490 IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE-III 



these three experiences, he considered the last as by far 

 the most dangerous. He had a high sense of personal 

 honor, and was devoted to what he considered the interests 

 of humanity. 



Our main residence was at the city of Santo Domingo, 

 and our relations with the leading officials of the republic 

 were exceedingly pleasant. The president, Baez, was a 

 man of force and ability, and, though a light mulatto, he 

 had none of the characteristics generally attributed in the 

 United States to men of mixed blood. He had rather the 

 appearance of a swarthy Spaniard, and in all his conduct 

 he showed quiet self -reliance, independence, and the tone of 

 a high-spirited gentleman. His family was noted in the his 

 tory of the island, and held large estates, near the capital 

 city, in the province of Azua. He had gone through various 

 vicissitudes, at times conquering insurgents and at times 

 being driven out by them. During a portion of his life he 

 had lived in Spain, and had there been made a marshal of 

 that kingdom. There was a quiet elegance in his manners 

 and conversation which would have done credit to any 

 statesman in any country, and he had gathered about him 

 as his cabinet two or three really superior men who ap 

 peared devoted to his fortunes. I have never doubted that 

 his overtures to General Grant were patriotic. As long as 

 he could remember, he had known nothing in his country 

 but a succession of sterile revolutions which had destroyed 

 all its prosperity and nearly all its population. He took 

 very much to heart a passage in one of Mr. Sumner s ora 

 tions against the annexation project, in which the senator 

 had spoken of him as a man who wished to sell his country. 

 Referring to this, President Baez said to me : t ^How could 

 I sell my country? My property is here; my family is 

 here; my friends are here; all my interests are here: 

 how could I sell my country and run away and enjoy the 

 proceeds as Mr. Sumner thinks I wish to do ? Mr. Sumner 

 gives himself out to be the friend of the colored race ; but 

 I also am a colored man, &quot; and with that Baez ran his hand 

 through his crisp hair and said, &quot;This leaves no doubt on 

 that point.&quot; 



