■•.'WiiMv.'We zeaby Ml S Digitizeaby Microsoft® Cornell University Library F 1934.U59 Dominican republic. Report of tlie Commis 3 1924 021 083 344 Digitized by Microsoft® This book was digitized by Microsoft Corporation in cooperation witli Cornell University Libraries, 2007. You may use and print this copy in limited quantity for your personal purposes, but may not distribute or provide access to it (or modified or partial versions of it) for revenue-generating or other commercial purposes. Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® DOMINI CJ.N K<&P/BLIC. THE COMMISSION OF INQUIEY TO SANTO DOMINGO, THE INTEODUCTOEY MESSAGE OP THE PEESIDENT, SPECIAL EEPOETS MADE TO THE COMMISSION, STATE PAPEES FUENISHED BY THE DOMINICAN GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATEMENTS OF OVEE SEVENTY WITNESSES. COMMISSIONERS: B. F. ^W^X)E:, President. -A.. X). ^VHITEl. S. G-. HO'WE. A. A. BUETON, Secretary. F. DOUGLASS, Assistant Secretary. WAB'ELI'NGTOIS: 18 71. -rt-%t-H^ Digitized by Microsoft® CONTENTS, A. 1. Presidbnt's Message 1 2. Commissioners' Report. 4-34 Resolution authorizing commission, (note) 4 Movements of commission 4 Political state of Santo Domingo — government 5 Condition of the country 5 Existing insurrections 7 "' Causes of disturbance 8 Local liberties 9 Spanish reincorporation 9 Desire for annexation 11 American colonists 11 Popular disposition ; 11 Condition of the people 13 Education 14 General political capacity 14. Population 14 Resources, mineral products 15 Character of the soil 15 Proportion capable of cultivation 16 n/ Agricultural products - 16 Products of the forests 19 Fisheries 20 V Climate and health 21 Earthquakes and hurricanes '. 22 Rivers 22 Bays and harbors 23 Bay of Samana , 23 Public debt , 24 Revenues 26 Treaties 28 Boundaries 28 Grants and concessions 29 Terms of annexation desired 31 Of Dominican independence 32 Relations of annexation to slavery in West Indies 33 Hayti 33 Conclusion , 34 3. Concurrence of the Secrtaries 34 B. Journal of the commission 35-58 C. Special reports made to the commission 59-145 I. On defenses of Samana, by General F. Sigel I. 59 II. Observations on geology of Samana, by Professor W. P. Blake. 63 III. Observations on geology of Samana, by J. S. Adam 70 ^ IV. Report on the botany, agriculture, &c., of Samana, by Professor CO. Parry 71 V. On sanitary condition of Samana, by Dr. W. Newcomb 73 VI. Report of trip from Samana to Santo Domingo City, by Messrs. Wade and Jacobs 75 VII. Notes on a trip through the Vega Real, by E. Waller 79 VIII. Agricultural resources of Samana and Vega Real, by H. Brummel 81 IX. On soils, from Samana to Azua, by E. Jacobs 84 \l X. Onthebotany of the southern district, by Professor C.C. Parry. 86 XI. On sanitary condition of Santo Domingo City and vicinity, by Dr. Newcomb 89 XII. Trip from Santo Domingo City to Sau Cristobal, by Dr. New- comb 92 XIII. Journey from Santo Domingo City to Azua, by General F. Sigel 94 XIV. On reported mineral deposits bet ween Santo Domingo City and Azua, by fy§nMmm^-Mteros0ft® ^°5 IV CONTENTS. • Page. C. Speciai reports made to the commission— Continued. ,,g XV. Observations between Samana and Azua, by C. C. Pulton .... jj* XVI. Journey &om Santo Domingo City to Azua, by E. Jacobs .... "^ XVII. Sanitary condition of Port au Prince, by Dr. W. Newcomb . - . .' i^" XVin. Expedition across the island from Santo Domingo City to Puerto Plata, by Professor W. P. Blake...... - ^^^ XIX. Expedition across the island, botany of the route, by Professor XX. Social and political' condition of the people of the interior, by Professor T. F. Crane -. V--A---:- '^"'^ XXI. North coast of the island between Cape Capron and Puerto Plata, by Professor H.A.Ward 135 XXII. Valley of the North Yaque, by H. B. BlackweU and S. Hazard. 140 XXIII. Mineral resources of Santo Domingo, by Professor W. P. Blake. 144 D. DoCOTiENTS -. - 146-208 I. Statement of citizens of Bam 146 II. Notes on recent history, by Secretary Gautier, with corre- spondence 146 in. Declaration of vicar general and concordat concerning church property 160 rV. Claims pending before the senate 161 V. National debt and revenue, by Auditor General Gibbes 162 VI. Note of Secretary Gautier transmitting the following docu- ^^ ments 164 VH. Memorandum on political condition of Dominican Eepublic, by Secretary Gautier 165 VIII. Debt statement, by Secretary Gautier 176 IX. Revenue statement, by Secretary Gautier 179 X. Population igi XL List of grants and concessions 183 XII. Charter for geological survey 185 XIII. Charter for line of New York steamers 188 XTV. Grant of guano at Alta Vela 191 XV. Charter for railroad from Santiago to Samana 192 XVI. Charter for railroad from Santo Domingo City to Azua 195 XVII. Charter for railroad from Azua to Caobas 196 XVIII. Charter for telegraph lines 19g XIX. Grant of Bani salt works 199 XX. Grant of Beata salt works 200 XXI. Grant of copper mine Cercado del Cobre 201 XXII. Reissue and consolidation of three mining grants 202 XXIII. Grant of copper mine Boca de Cuayo 204 XXIV. Grant of mining cirduit Buenaventura 205 XXV. Grant of mining circuit CuaUo 206 XXVI. Grant of mining circuit Camfi 207 E. Statements of witnesses 209-285 Governor J. S. Acosta, Samana 209 Colonel E. Abreu, Samana 209 Alcalde E. Garcia, Samana \ 211 Collector B. Garcia, Samana _" gj^g Councillor E. de Vere, Samana '\\ gjg L. Horan, merchant, Samana ''\ 21.3 Franklin Fabens, Samana ■. ""] 215 J. L. Marciacq, merchant, Samana '.'.." 216 Captain B. Burr, farmer, Samana \\ 017 Mrs. Burr, Samana "^ n-oi Joseph P. Hamilton, trader and carpenter, Samana '"'" ooo Councillor V. Desruisseaux, Samana ^ ooj Professor T. F. Crane, [Fabens & O'SuUivan leases, Samaiiai 004 G. L. Jndd, school teacher, Samana ^zi General T. James, Samana ^['_ ~*^ Reverend J. James, Samana \\\ '\ ^^5 Colonists from United States to F. Douglass, Samana ! 00? — ■ Professor William M. Gabb, geologist, Santo Domingo City oqo — C. Eunnebaum, geologist, Santo Domingo City __\\ iii William Read, merchant, Santo Domingo City '.'.'.'.'....'. \ oqq E. de Sobotker, banker, Santo Domingo City '.'..'..'.'.'. o'j^ E. Miller, druggist, Santiago ~" General A. N. 'S.^gsx^j^ftfT^d-byMlGPOSOfm'".'.'. W/.'".V/^.V//. ^|| CONTENTS. V E. Statements of witnesses— Continued. T. A. M. Bascome, trader, Santo Domingo City 248 P. A. Mestre, trader, Santo Domingo City 249 D. Coeu, merchant, Santo Domingo City 250 \ Jolm Jones, carter, Santo Domingo City 251 David Brooks, artisan, Santo Domingo City 252 Theodore Hall, honrding-house and nurse, Santo Domingo City 253 Judge E. E. Gross, Santo Domingo City 254 John Hamilton, laborer, Santo Domingo City 256 Judge J. N. Tejera, Santo Domingo City 25G Mutual Aid Society of Jesus, Santo Domingo City 258 Dr. P. M. Piueyro, Santo Domingo City 259 Fermin Gonzalez, merchant, Santo Domingo City 259 Cayetans Rodriguez, judge advocate, Santo Domingo City 259 Dr. J. M. Lunas, Santo Domingo City 259 Printing office foreman, Santo Domingo City , 261 M. Marie, philosopher, Santo Domingo City 262 Councillor E. M. Valencia, Santo Domingo City 263 George Fountain, ship calker, Santo Domingo City 266 Reverend T. R. Ariedo, La Vega 268 Secretaries Gautier, Del Monte, and Curiel, Santo Domingo 270 Dr. Guerero, Santo Domingo 271 Anonymous, Santo Domingo 271 Anonymous, officer of government, Santo Domingo 272 Anonymous 272 J. P. Sancho, peasant proprietor, near Azua 275 A. Gautier, farmer, near Maniela 276 General J. C. Victoria, alcalde, Maniela 276 Colonel A. Guerero, commandant, Maniela 279 Joaquin Samuel, engineer, Maniela 279 A. J. L. du Quesnay, schoolmaster, Azua 279 Collector D. Ortiz, Azua 280 Judge J. E. Salazar, Azua 280 General Carlos Baez, Azua 280 Alcade E. de la Cruz, Azua 280 Notary R. G. Sosa, Azua 281 E. Aybar, judge advocate, Azua 281 T. Objio, merchant, Azua 281 General J. Santaua, Azua 282 C. Perez, farmer, Las Cortaderas 282 .Juliana Lopez, Las Cortaderas 282 F. de la Cruz, farmer. Las Cortaderas 282 Amelia Rodriguez, Las Cortaderas 282 L. Perez, farmer. Las Cortaderas 283 E. Ramirez, soldier, Azua 283 Antolina Ruiz, etc., Caobas, &o 283 Colonel Paul Fels, tailor, Azua 283 T. Salomon, shoemaker, Azua - 283 P. A. Cuello, farmer, Cachon de Hato Viejo 283 Fleripno Louis, soldier, Hayti 284 T. ViJlanueva, tailor, Port au Prince 284 R. M. Lovelace, soldier, Port au Prince 284 J A. Garcia, trader, Port au Prince 284 A.M. Caminero, Port au Prince 285 Anonymous, Port an Prince 285 Digitized by Microsoft® Digitized by Microsoft® 42d Congress, ) \A^ i SENATE. (Ex. Doc. 1st Session. ) — - ( No. 9. MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDEIT OF THE UNITED STATES, COMMUNICATING The report of the commission of inquiry to the island of Santo Domingo. April 5, 1871. — Ordered to lie on the table and be printed. To the Senate and House of Representatives : I have the honor to submit herewith to the two Houses of Congress the report of the commissioners appointed in pursuance of joint resolution approved January 12, 1871. It will be observed that this report more than sustains all that I have heretofore said in regard to the productiveness and healthfulness of the republic of San Domingo, of the unanimity of the people for annexa- tion to the United States, and of their peaceable character. It is due to the public, as it certainly is to myself, that I should here give all the circumstances which first led to the negotiation of a treaty for the annexation of the republic of San Domingo to the United States. When I accepted the arduous and responsible position which I now hold, I did not dream of instituting any steps for the acquisition of insular possessions. I believed, however, that our institutions were broad enough to extend over the entire continent as rapidly as other peoples might desire to bring themselves under our protection. I believed further that we should not permit any indepeudent govern- ment within the limits of North America to pass from a condition of independence to one of ownership or protection under a European power. Soon after my inauguration as President I was waited upon by an agent of President Baez with a proposition to annex the republic of San Domingo to the United States. This gentleman represented the capacity of the island, the desire of the people, and their character and habits, about as they have been described by the commissioners, whose report accompanies this message. He stated further that, being weak in numbers and poor in purse, they were not capable of developing their great resources ; that the people had no incentive to industry oa account of lack of protection for their accumulations; and that, if not accepted by the United States— with institutions which they loved above those of any other nation— they would be compelled to seek pro- tection elsewhere. To these statements I made no reply, and gave no indication of what I thought of the proposition. In the course of time I was waited upon by a second gentleman from San Domingo, who made the same representations, and who was received in like manner. In view of the facts which had been laid before me, and with an earu- Digitized by Microsoft® I SANTO DOMINGO. est desire to maintain the " Monroe doctrine," I believed that I would be derelict in my duty if I did not take measures to ascertain the exact wish of the government and inhabitants of the republic of San Do- mingo in regard to annexation, and communicate the information to the people of the United States. Under the attending circumstances 1 felt that if I turned a deaf ear to this appeal i might, in the future, be justly charged with a flagrant neglect of the public interests and an utter disregard of the welfare of a down-trodden race praying for the blessings of a free and strong government, and for protection in the enjoyment of the fruits of their own industry. Those opponents of annexation who have heretofore professed to be preeminently the friends of the rights of man 1 believed would be my most violent assailants if I neglected so clear a duty. Accordingly, after having appointed a commissioner to visit the island, who declined on account of sickness, I selected a second gentleman, in whose ca- pacity, judgment, and integrity I had, and have yet, the most unbounded confidence. He visited San Domingo, not to secure or hasten annexation, but, unprejudiced and unbiased, to learn all the facts about the govern- ment, the people, and the resourcfiS of that republic. He went cer- tainly as well prepared to make an unfavorable report as a favorable one, if the facts warranted it. His report fully corroborated the views of previous commissioners, and upon its receipt I felt that a sense of duty and a due regard for our great national interests required me to negotiate a treaty for the acquisition of the republic of San Domingo. As soon as it became publicly known that such a treaty had been negotiated, the attention of the country was occupied with allegations calculated to prejudice the merits of the case, and with aspersions upon those whose duty had connected them with it. Amid the pub- lic excitement thus created, the treaty failed to receive the requisite two-thirds vote of the Senate, and was rejected; but whether the action of that body was based wholly upon the merits of the treaty, or might not have been, in some degree, influenced by such unfounded allegations, could not be known by the people, because the debates of the Senate in secret session are not published. Under these circumstances I deemed it due to the office which I hold, and due to the character of the agents who had been charged with the investigation, that such proceedings should be had, as would finable the people to know the truth. A commission was therefore constituted, under authority of Congress, consisting of gentlemen selected with special reference to their high character and capacity for the laborious work intrusted to them, who were instructed to visit the spot and report upon the facts. Other eminent citizens were requested to accompany the commission in order that the people might have the benefit of their views. Students of science and correspondents of the press, without regard to political opinions, were invited to join the ex- pedition, and their numbers were limited onlj^ by the capacity of the vessel. The mere rejection by the Senate of a treaty negotiated by the Pres- ident only indicates a difference of opinion between two coordinate departments of the Government, without touching the character or wounding the pride of either. But when such rejection takes place si- multaneously with charges openly made of corruption on the part of the President, or those employed by him, the case is different. Indeed, in such case the honor of the nation demands investigation. This has been accomplished by ^^y^|ggr]t,^^^^^^^issioner8 herewith trans- SANTO DOMINGO. 3 mittecl, and which fully vindicates the purity of the motives and action of those who represented the United States in the negotiation. And now my task is finished, and with it ends all personal solicitude upon the subject. My duty being done, yours begins; and I gladly hand over the whole matter to the judgment of the American people, and of their representatives in Congress assembled. The facts will now be spread before the country, and a decision rendered by that tribunal whose convictions so seldom err, and against whose will 1 have no policy to enforce. My opinion remains unchanged; indeed, it is confirmed by the report that the interests of our country and of San Domingo alike invite the annexation of that republic. In view of the difference of opinion upon this subject, I suggest that no action be taken at the present session beyond the printing and gen- eral dissemination of the report. Before tile next session of Congress the ijeople will have considered the subject and formed an intelligent opinion concerning it; to which opinion, deliberately made up, it will be the duty of every department of the Government to give heed, and no one will more cheerfully conform to it than myself. It is not only the theory of our Constitution that the will of the people, constitu- tionally expressed, is the supreme law, but I have ever believed that " all men are wiser than any one man;" and if the people, upon a full presentation of the facts, shall decide that the annexation of the re- public is not desirable, every department of the Government ought to acquiesce iu that decision. In again submitting to Congress a subject upon which public senti- ment has been divided, and which has been made the occasion of acrimonious debates in Congress, as well as of unjust aspersions else- where, I may, I trust, be indulged in a single rema«-k. Eo man could hope to perform duties so delicate and responsible as pertain to the presidential office without sometimes incurring the hos- tility of those who deem their opinions and wishes treated with insuf- ficient consideration ; and he who undertakes to conduct the affairs of a great government as a faithful public servant, if sustained by the ap- proval of his own conscience, may rely with confidence upon the candor and intelligence of a free people, whose best interests he has striven to subserve, and can bear with patience the censure of disappointed men. U. S. GRANT. Executive Mansion, Ajgril 5, 1871. Digitized by Microsoft® REPORT THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY TO SANTO DOMINGO. Sir: The commissioners appointed pursuant to the resolution of Congress, approved January 12, 1871, to inquire into the condition of the Dominican Eepublic, * have the honor to submit the following report, answering in a summary way the successive inquiries propounded in the resolution, referring to the accompanying testimony and docu- ments, and to the series of scientific reports for more full information on special subjects of inquiry. In accordance with the said resolution the commissioners pro- ceeded to the island of Santo Domingo, leaving New York on the 17th and arriving at Samana Bay on the 24th of January, 1871, and forth- with began their inquiries. They were aided in their researches by a corps of scientific observers. They traversed the Dominican Eepublic from end to end in several directions, either by their agents or in per- son — one of the commissioners crossing it from south to north, and another from east to west. They spent several weeks at the capital, '' liesolved iy the Senate and House of Eepresentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States he authorized to appoint three commissioners, and also a secretary, the latter to be versed io the English and Spanish languages, to proceed to the island of San Domingo, and to such other places, if any, as such commissioners may deem necessary, and there toinquire into, ascertain, and report the political state and condition of the republic of Dominica, the probable number of inhabitants, and the desire and disposition of the j)eople of the said republic to become annexed to, and to form part of the people of, the United States ; the physi- cal, mental, and moral condition of the said people, and their general condition as to material wealth and industrial capacity ; the resources of the country ; its mineral and agricultural products ; the products of its waters and forests ; the general character of the soil ; the extent and proportion thereof capable of cultivation ; the climate and health of the country; its bays, harbors, and rivers; its general meteorological char- acter, and the existence and frequency of remarkable meteorological phenomena ; the debt of the government and its obligations, whether funded, and ascertained and ad- mitted, or unadjusted and under discussion ; treaties or engagements with other powers • extent of boundaries and territory — what proportion is covered by foreign claimants or by grants or concessions, and generally what concessions or franchises have been granted, with the names of the respective grantees ; the terms and conditions on which the Dominican government may desire to be annexed to and become part of the United States as one oi the Territories thereof; such other information with respect to the said government or its territories as to the said commissioners shall seem desirable or important with reference to the future incorporation of the said Dominican Republic into the United States as one of its Territories. Sec. 2. And be it further resolved, That the said commissioners shall, as soon as con- veniently may be, report to the President of the United States, who shall lay the report before Congress. Sec. 3. And be it further resolved. That the said commissioners shall serve without compensation, except the payment of expenses ; and the compensation of the secretary shall be determined by the Secretary of State, with the approval of the President : Pro- vided, That nothing in these resolutions contained shall be held, understood, or con- strued as committing Congress to the policy of annexing the territory of said republic of Dominica. Digitized by Microsoft® SANTO DOMINGO. 5 in daily conferences witli the President and cliief officers of the govern- ment, in examining the official records, and, as at all other places, in constant intercourse with the people and taking testimony of witnesses. They visited the vicinity of the western border country, where it was reported that there were disturbances ; and remained a week at the capital of the neighboring Eepublic of Hayti, where some supplementary investigations were made. They were detained a few days, by the neces- sity of coaling the ship, at Kingston, Jamaica, where some opportunity was afforded to examine the questions of white labor, management of agriculture, and general administration in the West Indies, and the progress free colored men are there making. Eeturning to the United States by way of Key West, they landed'at Charleston, March 26, having been absent seventy days. POLITICAL STATE AMD CONDITION — FOEM OF GOVERNMENT. . The present government of the Dominican Eepublic is in theory a constitutional republic. According. to its constitution the government is divided into three branches, the executive, legislative and judicial. The first consists of a president and vice-president elected by an electo- ral college for a term of six years, wjth a difference of three years in the time of their election. Both the president and vice-president are ineli- gible to the presidency during the following term. The president appoints a council of state, consisting of a minister of public instruction ; of the interior, police and agriculture; of public works and commerce; and of war and marine ; on one of these four ministers the duties of minister of foreign relations devolve at the will of the president. The legislative branch of the government consists of a senate, (Senado Consultor,) elected by the primary assemblies, and has two members for the city of Santo Domingo, two for Santiago, and one for each of the other provinces and districts — nine members in all. These hold office six years, and may be reelected. Each province and district has a governor, and each parish and mili- tary post has a commandant nominated by the executive, and respons- ible to him. The towns are governed by ayuntamientos, or councils elected by the primai-y assemblies for three years. The judiciary consists of a supreme court, whose seat is at the capi- tal, with a president, four ministers, and an attorney general, who are chosen by the senate from nominations made by the electoral college, and who hold office five years. In every province and district there is a court of first instance sitting in the respective capitals, consisting of a judge, prosecutor, and attorney general, all nominated by the executive, and holding office five years. It was found that this court had in many parts of the republic fallen into disuse. Finally, each town and commune or parish has an alcalde appointed by the executive, holding office at his pleasure, and corresponding to our justice of the peace. In this latter case the practice is certainly far better than the theory. In all parts of the republic it was found that the alcaldes held office virtually during good behavior, and not one was found whose character did not inspire respect. CONDITION OF THE COUNTET. This country has for a long period been subjected to a series of revolts led by ambitious leaders, who frequently spring up, and stir the popu- Digitized by Microsoft® b SANTO DOMINGO. lation of one or more districts into petty civil wars which sometimes ripen into revolution. In consequence of this condition of things there has grown up under various administrations a penal code much more severe, especially in regard to political ofienses, than prevails in our country. Infested as that country has been by jealous, aspiring, and seditious leaders, whose importance depends on commotion, there is no doubt that a rigorous execution of this code has been necessary, from time to time, to preserve the tranquillity of the republic. The commissioners found the government organized and in complete operation in all its departments, exercising every function of legitimate government, with General Buenaventura Baez as the chief magistrate, in the full and peaceable possession of all parts of the republic, except on the Haytian border, which is disturbed by insurrectionary leaders, aided by Haytians, and political intriguers and emissaries who have congregated at various points in the neighboring islands. These are in- cited to extraordinary activity, at this time, by the fear of annexation to the United States. From all that the com missioners could ascertain, President Baez has the respect of a great majority of the DoQiinican people for his admiuistra- I'ive abilities, and the strong attachment of many of the leading men, who regard him as the only statesman among them who can hold tbe nation against domestic factions and foreign foes. In the year 1849, after five years of anarchy consequent upon the expulsion of the Haytian power, General Baez was regularly elected President of the republic. It appears that he was chosen as a man who by his education, fortune, and public services would be most likely to secure general confidence and heal the wounds inflicted by civil and ibreign wars. Five years before this he had been elected to the national congress, and he had been made president of that body at a most critical period of the national history — the period of the creation of new insti- tutions after the casting off of the Haytian yoke. His first administration appears to have been successftil. ' It stands unique in one respect, for it is the only one in the annals of the Domin- ican Eepublic which has lasted during thQ eiitire constitutional period. In 1853 he was regularly and peaceably succeeded by General Pedro San- tana. A period of anarchy soon ensued, which lasted until the year 1861, when the island was brought again under the power of Spain by General Santana. After the expulsion of the Spaniards anarchy again followed. During the periods before and after the Spanish domination. General Baez was several times called in from abroad to save the country from this anarchy, by provisional authority — the only authority existing at such times in the republic. In one of the delegations of leading citizens who tendered to him the chief magistracy was General Oabral. Presi- dent Baez has now entered upon the third year of his present adminis- tration. There is ample testimony to the fact that under him, despite the difficulties that have beset him, the republic has enjoyed as much liberty as any of Ms predecessors dared allow, and more tranquillity than they knew how to give. Nor dp the commissioners find that there is any ojjponent of the present administration of that republic who has now or who ever has had any claim to the chief magistracy by a title superior to that of the present incumbent. Whatever technical defects there might have been in his original title to the office, it was confirmed by the national convention, and ratified by the assent and support of the people. The frequency of civil commotions during a long peiiod, and the con- sequent insecurity of property, have paralyzed industry, discouraged Digitized by Microsoft® SANTO DOMINGO. 7 accumulation, aud so impoverished the country that for the last two years the financial resources of the government, as its officers informed us, have been inadequate to pay its expenses. Meanwhile, it has been constantly harassed with incursions and attempts at revolution. Only the ability of the administration, and the large share of confidence re- posed in it by a strong majority of the people, could have maintained it in existence through so many difficulties. EXISTING INSUERECTIONS. The insurrections which still exist are headed by Cabral and Lu- peron. The former of these is universally conceded to be the more important; but neither has a distinct flag or a regularly organized army ; neither is the exponent of a clearly defined policy. Both seem animated by interests, attachments, and resentments purely personal. Their opposition has assumed the character of an annoying guerrilla ■warfare, involving a heavy expenditure on the part of the government at the capital, but possessing no power which gives it any hold on pub- lic opinion beyond the territory it may temporarily occupy. As to their leaders, the commission obtained in all parts of the country substanti- ally the same information, namely, that General (Jabral once had ele- ments of personal popularity ; that in times past he earned the respect of many by public services; but that in an administrative capacity he has proved incompetent, and has lost the confidence of the country. Many, even, who still entertain more kindly personal feelings toward him than toward General Baez confess that he falls far short of the latter in administrative abilities. That General Gabral does not claim to be the legal head of the republic ; that he does not claim to represent the prin- ciple of constitutional or legal authority and order, is shown by the fact that, in his proclamation, and in a commuuicatiou to the commission, he styles himself " Chief of the Eevolution ;" and the journal pretending to emanate from him at San Juan, but well understood to be printed at the Haytian capital, is styled " Bulletin of the Eevolution." As to Luperon, the testimony both in the (Jibao and on the coast is that he is simply a bandit stained with crime. He has not, so far as could be learned, distinguished himself in any regular manner, his main exploits being in sundry robberies and piratical operations on the coast, the latter by means of a steamer furnished him by insurrection brokers on a neighboring island. The disturbance of which Cabral is the head has its seat in the western part of the republic on the Haytian frontier. It is claimed that the districts of San Juan and Neyba, in which his operations are conducted, embrace a large population devoted to him; but the testi- mony of several refugees and heads of families from that district, as well as considerable corroborative evidence, shows that the region named, between the incursions of the Haytians and the prevalence of insurrection, is nearly depopulated, and that the force immediately at CabraFs command does not exceed a few hundred men, who, in case of emergency, force into their service all the male population upon whom they can lay their hands. It has also been claimed that he has controlled the Dominican port of Barahona, and received sup- plies through it; but this is certainly no longer the case. On the other hand, it is charged by the present Dominican government that he- has received supplies through Hayti, and that Haytian soldiers and arms have been at his disposal. The commissioners obtained evidence of this fact from many sources. They also examined Haytian prisoners, Digitized by Microsoft® 8 SANTO DOMINGO. speaking only the language of the Haytians, and having in their hands muskets bearing the Haytiaii stamp. To the northeast of the country overrun by Cabral, in the neighbor- hood of the bay of Mauzanillo, is the band under the control of Luperon ; but the opinion of trustworthy persons, as taken in that section by the commission, is that his force is small and of a guerrilla character. He seems to have the strength of a desperado and nothing more. The commissioners believe that had these leaders wielded only their own forces and resources they would long ago have been put down. Their whole importance is derived from the help of foreign intriguers and from the fact that behind them stands the Haytian nation, which has nearly three times the population and revenue of the Dominican Eepublic ; which has never relented in its aggressive policy; and at whose head is a president elevated by a bloody insurrection, involving the murder of his predecessor. CAUSES OF DISTUEBANCE. Besides the revolts which have been named, and the Haytian ag- gressions, some minor causes have, in the weakened condition of the republic, tended to aggravate its difficulties. First of these may be mentioned the provincial jealousy existing between the people of the great district north of the central chain of mountains and those inhabiting the southern side. The former district embraces the two most thriving cities of the republic — Puerto. Plata and Santiago — besides some villages . of importance. On the other hand, to the south side belongs the city of Santo Domingo, with its prestige as the capital city; decayed, but still powerful from its vital connection with the histoiy of the island from Columbus to Baez. In a weakened state of the republic, the jealousy between these districts has caused revolutionary leaders to arise ; but with a government strong and free, giving better internal communications, and developing industry, this provincial jealousy would probably be changed into a healthy political rivalry. Next, a more serious cause of disturbance to the steady exercise of political rights lies in the existence of a considerable number of petty military chiefs, about whom has grown up a peculiar system of clanship, or semi-mili