SAN DOMINGO (DOMINGO, SAN, ante). The annexation of San Domingo to the United States has been a favorite project among certain political leaders and with dem ocratic administrations since 1845, when negotiations to this end were begun, and an American commissioner sent to explore the island. Under president Pierce, rapt. (since maj.gen.) Geo. B. McClellan was ordered to make a thorough survey of Samana bay, with a view to acquiring it as a naval station. His report was in favor of such an acquisition, and new negotiations were opened, but without practical result.. In 1867 Mr. Seward, secretary of state, with other officials, visited the Dominican capital, and time matter was again reopened—and again postponed. During the beginning of gen. Grant's presidency, the Baez government of San Domingo made overtures in the direc tion of annexation, and at length the president sent gen. 0. E. Babcock to confer with that government on the subject, when a treaty was actually drawn, by which, on pay ment of $1,500,000, the Dominican republic was to become a territory of the United States. This treaty was ratified by a vote of the people of San Domingo, 15,000 to 400. Time treaty was referred to the U. S. senate, where it met with bitter opposition, com
plicated by various personal and political questions, and where it was defeated. The president then recommended the appointment of a commission by congress to proceed to the republic and investigate and report upon all previous proceedings. Benj. F.. Wade of Ohio, Andrew D. White of New York, and Samuel G. Howe of Boston y were appointed such commissioners, and fisited Samana bay in 1871, examieing the resources of the country, the condition of the people, and popular feeling on the sub ject of annexation. The report of the commissioners was exhaustive, and entirely favorable to the plan of annexation. It was laid before congress by president Grant` hut no action was taken concerning it. Subsequently time Samana bay company in New York leased the peninsula and bay of Samoan from the Baez government, with certain trade privileges, at an annual rent of $150,000, but met with no decided success. In 1874 the Dominican government again made overtures to the government of the United States, urging positive action in the matter, but the annexation was not consum mated.