BLACKWELL FAMILY Henry .B. Blackwell FINANCIAL Papers- Santo DomingoJ Wagner Jones San Domingo Englewood 5 Dec. 73 My Dear Mr. Blackwell I was sorry to miss your call. I was seized by the throat a week ago, there have I been imprisoned since: much to my regret. What do you get from the com: in London? I read a very hopeful note from Hazard about two weeks ago, but infer that much depends still upon the condition of the financial market-If his hopes are well founded, there may be a future for Savana yet. I was much gratified with Mr. Howe's article in the Independent- It was temperate, dignified &true. Oh if we had a growing settlement there now, what a refuge for the now peaceful inhabitants of Cuba! What a solution of the Cuban question [????] is this Sauce Co! I like your article in the Traveller - it is to the point! Aside from all pecuniary interests, I do hope these may yet be some theory of development adopted by our wise management, before very long. Hoping to meet you before very many days, I am Very truly yours, J. W[?] Jones.I have no hope of getting to town before Monday.North Easton Dec 24th / 73 Henry B Blackwell Esq Dear Sir Your letter enclosing letter of [Fabens?] I have read with pleasure. I think it important to get as early action as possible on Samana Bay Question by our Govt. If the [Pres?] could be got in the midst of the Hollidays to give this matter attention it would be well to see him yet I doubt very much whether the Officials would give you (out of these days given to them for recreation) any attention - It is not probable that you can get Williams to move till Congress meets absorbed as he is in business and just at this time having large calls upon his attention that cannot be delayed. I shall be very glad to aid in any way I possibly can to secure the favor of [Govt?] to our Company Very truly yours Oliver Ames[*copy of letter mailed Capt Samuels Feb. 28 1908*] Telephone 1791 Haymarket Office of The Woman's Journal No. 3 Park Street Room 16 Boston, Mass., Feb 28 1908 Dear Capt. Samuels Mr Richards, the representative of the Dr Howe Estate, has shown me a letter from you, wherein you state that in the reorganization of the Co the original stock of $800000. was voted to be multiplied 25 times to an aggregate of twenty millions, and you enclose to him a certificate of Dr Howes' estate's present interest thus multiplied, (less one half said to be assigned to you) On that basis my 50 shares of original full-paid stock should now be 1250 shares of the reorganized stock, as I have never hitherto made an assignment of any part of my original stock to any one. This being so, I should have from you a certificate entitling me to 1250 shares, forty-five per cent of which it is proposed that I should assign to Rooney and McKnight. Will you kindly send me such acertificate, as I cannot agree to assign without evidence of my right to do so? I am sorry to hear that you have been unwell, but I trust that your illness is not serious. I understand that Mr Richards is asking you for further information. What is the amount of the claim which it is proposed to make from the Dominican Government for total damage sustained by the Samana Bay Co? I understand that my own claim will be for 50 out of the original 8000 shares, being 1/160th part of the total amount supposed to be due from the Dominican Government to our Co. A further explanation and certificate will much oblige, Your friend, Henry B. BlackwellOffice of The Woman's Journal, No. 3 Tremont Place Boston, Dec 9 1873 Hon J.M.S. Williams Washington My dear sir After consultation with Mr. Ames & Dr Howe, who will probably write you by same mail, I think we all feel that you are, by character, position & business experience, the man of all others who can make the Government see the wisdom of saving Santo Domingo & the friends who have invested their money in the Samana Bay Co, by its concluding the lease of the island of Aleventado at once, at such an annual rental, payable immediately, as will enable us to meet our annual rent which is due Jan 1/74 $150000 in gold. — The case stands thus - We propose to give the US(2 all for which they have already agreed to pay & have paid $150000 in gold per annum. It was the fact that the US had paid that sum which made the Baez government insist upon it as a minimum. — We (the Samana Bay Co) have actually paid the first year's rent, a year ago, for the year 1873 & are bound to pay each year in advance. Now, the article which I wrote for the Traveller & of which I took the liberty to send you a marked copy, demonstrates that our colonization of the island of Santo Domingo will destroy the value of Cuba to Spain, by competition in sugar raising & by depleting her most industrious population by the immense profits of planting with the sugar-duty as a bonus on free labor produce. I think if the Administrators do not act at once, that our necessities will compel us to accept very hard conditions imposed by the English capitalists, the final result of which acceptance may not improbably be the gobbling up of our Co. by the European capitalists. This ought to be prevented. It can be prevented. As a measure of judicious war-preparation — the Govt can well afford to pay us $150000 annual rent & this will operate as a virtual protectorate of the existing government of Santo Domingo. Now I believe that President Grant realizes so fully the value of Samana as the base of operations for our West India fleet in case of future complications that if you would see him & lay the matter before him, as a practical step to be taken, he will take it. Permit me to explain just how the matter stands today. About two months ago, Secretary Robeson accepted, in writing, our written offer to lease to the US. the island etc, as a naval station & coaling base of supplies, upon such terms as the US should themselves seem reasonable. This letter of acceptance, however, reserves for the US, not only the right to fix the rent, but to decline it if, upon examination a better base could be found, one which could be had more favorable. In short, the lease amounts only to our giving US the right to take the island if, when and for what the US may choose to pay. Such a lease, it was thought by our people, might help us negotiate a loan in England, & so it was made. But it does not help us to pay our next year's rent. It does not help us raise the needed capital, for the want of which the enterprise has hung fire & without which it cannot open up the peninsula & the interior to settlement. Now we are4 daily expecting the return of our commissioners to London (Messrs Samuels, Harrison, & Hazard) with a proposition to take our bonds for past cash & part Hartmont bonds _ a proposition [brained?] under great disadvantages from a set of sharpers, one which nothing but recently could justify us in acepting. But, as we may have to forfeit our fraveliese altogether if we fail to send $150000. in gold to Baez before January elapses - (it is payable in St Domingo City if sold on Jan 1. with 30 days grace), and as we have no other way of raising $150000. in gold, as the money market stands today, we shall be virtually compelled to take what terms we can get, unless the U S. Govt will make us some such alternative proposition of leasing the Bay as will enable us to decline the English offer, by giving us the money to meet the rent. Is it too much to ask of you to see General Babcock & President Grant personally as the representative of our Boston party & see what can be done? I will come to Washington to communicate between our directors & the Govt, if it is desired, to help bring the matter to a point. I wish very much that you would take the Santo Domingo Protectorate or Annexation under your personal observation - enlisting, first, all you can of the Mass delegation - then outside Congressional support & so, try to bring good out of evil by swinging Santo Domingo into the Union as a means of aiding emancipation and Independence (not annexation) in Cuba. It does seem to me that even Senator Summer might be secured as an ally! Boutwell I think is favorable. also Butler, Henry L. Pierce &, Buffington, &c. Excuse this long letter & believe me Yours truly & reply H. B. Blackwell [*H. B. B. Memoranda about St. Domingo] Modifications $5000. per mile Stock for land grant - say - 1/5 Right to navigate river & bay Right to Reductions of Duty Right to extend RR} hereafter to Samana Right to build to Monte Christo} Right to build to St D City and Azua & Savanna La Mar. Right to build telegraph line along R. R. to receive land - five thousand acres on Peninsula} at $1. per acre payable in stock Free in preparation of monetary Issue $15000 per mile. Bonds 25000. Stock 3840 acres per mile Each [?Directed?]640 60 ------- 3840 acres per mile land permit issue shuck say $25000. per mile 20000. RRC $5000. SBC Brads a 15000. n n S70 Mr Ames Baker Howes 3 Blackwell Harrison Samuels 4 Shofford Morill Schuchardt ? Hazerd ?12000 [?] 8000 5000 13000 20000 222 18 5 20 11110 18 8888 20 5000 18 13880 20 [*6 miles road 36 square miles*] H.B.Blackwell ? San Domingo The Woman's Journal No.3 TREMONT PLACE Boston, Nov 7 1877 Gen O.E. Babcock Dear Sir Is it not desirable that the Dominican Government should apply to our Government making a new and definite proposal for annexation? If this were [is] done, the President could consistently[of course] bring the proposal before Congress next spring and the question would be discussed and carried upon it's merits. As the matter stand today there is nothing for Congress to act upon. I do not feel any confidence in the scheme of developing Samana by the formation of a private company. The first condition which must precede any large investment of American capital is wanting — viz. stability. We must have annexation or a protectorate first, industrial development afterwards. And Ishould regret to see the main question complicated by the creation of any intermediate corporations whose interests would have to be bought out, thus giving room for misrepresentation and prejudice. I wish that the United States Govt would send down some able and reliable man with a clear head - say Dr S.[?] Howe, or Gen Wm. L. Burt for instance, to visit both Santo Domingo and Hayti and to induce President Baez to make two alternative propositions for the acceptance of Congress - one for annexation, the other for a protectorate and Commercial Treaty - perhaps also a third, for a lease of Samana - giving us the option of either. Then to visit Hayti and endeavor to negociate a protectorate upon parallel conditions with the Authorities there. These proposals should be made to our Government before the new Congress convenes next March, so as to be acted upon promptly. In order to do so, the Agent of our Government ought to go down on the next [Joy Bee?]. 3) OFFICE OF The Woman's Journal, NO. 3 TREMONT PLACE Boston 1872 It may be best to let the visit of our Agent be private and informal. Possibly to limit it to Santo Domingo along. Or to send some one else to the Hayti as a separate matter. But in order to have just such propositions as our Govt would approve come, at the right moment, from the Island itself, some such American agent ought to go out with definite suggestions without delay. Excuse my troubling you with these suggestions. I have named them to Gen Burt & Dr Howe, only. I deem them so important that I would have come to Washington to state them more fully, if I had been sure of finding you at leisure.4) The Woman Suffrage republicans of New England are rejoicing at the splendid Republican victory which they have done their part in winning and I remain dear sir yours faithfully Henry B. Blackwell H.B. Blackwell? about St. Domingo OFFICE OF The Woman's Journal, No. 3 TREMONT PLACE Boston, Dec 27 1872 Dr Saml G. Howe My dear sir Your favor of the 24th [last?] (postmarked 26th) reached me today. I need not add that it suprized me. [At your request] I represented your interest in New York to the best of my ability, and have every reason to believe that I am myself the loser of $5000 by having done so. On my return to Boston, I told you all the facts connected with the affair. You expressed yourself satisfied and said that "I had done for you $5000 better than you had expected and better than you could have done for yourself." You now say "I infer from my correspondence with several parties in New Yorkthat you have not acted by me in the recent transaction there as I think you ought to have done." [In justice both to you and to myself I must ask you to furnish me with a copy of that correspondence, in order that I may understand the basis of this groundless suspicion which I cannot but regard as an imputation on my integrity.] As I have no new facts to communicate, I must ask to furnish me with a copy of that correspondence in order that I may understand the grounds upon which you have changed your mind. I have certainly acted in good faith and should feel that I had abundant reason to be satisfied if, in corresponding circumstances, you had done by me as I have done by you. Faithfully yours Henry B Blackwell Boston Feby 11. 1874 To the Board of Directors of Samana Bay Co. New York [Gentm?] Being prevented by previous engagements from attending the Board meeting on the 13 [last?], and being informed that the proposition contained in a pamphlet entitled "Second Report of the Committee of Santo Domingo Bondholders" dated London Jan 20 1874 is to be acted upon at that meeting, we feel it our duty to ask that our votes may be recorded against the acceptance of that proposition, without further explanation. We all desire to co-operate with our Commissioners and shall be glad to receive such further information as may enable us to do so. We appreciate the time and labor so faithfully bestowed by [Mem?] Samuels and Harrison and for which they ought to be fully compen- -sated. But if we rightly comprehend the terms stated in the pamphlet of the HD Boardholders and if these are really the best that can be had, they seem to us absolutely inadmissable. We think that their acceptance by us will prove ruinous to the Company in any event and probably result in a very serious loss of reputation also. We are asked to exchange our Bonds and stock for a security which if not worthless is certainly of very doubtful value. And yet even that security is to be placed in the hands of English Trustees beyond our control. And we are prohibited from cancelling it or from disposing of it except at impossible figures, and it still remains virtually encumbered for the benefit of its former owners. And yet, on these terms, we get no money and no aid in placing our loan, we get simply an agreement that the General Committee of Boardholders will not oppose our doing so. In short we tie ourselves hand and foot and get nothing for it. For any individual bondholder or any number of bondholders may oppose us. And if anyone of them fails to come into the arrangement he continues in the attitude of an encumbrance upon our franchise as much as before. But if, as seems most likely, we fail to float a loan of three million dollars (? 600000 pounds) in London within three months from the issue of the same, we shall actually forfeit a large part of our Treasury stock in addition to great expenses of Trustees, commissories, salaries, &c. The whole matter is terminated so far as the Hartmont people are concerned, but we shall find ourselves encumbered with a huge bill of costs, a complicated trusteeship, & probable litigation, with two foreign directors in our Board and a foreign interest in our stock. Meanwhile our rent will continue in arrears; our whole franchise will be virtually frittered away. Again - It is a question whether we can lawfully enter into this arrangement at present. 1. Because our franchise is forfeited or liable to be cancelled by the non-payment of our rent already past due. And 2. Because it is doubtful whether our Co. is yet legally organized inasmuch as the[*V Henry B. Blackwell on Samana Bay*] various franchises which should have been consolidated in the Samana Bay Co. have not yet been conveyed and inasmuch as the stock has not yet been passed to the credit of the parties in interest upon the books. Therefore, if we should accept this English proposition, under existing circumstances, we having no longer assured control of our Charter nor legal existence as a Company fully organized, we are in danger of making ourselves individually liable for an action for fraud by the English parties with whom we have negociated under what they may claim to be false pretences. 29 Broadway NY February 10th/74 My dear Blackwell Yours of yesterday is at hand. I regret very much to hear of Dr Howe's illness. There need be no haste about the Baez decision. It is possible that the news from Sto Domingo per "[Lyhee?]" (now due) may take him at once to Washington. The papers say that three of his brothers have been imprisoned. If this is confirmed by "[Lyhees?]" news he will go to Washington immediately. The "Convention" under which he abdicated was approved by the U.S. Consul, a signer thereof -- and this convention guaranteed personal protection to President Baez and family & political party, one & all. Otherwise "The affair" would not have passed off in this peaceable way by any means.You ask my opinion of the London negotiation. In our present parish of [?] it is the best as it is the only thing we can do. More when I see you. If I accompany Baez to Boston perhaps something can be devised to help us. One thing we may count on, the active cooperation of Baez with us in the future - and whether Prest or not he can help us immensly in Sto Domingo - we have been together daily since his arrival and he is fully posted as to our exact intention - but he sees that the future welfare of his country depends much upon our success. With regards to your family & the Dr. and family, I remain Very truly yours, etc. J.W. Fabens 29 Broadway N.Y. Feb 9th, 1874 My Dear Dr. Yours of 6th has reached me this morning. I read it to [?] Baez He says he feels much honored by the proposed invitation and accepts it with pressure in advance. He is not quite out of the hands of his physician (which he had had hoped to be today) but thinks that he will be at your disposition in a day or two. Of course he can arrange his movements to accommodate you and yr friends in Boston, and I should say that he can meet you any day after Thursday of this week. But as his eyes are still troubling him could it not be well to extend the invitation formally and allow him to name the day? I regret very much to hear of your feeble condition. Matters are approaching a crisis, and it seems to me that the [?py] has a part of thefirst importance assigned to it by the political circumstances of St. Domingo. It appears that the new "Gov't" is intriguing with Hayti to secure money and stability for iteself, which means to deliver the Republic over to Haytian barbarians. If this he really attempted it will inaugurate a new war of races and the old horrors of the [?] will be revived. The Compy can save the situation & [?} Baez and others other patriots will so strengthen the Compy hands that [they] it may do it. When I see you I will explain this/ & some other matters / more in detail. I have a letter from Babcock today. He also will give Baez a [?} at Washington to which he will invite some good friends of the cause. He tells that two ships are already en route for Jamaica. As ever your, etc. J.W. Fabens [*J.W. Fabens about San Domingo*] Confidential 29 B'dway NY Feb'y 13th / 74 Dear Blackwell There was no action had today on Mr. Harrisan's report. It is very important that you Dr. Hoeve & Mr. Ames come over on Wednesday. There will be a Directors Meeting at 12- m of that day & stockholders meetign at 2 p.m. A Board of Directors for next year is to be elected. See Mr. Ames and see if he can name a Pres't for the Compy. We are now adrift without a leader. The office can be moved to Boston if necessary. We must have another element in the Directory or we are lost. Spofford's plan for raising money is of course better than the English loan but is it feasable? With Ames to support a policy - there is hope yet he can control stockholders votes enough to carry it. What is to be done must be done at once. Very truly yours, etc. J.W. Fabens[*J. W. Fabeus*] It is just possible that I may ship over to Boston tomorrow night to spend Sunday with you. Can we see [W?] [ ?Ames?] on that day, or must I wait till Monday? -- FSpofford Brothers & Co. 29 Broadway, New York September 9th 1892 My dear Dr Blackwell - Barlow Spofford & Co are much pleased with the Boston prospect. They desire to meet the gentlemen as early as convenient - but think it better to arrange a meeting here, as Barlow With his vast [?] to manage cannot absent himself conveniently. They propose a meeting at Shaffords and JW Barlow will invite the party to his house in the evening. (a little supper [?]). This is the best way to get at something [?] [?]. They are willing the Boston people shall manage and will cooperate fully in that plan. Barlow says if [?] that he will take $20.000. He regards this [?] as more important. and likely to prove more profitable than the Pacific R. R. I really hope the Dr will be with us on Tuesday when I expect.to see you in Boston. By a [?] of effort now something can be done. You & the Dr must come over with the Boston party. "Tyhee" arrived this morning all goes well- with regards of all. Very Truly. yours JW Fabiens- Col Thabeu Sept 7/72 about St. Domingoto see you in Boston. By a [?] of effort now, something can be done. You & the Dr must come over with the Boston party. "Tybee" arrived this morning all goes well - With regards to all. Very truly Yours [?]Spofford Brothers & Co 29 Broadway New York May 3rd 1872 Dear Blackwell Your letter of yesterday is at hand. [Tyhee?] sailed yesterday. In the copy of charter which I sent down with the proposed modification as to payment of lease. I inserted your name [as] among the incorporators - in accordance with your wish. I wrote you that we desired to raise $100.000 for preliminary expenses. We really wish to raise by subscription $200.000 divided into 20 shares of $10.000 each. in order to be provided with funds. if the change in payment of lease is not approved in [Santo Domingo].- If it is. then. I think. only 50% of the subscription will be called inon 1st July- Enclosed I send you copy of careful translation of the charter as drawn up by Mr Santier Have you Dr. Howe's letter to independent? I see no reason why it should be longer withheld- Please let me know when you will be here. You will find me in [Samana?] rooms in rear of Spoffords. Very truly yours & [?.W. ?ahens?] -- H.B Blackwell Esq Boston.J. W. Tabens May 30/72 about San DomingoSpofford Brothers & Co. 29 Broadway, New York December 22, 1873 My dear Blackwell. Am confirming with Mr. Spofford to-day as to yr proposed visit to Washington he agrees with us that something may come of it and in our present situation, we should leave no stone unturned. We shall therefore expect to see you here on Friday morning en route for the capital. If Mr. Williams will accompany you. & Dr. Howe will give you one of his strong letters to the Pres't. I shall have yet greater hopes of your success. To day, at Company's request, I have telegraphed Harrison and Samuels as to the exact states of the negotiation, as being if we may draw for [?]50,000. at 60 days. With best regards to yr family and Dr. Howe & family. I remain Very truly yours J W [?] An the other page is extract from the letter which you read. If you are preparing any of yr brief, pointed articles for the press, at Boston. it might perhaps be worked in _ F_ A letter from Puerto Plata received per "Tyhee". gives the following extract from an official dispatch sent [by] to the Governor of the Samana Bay Company at Samana. by the leaders of the Revolutionary Junta dated. "Puerto Plata, 28th. November 1873" and signed by Ortea, Gomez and Batista. "We hasten to write to you, Sir, to declare that you need feel no apprehension whatever, since the revolution, not only does not ignore your rights, but accepts them, and will foster and guarantee them, as emanating from a legal and duly authorized power- "You will please communicate this to the members of the Company whom you represent"-Spofford Brothers & Co. 29 Broadway New York Dec 23d 1873 My dear Blackwell-- Yrs of yesterday is recd. I wrote you yesterday saying that we approved of yr plan of going over to Washington on Friday next. If you wait 'till the 5th Jany, it is losing a good deal of time, as Mr. Spofford seems anxious to dispatch the steamer early in Jany- say 3rd to 8th at farthest. Williams & Butler are not necessary to yr interview with the Prest, Babcock can put you right there- a letter from Butler to thePrest. might be of service or from B. to the Secy of the Navy. This perhaps would be better yet. Taking a letter from Dr Howe only to the Prest. We have a long communication from Harrison (16 pp) giving a resume of their operations since reaching London- The tone is hopeful, & the conclusion to which they (the Commissioners) have come is, that we shall get money in January. We now await a reply to the telegram sent over yesterday for [for] later and more exact intelligence. Yr suggestion as to the shipment of arms doesn't strike me as practicable. But this is a matter for after consideration. Let me know by mail when we may expect to see you here- Very truly Yours etc J. W. FabensJ. W. Fabens about St. Domingo 29 Broadway N.Y. Feb 14-/74 Dear Blackwell, "Tyhee" is here all right--Gonzales elected Prest. Gautier writes me at length, and it looks as if we might become masters of the situation were we in a position to do so. Unless we do something Hayti & England will swallow up the poor Dom: Rep: Hayti at the instigation of St John has sent two men of war with arms provisions & a tender of money to Sto Dgo. One (a steamer) was at Sto Dgo when "Tyhee" left. The Fortit is said has declined to accuse him - The others at Pto Plata. Delanay says has landed arms & provisions at P. P. by order of St John - Now if the Gonzales Govt, in an evil moment, accepts aid from Hayti, farewell to all our hopes for Santo Dgo. Gautier holds firm to the American idea. If we can raise some money here & get rid of the English in Cuba, we are safe - Spofford will be one of 5 to advance $50.000 cash in 500.000 bonds at 50%. See Ames Backer, Chamber & Co. at once on this and be sure to be at the meeting on 18th I will go over to Boston if any thing can be done there, after wards. Very truly Yours, &c J W. Fabens Spofford Brothers & Co. 29 Broadway, New York July 22d 1871 My dear Blackwell, Yours of 20th (21st?) reached me this morning. I saw Murphy on the morning of 20th. He read me the letter he had recd from Spofford. He at once accepted the situation offered by S. and said he would be prepared to meet his engagements under it today. But the suddenillness and death of Mr. Jay Coaker which latter event occurred last night - has prevented the the [?] - from being here according to promise and the matter now lies over till Monday. Of course with consent of Spofford, under the in [?]. Loan will now be made with Jay Coaker & Co. and thus the two matters be kept entirely distinct. It seems almost too much to expect that this primary matter of the loan of $50.000 will be concluded on Monday yet I really think it will be. After that the other matter will be concluded also, but with some modifications. In his present position Murphy occupies a vantage ground, but I think he is a square man and will act fairly. Indeed I think he has been influenced by considerations of public policy from the start. I am very busy to-day preparing for Monday - With warmest regards to Dr Howe & [] Burt, I remain [?] yours J. W. [?][*J. W. Fabens*] New York Octr 10th 1872 My dear Blackwell, I have 50 shares of Surrey Compy to dispose of @ $15. Currency - Would you like it ?. I think it will prove a good investment besides giving you a direct pecuniary interest in our matters- Please answer as early as convenient as I will await your reply before offering it elsewhere- Messrs Janes & Hazard are full of enthusiasm and it looks now as if we should be able to make up our party very soon. We have received the requisite assurance from Washington, through a party who went over for the purposeMr Robeson (Secy of the Navy) goes to Englewood this P.M. to spend the night, with Mr Jones at his residence. Hazard accompanies them. They go up the river this P.M. in the U.S. revenue steamer What with the settlement of the Presidential question, and the cheering prospects for Sto Domingo skies are bright today. I fear that Candler & Brown are hardly up to the mark - Ames & Baker seem to me men of larger news, but we shall be glad to welcome any or all of them. Very truly Yours &c I. W. Fahens -2 [*[(foot) Santo Domingo. Decr 28th - 1872 -]*] [*[?] copy [?]] My dear Dr. The Govt have this day signed the Convention with the commissioners, and it goes to the Senate for [its] ratification. There will be no delay there. Afterwards it will be submitted to the people of Santo Domingo for their approval. This will be given with spontaneous unanimity - The Dominicans expect much from this Company, and it will be may aim, as I am sure it will always be yours, to so direct affairs, that they shall receive real substantial benefits therefrom. The people here all ask for you & yr family, and are gratified to learn that you will probably visit them this winter. The colored americans are very particular in their inquiries for Mrs Howe, whoseJanuary 4th 1873. A happy new year for yourself & family. The Senate have this day returned the Convention with their unanimous approval. My wife and daughters are this evening at work, sewing their seven stars into the blue of the Dominican flag, corresponding to the Union Jack; which starry banner will be flying to the breeze from the foremost head of the "Tybee" tomorrow morning, and will afterwards be used at a reception by the Bay family tomorrow evening. On Monday morning we sail for Samana - As ever Yours truly I.W. Fahens-3 visit to Santo Domingo was an event in their lives. My health is somewhat better since I touched this genial soil. The first three days of the voyage my life seemed to hang by a thread. [an almost c[?] hemmorhage] But we had a mad summer passage and as I lay by an open window, without strength to lift my head from the pillow - looking out upon the placid ocean, its light ripples glancing on the sunshine, I felt that He who tempers the mind to the shorn lamb, had not forgotten me in his tender mercy - I have seized a moment to write to you now, as I may not find time to do so later on. This letter will answer for Mr Blackwell also; and with kindest regards to yr family, I remain. Very truly Yours &c JW Fabens Santo Domingo, Dec. 28, 1872