The New York Herald Newspaper, December 22, 1869, Page 3

4 SAMANA. The Key to the Guif of Mexico. Its Acquisition by the United States Government. First American Territory in the Antilles, What the English and French Think Of It. Report of General Babcock, One of Our Commissioners, to President Grant. The Republic of Dominica—Its History Up to the Present Day—Description of the Peopk—Manners, Cus- toms, Religion, Productions of the Island, Resources, Soil and Climate. General Babcock’s Arrival in the Capital— His Interview With the President—Our New Naval Station in the West Indies—Admiral Porter Before the Congressional Committee on Commerce—The Admirals Views and sie WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 1869, General Babcock, Commussioner to St. Domingo im the business of negotiating a lease or permanent acquisition of the Bay of Samana by the United States, arrived in this city this morning. Generals Ingalls and Sackett, who accompanied General Bapcock, remained in New York. The accounts, as already published in the HERALD, of the Getaila of the doings of the commission are essentially correct and will not need repetition, It has not, however, been mentioned that during Genera! Babcock’s presence at the Domi- mican capital a party steamed up the Victorian ‘branch of tne Ozama a distance of filteen miles, observing the beautiful scenery and forests of ma- hogany and logwood. At the capital the Commis- sioner was hospitably received and was treated with every courtesy auring the then pending nego- tiatlons. General Hongria, Minister of War and Marine, was quite 1! and took little part in the busi- ness, The precise nature of the deputations entered into were to-day communicated to the President by General Babcock. There are wo propositions, it 1s understood, each of which embrace the magnificent Bay of Samana. Upon tnese the President is now deliberating, It is considered highly probable that the matter will not be laid before Congress until January. The $150,000 employed was out of the fund of $200,000 appro- priated to be used in accomplishing the same object by Mr. Seward. As stated in the HERaLp’s de- spatches the American flag was unfurled in the pre- sence of General Babcock, and this first step to the possession of the bay being over the Albany sailed on her return voyage. Before any further steps than the presence of the Nantucket in the bay are taken the President will ask Con- gress to sanction his act. Tnis being done orders will be despatched immediately to the Gull squadron to rendezvous at Samana. A large quan- taty of coal will be sent out for immediate consump- won while the coal vein on the peninsula is being opened, in order to be made available. Storehouses Will pe erected and plans drawn up looking to the proposed fortification and security of the place. Earthworths, mounting heavy guns, are aiso talked of, and not only the most economical but the most serviceable means of defence considered. After the contract is fully ratified by Congress it will be but a few months before the United States ‘will be able to boast of a creditable naval station in the West Indies. It is also probable that several battalions of native, acclimated troops will be re- cruited, provided Congress gives authority for e in. The despatch from St. Thomas in regard to tne distribution of the money paid down is pronounced entireiy false, and is supposed to have been written by some one hostile to this step on the part of the United States. It is known that a number of the leading members of both houses of Congress are in- terested in the speedy consummation of the acqui- mtion of the Bay of Samana, and it is not anuci- pated that any delay will spring from this quarter. Admural Porter was before the House Comuitsee on Commerce to-day in relation to a more liberal legis- lative policy towaras the extension of American commercial enterprise, The committee were much interested in the information communicated by the Admiral. He urged the granting of liberal subsidies, stating that $5,000,000, for instance, expended per annum, though it would be aloss of that amount to the Treasury, would be worth more than $20,099,000 a year to the country. In regard to the Inails t je Admiral said that he thought they ‘could be Gaftied cheaper as now arranged. The committee were considerably alarmed when tn- formed that the present steam vessels running into New York in event of war would form, if armed, a formidabie naval power against us, and he sug- gested that some timely action should be taken in order to prevent avy contingency tbat might lead to these vessels, now engaged in the peaceful pursuite of commerce, being used against ns. The commit. tee seemed to be alive to this new feature in our present commercial status and evinced a determi- Dation to adopt @ more liberal policy. There is now @ better prospect than ever of having our merchant marine put on a setter footing. TRE KEY TO 1ME GULF OF MEXICO), The Dominican Republic—Pcople—Govern- ment— Climate= Soil— Productions— Natural Resources—Samana Bay—its Advantages as a Naval Station—iIngnificent Harbor— Negotiations for Its LenseFormal Posses- sion Taken by the United States. After many years of patient expectation the desire of the American people has at length been satisfied, and the Stars and Stripes now wave over American territory among the isiands of the West Indies. For a long time the necessity of a foothold in the Antilles was deemed necessary. The growing im- portance of the Unted States, commercially and politically, its territorial growth and its increasing Population are ail arguments in favor of the posses: sion of American territory in that quarter. As early as the year 1846 Lieutenant (now Vice Admiral) David D. Porter was sent on an expedition to Dominica. This was under the administration of President Polk; but it is well Known that the subject of territorial acquisition had been for a lon time previous @ prominent consideration in the minds of many Americun statesmen. The lieu- tenant, under the direction of Mr. Bancroft, then Secretary of the Navy, made an extended tour of the island and obtained a vast fund of information regarding the political condition, manners of the people and resources of the country. The picture which he drew of the islaud was most flattering and Went to prove that in the hands of an energetic and enterprining nation like the United States the great natural resources of the country couid be developed and made to yield vast wealth, Later, in the year 1854, General (then captain) George B. McCiellan made a survey of the island under directions from the administration then in power in Washington. The explorations were con- ducted with considerable secrecy and consequently attracted little attention at the time. The object of Capimip Modieljan’s visit was for the purpyse of NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1869—TRIPLE SHEET. OUR FOOTHOLD Map Showing the Position selecting @ convenient haroor and a suitable naval station for the United States naval vessels cruising in these waters. Last autumn a commission, consisting of Generalg Babcock, Ingals and Sackett, visited the ~'snd. Spec- ulation has for some time been rife:s to * object of their visit to Dominica. Variius views were entertained on the subject, The airival in this port om Sunday last of the United States steamer Albany, with the three commissioners on board, direct from the island of St. Domingo and President Baez, set the matter at rest, and we were enabled to place before our readers not only the particulars of the visit, but to make the an- nouncement that the Bay of Samana had become American territory and that the American flag waved over our first foothold in the Antilles. From the fact of our having at length planted the Unitea States fag in Dominica and having taken formal possession of the Bay of Samana, a sketch of the Dominican repablic will prove of mach interest at the present time. ‘THE REPUBLIC OF ST. DOMINGO. ‘The Dominican republic, the eastern portion of the isiand of Hayti, comprises nearly three-fifths of the island, Its name is derived from the ancient Span- ish appellation of the island—San Domingo. Its area is estimated at 17,500 square miles. Its popula- tion 1s about 150,000, of whom one-tenth claim to be whites; the rest are of African descent, or of mixed African and European. The Dominican republic was the first American State which made the abso- lute equality of all races before the law a funda- mental portion of its constitutional existence— @ noteworthy fact. The boundary between it and the Haytien republic is an irregular line drawn from the mouth of the river Massacre, on the north coast of the island, to the river Anses- Pitre, or Pedernales, on the south coast, The inte- rior of the republic consists of mountain ranges, rising to an elevation of 6,000 to 8,000 feet, and cov- ered with magnificent tropical forests. From the base of these mountains large plains, watered by nu- merous streams, stretch toward the coast. Of these plains tne Vega Real (Royal plain) and those of the Jayua, the Azua and the Neybe, are the most densely populated. Among the rivers, most of which bear the character of mountain tor- rents, the Great Yaqui, emptying into the Bay of Monte Christo; the Yuma, whose em- bouchure is in the Bay of Samana; the Higuey, the Gaboon, Soco, Socaris, Brujuel 0: Nisuo, Bani and Neybo Path no Janae The harbor of St. Domingo city is one of the best; next toit the Bay of Samana offers an excellent roadstead. Of the lesser isiauds on the coast beiong- sng ages rerts _— cate ears ca alae nat though ua ‘than cwewhere in the Weat Indies, The soils exceedingly fertile, but the inaustry of the inhabitants is not equal to the immense resources of the country. Gold, silver and iron abound in the mountains, but no mines sre worked. Cattle raising in the level country and ebony cutting in the mouatainous regions are the pfincipal occupations of the people, agriculture being mainly confined to the raising of the manioc root, which is used as a substitute for grain. TWENTY-THREE YEARS AGO. Lieutenant Porter, writing irom Port au Prince in he year 1846, gives the toilowi! account of his travels through the country and his intercourse with the people:. In many of the provipces through which I have passed the country may be sald to almost in the sawe state as it was when Columbus first discovered the island, and in these places the population cannot be said to be much superior in intellect to the un- polished Indians who were the first possessors of the soul, although they have of the same traits of character by which those unhappy people were dis- tinguished nd that are so much tobe admired, ‘The remembrance of some places through which I have travelled appears to me like a beautiful dream, and no one who has not seen can form the slightest idea of what nature can be, arrayed in all her beauty of hills and dales, rocks and waterfalls and mountains plied up one upon another in such beau- tiful and fantastic shapes that the mind ts completely bi wildered by the malceyy of scenery it could never have reamed of. With all this Providence has bestowed every biéssing (except harmony and peace) that a nation could hope for. ‘The wishes and desires of the lazy and mert Spaniard are gralitied in every- thing without the troubie of wor! , for the tree suppites him wito every article of food, clothing and beading, and even vo the smaliest kind of utensil required in housekeeping, and this is one of the unfortunate causes of tne little advancement, for the enervating influences of the lifhate induces them to look to nature alone for support. For those who have the ambition to labor the soil is overflowing with weaith, the hullsides are full of the ricbest minerals, and they have oniy to gather in the gifts which nature has placed at their disposal. There is scarcely a spot over which I have passed—excepting about 200 miles along the seashore on the south side—wnere the most fastidious would not be happy to rest himseil forever, with full security that he couid never be Without the necessaries and could always have at hand the comforts of life. It all seems like # land of poetry and flowers and more fit tor the abode of the guileless peopie first found there than of the avaricious race who worked them to death in pursuit of the wealth which the indians alone despised, SPANISH TYRANNY. { have travelled over most of the ground where these poor wretches were forced to tou and carry loads upon their heads, through roads which the imagination cannot form an idea of, and it is won- derful, with the riches of the soil staring them in the 1ace, that the Spaniard could have Been, Jed aw by such illusory projects; but as the Hi algo ot ancient times was so 1s the Spaniard of the present day. He will talk to you of the gola, silver and copper mines, toll with you to the top.of the steepest hill, and bring down heavy loads of what may event- ually prove to be nothing but common earth; but for a hoe or & picugh they have an aversion not to be descriped, and tne natives who do not live in cities pass away their time sleeping under the shady branches of their magnificent trees or at the foot of some of the veautiul waterialis by which hature is adorned (but which do not add to the comiort of Serene as the roads frequently rung aloog their sides. MORALS OF THE PEOPLE. With all this want of energy tnere 13, however, little or no vice—crine, there 18 actually none. The law is scarcely ever put in force, except against some military offender, and the civil authorities have scarcely any chance of testing with the miu- tary which of tue two tiave jurisdiction, though 1 18 uuiversally conceded that the civil authorities Lave not much to say in matters relating so the breaca of tne peace, criminal cases, &c. It cannot be denied shat a milltary power rules, though by their consti- tution the government is essenuaily civil, only one clause gives the President (“during the present or any state of war’) power to pass decrees, anu makes him responsible to no one. Everything, however, is conducted with tranquilljty and tne people are perfectly satisfied, and in tfeir iove tor the chiei magistrate lose sight of the power which can curtail weir fibervies at any time. They ovey the edicts with an alacrity | have never witnessed, and With a cheerfulness not to be met with otten, though it is frequeatly with the logs of all Weir litte property. HISTORY OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. The present Dominican repubiic Was a Spanish colony until 1796, when. by the treaty of Basie, the whole isiand was united under French rule. When, alter Lerrible struggles, the colored population of ine miand had become independent of France, the tyranny of Dessalines drove the Dominicans back into the arms of Spain, which thus regained pos. session of its former colony in 1808, INDEPENDENCE AND FIRST PRESIDENT. The next yeur the Dominicans deciarea their inde- pendence, aboltabed slavery and remained in an unset- led state until 1822, when the whole Lesh united under & republican form of government, ahd Boyer, the President of Hayti, was chosen President for life, But jn 1644, tue nearoes Of Mayu having suc ae, Be vee DOMING Down Om ope SANANA PL Sa ie SHAY or SAMANA IN THE ANTILLES. of the Bay of -Samana, St. Domingo. ceeded in elevating General Riviere to the Presi- dency, the Dominicans, encouraged by the friendly assurances of the Frencl Consul General Moges, again formed a separate government (February 27) under the auspices of the “liberator” Pedro Santana, who defeated Riviere near Santiago Cappel 9), thus securing the independence of his country. nized by France, @ treaty of friendship and com- merce with which Power was concluded October 22, 1848, and by Great Britain (treaty of amity, com- merce and navigation concluded in May, 1850), the Dominican republic upheld her independence suc- cessfully against repeated efforts of Soulouque, the ruler of Hayti. SANTANA AND JIMENES. The Presidential term of Santana having ended in 1849 Jimenes was elected his successor. ‘Though of Caucasian blood the latter secretly conspired with Soulouque. who invaded the territory of the republic: at the head of 20,000 men and defeated the Domini- cans in some skirmishes near Azua and Las Matas. In this extremity Santana was recalied by the pen- Bie. He dispersed the Haytien army April 22, near vans Numero, so completely that the war for time being was atanend. Jimenes sought a refus with Soulouque, who made him one of his duk while Santana resigned nis Dictatorship in favor the newly elected constitutional President, BUBNAVENTURA BAEZ AND SANTANA’S BE-BLECTION, Tn 1850 pea aniae once more invaded the connie unsuccessfully. Baez having, during the latter par! of his administration, favored the policy of the clert- cal party, was rejected by the people in 1853 and Santana re-elected President. He compelled the Archbishop to swear allegiance to the constitution, and endeavored to free himself from French in- fluence. His sympathies with the United States in- duced him to enter into negotiations with a secret diplomatic agent of Presiaent Pierce, General Cag- neau, the newly appointed Minister to St. Domingo, and to negotiate with him a treaty (Cuong 6, 1854), the secret stipulations of whi provided, it is believed, for the Samana, It is probable of But this treaty was never ratified. i that the failure of Santana to obtain this recog- nition facilitated the efforts of the French and Britignh agents to render him unpopular and once more ele- vate now the recognized leader of the clerical party, to the Presidency (February, 1857). But the triumph of Baez was short lived. Dissatisfaction with his rule spread #9 rapidly that Santana was enabled to head a revolutionary movement (Septem- ber, 1857), which eventually led to the expulsion of Baez (1858) and the restoration of the liberal rule. In consequence of tne downfall of Fonioanne: in Hayti (January, 1869), Santana offered his hearty congratulations to President Geffrard, and it was merally expected that a close alliance would again established between the two republics, This did not, however, result in the consoliaation of the two republics, for they have ever remained distinct gov- ernments. SANTANA’S TREASON. The rule of Santana, ing in 1858, was neither long nor pros} us. He ed the republic soon after ito power, and endeavored to transfer it tot ve mcrneed of the seomer omy Two concoc! ana maturing of this treason. when Spain invaded the island with a formidable force, but found the Do- minicans united to oppose the invaders. The war, which begun in 1861, continued with varying suc- cess, characterized by several severe engagements the see desolation of oe re} Bitc, r tre yeu nen it Was ended by the ‘aetent withdrawal of the Spanish troops. The expulsion of the Spaniards was followed by many dissen- sions among the Dominicans, and the present gov- ernment has been founded in much tribulation and dissatisfaction. Santana, after his treason, went to Spain ana died there in disgrace. The war with Spain left General José Antonio Salcedo President of the republic; but he, appearing too anxious to make @ treaty with Spain, the Dominicans got sus- Picious of htm, and on October 10, 1864 a midnight caucus of ministers and a few citizens of Santiago deposed him and be et ney the Vice President, Ulysses F. Espaillet, to succeed him. The people so recognized this action as to demand by a popu- lar manilestation the resignation of Saicedo; but re- pudiated Espaillet for General Gaspar Polanco, who was made President, and who immediately assumed that dignity. It was not long, however, before Poi- anco was repudiated. BAEZ’8 ELEVATION TO THE PRESIDENCY A SECOND TIME. A national convention, called by him, met on the 27th of February, 1865, and elected a legal govern- ment, composed of General Pedro A. Pimentel as President; General Benizono F. de Rosas, Vice Presi- dent; P, G. Martinez, Secretary of War; General José Del C, Reinoso, Secretary of the Interior; General Vicente Moral, Secretary of the Judiciary Depart- ment, and Generals Teodore and 8, Henekin, Minis- ters of Finance and Commerce, This government jasted but a few months. Qn August 4, 1865, a popu- lar manifestation of the citizens of Santiago re- suited in the repudiation of Pimentel and his compatriots in favor of General Jose Maria Cabral, who was named Protector of the republic, and who at once became, but for @ short type wy Dictator, He in turn was deposed before the dottdtry became fairly settled. Geheral Pedro Guillermo on November 16 entered the Constitutional Assembly, deposed Cabral, pro- clalmed universal suffrage to be henceforth a part and parcel of the constitution of the republic, aid Immediately announced himself actos President until a regularly elected Fresident could bé chosen. General Baez, who had been living in exile in France, was then on his way to St. Domingo to give in his adherence to the new government of Cabral, and had arrived at the island of Curacoa. ‘The Constitutional Assembly immediately — elected him President and a deputauon was de- Spatched to Curacoa to invite his acceptance. je did so, and repairing to st, Domingo city, found the whole country, with the exception of Porto Plate, had given im its adherence to his rule, The rebellion in Porto Plate, headed hy Sal- nave, who had been an unsuccessful rebel in the sister republic of Hayti, was soon suppressed. Cabral, Serrano, Pimental and the other principal men of St. Domingo have given in their support his government, and with the recognition lately vouchsafed him by the United States it may be cou- ceded that his future official course will meet witn every encour: it, GOvERNMENT, RELIGION, &¢. Politically the republic 18 divided into five pro- vinces, vi%.:—Azua de Compostello, St. Domingo, Santa Craz del Seybe, Concepcion de la Vega, Santiago de los Caballeros. ‘These are giso the names of the provincial capitals, of which ont de los Cabalieros is, next to the city of St Domingo, the most important, ‘The inhabitants are Roman Catholics, An archbishop resides at the city of St, Domingo. The seal of State repre- sents a cross supporting an open Bible, surrounded by arms and the motto Dios, Pairiay Livertad. The language of the peopie is Spanish, The cousti- tution, like that of most spanish-American repub- lies, is modelled after that of the United Staves. it provides for a president, to be elected for the term of four years, a senate of five and a nouse of rep- resentatives of fifteen members, The municipatities into which the provinces are sub-divided are organ- med on the basis of self-government. The condi- tions upon which foreigners inay be naturalized are very liberal, and no distinction 1s drawa in favor of colored persons. Free far ing utensils and provisions for #1X months are offered to settiers. The commerce of the country 1s as yet limited, owing partiy to the deranged state of the circulation and exchanges, ‘Tbe exports from this republic into the United States, during the flacal year ending June 30, 1868, amounted to $109,370, and the imports from the United States to $112,427, Tne coins are gourdes (piastres, doliars), half gourdes, gourdins (quarters) escaling (eights) and haif eacalins (sixveentus), THK MILITARY FORCE. ‘The military force of the repubic is nominally 8,000 men, ‘his includes the militia, which is habe to be called into active service whenever occasion demands. The effective force does not in reality exceed 6,000 men, and not more than half of that number are regularly on the roils for rations and duty. The marine consists of the coast guard schooners and a fev launches, REVENURS. It is stated on good authority that the revenucs from the two principal custom houses—those of St. Domingo and Puerto Plata—would be more ‘nan sufficient to cover the modest expenses of this unpretending government were not the anti- American sympathies of the surrounding isiands— abl of them European colonies—constantly forment- ing difficulties that lead to extra outlays, and these i ues more than else have jorced President Baez to borrow money in England. SAMANA BAY. Some months General Bavcock, of the Preal- dent's stad. and vor Cole, of Califorim we sent by the United States government on a secret mission to St. Domingo, the object and result of which have not yet been offici- ally announcea, but will doubtless be laid before Congress at an early date. Sufficient information, however, has leaked out to make it certain that the peninsula and bay of Samana, on the northeast corner of the isiand of Haytl, and now a rtion of the Dominican repubitc. has been ac- quired, and, the Senate of the United States approy- ing, Will shortly be ceded to the Union. Further than this, we have seml-oflicial evidence that the ‘Was & mooted question between the commissioners sent by our government and the Dominican govern: ment; for in a letter to the London 7imes by M: Kdward H. Hartmount, the Consul General of St. Domingo, in Great Britain, written for the purpose of correcting some blunders of an American corres- pondent of that journal, he remarks that he has “good reason to believe” that the negotiations which were held in the city of St. Domimgo “had the annexation of the whole republic to the United States, and not only the purchase of Samana, in view.” Tnts intelligence was of suii- cient importance to induce the London Times to comment upon it on the day atter its appearance in a leading article, in which it remarked that in the event of the cession of the entire Dominican repub- lic tothe United States ‘‘it requires no gift of pro- hecy to discern that the old French portion of the land, now known as Hayti, would soon fall to the same lot, 80 that the successive reports about the Bay of Samana, the repubiic of St. Domingo and the island of Hayti may all be regarded as more or less trae;’’ and it viewed the prospect of such an annexation as ‘favorable to all con- cerned, and full of promise to the world at large;’? ana it concluded by stating that in the acquisition “the Americans stand to lose but littte and to gain a great deal. If half what is told of the resources of the island be true it ought soon to become a new emporium of trade, and in such cre ations no people can be more deeply interested than we ourselves.’ The British journalist is, no doubt, wise in his generation. He sees piainly that if Ame- ricans once get a foothold on what he justiy terms one of the fairest portions of the earth, and which it would be a matter of unqualified satisfaction to have redeemed from desolation and waste, they will soon. step firmly in the march of civilization, until Ameri- can energy and American industry sball effect the redemption so much desired and place this phyal- cally favored isiand once more in ihe list of produc- ing lands, and make it once more a prominent con- tributor to the commerce of the world, FIRST NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE CESSION OF SAMANA, Samana, however, is no new love of the American kt for not less than fifteen years ago, when ranklin Pierce was President and Wm. L. Marcy ‘was Secretary of State, an energetic effort was made to obtain its bay and peninsula. In June, 1854, al- most directly after he had returned from surveying the Western section of the proposed Northern Pa- cific Ratroad, in Washington Territory, General (then Captain) George B. McCleilan was entrusted b: our government with a mission that demanded much discretion aud a considerable knowledge of naval and qnilitary een reien te Ths important duty ‘was tho ui of @ secret expedition to the Weat Indies with the object of Belecting @ con- venient harbor and a@ suitable coaling station for the vessels of the United States navy cruising in the pos gg eed of those islands and Dassing into the Gulf of Mexico. He sailed in the United States frigate Columbia, first to St. Domingo and then to other isiands in the vicinity, and return- ed home in September with a vast amount of infor- mation of consideravie importance, and with a large number of maps and sketches of the places visited. The result of Captain McClellan’s inquiries was the selection for the proposed station and har- bor of the bay and peninsula of Samana, the ad- vantages of which were set forth in two reports— annexation of the entire republic of St. Domingo Vain one on the harbor and its defences and the other descriptive of the island—but neither of which have been given to the public, doubtless owing to the secret nature of the expedition. Negotiations were at once opened with the government of St. Domingo and every endeavor made to obtain the cession of the bay and peninsula to the United Staves, but without terminating in the desired acquisition, owing, 1t was supposed at the time, to tbe jealousy of the European Powers and their influence upon the Dominican government. [1 we are to take the remarks of the London Times as any guidance to the action of the Powers of Europe at the present day, we may anticipate a more favor- able issue to the present negotiations. In fact, the government of St. Domingo have now agreed, while before they refused, to cede the desired territory, which is one step in advance of the previous nego- tiations; but an attempt may yet be made to prevent the ratification of the treaty by that repubiic, should it pass the ordeal of the United States Senate. TRRMS OF THE CONTRACT. The provisions of the contract for the leasing of the Bay of Samana to the United States are, so far as at present known, to be as follows:—The lease is torun fora term of fifty years, and the United States to pay to the Dominican government the annual rental of $150,000 in gold. The first year's nae tet Ny cae Ms Ee to the annual rent, Presiden 2, WY 18 gai. regelye the sun of $50,000 annually, To a tie jesetot Wink reads somewhat strange and requiressome explanation. Apart from the money supplied by the United States, owed worth of arms and munittons of war have h placed at the disposal of the republic of St. Domingo. This amount, however, 1s to be deducted from future appropriations. Such, in brief. are the reported terms upon which the United States has acquired tis magnificent harbor, which has been pronounced by Admiral Porter as “the finest naval station in the world.” It is not a litte remarkable that the transfer of the Bay of Samana was made on the anniversary of the jirst ianding of Coiumbus, Which took place on the éth day of De- cember, [402 Three nundred and seventy-seven years have Penne over since the famous Genoese made the discovery of the fruitful island of Hispaniola, ana where for centuries waved the proud flag of Spain the bayner of @ nation then unknown now Moats in triumph. GKOGRAPRY OF SAMANA. ‘The peninsula (which forms one side of the Bay of Samana) 1s thirty-two miles long and eleven miles across at its greatest breadth. 1t comprises an area of about 226 square miles. But whatis bow a penin- sula was formerly an tsiana, there having been at its western end a water communication which ts now silied up, but might be easily reopened. The soil is extremely fertile, its sarface to a great ex- tent being covered with ttmbey suitable for ship building and for cabinet work. [ts fhinéral produc- tions comprise iron, Sopper, gold in small quantitits, and bituminous coal. ‘The loftiest part ‘of the penin- sula 13 a peak, called Sugar Loaf hill, 1,996 feet high, while another eminence, La Montatia de! Diablo, is 1,300 feet above the level of the sea, The population in 1851 was 1,721. The bay, which is bounded on the north by the peninsula and on the south and west by the mainiand, is about thirty-three miles long and elght broad. The Yuna, the largest river in the country, flows into it at its westera end. ‘The harbor is considered to be one of the Gnest in the world, and its position, both in & naval and mulitary poiat of view, is of the highest importauce, ADMIRAL PORTER'S OPINION OF SAMANA. As the geographical position of Samana Bay ts of vast importance to the United States, im case it should be placed at the disposition of such a Power as France, | deem it worthy of a passing notice. Situated close to the highway of all vessels coming from Europe (the Mona passage) and of most of the vessels from the United States bound to the West Indies, the Power that owned 1 could com- mand the commerce of any nation with whom they were at war. It cqntains within itself ail che requi- sites for shipbuiiding—the finest timber, tron, coal and copper—and, 0 doubt, a good geological sur- vey Would develop resources in minerals yet un- thought of. The bay and harbor ts the best in the whole West Indies, and is capabie, I am toi, of con- taiuing the combined fleets of Burope and rendering them perfectly secure against the most destructive vempests. Very great numbers of whales find retuge there in the large bay, Where they Increase and mul- tiply because not pursued, te government having prohibited ail vessels from takig whales in those waters. One American alone has been allowed to fian there, and the government, | think, could be induced to extend the permission to Other citizens of the United States, [fall is true as toid me by the Datives that promise must be of incalculable value in every respect. When the French party were de- feated in their attempts to cede away Samana that governinent putin aclaim against the Dominicans, insisting “that they were bound to pay half the amount guaranteed to France when she recognized the independeuce of Haytl;” but this was contested im a proper spirit, And since then the French hay} never urged it; butit is supposed that thoy still) hope to have their assistance called in, when the, can make hotter term, ENGLISH AND FRENCH OPINIONS OF SAMANA. It 18 somewhat remarkable that shortly before General McClellan selected Samana as a suitable naval station Sir R, Schomburgk, who was then British Consul at St. Domingo, had forwarded to hts government a communication descriptive of the game spot, and pointing out its importance as @ lace for the erection of an arsenal and naval depot. In this paper, which was communicated by the British Foreign Ofice to the Royal Geograpical So- ciety of London, and was published in 1a Journal for 1853, Sir K. Schomburgk concludes with these T have purposely dwelt long and in detail upon this narrow Ht Peninsula of Samana, and upon ite In its geographical position its tert ie soil in ft strip of land, caled the adjacent magnificent bay. atest importance is centred. The roduction: Cultivation of all tropical t forests for naval architecture, Still ita che! consist in these advantages alohe, but in its geographical onition, forming, as it does, one of the principal keys to the the adjacent Gulf of eld the requisi docks, while the adjac if advantage Iatnmus’ of Central America and to jexico. ‘M. Lepelletier de Saint Remy says:—“Samana 1s on thoge maritime positions not often met with in a of the world. ia to the Gulf of Mexico what Mayotte is to the Indian Ocean. It is not only the military, but also the commercial key of the Gulf; but the latter W of intuitely greater Importance under the pacific tendencies of European politics.”” The Bay of Samana being laced to the windward of Jamaica, Cuba and the Gulf o! jexico, and lying, moreover, about due northeast of the great isthmus which now so powerfully attracts the attention of the world, the French author, just quoted, may well call Mt Na tele dupont! to the highway trom Atiantic to the Pacific. These English and French opinions are important, inasmuch as they define the value which practical and far-seeing men place upon our new acquisition, a@value which must be very much enhanced when the Isthmus of Darien ts pierced and opens a chan- nel for the commerce of the world from the-Carib- bean Sea to the Pacttic Ocean, which will become the highway from Europe and the Atlantic States to Australia and the Pacitic coast of South America, INCIDENTS IN THE HISTORY OF SAMANA. Historically speaking, Samana is a piace of no little interest. It was visited by Columbus on his first voyage of discovery, toward the close of the fifteenth century, and 200 years later it became, from its defensive position, the rendezvous of a band of buc- caneers, We will narrate both these inciden the tirst shows the antiquity of its discovery, while the second proves 18 great natural advantages as a naval ggpot, while both may be useful to Mr. Sumner to intrOduce into his address to the Senate when the ratification of the purchase comes before that body. When Columbus was returning to Spain, alter his first discovery of the New World, he pi |, on the 12th of January, 1493, a hign and beautiful headland, to which he gave the name of Caco del Enamorado, or the Lover’s Cape (at present calle Cape Cabron); and further eastward observed another which he named Cabo San Feramo (at present known as Uape Samana), the most eastern point of the peninsula of the same name; and doubling this headiand he saw before him a fine gulf of such an extent that he sup- posed it to be an arm of the sea meq Hispani- ola from some otner land. Here he anchored, and having sent his boats ashore, they found the natives quite different from the mild and pacific people the Spaniards had hitherto met in the New World. They were of @ ferocious aspect and were painted hide- ously in various colors, Some of them carried war clubs, while others were armed with bows of more than a man’s length, and with arrows pointed with ‘d wood or with bone. One of the natives hav- ing ventured to visit the ship, Columbus supposed him to be of the Carib tribe, and resolved to act cautiously. He regaled his visitor, aud then sent him ashore, when, upon the boat approachiag the land, upwards of fifty armed natives rushed towards it from an ambush, but were, bowever, ap- penne by the native in the boat. The boat's crew javing then ded, they endeavored to ain with the savages for some of their weapons, when, from some unexpiained cause, misirust arose, whereupon the natives seized their bows and clubs and provided themselves with cords, as if with the Intent to capture the Spaniards. The latter, in seif- defence, attacked the natives, wounding two of them and putting the rest to flight. “This,” says Washington Irving, 9 his “Life aad Voyages of Columbus,” ‘was the first contest with the Indians and the first time that native blood was shed by white men in the New World.’ Alas! how many streams might have been filled, ere the cen- tury closed, with the blood of the unfortunate natives that fell victims to Spanish crueity. This “unpleasantness” was @ cause of great grief to Columbus, but he eventually succeeded 10 re-estab- lishing a good understanding, when the Cacique who governed over this people, whom Columbus called Ciguayens, visited the Admiral’s ship, where his frank and bold manner won bim many admirers, ‘This Caciques’ name was Cayacoa and not Mayo- bonex, as Irving supposed it to be. After his death his widow became a Obristian, and was baptized under the name of Donna Inez Cayacoa. The natives called the land Samana, and Columbus christened the bay De les Flechas, in consequence of the skirmish. After remaining four days the Span- jards sailed upon their homeward voyage to Portu- gal, which they reacted in little more than six Mies eefS, islets and rocks form natural defences to the entrance of the bay of Samana, and are so situ- ated that, if D saat fortified, any hostile vessel that attempted to enter might be placed under a de- structive cross fire. The favorable situation of some of these islets or cays for preveating the approach of an enemy was signally proved at the close of the seventeenth ceniury, by that noted tngilsh pirate, Jack Banister, who, with his boid buccaneers, at that time infested the neighborhood. He had just arrived at Samana, accompanied by another vessel commanded by a Frenchman named Lagarde, when the commanders of two English trigaves, hearing that Banister was anhored there, prepared to enter the bay. ‘the pirate immediately caused the guns o1 his vessel to be placed ashore upon one of the cays, and defended the entrance with his own crew and that of the French vessel, consisting of 200 men, so effectively that more than 120 of the assailants were kilied and the frigates forced to retire, Banister’s own sbip was, however, disabied during the engagement, and, the smaller French vessel only remaining for embarka- tion, @ general rush was made towards it and a large number of the pirates were drowned in their endeavors to get on board. It was in consequence of this engagement that the name of Banister’s cays ‘was given to the isiets, REGARDING ANNEXAJT[QN—THE BA"Z AND SEWARD “NEGOTIATIONS. Since the announcement of the acquisition of Samana by the United States goverament has been made known a hoe, of opinions have been expressed regarding the purchase. By some tt is contended that it is only the preliminary move- Ment towards the possession of the whole isiand. It is the bellef of many weil informed persons that the annexation of the whole isiand is only a brief distance off. Were the wisves of the people of Su Domtugo thoroughly canvassed there ts little doubt that the universal desire would be found in favor of annexation to this country. The numerous disturb- ances, the quarrelsome propensities of rival chief- tarps, the gradual decay and neglect ol and agricultural pursuits, would aji pass away b; such an arrangement, and peace and tne results o! peace would supply their place. Te people, too, understand this. Our special correspondents, who have traversed the island jatcly and had = ample means of ascertaining their | views in this respect, assure us that this 1s really the case. Before the retirement of Secretary yard from the State Department be re- ceived & proposition from President Baez for the establistiment of an American protectorate over the island, or at least that portion of it of which Bae | Was President. Mr. Seward regarded tie proposi- tion favorably, and the assurances of President Baes that the Dominican people were aux ous for sucn an undertaking contributed tn no small degree to in- crease his fervor. Tae matter was finally oroaght before the House Committee on Foreiga Affairs, where a majority of the committee decided on accepting Baez's proposition for the es- tablishiuent of @ protectorate, The resolution, now- ever, was defeated in Congress, Rot because of any opposition to the measure but on account of the scant information then in the possession of the government in relation to Dominican aiairs, There 18 little doubt but the resolution of the committee 1s the basis for tke present course of the government, and the sending of the commission Which has just returned may be traced directly to the overtures made by President Baca to Secretary Seward. INTEREST FELT IN TAR SAMANA PURCHASK BY THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY OF NBW YORK, 0 detinite and exclusive intelligence in refer- ence to tue purchase of the Samana obtained by @ reporter of the HERALD from a reuiable scares, QWakonipg te liveliest interest 10 nancial commercial | commercial circles. Wall street was full of the subject esterday, and among the business men of Beaver, ‘ater, Peari, Front, William and other down town streeta the new acquisition was variously discussed in reference to its commercial vajue. It 18 easy to conclude that much of the interest manifested in this latest investment is owing to the undisguised belief that the whole island wiil in a few short years become part of these United States and take its place among the richest and mast favored in the sis- ternood. ‘Ihe slice, however, Of which Uncle Sam has already received a fifty years’ lease 1s of no small importance, and those who are. best calculated to Irame a prophetic opinion in the matter have no hesitation in saying that an active, stirrin American town will spring up on the shores ol Samana Bay in # year or two, The adaptability of the ciim to grow the products of both temperate zoues, and the immense undeveloped and enterprise awaiting with bounveous the energy and capital of Americans, WuL Not pass unn ed and umappreciated by the wide- awake business community of this city, Of all the West India isiands none can clatin suc rare and rich gifts of nature as St. Domingo; but, like Italy, Spain and other favored portions of creation, where Provi- dence 18 most lavish of her treasures man ts least worthy of them. Already a Bank of Samana 1s start- ed, to go inio operation very shortly. Preparauions are under way to form lumber companies for cut- ting dowu aud exporting the famous mahogany and wood that fll the forests around the vay of Samana. The coal and cepper mines are to be worked with sktl and capital, and industries of va- rious kinds introduced. Ag @ resort {for invalids 1n the wiuter of our climate all opinions agree in pro- ' nouncing tve ur of the Samana peninsula the mi est and most genial in tropical lativudes. 16 SI. DOMINGO LOAN. Particulars of the Contract—How It is to be Met—Views of Parties Concerning It. A flysheet containing an exposition and a condem- nation of the loan recently entered into by the gov- ernment of St. Domingo hag been extensively cir culated in St. Domingo city and other towns of the republic. A liberal translation of this document fol lows:— The Engtish papers contain an account of the ne- gotiation of a loan between this republic and British bankers of Lhe uominal value of £757,700 sterling, on the lollowiog basis:— Seventy pounds per cent discount. $1x per cent annual interest for the capital. Four per cent tor the liquidation of the loan. The whole 18 to be paid in twenty-llve years. The guarantees upon which this loan is raised are theae:—'he hypothecation of the entries of certaia custom houses and the exportation dues of the guano of Alta Vela, the coal mines and mabogany of Samana and the other mines of tne republic. The condition is that the loan shall be applied to the con- struction ofratiroads and the improvement of the highways (carreteras) generally. It is intended in thig document to point out the impracticabyity of this negotiation. The nominal capital of £757,700, calculating the maximum at 4:0 cents to the pound sterling, amounts to......... eee 636, Of this sum there must be de- ducted—For discount. .....°.. $2,545,872 For interest, first year, six per cent........6 oa sessseeses 218,217 For sinking fund, four percent 145,478 For commission, four per cent. 145,478 ae freight, insurance, charges, $3, 055,046 Difference......... sesseceee $531,913 Out of the sum of $3,636,950 for whica the repudlic negotiates it receives only $581,913, without inciud- ing charges for freight, printing bonds, &c. For this sum of $581,913, represenung a nominal capital of $3,636,960, the repubiic pledges itsell to pay annually during & period of twenty-live years the Sum Of $363,695, in this manner: SIX per cent interest....... ++$218,217 Four per cent sinking fund. Total ‘Tahis 6 rin; the enormous amount of $9,402,400. it 18 evident irom this that for $3,636,960 loaned to the republic it is required to pay in twenty-five ears $9,402,400, representing # difference of 5,765,440, which, with the premium Of $2,545,872, Makes the sum Of $8,311,112, the ultimate result to the borrower. Or, take another view:—For the sum of $581,913, which the republic will receive (without including the charges already mentioned), we shall become Hable for $9,402,400, which will make a «ufference of $8,820,486, his difference is the dreadsul sacrifice | imposed on the country. Now, how shall this sum, costing $9,402,400, vested so as to yield an interest, at least, equal to the annual exigencies? Can we pay Witu this the domes- tic debt of the republic, which amounts to more than amillion? No. Evea if we employ tais fund as proposed in the prospectus of the loan in the con® struction of railroads anda highway from st. Do- mingo city to Lue province Of Cibuo, it will require more than double the amount indicated. Will this serve to develop an industry which does not exist? Will it tend to increase agricuitural pursuits which are ag yet purely imaginary? We say the least part of it will be consumed in the improvement of the South; the largest portion in paying the Jesu- Tun debt; and the rest—Oh, the rest! The admis- sion of such a loan ia only possible to a government that has treason as its object. Who will detend the monstrous negotiation we have examined—‘or some, no doubt, a benediction from heaven; i. ine cocney the greatest calamity ¢ This loan Wiil ivcessitate the excessive increase of the existing import duties and the creation of new ones. It will be the last addition to the ourden of the landed proprietors. It wili make it difficult to live, for we shall have to pay for the very air we breathe. Even in ordinary times the entries are not suficient to meet the exigencies of the esti then, can we raise the importan' m Of $363,696 every year without scan- dalously altering the present import rates and creat- ing fresh duties? ‘fo raise thissum tue poor man will have to pay more for his bread, for his clothing; in short, living will become more costiy to all, how much more it 1s impossible now to say. Does not every thoughtful man see that this loan will become an insupportable burden on the public at large; that it will Drove, in fact, a halter to chokeus? What advantage are we to reap in exchange? None. We have demonstrated mathematically that it will re- sult in fatal injury, and that notin the most remote distance is any benefit visible. “AFIER DARK.” Forty Minutes at a Ferry Slip in New York--An Eastman College Student Robbed of $230—The Old Story. Richard E. Kelley a few days ago left his home in New Concord, Ky., for Eastman Coliege, Poughkeep- sie. Previous to lis departure itis fair to presame that he received the blessings of the household, and itis Known positively that he also received $250 in greenbacks. Atter paying for nis ticket through to New York, via the Pan Handle route, he safely stowed the balance of his money ($230) in his boot- leg. Had he ieit it there till he reached Poughkeep- sie ail would have been well; bui let Blin tell bis story:— He says that just before his train reached Jersey Clty Monday night he transferred the money froin the boot leg to his pantaloons pocket. When the cars stopped be passed aboard the ferryboat, and while crossing the river inquired about us baggage. “gentiennan” toid Rim bis baggage would be tMere as quick as he was. On arriving on the New Yora side ve inquired how he would get conveyance to the Huson Kiver Railroad depot. Another “gentleman” stepped ap to him and said, “Lam going around there and wil carry you.” This “gentiemun’ had @ coach, ‘Coachee” added, “Give me your check and get in there; 1 will bring your baggage in a few mowepts.”’ Mr. Kelly entered the couch, when soon after “Coactee’’ revurned and said, “Your bagga; will be on the next train; it was delayed.” Just then some one called “Coachee,”” wnen‘he shut the door, mounted bis box and drove off, He aid nos yo far, however, when he dismounted, the door of tbe hack was opened and another ntleman’’? requested the student to get out and mount the drivers box, which he retused to do. Then stili another “gentie- man” came upon the scene and said to the student “1 ain golug to the Hudson River Railroad aepot, go with me.’ Thereupon the student alighted and entered coach No. 2, and after being In it a lew mo- ments was tola by the driver ‘here's another man going to the same place you are; voth of you re- main here tll i get your baggage,” and then the “other man’? got in the hack and seated himself by the side of the student. Each congratulated the other upon the prospect of having company through to their desi.nation, when finally the “other mau’? gaia, “1 am getting cold. Let us go to the fire and stay while the driver ia geting our baggage?” Tne student replied, “No. 1 want to on ag svon as he comes back.” the “other man’? made no reply, and silence ensued for a moment or two When (he other man Well, | must go to the fire,” andgotout. Im- mediately afterwards the Kentuckian missed his wallet. The driver returned shortly after without the baggage, When the student informed him of his lows. The driver, handing him his empty waliet, sali, “Here’s your pocketbook, you’ve been robbea; I want your fare.” The student inquired bow much it Was aud was told that it was live dollars. Re- membering that he had ten or fifteen doilars in his vest pocket he paid the amount asked, the coach aoor Was closed, the driver mounted the box and drove three viocks, when the coach was stopped, the door again opened and the student told to get out auc take the street car, which he did, and that’s ai. He ls tious his Money and baggage. WEFORMATORY STATE PRISON, A mecung of the Commissioners appointed by the Governor to recommend @ location for a Reforma. tory State Prison in the Sixth Judicial district was held at the Astor House yesterday to take Gal action im tue matter, A great deal of discussion was had, and the meeting finally adjourned until to- day, when a vote is to be had at oue o'clock. Bing- hatton, Owego, Watkins, Elmira, Norwich, Oxford, Ricutleld Springs and Unadilla have applied for the prison to be located in tiose cities; and the contest over the choice is quite hot. The com- missioners are:—Joseph Warren, of buffalo; Pro- fessor T. W. Dwight, of New York city; Judge Robert Eari, of tlerkimer; 0. H. Windela, of Orange and ©, B, Hubbell, of Siu Sing.