Jula Ward Howe, Reminiscences: 1819-1899

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Chapter 16: visits to Santo Domingo

In the year 1872, Dr. Howe was appointed one of three commissioners to report upon the advisability of annexing Santo Domingo to the United States. The two other commissioners were Hon. Benjamin F. Wade of Ohio, and Hon. Andrew D. White. A government steamer was placed at the disposal of the commissioners, and a number of newspaper correspondents accompanied them. Prominent among these was William Henry Hurlburt, at that time identified with the ‘New York World.’ Before taking leave of his family, Dr. Howe said, ‘Remember that you cannot hear from us sooner than a month under the most favorable circumstances, so do not be frightened at our long silence.’ I have never heard an explanation of the motives which led the press in general to speak slightingly of the Tennessee, the war steamer upon which the commission embarked for Santo Domingo. Scarcely a week after her departure, a sensational account was published of a severe storm in the southern seas, and of a large steamer seen in unavailing struggle with the