Preface
It is remarkable how little has been written about the Dominican Republic, a country so near to our shores, which has for years had intimate commercial and political relations with our country, which is at present under the provisional administration of the American Government, and which is destined to develop under the protection and guidance of the United States. The only comprehensive publications on the Dominican Republic, in the English language, are the Report of the United States Commission of Inquiry to Santo Domingo, published in 1871, Hazard’s “Santo Domingo, Past and Present,” written about the same time, and Professor Hollander’s notable Report on the Debt of Santo Domingo, published in 1905. The first and the last of these publications are no longer obtainable; hence, Hazard’s book, written almost half a century ago, is still the chief source of information.
These considerations prompted me to indite the following pages, in which I have essayed to give a bird’s-eye view of the history and present condition of Santo Domingo. The task has been complicated by two circumstances. One is the extraordinary difficulty of obtaining accurate data. The other is the fact that the country has arrived at a turning point in its history. Any description of political, financial and economic conditions can refer only, or almost only, to the past; the American occupation has already introduced fundamental innovations which will shortly be further developed, and a rapid and radical transformation is in progress. Santo Domingo at this moment is a country which has no present, only a past and a future.
My personal acquaintance with Santo Domingo and Dominican affairs is derived from observations on several trips to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, from friendships formed with prominent Dominican families during a residence of many years in Latin America, and from experience as secretary to the special United States commissioner to investigate the financial condition of Santo Domingo in 1905, and as secretary to the Dominican minister of finance during the 1906 loan negotiations.
In compiling this work I have endeavored to read all books of any consequence which have been published with reference to Santo Domingo and Haiti and have especially consulted the following:
José Ramón Abad,
“La República Dominicana”;
Santo Domingo, 1886.
Rudolf Cronau,
“Amerika, die Geschichte seiner Entdeckung”;
Leipzig, 1892.
Enrique Deschamps,
“La República Dominicana, Directorio y Guía General”;
Barcelona, 1906.
José Gabriel García,
“Compendio de la Historia de Santo Domingo”;
Santo Domingo, 1896.
H. Harrisse,
“Christophe Colomb”;
Paris, 1884.
Samuel Hazard,
“Santo Domingo, Past and Present, with a Glance at Haiti”;
New York, 1873.
Jacob H. Hollander,
“Report on the Debt of Santo Domingo”;
59th Congress, 1st Session, Senate Executive Document;
Washington, 1905.
Antonio López Prieto,
“Informe sobre los Restos de Colón”;
Habana, 1878.
Fernando A. de Meriño,
“Elementos de Geografía Física, Política e Histórica
de la República Dominicana”;
Santo Domingo, 1898.
Médéric Louis Elie Moreau de Saint-Méry,
“Description
de la partie espagnole de l’isle Saint-Domingue”;
Philadelphia, 1796.
Casimiro N. de Moya,
“Bosquejo Histórico del Descubrimiento y Conquista
de la Isla de Santo Domingo”;
Santo Domingo, 1913.
F.A. Ober,
“A Guide to the West Indies and Panama”;
New York, 1914.
Publications of the Dominican Government.
Publications of the Bureau of American Republics
and the Pan-American Union.
Annual Reports of the General Receiver of Customs of the
Dominican Republic to the Bureau of Insular Affairs,
War Department, Washington, 1907 to 1917.
“Report of the United States Commission of Inquiry to Santo Domingo”;
42d Congress, 1st Session, Senate Document,
Washington, 1871.
Emiliano Tejera,
“Los Restos de Colon”;
Santo Domingo, 1878;
and
“Los dos Restos de Colon”;
Santo Domingo, 1879.
L. Gentil Tippenhauer,
“Die Insel Haiti”;
Leipzig, 1892.
A. Hyatt Verrill,
“Porto Rico, Past and Present, and San Domingo of To-Day”;
New York, 1914.
William Walton, Jr.,
“Present State of the Spanish Colonies, including a particular
report of Hispañola”;
London, 1810.
O. S.
New York, January, 1918.
Chapter I. Historical Sketch-Days of the Conquest — 1492 to 1533
Aborigines—Discovery—Founding of Isabela—Disaffection of the colonists—Indian wars—Oppression of the Indians—Founding of Santo Domingo City—Roldan’s insurrection—Humiliation of Columbus—Ovando’s administration—Extermination of the natives—Administrations of Diego Columbus—Treaty with Indian survivors.
Chapter II. Historical Sketch — Colonial Vicissitudes — 1533 to 1801
Decline of the colony—English attacks on Santo Domingo City—Settlement of Tortuga by freebooters—French settlements in western Santo Domingo—Border wars—Cession of western coast to France—Return of prosperity—Effect of French Revolution—Negro uprising in French Santo Domingo—Rise of Toussaint l’Ouverture—Cession of Spanish Santo Domingo to France—Evacuation by Spain.
Chapter III. Historical Sketch — Changes of Government — 1801 To 1844
Rule of Toussaint l’Ouverture—Exodus of whites—Capture of Santo Domingo by French—War with negroes—Government of Ferrand—Incursion of Dessalines—Insurrection of Sanchez Ramirez—Reestablishment of Spanish rule—Proclamation of Colombian State of Spanish Haiti—Conquest by Haiti—Haitian rule—Duarte’s conspiracy—Declaration of Independence.
Chapter IV. Historical Sketch — First Republic and Spanish Annexation — 1844 To 1865
Constitution of the government—Santana’s first administration—Wars with the Haitians—Administration of Jimenez—Victory of Las Carreras—Baez’ first administration—Santana’s second administration—Repulse of Soulouque—Baez’ second administration—Period of the two governments—Santana’s third administration—Annexation negotiations—Annexation to Spain—War of the Restoration.
Chapter V. Historical Sketch — Second Republic-Revolutions and Dictatorships — 1863 To 1904
Restoration of the Republic—Military presidents—Cabral’s administration—Baez’ fourth administration—Annexation negotiations with the United States—Civil wars—Heureaux’s rule—Administrations of Jimenez, Vasquez and Woss y Gil—Election of Morales.
Chapter VI. Historical Sketch — American Influence-1904 to Date (1918)
Financial difficulties—Fiscal convention with the United States—Caceres’ administration—Provisional presidents—Civil disturbances—Jimenez’ second administration—American intervention.
Chapter VII. Area and Boundaries
Area of Republics of Haiti and Santo Domingo—Boundary disputes—Harbors on north coast—Character of shore—Samana Bay—Character of east and south coast—Harbors of Macoris and Santo Domingo—Ocoa Bay—Islands—Haitian frontier.
Chapter VIII. Topography and Climate
Mountains—Valleys and plains—Rivers—Lakes—Temperature and
Rainfall—Hurricanes—Health conditions.
Chapter IX. Geology and Minerals
Rock formation—Mineral deposits—Gold-Copper—Iron—Coal—Silver—Salt—Building stone—Petroleum—Mineral springs—Earthquakes.
Chapter X. Flora and Fauna
Agricultural conditions—Land titles and measures—Wet and arid regions—Exports—Sugar—Cacao—Tobacco—Coffee—Tropical fruits—Forest products—Insects—Reptiles—Fishery—Birds—Cattle raising.
Chapter XI. The People
Population—Distribution—Race—Descendants of American negroes—Language—Physical traits—Mental traits—Amusements—Dances, theatres, clubs, carnivals—Gaming—Morality—Homes.
Chapter XII. Religion
Catholic religion—Concordat—Ownership of church buildings—Clergy—Religious sentiment—Shrines—Religious customs and holidays—Religious toleration—Protestant sects.
Chapter XIII. Education and Literature
Education in Spanish times—Work of Hostos—School organization—Professional institute—Primary and secondary education—Literacy—Libraries—Newspapers—Literature—Fine arts.
Chapter XIV. Means of Transportation and Communication
Railroads-Samana—Santiago Railroad—Central Dominican Railway—Roads—Mode of traveling—Inns—Principal highways—Steamer lines—Postal facilities—Telegraph and telephone lines.
Chapter XV. Commerce
Exports and imports—Foreign trade—Trade with the United States—Ports of entry—Wharf concessions—Domestic trade—Business houses—Banks—Manufactures.
Chapter XVI. Cities and Towns
General condition of municipalities—Santo Domingo City; ruins, churches, streets, popular legends—Other towns of Santo Domingo Province—San Pedro de Macoris—Seibo—Samana and Sanchez—Pacificador Province—Conceptión de la Vega—Moca—Santiago de los Caballeros—Puerto Plata—Monte Cristi—Azua—Barahona.
Chapter XVII. The Remains of Columbus
Burial of Columbus—Disappearance of epitaph—Removal of remains in 1795—Discovery of remains in 1877—Resting-place of Discoverer of America.
Chapter XVIII. Government
Form of
government—Constitutions—Presidents—Election—Powers—Executive
Secretaries—Land and sea forces—Congress—Local
subdivisions—Provincial governors—Communal governments.
Chapter XIX. Politics and Revolutions
Political parties—Elections—Relation between politics and revolutions—Conduct of revolutions—Casualties—Number of revolutions—Effect of revolutions.
Chapter XX. Law and Justice
Audiencia of Santo Domingo—Legal system—Judicial organization-Observance of law—Prisons—Character of offenses.
Chapter XXI. The Dominican Debt and the Fiscal Treaty With the United States
Financial situation in 1905—Causes of debt—Amount of debt—Bonded debt—Liquidated debt—Floating debt—Declared claims—Undeclared claims—Surrender of Puerto Plata custom-house—Fiscal convention of 1905—Modus vivendi—Negotiations for adjustment of debt—New bond issue—Fiscal treaty of 1907—Adjustment with creditors—19l2 loan—Present financial situation.
Chapter XXII. Finances
Financial system—National revenues—Customs tariff—National budget—Legal tender—Municipal income—Municipal budgets.
Chapter XXIII. The Future of Santo Domingo
Attraction by the United States—Political future of Santo
Domingo-Economic future of Santo Domingo.
APPENDIX A. Chiefs of State of Santo Domingo, 1492-1918
APPENDIX B. Old Weights and Measures in Use in Santo Domingo
APPENDIX C. American-Dominican Fiscal Convention of 1907