance.
M. M. GAUTIER,
Minister of the Interior.
San Domingo, September 3, 18R9.
[Inclosure No. 9.]
Translation of an official statement of the population of the Dominican Republic.
Up to the present date it has been impossible to make statistics of the population of the republic, because this operation requires peace and tranquillity, in order that the * administrative measures may be well understood and strictly carried out. [18]94
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
Notwithstanding, according to the most trustworthy calculations, made with the use ■of the census taken, in 1819, the population of the republic is not less than 260,000 souls.
Notwithstanding this calculation, which is the most exact, there is another based on the one formed by the ecclesiastical authorities for the duo arrangement of parishes, a,nd this gives only 207,700 souls, distributed among the different, provinces and districts in the following manner:
San Domingo..........................................................................................................................41,400
Azua..........................................................................................................................................36, 000
Seybo..........................................................................................................................................29,600
Samana, (district;..................................................................................................................2,100
Vega...............................................................................................53,300
Santiago.............................................................................................35, 800
Puerto Plata, (district)..................................................................................................9,500
207,700
From the above an error appears evident, because the southern provinces, which are the most sparsely populated, contain 107,000, while those of Cibao, which are the most thickly settled, including Samana, only contain 100,700 souls. This arises from the fact that the population of the south is better known, and of that of Cibao no minute examination has been made; but there is no doubt that the population of the north, Samana inclusive, is about one-third larger than that of the south.
The production of the former, and the larger number of men put under arms by it, demonstrate this.
M. M. GAUTIER,
Minister of the Interior.
San Domingo, September 4, 1869.
Mr. Fish to General Babeoek.
[Confidential.]
Department of State,
Washington, November 0, 18(59.
Sir: The general instructions from this Department of even date herewith forbid the conclusion of a treaty or convention, unless the complete abrogation of the Hartmont contract can be secured. In case it becomes necessary, you may read that part of the general instructions to the Dominican government. But if you find that it is practicably impossible to secure this point, you will not let this prevent the conclusion of a treaty by Mr. Perry. He must then endeavor to secure the best terms possible in regard to that contract; and if he finds that it is impossible to make any arrangements about it, the President authorizes him, nevertheless, to conclude a convention and treaty in which the Dominican Eepublic shall assume all future obligations growing out of the contract, and shall agree to protect the United States against the same.
I am, sir, respectfullv, vour obedient servant,
HAMILTON FISH.
Brevet Brigadier General Orville B. Baboook, efce., <fcc., <fec.
{19]	* Mr. Fish to Mr. Perry.
Department of State,
Washington, November 6, 1861). Sir : Herewith you will receive full powers from the President to conclude with the Dominican Republic a treaty for the cessions of the do-DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
95
minions and sovereignty of tbat republic to the United States, and also to conclude a convention with that republic for the lease of a specified territory about Samana Bay for a terra of ninety-nine years, with a right of purchase.
Brevet Brigadier General Orville E. Babcock will meet you at San Domingo, with powers from the President to direct the naval forces of the United States in the execution of any agreements which may be made with the Dominican Republic under these powers, and with the approval of General Babcock.
It is the desire of the President that you should confer with General Babcock in every step of these negotiations, and to be governed by his advice, as he is fully possessed of the views of the President on the subject.
You will find herewith a sealed letter to the minister of foreign relations of the Dominican Republic, with an open copy of the same.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
HAMILTON FISH.
Raymond H. Perry,
Commercial Agent at San Domingo.
Mr. Fish to Mr. Gautier.
Department of State,
TV"ashington, November 6, 1809.
Sir: In order to carry out the understanding that was informally come to between you and General Babcock in September last, the President of the United States has empowered Mr. Raymond H. Perry, the commercial agent at San Domingo, with plenary powers to conclude with the Dominican Republic a treaty for the cession of the. dominions and sovereignty of that republic to the United' States, and also (in the alternative) a convention for the lease of Samana and the adjacent territory to the United States.
The President has also directed General Babcock, in consequence of his familiarity with the subject, to accompany Mr. Perry, without an official character, and has instructed Mr. Perry to advise with him in the negotiation. It is proper to add, for your Excellency's information, that the laws of the United States prevent the President from giving to General Babcock an official character in these negotiations.
I avail myself of this occasion to offer to your Excellency the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
HAMILTON FISH.
His Excellency Manuel Maria Gautier,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic.
* Mr. Fish to Mr. Gautier.	_	[20 j
Department of State,
Washington, November 6, 1869. Sir : General Orville E. Babcock is fully possessed of the President's views upon the subject of the negotiations which are intrusted to the official care of Mr. Raymond H. Perry, and has been instructed by the President to proceed (as an officer of the Army of the United States)96
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
with Mr. Perry to San Domingo, for the purpose of acting on behalf of the United States when the treaty and convention shall be executed, should they be concluded. Mr. Perry has also been directed to confer at all times with General Babcock, and to be guided by his advice.
Although the laws of the United States have prevented the President from giviDg an official position to General Babcock, it is hoped that your Excellency will confer freely with him in these negotiations.
I avail myself of this occasion to offer to your Excellency the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
HAMILTON FISH.
His Excellency Manuel Maria Gautier,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic.
[21]	* IAst of privileges granted by the government of the republic to individuals and companies.
1.	Privilege granted to Mr. William L. Cazneau for the introduction of a number of emigrants into the provinces of San Domingo and Azua, and for the establishment of settlers in the frontier section of the republic. Contract of May 28, 1866, confirmed and extended September 10 and October 15, 1869.
2.	Privilege granted to Mr. Davis Ha+ch on the 27th of September, 1866, for the working of salt) mines in the commune of Neyba, and for the laying of a railway from the shore of Barahona to the said salt mines.
3.	To Mr. J. W. Fabens, for geological examination and general mineralogical working in all the provinces and districts, made July 3,1668. Said examination and working are under the direction of Professor W. M. Gabb, of Philadelphia, as chief geologist.
4.	The agreement made "with Mr. R. M. Fulkhouser, October 7, 1868, for the estab--lishment of a line of mail steamers between the ports of New York and New Orleans and those of the republic, for which the republic is to pay 15 per cent, of the import and export duties on merchandise conveyed by said steamers.
5.	The permit granted to Mr. Pedro A. Delgado to take out guano from Alta Vela. Annulled by a resolution of the government with the consent of the senate. Granted to Mr. Edward H. Hartmont for the taking of guano from Alta Vela in connection with the loan.
6.	The privilege-granted to Mr. Edward H. Hartmont, on the 1st of February last, for the construction of a railway from Monte Christi to Santiago, or from Santiago to Yuna, for Avhich purpose a donation of lands, bordering upon the road, is to be made, and this shall be the object of a special grant.
7.	Privilege granted to Messrs. Edward Prime and Edward P. Hollister, under date of the 4th of July last, for the establishment of a national bank.
8.	To Mr. Edward H. Hartmont, in case the loan of £420,000 be effected, the privilege of working the coal mines of Samana.
9.	To Mr. Frederick Fischer, of the city and State of New York, privilege to establish a line of railway from the city of Santiago de los Caballeros to the banks of the river Yuna, or to some other point of the peninsula of Samana, September 9, 1869.
mining privileges.
1.	To the Society of Industrial Progress to work a copper mine in the section del Cobre, cojnmune of San Cristobal, (St. Christopher,) January 18, 1867.
2.	Grant made to Mr. W. L. Caznean of a copper mine in the Monte Mateo section of Cambita, commune of San Cristobal, January 18, 1867.
3.	A grant to the same of a copper mine at Mano Matuey, section of Cambita, commune of San Cristobal, July 12, 1867.
4.	Same to the same at the place called Loma de la Boca do Diamarte, in the commune of San Cristobal, July 12, 1867,
5.	Privilege granted to Messrs. Cambiaso & Co. to take out copper from the mine at the place called Boca de Cuajo, section of Medina, Upper Jaiua, jurisdiction of San
Cristobal, dated October 24, 1867.
[22]	There are other grants of small importance, which have become null *and void in consequence of the parties to whom they were made having failed to fulfill the
engagements contracted by them.
Up to this date the Dominican government has made no grant to any foreign power or nation.
[seal.]	M. M. GAUTIER,
Minister of the Interior, <jV
San Domingo, November 29,1869.DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
97
* Residence oe the Executive,	[23]
San Domingo, December 3, 18 .
Sill: According to the best information which I have been able to obtain relative to Mr. Hartmout's loan, I am convinced that this gentleman is not in a situation to deliver the balance of the loan at the stipulated time, which is the 31st of this month.
If, contrary to the information aforesaid, Mr. Hartmont appear at the proper time with the money to fulfill his contract, we shall receive it, refraining from making any use of it until instructions reach us from Washington Avitli regard to the matter, and until we know whether, in case of our refusing to receive it, the Government of the United States will take upon itself the consequences of such refusal.
As the contract for a loan expires on the 31st instant, it is very important that a final resolution of the Government of the United States reach us before the 15th of January of the coming year.
Bo pleased to accept the sentiments of my distinguished consideration.
BUENAVENTURA BAEZ.
Gen. Orville E. Babcock,
Secretary of his Excellency the President of the United States
of America, $c., <j-c., U.S. S. Albany, Road of San Domingo.
* Mr. Hartmont to Mr. Fish.	[24]
[Telegram.—Telegraph Havana.]
HAVANA, March 11,1870.
I arrived from San Domingo in Ee; Anglo-Dominican loan; President Baez produced to me treaties of 29th November with United States, stating that you were then aware of powers granted to me; the customhouses of Puerto Plata and San Domingo, the mines and forests of Sa-mana, guaros of Alta Yela, are pledged to bondholders for twenty-fiv.e years. Shall be glad to see you at Washington, if you desire, to give all necessary explanations and perhaps some useful information. Voting annexation progressing when left San Domingo.
EDWARD KERZBERG HARTMONT,
Dominican Consul General in London Hotel.
Secretary Hamilton Fish, Washington.
* Department of State,	[25]
Washington, March 23, 1870. Sir : I have the honor to inclose for your information a transcript of a telegram of this date, addressed to Mr. J. L. Spofford, by Messrs. Spofford, Tileston & Co., of New York, which I have just received from the President.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
HAMILTON FISH.
Hon. Charles Sumner, Senate.
[Telegram. |
New York, March 23, 1870—10 a, m.
J. L. Spofford, Arlington House:
Tybeegirrived this morning. Hartmont loan entirely rejected. Judge Sullivan, with dispatches from consul and Dominican government will go to Washington to-morrow. Delaney reports that a man-of-war would shortly leave San Domingo, with bearer of dispatches, for Havana or Key West, with returns of annexation vote, which was almost unanimous in favor.
SPOFFORD, TILESTON & CO.
s. Ex. 17-798
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
VIII. Message of ihe President of the United States, transmitting a treaty for the annexation of the Dominican Republic, siqned on the 29th of November, 1869.
TL'o the Senate of the 'CiniteU States :
I transmit to the Senate for consideration, with a view to its ratification, a treaty for the annexation of the Dominican Republic to the United States, signed by the plenipotentiaries of the parties on the 29th of November last.
U. S. GRANT.
Washington, January 10, 1870.
Treaty celebrated between the United States of America and the Dominican Republic, for the incorporation of the second with the first.
The people of the Dominican Republic having, through their government, expressed their desire to be incorporated into the United States as one of the Territories thereof, in order to provide more effectually for their security and prosperity; and the United States being desirous ot meeting the wishes of the people and government of that republic, the high contracting parties have determined to accomplish by treaty an object so important to their mutual and permanent welfare.
For this purpose the President of the United States has given full powers to Mr. Raymond II. Perry, United States commercial agent ifi the city of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, and the President of the Dominican Republic has given full powers to Mr. Manuel Maria Gautier, secretary of state for foreign affairs of the said Dominican Republic ; and the said plenipotentiaries, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed upon and concluded the following articles :
Article I.
The Domiuican Republic, acting subject to the wishes of its people, to be expressed in the shortest possible time, renounces all rights of sovereignty as an independent sovereign nation, and cedes these rights to the United States to be incorporated by them as an integral portion of the Union, subject to the same constitutional provisions as tlieir other Territories. It also cedes to the United States the absolute fee and property in all the custom-houses, fortifications, barracks, ports, harbors, navy and navy yards, magazines, arms, armaments, and accouterinents, archives, and public documents of the said Dominican Republic, of which a schedule is annexed to this treaty ; public lands and other property not specified excepted.
Article II.
The citizens of the Dominican Republic shall be incorporated into the United States as citizens thereof, inhabiting one of its Territories, and shall be maintained and protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty and property as such citizens, and may be admitted into the Union as a State, upon such terms and conditions and at such time as Congress shall provide by law.
Article III.
The public lands and property belonging to the Dominican Republic,DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
99
not herein specifically ceded to the United States, are pledged to the payment of all the public debt, liquidated or unliquidated, which shall remain after the payment provided for in this treaty.
Article IV.
The people of the Dominican Republic shall, in the shortest possible time, express, in a manner conformable to their laws, their will concerning the cession herein provided for; and the United States shall, until such expression shall be had, protect the Dominican Republic against foreign interposition, in order that the national expression may be free.
Article Y.
The United States shall pay to the Dominican Republic, for the property hereby ceded, the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars in the gold coin of the United JStates, such payment not to be made until the Senate of the United States shall have given its advice and consent to the making of this treaty, and an appropriation for the payment shall have been made by Congress, and until delivery of all the property ceded shall be made to the persons authorized to receive the same.
Article VI.
The Dominican Republic engages to apply tlie amount so paid by the United States, through a commission to be appointed by the present actual Dominican government, toward the redemption of its public debt, in a manner conformable to the laws of said republic—this commission to be respected and protected by the United States while in the legal performance of its duties; and the said republic shall hold its public lands as a security for the payment of any part thereof, liquidated or unliquidated, which may remain unpaid after such application, and after the execution hereof to make no grants or concessions of lands or rights in lauds and to contract 110 further debts until Congress shall assume jurisdiction over the Territory and officers shall be appointed to administer the affairs thereof. The United States are in no event to be liable for the payment of any part of such debt, br of the interest thereon, or of any obligation of the Dominican Republic.
Article VII.
Until provision shall be made by law for the government, as a Territory of the United States, of the domain hereby ceded, the laws of the Dominican Republic, which are not in conflict with the Constitution and laws of the United States, shall remain in force, and the executive and other public officers of the republic shall retain their offices until Congress shall enact laws for the government of the Territory, and until persons shall be appointed to office pursuant thereto.
Article VIII.	%
Immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty, the President of the United States shall appoint a commissioner to proceed to the Dominican Republic and receive the transfer of the domains and the property hereby ceded, subject to the foregoing provisions.
Article IX.
The present treaty shall be ratified by the contracting parties, it being understood that it must receive the constitutional advice and con-100
dominican republic.
sent of the Senate of the United States, before, it can be ratified on the part of the United States, and the ratification shall be exchanged at Washington within four months from the date hereof, or sooner, if possible.
Article X.
In case of the rejection of this treaty the United States of America shall have the right to acquire the Peninsula and Bay of Samana at any time prior to the expiration of a period of fifty years by paying to the Dominican Republic the sum of two million dollars in the gold coin of the United States.
Article XI.
It is understood that upon the ratification of this treaty the sum of one hundred and forty-seven thousand two hundred and twenty-nine dollars and ninety-one cents^ paid by the United States to the Dominican Republic on account of the rent of Samana, shall be deducted from the sum specified in Article Y of this treaty.
In witness whereof, the respective plenipotentiaries have signed this treaty, and thereto affixed their respective seals.
Done in duplicate and good faith, in the English and Spanish languages, at the city of Santo Domingo, the twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
seal. seal.
RAYMOND H. PERRY. MANUEL MARIA GAUT1ER.
Schedule of the property mentioned in Article I, to wit:
The stronghold of the city of Santo Domingo, which comprehends its walls, sixteen forts and small redoubts, two heavy batteries, various quarters, two powder magazines, the fortress called Homenage, and a park-of artillery, with a full armament of cannon and mortars, iron and brass; shells, grenades, grape, muskets, and various other utensils and instruments indispensable to a fortified place.
Thq Castle of San Jeronimo.
The Castle of Jaina, on the river of that name.
The Fort San Louis, at Santiago de los Caballeros.
The Castle of San Felipe, at Puerto Plata.
The Fort of San Francisco, at Monte Christi.
The Fort of Santa Barbara, at Samana.
The Fort of Los Cacaos, at the same place.
The Custom-house at Santo Domingo and its dependencies.
The Custom-house at Samana, built of timber.
The ports of Santo Domingo, Macoris, Azua, Samana, Puerto Plata, and Monte Christi, which are those which are licensed for commerce with foreigners.
There are, moreover, an infinity of ports, bays, and coves which could be applied to similar use, especially Barahona, Puerto Viejo de Azua, La Caldera, La Romana, Chavon, Matanzas, and Manzanillo. Various other points intended for fortifications, military stations, and which either have been removed or not yet been erected.
Witness the hands of the said plenipotentiaries, at the city of Santo Domingo, the 29th day of November, A. D. 1869.
RAYMOND H. PERRY.
MANUEL MARIA GAUTIER,DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
101
IX. Message of the President of the United States, transmitting a convention between the United. States and the Dominican Republic for a lease to the former of the Bay and Peninsula of Samana, signed on the 29th of November, 1869.
To the Senate of the United States :
I transmit to tlie Senate for consideration, with a view to its ratification, a convention between the United States and the Dominican Republic for a lease to the former of the bay and peninsula of Samana.
U. S. GRA^T.
Washington, January 10, 1870.
Convention celebrated between the United States of America and the Dominican Republic for a lease of the Bay and Peninsula of Samana.
For this purpose the President of the United States has invested with full powers Mr. Raymond H. Perry, commercial agent of the United States to the Dominican Republic, and the President of the Dominican Republic has invested with full powers Mr. Manuel Maria Gautier, secretary of state of the Dominican Republic, who, after exchanging their said full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed upon, concluded, and signed the following articles :
Article I.
The Dominican Republic grants immediate possession and occupation, in the form of a lease, to the United States of America, all the territory comprised in the Peninsula and Bay of Samana, extending from Cape Samana or Rezon to the R. Grand Estero, which begins at the mouth of the said Grand Estero on the north, and terminates at the mouth of the Trujillo, at the western end of the bay of Samana, as appears on the map of the island of Santo Domingo, executed by Sir Robert H. Schom-burg, and published in 1858 by order of his excellency President Buenaventura Baez.
The United States shall possess and occupy the above-described territory during a period of 50 years from this date, and the Dominican Republic cedes by this act to the United States the eminent domain of said territory during the above-described term of occupation
It is understood that the Dominican Republic does not cede its right of free navigation of the waters of said bay.
Article it.
During the above-named term of occupation of the said territory, the United States shall pay, as an annual rent, to the Dominican Republic, on the first day of January of each year, in Washington, D. C., or in the city of New York, the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in gold coin of the United States. The Dominican Republic? hereby acknowledges to have received the sum of one hundred and forty-seven thousand two hundred and twenty-nine dollars and ninety-one cents on account of the first payment under this convention.102
dominican republic.
article III.
In case the United States shall establish a naval and military station, or either, on any part of the tract hereinabove described, the Dominican Republic shall, on demand of the chief officer in command thereof, arrest and surrender to the United States all deserters from the Army or Navy of the United States found within the said territory of the Dominican Republic, but the expense of such nrrest and surrender shall be borne by the United States.
article iv.
This convention shall be ratified by both parties, it being- understood that it cannot be ratified by the United States until it has received the advice and consent of the Senate of the United States; and the ratification shall take place at Washington, D. C., as soon as possible within four months from the date hereof.
The United States shall protect the Dominican Republic against foreign intervention during' the time agreed upon for exchange of the above ratification.
Done in duplicate and good faith in the English and Spanish languages, in the city of Santo Domingo, the twenty-ninth day of the month of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
seal.]	RAYMOND H. PERRY.
'seal.]	MANUEL MARIA GAUTIER.
x. Dispatches from Raymond H. Perry, late commercial agent of the United States at San Domingo.
1.	Mr. Perry to Mr. Fish, No. 5, January 8,1870.
2.	Same to same, No. 6, January 20, 1870.
3.	Same to same, telegram, February 20, 1870.
4.	Same to same, No. 9, February 20, 1870.
5.	Same to same, No. 12, March 12, 1870.
No. 1.
No. 5.j	commercial agency of the
united states of america, San Domingo City, January 8, 1870. (Received February 4, 1870.)
sir : i have the honor to report that President Baez assures me the election in regard to the annexation of this island is progressing most favorably, as such an arrangement seems to be the unanimous wish of the Dominican people. There is' occasionally some little trouble on the border, between the Cacos and Dominicans. The small town of Dajabon was bombarded from Juana Mendez by the Cacos, but the Dominicans were reenforced by some three thousand men, and drove the enemy to the Haytian side.
Cabml has been at San Juan with considerable force, but has been obliged to return to the Haytian side. He received assistance, in arms and money, from the Cacos. The latter are divided into three parties— the North, South, and Middle departments. Tliey procure their supplies from Cura^oa, Jamaica, and from American schooners under thedominican republic.
103
Dutcli flag. Many of their supplies come from Boston, Massachusetts. I understand, the Boston merchants do not like Salnave, or Mr. Murry, one of his agents. The latter influences most of the coffee trade, &c., in favor of Xew York, instead of Boston. This may be one of their reasons.
' Salnave, with some of his principal generals, is reported to have retreated into San Domingo for protection, as far as Las Dumas, on the south side of Lake Enriquillo, but has now returned to Hayti, reen-forced from Sal Trou, on the south coast of Hayti. He has marched toward Port an Prince, in or near which place he is now reported to be. His exact location, or Cabral's, is not known by the authorities of this place.
The United States steamer Nantasket, Captain Bunce, is expected to return from Puerto Plata by the 12th of this month. She left here January 1. I wrote you in my last letter of her visit to Jacmel Hayti.
Captain Delaney, of steamer Tybee, had some trouble with his crew at this port. One of the men who made an attack on the captain I detained here. He had such a bad influence over the crew of the ♦steamer that the captain and other officers did not think it safe for him to return on her.
I beg you will excuse this confused letter. There is nothing reliable of importance to write, so I send a few items picked up in different ways during the last few days.
There is an expedition reported to be fitting- out at Curacoa and Jamaica against the Dominican and Haytian government, or, in other words, to assist the Cacos.
I am, sir, very respectfully, vour obedient servant,
RAYMOND H. PERRY,
Commercial Agent.
The Secretary of State,
Washington, D. C.
[P. S.]	San Domingo City, January 10, 1870.
Sir : Since writing the inclosed the news lias arrived from Azua that Salnave has been driven from Port au Prince, and that'the Cacos hold it, as well as all places of importance in Hayti, and that one hundred and fifty Cacos are at San Juan, in the Dominican territory. • This information was given me by the President this morning.
Verv respectfullv, your obedient servant,
RAYMOND H. PERRY,
Commercial Agent.
The Secretary of State,
Washington, I). C.
[P. S. 2d.]	January 12, 1870.
The Spanish steamer has just arrived. Salnave's forces have been defeated. The Cacos have possession of Hayti, also Port au Prince. The public wish for annexation is daily increasing throughout San Domingo. There will be some important news in a few days.
Farrington, the English consul at Puerto Plata, is working against annexation, and several others on this island.
Your obedient servant,
R. H. PERRY,
Commercial Agent.
The Secretary of State.104
dominican republic.
No. 2.
no. 6.]	commercial agency of the
united states of america,
San Domingo City, January 20,1870.
(Received February 4, 1870.) *
sir: I mailed communication No. 5 to you by way of St. Thomas, and' send this, (No. 6,) and a telegram also, by a messenger of President Baez, via Havana, the Dominican government paying the expenses.
General Valentine Baez, commanding at Azua, writes to liis brother, President Baez, under date of the 14th instant, informing him of the capture of President Salnave on the 8th of this month, with one hundred and eighty men, and among this number were many of liis generals ; several are reported to have been killed by their captors; also five women and three children. President Salnave and his son were wounded and sent to Port au Prince as prisoners of war.
These events occurred in the Dominican territory, between t-lie towns of Salina and Bincon, near Neiba. Salnave was seeking protection witli liis followers in the Dominican Republic.
General Santonge, one of the staff of Salnave, made his escape from his guards and reached Azua, where he sent information to President Baez of the defeat of Salnave, and of the offer of General Nissage Saget (chief of the revolution in Hayti) to Cabral, putting at the disposal of the latter three Haytian steamers and troops with his Dominican insurgents, to attack San Domingo City and Azua.
Salnave also sent word that he had purchased of a Mr. Hog Smith, in Philadelphia, an iron-clad, carrying four guns of one hundred and fifty pounds each. Mr. Alexander Pate, Haytian consul at New York, had made the purchase for Salnave. This iron-clad was to leave Philadelphia February 13. The Dominican government fear she may fall into the hands of their enemies.
These acts have occurred since Captain Bunce, of the Nantasket, notified the Haytian authorities at Jacrnel that any invasion or military movements against the Dominican Republic would be considered an unfriendly act against the United States.
The Haytians are in possession of San Juan, Neiba, Banica, and several small towns on the Dominican frontier.
The Nantasket left this port January 1, 1870, and we have not heard* from her since. She was to go to Puerto Plata and return via Samana Bay. We need the protection of a man-of-war very much, but anticipate her return very soon.
The statements I have made in this communication have been received by me officially from the state department of this republic.
I am also informed that throughout the interior of this republic everything is working favorably for annexation.
The President tells me that it is almost impossible to prevent the people pronouncing for annexation before the proper time. He prefers to await the arrival of a United States man-of-war before their opinion is publicly expressed.
Yery respectfully, your obedient servant,
RAYMOND H. PERRY,
Commercial Agent.
The secretary of state,
Washington, J). C.DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
105
No. 3.
[Telegram.]
Commercial Agency of the United States of America,
San Domingo, February 20,1870. (Received March 5, 1870.) Sir : Voting has commenced with much enthusiasm. Returns from the interior, and the vote in this city yesterday, February nineteenth, was unanimous for annexation. Everything very quiet and favorable. Your obedient servant,
R. H. PERRY, U. S. Coml Agent. Hon. Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State. Received at 4.05 p. in., March 2, 1870.
No. 4.
No. 9. |
Commercial Agency of the United States of America, San Domingo City, February 20,1870. (Received March 12,1870.)
Sir : Please find inclosed quarterly accounts of office rent as per form No. 25, with vouchers. I mailed per steamer Tyber, February 9, quarterly returns as per forms 11, 12, 13, 14, 128. Should you find errors please pardon them and allow me the privilege of correcting them, as these are the first reports I have had the honor of forwarding to your Department.
Up to the date of my last communication, No. 8, political matters were then as I stated them; since then they liave taken a sudden change. Reports of elections and pronunciamento in favor of annexation are coming in from all parts of the island. An election was held in this city yesterday, the 19th of February. Seven hundred votes were taken, and, as President Baez informs me, with but one opposing vote. The cause for this sudden change since my last communication is that President Baez has been very slow and timid. The people have been anxious for the step to be-taken. The protection and time allowed to President Baez for this step is growing short. If the United States ships were withdrawn he could not hold the reins of this government. I have told him this, and that my Government, the United States, were Waiting the expression of his people, and that the former would not act without the latter. Everything at present is working very favorably. Cabral has left the frontiers of this government and everything is quiet. The United States steamer Swatara, Lieutenant Commander W. N. Allen, arrived the 19th from New York.
I received copies of telegrams from Havana between the Department of State at Washington and American Consul Hall. Have not heard of or from Admiral Poor since he left Key West for Port au Prince. We think he is at the latter place. Please find inclosed late San Domingo papers relating to the elections for annexation, &c.
I am, sir, respectfullv, your obedient servant,
R. H. PERRY, U. S. ComH Agent.
Hon. Hamilton Fisii, Secretary of State*
P. S.—Please find inclosed further facts relating to Mr. Hatch, stit confined at Azua. His sentence of death was commuted to banishment last October G, 1869.
Yours, &c.,
R. H. PERRY, Commercial Agent.106
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
[Translation.]
Department of State foe Foreign Affairs,
San Domingo, February 10, 1870.
Mr. Consul : The virtue of the evidence produced, pending the trial of Mr. David Hatch. He was condemned to death, when President Baez appealed to the honorable body of senators, asking them, by means of a special messenger, for their cooperation to save the life of that individual, and for no other motive than that of his being a citizen of North America, (IT. S.) According to our institutions, the grace of life which is accorded to one condemned to death does not prevent, by any means, his being consigned to perpetual imprisonment, but the President directs that his passport may be given him as soon as circumstances will permit, so that he may enjoy full liberty in any place wherein his acts will be inoffensive to us. The repeated and urgent solicitations which you have made in favor of the said Hatch, united with the desire which niv government has to please that of Washington, would have pursuaded us to concede his passport at once, had it not been for the irreconcilable enmity with which he attacks the government in all of its acts, through the newspapers and their agents, inventing calumnies to divert the public mind against annexation to the United States, which desire has been manifested so loudly and publicly by the people.
I desire that you will be good enough to assure his excellency the Secretary of State, in Washington, that the prolonged sojourn of Mr. Hatch here has been only to prevent his hostile action in New York, assuring him, at the same time, that if this reason will not satisfy him, and that should he insist on his (Hatch) being permitted to go, the government, which has had no other aim than that of preventing falsehood and the misleading of public opinion in the United States, will be very glad' to satisfy his wishes.
I avail myself of this occasion to reiterate to you the sentiments of my most distinguished consideration.
M. M. GAUTIER,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, San Domingo City.
E. H. Perry,
United States Commercial Agent.
[Translation.]
Department of State for Foreign Affairs,
San Domingo, February 20, 1870.
My Dear Sir : I have it now in my power to acquaint you that up to this date all the townships of the republic which have not already cast their votes for annexation to the United States are now in the act of doing so, and within a few days all the official documents and authenticated returns of this universal manifestation on the part of the Dominicans will be in this capital.
The frontier commands of the Cibo were the first to manifest their enthusiasm in favor of annexation, and they have been seconded by Santiago Le Yega, and the other townships of those provinces. The communes of this province (Santo Domingo) are now sending in the returns of the votes, and in the Seybo and Azua the convocation to vote was received with great applause.
I send you this information in order that you may transmit it to your Government, should you find it convenient to do so, by the SpanishDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
107
steamer whicli will arrive to-day. If there was more time to furnish you with further details, I would give them to you do^wn to the last hour.
I salute you with all consideration,
M. M. GAUTIER,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, San Domingo. E. H. Perry, .	.
United States Commercial Agent.
No. 5.
No. 12.]
Commercial Agency of the United States of America, San Domingo City, March 12, 1870. (Received March 24, 1870.)
I sent you a telegram by Spanish steamer, via Havana, informing the Department that voting for annexation to the United States had commenced witli much enthusiasm. The voting in all parts of the island is unanimous; there remains but one place to be heard from, that is Puerto Plata, and President Baez informed me this evening that he had unofficial information from that place that the majority for annexation was very strong.
The Severn lies at this port; the Swatara left for Samana the Oth; the Nantasket goes to Puerto Plata to-morrow, the 13th ; the Yantic lies in the river iu this city. Admiral Poor, on board the Severn, is expected to remain at this port for some time. Everything is very quiet at present throughout the country. There was a rumor a few days since that Cabral was assembling some men on the Haytian border, but his attempts are futile.
There is a French man-of-war reported at Samana Bay. I am, sir, verv respectfully, your obedient servant,
RAYMOND H. PERRY, United States Commercial Agent.
Hon. Hamilton Fish:
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Unofficial and private.]
Sir : There is, at times, much excitemeut in this city, as the opposition to annexation is stronger here than any part of the island. There was a well-organized plan a few nights since to get possession of the arsenal, rob the treasury, and assassinate the president, (Baez.) Many of the leaders were arrested, and are now confined; some of them officers; two are generals in the Dominican army. This may be of little importance, but it was of sufficient importance for the president and members of his cabinet to request me not to write it to my Government. I only know my duty, and that is to keep nothing secret from my Government. 1 am, sir, verv respectfully, your obedient servant,
RAYMOND H. PERRY, United States Commercial Agent.
Hon. Hamilton Fish,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.108
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
[Translation.]
St. Domingo, March 12, 1870.
My Dear Sir : It is witli feelings of satisfaction that I inform you the acts of the voting throughout the interior has been received^ except from Puerto Plata, and they manifest the desire to become part of the great Kepublic of the United States.
The acts at Puerto Plata will soon be ascertained, and are coming now. The result of the votes will be speedily communicated to the United States.
I am, with much consideration,
M. M. GAUTIEH.
Raymond Perry, Esq.
XI. Haytian correspondence.
1.	Dispatch from Mr. E. D. Bassett to the Department of State, No. 40, with its in closures.
2.	Mr. Stephen Preston to Mr. Fish, December S, 1870.
3.	Mr. Fish to Mr. Preston, December 12, 1870.
No. 1. Mr. Bassett to Mr. Fish.
No. 40.]	Legation op the United States,
Port au Prince, Hayti, February 17, 1870. (Received March 2, 1870.)
Referring to my No. 26 and your No. 32, I have the honor to state that I transmitted to the Haytian government notification (see in-closure A) that the United States asked, and Expected it to observe, a strict neutrality in reference to the internal affairs of St. Domingo. The secretary of state returned answer, (see inclosure B,) informing me that he had brought my dispatch to the thoughtful attention of this government.
Meantime, to further the spirit of your instructions, I had put myself in communication with respectable sources of information, and found reasonable ground for supposition that intrigues might be on foot by which persons in authority under the Haytian government were planniug, clandestinely, schemes for interference in St. Domingo affairs. I communicated these reports to Commander Owen, of the Seminole, and by the earliest opportunity forwarded a private dispatch, addressed to any United States naval commander at or near Sarnana Bay. (See inclosure C.) These reports, though coming from seemingly trustworthy sources, I did not regard as sufficiently reliable to make them the basis for a recommendation of severe or extreme measures. Nevertheless, the Haytian government, in its reply to my dispatch, had not pledged itself to any course of action. I therefore addressed to the secretary of state another dispatch, (see inelosure I),) referring to some of the reports which had come to me, reminding him that these reports, in the absence of any declaration of a neutral policy on the part of his government, might lead to serious embarrassments, and sug-DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
109
gesting tliat sucli a declaration, under all the circumstances, might be desirable.
Admiral C. H. Poor, commanding our North Atlantic squadron, having arrived here on the morning of the 9th instant, on the Severn, in company with the monitor Dictator, I conferred with him on the subject, and arrauged for a formal call on the Haytian government the same day. The admiral availed himself of this visit to communicate, quite pointedly, to the president and his advisers the tenor of his instructions. He also left with me a memorandum (see inclosure E) of those instructions, which I passed to the secretary of state.
Within three days the secretary returned answer, (see inclosure F,) informing me that this government had pledged itself to a strict neutrality as to the internal affairs of St. Domingo; that it had issued instructions to this effect to its agents at home and abroad, and that it would use its power and influence to prevent any attempt at interference wTith the domestic peace of the Dominican Republic from being carried on through its territory or concocted within its jurisdiction.
This seems to me to place the Haytian government in an acceptable attitude on the subject. But I shall continue to exercise a watchful care, to the end that I may be able to take cognizance of attempts from any source at clandestine interference with the affairs of St. Domingo during the pendency of negotiations between our Government and that republic.
EBENEZER D. BASSETT.
A.
Mr. Bassett to Mr. Itameau.
Legation of the United States,
Port au Prince, January 18, 1870.
Sir : I have the honor to inform you that certain negotiations are pending between the United States and President Baez of the Dominican Republic; and that I am instructed by my Government to state to the government of Hayti that the United States will look with decided disfavor upon any attempt, by whomsoever made, to interfere with the domestic peace and internal affairs of the neighboring republic of Dominica during the pendency of these negotiations.
I respectfully request you, Mr. Minister, to call the attention of your government without delay to this instruction of my Government; and I express the hope that the government and people of Hayti will be encouraged to preserve the strictest neutrality in respect to the internal affairs of the Dominican Republic, and that they will use their good influence to prevent the occurrence of any circumstance, growing out of the revolutionary state of this island, by which the interests of the United States might be interfered with, and the good friendship so happily subsisting between Hayti and the United States might be in the least disturbed.
I have the honor to salute you, Mr. Minister, with the most distinguished consideration.
EBENEZER D. BASSETT.
Hon. T. Rami:ar,
Secretary of Slate, tjc., ij-c., <£c.
[Translation.] B.
Mr. liameau to Mr. Basiselt.
Department of State for Foreign Affairs,
Port cm Prince, January 21, 1870. Sik : I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 18th instant, by which you inform me that certain negotiations are now pending between the Government of the United States and that of the republic of Dominica; and in which, by virtue of instructions which you have received, you invite my government to see that the strictest neutrality110
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
be observed by the republic of Hayti, in reference to the internal affairs of the said Dominican Republic, during the pendency of these negotiations.
The contents of your letter have received my promptest attention, and I have submitted it to the consideration of the provisional government, which has carefully noted the communication that you have addressed to it through me.
Deign to accept, sir, the assurance of my very high consideration.
T. RAMEAU, Secretary of State for Finances, and charged ivith the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Ebenezer D. Bassett,
Minister Resident of the United States of America, Port au Prince.
C.
Mr. Bassett to the commander of any United States ship of war at or near Samancr.
Legation of the United States, Port au Prince, Haytj,, January 29, 1870.
Under instructions from the Government at Washington, I have warned the existing government of Hayti not to interfere, in any manner, in the internal affairs of the neighboring republic of St. Domingo.
Nevertheless, i t is reported to me from sources entitled to respect that representatives of this government are seeking opportunities to give support clandestinely to the revolutionary commander, Cabral.
A Jamaica schooner, the Dolphin, has cleared from Kingston for some Haytian port It is supposed, however, that she is destined for some point in San Domingo; that she has arms or other supplies on board to be used against the government of President Baez; and that -in case of need she is to put into this or some other port of Hayti, making arrangements to transport over land the supplies to General Cabral. The arrangements for this and other similar expeditions are supposed to be aided and abetted, if not concocted, by one Monsieur Laraque, at present the acting Haytian consul at Kingston.
The Clare Helene, which, with English papers and under the English flag, has been in the service of the anti-Salnave revolutionists of Hayti for months, ancl is still in this service under the English flag, with the full knowledge of the English charge
•	o	n/	o	O	O
d affaires here, is reported to me as having just come from a mission of succor to Cabral. It is further reported that, under the pretense of going to Cape Haytian, other ships in the Haytian service are passing to ports in the Dominican Republic on the northern coast, witli the view of communicating with and aiding Cabral, and that the war ship La Terreur is now on such a mission.
I am assured too that these operations are taking place with the connivance of the English charge d'affaires and his vice-consuls in this island.
These reports come to me in such a way that I judge it quite worth while to report them to you.
Commander E. K. Owen, of the United States seamer Seminole, who has been in this harbor since the 27th of last month, is expecting to put to sea to-morrow or Monday on account of sickness aboard. He may go to Key West and report there the urgent need of stationing a war-ship of our Government here in place of the Seminole. Meanwhile, it will be gratifying tome and to all Americans here if you can call, even if but for a day or two, in this harbor, especially as great bitterness is manifested by the successful Haytian revolutionists against the United States Government and its citizens here.
This letter is not intended as a public dispatch, but as a personal communication to put you in possession of facts which may be of service in carrying out the instructions of ouf Government.	' ,
EBENEZER D. BASSETT.
D.
Mr. Bassett to Mr. liameau.
Legation of the United Statks,
Port an Prince, February 9, 1870. Sir: I thank you for your rcspouse of the 21st of last month to my dispatch of an earlier date, inyiting your government to observe a strict neutrality in the internal affairs of San Domingo, and I shall take pleasure in communicating to tlie GovernmentDOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
Ill
of the United States the friendly spirit in which you have received notification of its wishes and expectations in this particular. But it would nevertheless have been more satisfactory and agreeable to my Government and myself if you, in speaking for your government, had felt authorized to give assurance of the neutrality asked and expected by the United States.
Since the receipt of your dispatch there have come to us, from sources entitled to respectful consideration, reports which, should they prove reasonably correct, in the absence of any assurance of neutrality on the part of your government, may give rise to serious embarrassments.
I will not dwell on these reports. I will only mention that your consul at Kingston, Jamaica, is known to be cognizant of certain schemes for interfering in the affairs of San Domingo; and that he and your consul at Curagoa are charged with giving, or standing ready to give, the cover and protection of their official position and influence to schemes ot this character. It has also come to our knowledge that certain other parties have proposed to carry on an interference in the domestic peace of San Domingo,, under cover of the Haytian flag.
In the absence of any declaration of a neutral policy on the part of your government as to the internal affairs of San Domingo, the United States, much against their wishes, may have cause for displeasure, when on well-grounded authority we receive reports Avhich lead us to fear that the Haytian government may be compromised by its citizens and representatives who have, as far as now known to us, received no notification from their government to observe the neutrality which my Government, in cordial friendship, much desires and fully expects you to observe.
I have the honor to salute you, Mr. Minister, Avith the most, distinguished consideration.
EBENEZER D. BASSETT.
Hon. T. Rameai;,
Secretary of State, Jj-c., <jr.
E.
Bear-Admiral Poor to President Saget.
North Atlantic Fleet, United States Flag-ship Severn, (2d rate,)
Port au Prince, Hayti, Feb. 10, 1870.
Sik : The undersigned avails himself of the arrival at this port of the Severn, flagship of the United States North Atlantic fleet, accompanied by the monitor Dictator, to inform his Excellency that he, the undersigned, has instructions from his Government to inform his Excellency that negotiations are now pending between the United States Government at Washington and the government of San Domingo, and that during the existence of such negotiations the United States Government is determined, with all its power, to prevent any interference on the part of the Haytians or anyofther power with the Dominican government. Any interference or attack, therefore, by vessels under the Haytian or any other flag, upon the Dominicans, during the pendence of said negotiations, will be considered an act of hostility to the flag of the United States,, and will provoke hostility in return.
I have the honor to be, verv respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. H. Poor,
Reai'-Admiral, commanding United States North Atlantic Fleet.
His Excellency Nis.sage Saget, Provisional President Republic of Hayli.
F.
Mr. Rameau to Mr. Basseti.
[Translation.]
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
Port an Prince, February 12, 1870.
Sir: Your letter of the 9tli instant, which I have had the honor to receive, has been the object of special- attention on the part of my government.
As soon as the provisional government received your communication of the 10th ultimo, informing it of the negotiations pending between the United States and the government of President Baez, it resolved to abstain from all interference in the internal affairs of the Dominican Republic; and instructed, in a formal manner, its112
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
-agents at home as well as abroad to act in conformity with thi.s resolution. We have not failed to give similar instructions to our consuls at Kingston and Cura^oa. Therefore I think I have reason to contest, not the source of your information, which I learn from you is respectable, but the correctness of that information, and feel myself happy in assuring you that we have done all that is possible to prevent the occurrence of any act that may be contrary to our disposition in this circumstance.
My government has no knowledge of any project which you tell me has been formed with the design of interfering in the internal atfairsof the Dominican Republic, under cover of the Haytian flag. It is fully decided to prevent any attempt of this kind from being carried on. through its territory or concocted within the limits of its jurisdiction; but against any attempt of the sort which may be made elsewhere, the parties interested have full power to use such measures in the premises as are sanctioned by international law.
Hoping that you will appreciate the foregoing declaration which I have been charged to make you, I beg you, sir, to accept the renewed assurance of my very distinguished consideration.
t: rameau,
Secretary of State for Finances and Com merce, charged with the Department of Foreign A ffairs.
Mr. Ebenezeii D. Bassett,
Minister Resident of the United States of America, Fort an Prince.
Mr. Preston to Mr. Fish.
Washington, December S, 1870.
I have the honor to call your serious attention to the following- passage in the message of his Excellency the President of the United States, addressed to Congress on the 5th instant:
My suggestion is that, by a joint resolution of the two Houses of Congress, the Executive be authorized to appoint a commission to negotiate a treaty with the authorities of San Domingo for the acquisition of that island, &c.
This passage in the message of the President of the United States, asking Congress for authority to make a treaty to annex the island of Scm Domingo, (the name formerly given to Hayti by Europeans, and still commonly used in the United States,) has caused me deep and painful surprise, which it will be very easy for you to appreciate. My quality as minister of Hayti, accredited near your Government, imposes upon me the obligation to address you, in order to receive explanations touching the meaning of this phrase, which seems to me to be a formal menace to the independence of Hayti, with regard to which the Haytians are susceptible in a very high degree.
The idea of destroying the autonomy of my country can only be based upon a serious error, and this is the more to be regretted as it comes from the great republic of the United States of the North, which we considered as our ally, and as one that would, in case of necessity, protect us against the aggressions of European powers.
I shall be very happy to be able to transmit to my government, with the message of the President of the United States, such communications as you may be pleased to address me on this subject, which I hope will be sufficiently satisfactory to calm its legitimate anxieties, and will aid in preventing unfortunate complications for my country in future.
1 have the honor to be, Mr. Secretary of State, with very high consideration, your obedient servant,
STEPHEN PKESTON.dominican republic.
113
Mr. Fish to Mr. Stephen Preston.
Department of State, Washington, December 12, 1870.
I liave bad the honor to receiye your note of the 8th instant, referring to a passage relative to the island of San Domingo contained in the message of the President of the United States to Congress at the opening of the present session, and requesting explanations upon the subject.
In reply, I have the honor to inform you that the message of the President to Congress has never been regarded as a proper subject of discussion with a representative of a foreign power, and there is no reason perceived for a deviation from the rule in this instance.
A message of the President is a communication between two distinct branches of this Government, and as such is strictly and exclusively a domestic document, to which, it is conceived, no foreign power can take just exception. If recommendations contained in such a message should be adopted by Congress and should become a law, a foreign power which may suppose that its rights or interests would be affected thereby, may then properly object through its representative here to the measure proposed. No such contingency having yet occurred, your interference in the matter must be regarded as at least premature.
HAMILTON FISH.
XII. Sundry statistical tables, prepared to accompany the report of the Secretary of State to the President.
1.	Population and trade of the West Indies.
2.	National debt of Hayti.
3.	Slave products introduced into the United States for the year ending June 30, 1870.
4.	Belative importance of the West Indies in the commerce of the United States for the year ending June 30, 1870.
5.	Commerce of the United States with all countries for the year ending June 30, 1870.
In a "report of the commissioners from British North America, appointed to inquire into the trade of the West Indies, Mexico, and Brazil, printed at Ottawa, Canada, 1866, the population and trade of the West Indies are given as follows:
British Weat Indies.
Cuba.......
Porto Rico ■
Other West India islands.
Hayti........
San Domingo.
Total.................
Total commerce, 1864.
S. Ex. 17—
Imports, 1864.
$28, 865, 408
129,542, 383 10, 379, 824
139, 922, 207
13, 000, 000
10, 206, 665 1, 500, 000
11, 726, 665
193, 515,280
Exports, 1864.
$31, 678, 539
166, 446, 718 4, 965, 382
171, 412,100
13, 000,000
9, 475, 000 1, 500, 000
10, 975, 000
227, 065, 639 193, 515, 280
420, 580, 919
Population, 1861.114
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
In a " report of the commissioners from British North America, appointed to inquire into the trade of the West Indies, Mexico, and Brazil, laid before both houses of Parliament, by order of his Excellency the Governor General," printed at Ottawa, Canada, I860, it is stated, p. 139, as follows:
The national debt of Hayti consists of certain sums due to France, as—
The indemnity to France...........................-........................................£924, 000
The debt............................................................................................................................512,000
Total external debt........................................................................................................1,436, 000
Internal debt....................................................................................................................1,715
Total...........................................................................................1,437,715
The indemnity to France is being paid off in five yearly installments of £120,000, and 5 others of £64,000, with an extra £4,U00 the last year. The debt to France is being cleared off by 16 yearly payments of £22,000. The indemnity, it is thought, will be extinguished by 1873, and the debt by 1879, if no more insurrections occur.
(See copy of report in library of Congress.)
Products*of slave labor introduced into the United States for the year ending June 30, 1870, (two items) and the revenue therefrom.
From—	Quantity.	Value.	Duty.	Estimated duty.
CUBA. Sugar...................................pounds.. Molasses.................................gallons.. Melado.................................pounds.. PORTO nico. Sugar...................................pounds.. Molasses................................gallons.. BRAZIL. Coffee.......:...........................pounds.. Total......................................	801, 633, 343 45, 084,152 35, 523, 771 130, 706,182 7,119, 928 183, 413, 456	$38, 086, 448 9, 696, 783 1,247, 249 6, 081, 072 2, 046,172 18, 322, 580	3 cents____ 8 cents____ 3 cents____ 3 cents____ 8 cents____ 5 cents...	$24, 049, 000 3, 606, 732 1, 074, 863 3, 921,185 569, 594 9,170, 672
		75, 480, 304		42, 392, 046
				
The total foreign imports into the United States for the year ending 30th
June, 1870, were.......................................................................................$462, 378, 587
Of which products of slave labor were, as above..............................................75, 480, 304
Or over 16 per cent, of total importations into the United States.
The total customs receipts for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1870, were.	194, 538, 374 Estimated portion received from duties on products of slave labor, as
above............................................................................................................................42,392,046
Or nearly 22 per cent, of total customs receipts.
Imports into the United States from Cuba, years ending June 30. Compiled from returns in the Statistical Bureau of the Treasury Department.
1868. Sugar, 861,149,260 pounds, value.................................. $37,601,727
Melado, 4,628,039 pounds, value................................... 128,450
Molasses, 44,929,469 gallons, value................................ 9, 076, 856
46,807, 033
1869. Sugar, 904,764,057 pounds, value.................................. $43,167,103
Melado, 16,454,581 pounds, value.................................. , 556, 343
Molasses, 42,209,642 gallons, value................................ 8, 934, 999
52,658, 445DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.	115
1870. Sugar, 801,637,080 pounds, value.................................. $38,086,715
Melada, 35,828,771 pounds, value.................................. 1,247,249
Molasses, 45,084,152 gallons, value................................. 9, 696,783
49,030,747
1868.	Tobacco, leaf, 3,807,798 pounds, value............................. $1,219,397
Cigars, 301,386 pounds, value..................................... 892,143
2,111,540
1869.	Tobacco, leaf, 5,695,726 pounds, value............................. $1,879,970
Cigars, 409,647 pounds, value..................................... 1,287, 021
3,166,991
1870.	Tobacco, leaf, 5,820,452 pounds, value.............................. $2, 355,020
Cigars, 491,696 pounds, value..................................... 1, 578,725
3, 933,745
Relative commercial importance of the West Indies in the commerce of the United States for the year ending 30th June, 1870, compiled from returns in the Statistical Bureau of the Treasury Department.
	Imports.	Exports.	Total.
Cuba.......................................................	$54, 056,415 8,183, -249	$17, 412, 781 2, 955, 324	$71, 469,196 11,138, 573
			
			
	62,239, 664 979, 655 628, 870 731, 973 467, 389 6, 572, 555	20, 368,105 2, 801, 333 1, 488, 399 970, 937 1,167,190 8,279, 627	82, 607, 769 3, 780, 988 2,117, 269 1, 702, 910 1, 6S4, 579 14, 852,182
Denmark and Danish "West Indies.......................... Dutch "West Indies and Dutch Guiana...................... French Possessions in America......................:......			
			
	71,620,106	35, 075, 591	106, 695, 697
	39, 507, 842 1, 581, 959	23, 297, 296 3, 552, 028	62, 805,138 5,133,5*87
All other British Possessions in America...................			
	41, 089, 801	26, 849, 324	67, 939,125
	13, 099, 031 735, 673 5,	206, 190 2, 557, 833 773, 682 6,	414, 669 1,	630, 400 25,175 959 2,	037, 312	5, 875, 396 1,161,695 4,	791, 620 3, 793,185 2, 245, 809 2, 479, 437 1,199, 237 5,	817, 846 1, 324, 325	18, 974, 427 1,	897, 368 9, 797, 810 6, 351,018 3, 019, 491 8, 894,106 2,	829, 637 30, 993, 805 3,	361, 637
			
			
			
Chili.....................................................			
			
			
			
			
			
	57, 430, 749 170,140, 656	28, 688,.550 90, 613, 465	86, 119, 299 260, 754,121
			
RECAPITULATION.			
-	Imports.	Exports.	Total.
Commerce with "West Indies............................... Mexico, Central, and South America....................... British Possessions in North America...................... Total commerce pf United States....................	$71,620,106 57, 430, 749 41, 089, 801	$35, 075, 591 28, 688, 550 26, 849, 324	$106, 695, 697 86,119, 299 67, 939,125
	170,140, 656	90, 613, 465	260, 754,121
	462, 377, 587	529, 519, 302	991, 896, 889
Commerce with the West Indies formB nearly 11 per cent.; Mexico, Central and South America, 8| per cent.; and British Possessions on this Continent, 6} per cent., of total.116
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
The commerce of the United States with all countries for the year ending June 30, 1870, was as follows:
Countries.
England .
Scotland
Ireland..
West Indies.............................................
Trance..................................................
Mexico, Central and South America.....................
Hamburg, Bremen, Prussia, and North Germany........
Dominion of Canada, and other British Possessions in North
America..............................................
China...................................................
Spain.....................................
Italy.....................................
British East Indies.......................
Belgium..................................
Holland..................................
Spanish Possessions, not named above ...
Russia...................................
J apan..................................
Gibraltar.................................
Australia................................
Turkey...................................
British Possessions in Africa.............
Dutch East Indies........................
Sandwich Islands..........................
Austria......,.............................
Portugal.................................
Sweden and Norway......................
French Possessions, not named above_____
Liberia....................................
British Possessions, not named above......
Portuguese Possessions, not named above .
Greece...................................
All other countries and ports..............
Total.
Imports.
$147, 352, 493 7, 444, 304 247, 075
155, 043, 872 71, 620,106 48, 087, 410 57, 430, 749 27, 397, 958
41, 089, 801 14, 628, 487 3, 638, 345 C, 641, 664 10, 050, 834 3,141,074 1, 344, 922 6, 685, 686 1, 581, 637 4,183, 365 48, 535 278, 964 678, 718
1,	836, 070
2,	550, 692 1,144, -248
371, 409 303, 997 1,180, 741 200, 929 104, 605 191, 378 42, 477 80, 001 798, 913
462, 377, 587
Exports.
$262,288 129 8, 283, 207 8, 593, 531
279,164, 867 35, 075, 591 54, 834. 609 28, 688, 550 42, 747, 854
26, 849, 324 9, 040, 066 9, 782, 403
6,	474, 653 243, 648
7,	055, 634 6, 399, 835
221, 799 4,194, 360
1,	529, 714 4, 071, 293 3, 466, 575
2,	578, 314 1, 378, 691
158, 63G 868, 416 1, 208, 697 1, 565, 963 105, 532 377, 667 154, 442 64,337 200, 816
1, 017, 016 529, 519, 302
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