506 IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE-III 



when the annexation proceedings were formally initiated 

 and accomplished, there iv ere Spanish ships off those 

 shores and Spanish soldiers on the island. 



I recall vividly the deep regret expressed at the time by 

 Dr. Howe that his friend Senator Sunnier had been so 

 bitter in his opposition to the administration that he had 

 quoted the first part of the Spanish minister 's speech and 

 suppressed the second part. It was clear that if Mr. Sum- 

 ner had read the whole passage to the Senate it would have 

 shown that the conduct of the United States had not been 

 less magnanimous than that of Spain in the matter, and 

 that no argument whatever against the administration 

 could be founded upon its action in sending ships and 

 troops to the island. 



In drawing up our report after our arrival, an amicable 

 difference of opinion showed itself. Senator Wade, being 

 a "manifest-destiny" man, wished it expressly to recom- 

 mend annexation; Dr. Howe, in his anxiety to raise the 

 status of the colored race, took a similar view; but I 

 pointed out to them the fact that Congress had asked, not 

 for a recommendation, but for facts ; that to give them ad- 

 vice under such circumstances was to expose ourselves to a 

 snub, and could bring no good to any cause which any of 

 us might wish to serve ; and I stated that if the general 

 report contained recommendations, I must be allowed to 

 present one simply containing facts. 



The result was that we united in the document pre- 

 sented, which is a simple statement of facts, and which, as 

 I believe, remains to this day the best general account of 

 the resources of Santo Domingo. 



The result of our report was what I had expected. The 

 Spanish part of that island is of great value from an agri- 

 cultural and probably from a mining point of view. Its 

 valleys being swept by the trade-winds, its mountain slopes 

 offer to a white population summer retreats like those 

 afforded by similar situations to the British occupants of 

 India. In winter it might also serve as a valuable sana- 

 torium. I remember well the answer made to me by a man 



