THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Few of our readers are aware that a new Republic has been formed under this name in the island of St. Domingo. Yet such is the fact. Within two years past a revolution has been made, and successfully maintained against the negro government of Hayti. Our purpose is to give some new idea of this new Republic and its resources.

The Island of St. Domingo is the most flourishing and fertile of the West India Islands. There are two political divisions of the island. The formerly French portion is now the Haytien Republic, as it is called. From this nation are exported coffee, cotton, mahogany, dye wood, &c. The formerly Spanish portion of the island, or now the Dominican Republic, exports mahogany, the wood fustic, cotton, cocoa, honey, hides, gum guaiacum, and tobacco, equal to the best Havana in quality. Sugar is also raised. It unquestionably contains mineral wealth, as gold and copper mines have been discovered.

The climate of the island is that of the tropics—warm and damp. The heats, however, are tempered by the sea breeze, which sets in about 10 o'clock, A. M., and lasts until night, when it is followed by the land breeze. The soil of the island is exceedingly fertile.

The east end of the island of St. Domingo, formerly was known as the Spanish Possession, now forms the Dominican Republic. Its extent is 33,000 square leagues of 25 to a degree. This Republic has been formed by the white portion of the island rising in rebellion against the black Government of Hayti. For twenty years and upwards, the whites have submitted to a most humiliating oppression. In February, 1844, they successfully made a stand against the black government, and have since gallantly and efficiently maintained their independence. They sent commissioners to this country during the administration of Mr. Calhoun in the State Department, for the purpose of having the government of the United States take measures to acknowledge the independence of the Republic. Mr. Calhoun at once favored the idea, and despatched Mr. Hogan, of this State, to investigate the resources of the country. Mr. Hogan having faithfully executed his important trust, has returned and given, we hear, a most satisfactory account of the rising commonwealth.

We trust that steps will be taken to acknowledge the independence of the Dominican Republic. The sympathies of our race, Caucasian as it is, must be with the whites of the Dominican Republic struggling with the African race of Hayti.—The interests of the United States should also prompt us to feel a deep interest in this new nation, as our object is to extend our commercial relations with every country, but particularly with the West India islands. We wish to cultivate friendship with this new and rising Republic. We cannot be insensible to the fact that England has her naval depots in one of these West India islands. That France has her foot—or is to—that these little ocean gems of islands belong to European monarchies, except St. Domingo, (where a black government, with which we can have no sympathies, and certainly they have none for us,) rules with despotic sway. Does not our interest prompt us to cherish the effort of a white people to create an independent Republic in one of these islands? In case of a war with any European power, we should have a friendly naval power in the West Indies whose feelings, sympathies and government were all republican, and certainly more in favor of our system than any other power? The Dominican Republic has several fine harbors—good timber for ship building. Is it not right we should look for a refuge for our naval force in time of trouble?

The population of the Republic is about 220,000, and the country is capable of sustaining a population ten times beyond that which it now has.

There is very little doubt of the ability of the Dominican Republic to maintain its independence. It has cannon, military stores, about 7000 military men, and can in an emergency raise 25,000 capable of bearing arms. It also has a small naval force. There is reason to believe that the Haytiens will find it a difficult matter to attack the Dominicans. The negroes (Haytiens) are in disunion and incapable of making a vigorous assault on the whites of the Dominican Republic. We hope our Congress now in session will take early steps to acknowledge the independence of the Dominican Republic.