Bassett to Evarts, August 11, 1877

No. 170. Mr. Bassett to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: Referring to that portion of my No. 522, of the 28th ultimo, which made mention of a note just then received from the Dominican plenipotentiaries, I have the honor to send you herewith inclosed a careful translation of the note, and to invite your convenient attention thereto.

It will be seen that the note professes to give an outline both of the unsatisfactory relations which have arisen between the two republics of this island and of the efforts which have been made by the Dominican Government to improve those relations, and that its recitals and general tenor are such as to lead to the conclusion that the responsibility for the actual condition of things between the two republics rests with Hayti. As a whole, it might be taken as even a bold affirmation of the correctness of the statements and apprehensions somewhat reservedly expressed in my dispatches of recent dates, numbered 498, 507, and 508, and I must give it as my impression that, with few exceptions, the assertions in the note are fairly reliable.

* * * * * **

But I do not think, as it is affirmed in the plenipotentiaries’ note, that this government has “consented,” although it may have, and probably has, tacitly permitted and so connived “that armed incursions against, the public order and tranquillity of the Dominican Republic should have their center and headquarters of depredatory operations on the frontiers of Hayti.” For since the ignominious failure of Soulouque to subdue the Dominicans by force of arms in 1855–’56, the policy of this government in regard to that of Santo Domingo has, according to the best of my knowledge and belief, been to keep up before the world an Appearance of friendly relations between the two republics, while at the same time it has, except under Salnave, steadily, but covertly, sought to foment discord among the Dominicans, and most cunningly and secretly to intermeddle in and control their political affairs. Therefore, whatever provocation the plenipotentiaries may have had for the assertion, I am sure this government does not wish or intend other nations to understand or be able to prove that “the Haytian authorities act toward the Dominicans as if they had not the least international obligation, according either to the law of nature or the law of nations.”

It has all along been my impression that President Baëz perfectly comprehends the policy of this government toward his own. And I regard his endeavor, through the sending of plenipotentiaries hither to settle in an amicable way the difficulties which have arisen between the two governments, not only as discreet and wise, but also as one which ought to disarm this government of all pretext for further clandestine or other interference in the internal political affairs of the Dominican Republic.

It appears to me, also, that the Dominican plenipotentiaries, in their argument favoring the recognition of the treaty between the two countries, had right, justice, and honor on their side.

I am, &c.,