Details
GRANT, ULYSSES S., President. Autograph letter signed ("U.S. Grant") as President, TO FRANZ SIGEL (formerly Major General, U.S. Army), Washington, D.C., 16 January 1871. 3 pages, 8vo, boldy penned on Executive Mansion stationery, clean separation at center fold..
SHOULD THE U.S. ANNEX SANTO DOMINGO?
Grant offers a presidential appointment to a former Union officer. In 1869 the Senate had refused to approve a treaty for the annexation of the island of Santo Domingo which Orville Babcock, Grant's secretary, had negotiated. In his 1870 message to Congress, Grant reopened the annexation question, and the House authorized him to name a commission to investigate. Here, he offers a post on the panel to Sigel: "The resolution authorizing me to send commissioners to Santo Domingo having passed..., it would not seem premature for me now to get the consent of those whom I would like to undertake the service. My choice is for yourself as Sec[retary] of the Commission. If you accept, will you be kind enough to notify me by telegraph. The aim will be to get this Com[mission] off at as early a day as practicable. A Naval vessel will be in readiness, at Norfolk V[irgini]a as soon as the party is ready to start, and will be fully provided for the comfort of all..."
The commission departed almost immediately, at the end of January 1871. But in the end, Grant's dream of annexing the island was unrealized.
SHOULD THE U.S. ANNEX SANTO DOMINGO?
Grant offers a presidential appointment to a former Union officer. In 1869 the Senate had refused to approve a treaty for the annexation of the island of Santo Domingo which Orville Babcock, Grant's secretary, had negotiated. In his 1870 message to Congress, Grant reopened the annexation question, and the House authorized him to name a commission to investigate. Here, he offers a post on the panel to Sigel: "The resolution authorizing me to send commissioners to Santo Domingo having passed..., it would not seem premature for me now to get the consent of those whom I would like to undertake the service. My choice is for yourself as Sec[retary] of the Commission. If you accept, will you be kind enough to notify me by telegraph. The aim will be to get this Com[mission] off at as early a day as practicable. A Naval vessel will be in readiness, at Norfolk V[irgini]a as soon as the party is ready to start, and will be fully provided for the comfort of all..."
The commission departed almost immediately, at the end of January 1871. But in the end, Grant's dream of annexing the island was unrealized.