THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce.

THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. — This the Republic of the larger part of the Island of Hayti, the recognition of its de facto government, no one can doubt who will take the trouble to look into the case with an unprejudiced eye.

The course taken by Mr. Calhoun as to this island, we trust, will be followed by the present and the South American Governments. Prior to their recognition, the U. S. should, as they have done, send commissioners, to inquire into and report upon their condition.

The same course seems to have been taken by the British government, as to the Dominican Republic.

The Island of St. Domingo is situated in the Gulf of Mexico, and is 400 miles in length from East to West, and from 60 to 120 miles in breadth. Its circumference is about 1000 miles.

It is the most central and important of all the West India islands. It lies only 30 miles from Porto Rico, 60 miles from Cuba, 120 from Jamaica, and about 3 days sail from the Spanish Main and Yucatan. It is 1000 miles South of Charleston, and 1700 from New-York. The soil and climate of the Spanish part are much better than those of the French part; three-fourths of the inhabitants are Spaniards, or, as now called, Dominicans; the rest French. The white population is about 130,000; mixed, 70,000; black, 30,000. In the Spanish or Dominican part of the Island there exists a good feeling towards the white races. The Spanish language and laws have been established. The Catholic religion prevails, but other denominations are tolerated.

The Government is Republican, consisting of a President with a Senate and House of Representatives; there is a Supreme Court, three Judges, a Secretary of the Interior; and a Judiciary, consisting of a Supreme Court, with a Chief Justice and four deputies, and inferior Courts, for the interior and commercial cities of the coast.

The military strength of the Dominicans is about 15 or 20 to 30,000 regular troops, and about 40,000 stand of arms, and 300 cannon, principally brass. The island is now well fortified throughout the whole island. The negro part of the Island is mostly governed by France, although nominally free. The English are opposed to the extension of the influence of the French, and also of the Spanish. The true interest of the great powers, Spain, France, the United States, and England, is to aid and assist the growth and prosperity of the Dominican Republic. The thing once done, that interesting section of the West Indies coming in favor, should be rendered independent and rich, and would present an extensive field for the enterprise of the American merchant. The population of the Spanish portion of the Island has increased since 1822, while on the other hand, the negro population has rapidly diminished. This undoubtedly has been the case of late, and results from the almost entire absence of the institution of marriage, and the consequent loose habits of the people, and degeneracy between the sexes. This, together with other causes of importance, would soon prove the entire incapacity of the blacks for self-government. If the French part of the Island is not soon settled and blood-shed, are beyond conception or belief. At all events, the white portion of the Island must and will increase by victories, as the strongest inducement is held out to the white race to settle there. Thank God, the whites are victorious, and this will be a great measure owing to the influence and value of the white women, who fought themselves for their homes.

Great commercial advantages would accrue to the United States by the recognition of the independence of the Dominicans.

There are great numbers of the old French families, who have become identified with this country, whose possessions would derive great advantage from the recognition of their right and just claim. All that is now wanted is a stable government, and a policy on the part of the United States, to aid and assist in the independence of the Dominicans.