Propositions for the annexation of Santo Domingo to the United
States. I am appointed one of three Commissioners to visit the
island. Position taken by Senator Sumner; my relations with him;
my efforts to reconcile him with the Grant Administration; effort
of Gerrit Smith. Speeches of Senator Schurz. Conversations with
Admiral Porter, Benjamin F. Butler, and others. Discussions with
President Grant; his charge to me. Enlistment of scientific
experts. Direction of them. Our residence at Santo Domingo
city. President Baez; his conversations. Condition of the
Republic; its denudation. Anxiety of the clergy for connection
with the United States. My negotiation with the Papal Nuncio and
Vicar Apostolic; his earnest desire for annexation. Reasons for
this. My expedition across the island. Mishaps. Interview with
guerrilla general in the mountains. His gift. Vain efforts at
diplomacy. Our official inquiries regarding earthquakes; pious
view taken by the Vicar of Cotuy. Visit to Vega. Aid given me
by the French Vicar. Arrival at Puerto Plata. My stay at the
Vice-President's house; a tropical catastrophe; public dinner and
speech under difficulties. Journey in the Nantasket to
Port-au-Prince. Scenes in the Haitian capital; evidences of
revolution; unlimited paper money; effect of these experiences on
Frederick Douglass. Visit to Jamaica; interview with President
Geffrard. Experience of the Commission with a newspaper reporter.
Landing at Charleston. Journey to Washington. Refusal of dinner
to Douglass on the Potomac steamer. Discovery regarding an
assertion in Mr. Sumner's speech on Santo Domingo; his injustice.
Difference of opinion in drawing up our report; we present no
recommendation but simply a statement of facts. Reasons why the
annexation was not accomplished.