Well I just picked up a book consisting of Frederick Douglass' collected diplomatic communications from his time as ambassador to the Dominican Republic, and including much on the topic of annexation of DR to USA. I've always considered Douglass an exemplary figure, though I may find I dislike his efforts in DR. Before I jump in I was wondering if any cared to share their thoughts/opinions or knowledge on this topic?

I have read about his tenure somewhere, although the details that I have now are sketchy. The only thing that I remember is that he painted us as a bunch of turncoats and mercenaries, while commending the efforts that the haitian diplommacy, in conjunction with some northern congressmen like Charles Sumner, did for curtailing Grant's plan of annexing the DR to the US. Although, if I might say so, the motives behind the temporary alliance between the haitian diplommacy and the northern congressmen differed a lot: the haitians knew that an annexation of the DR by the US would eventually end up in the US taking control of the whole island, and given the dreadful experience of the Reconstruction period in the US, the haitians didn't want to experience that on their own soil. While the motives of the northern congressmen were less altruistic: they knew that an annexation of the DR to the US as a territory would eventually lead to the DR being declared a state of the Union, and they didn't want to have more citizens of colour than they already had on their soil.

lautaro- thank you for the history points, do you have a reference you recommend on the subject?

Well,

You must also know that at that time of Frederick Douglas, the whole Island was considerably named Saint Domingue even after the French had left and that he wrote a poem which he dedicated to Haiti called "UNTIL SHE SPOKE" in reference to the inspiration Haiti represented to the Salve revolt and struggles.

UNTIL SHE SPOKE
By Frederick Douglas.

Until she spoke,
No Christian nation had abolished Negro slavery.
Until she spoke,
No Christian nation had given to the world an organized effort to abolish slavery.

Until she spoke,
The slave ship, followed by hungry sharks,
Greedy to devour the dead and dying slaves flung overboard to feed them,
Ploughed in peace the South Atlantic,
Painting the sea with the Negro’s blood.

Until she spoke,
The slave trade was sanctioned by all the Christian nations of the world,
And our land of liberty and light included.
Men made fortunes by this infernal traffic,
And were esteemed as good Christians,
And the standing types and representations of the Savior of the World.

Until Haiti spoke,
The church was silent, and the pulpit was dumb.
Slave-traders lived and slave-traders died.
Funeral sermons were preached over them,
And of them it was said that they died in the triumphs of the Christian faith and went to heaven among the just.


I mean, you or many Dominicans may not value or appreciate this link I am about to give you but aside the poem I would suggest you look at the whole page by clicking each contents in the table of content on the left of the page. Here is the link: http://www.haiti-usa.org/historical/index.php?chapter=026

Thanks for the poem as well as the link Consuello. The section on Sumner covering the infamous beating in the Senate chambers was f'd up to read about.

Lol I know right ha hahhh, I know (l l)!

However, that was messed up though, was it not? That is why I am saying both Haitians and Dominicans must find common grounds because in the eyes of any White foreigners we are both considered as people of color period, regardless of hues and genetic make up of ancestral blood gene pool. We are both people of Color and we both have the African blood running in us and some of us, almost the same make up of even European blood...

So what is the fuzz really all about? Are we to be like Israel and Palestine, would that be more appeasing to the cause of the Island, is that the goal both people from both Nations of DR & HAITI are seeking?

So you say that we should live up to the ignorant expectations of foreigners and be one? That is a very racist position. "Irish, Welshmen, and Scots...you're all pale, funny language Englishmen so cut this nonsense out and stop agitating for home rule...for the sake of the island." They would say "Sure, we share an island, we share history, and even genetics...but nonetheless we wish to govern ourselves". Anyway there is not as much fuzz as you like to make it out to be. We're nothing like Palestine & Israel, although you seem to want that. Being on the same island and sharing a ton of history just means ...we are neighbors.

Well I look forward to parsing out Mr. Douglass' impressions of the two people. Not sure if he'll be on this 'all the same tip' or if he'll be able to distinguish.

Great thread!!! Lautaro very interesting to put that out. Damn, isn't there a section of history you fell alseep on. Consuello aka Jesus, great post regarding his poem. Now Manhattanite made a great comment, what's the big deal. We are nieghbours and share alot of history, and other things but we are different at the end of the day and want to stay that way. Why are you imposing dominicans to like us Haitians? There pysche is different from ours although they are majority of colour the don't tend to identify with that part of there culture. I say that's there perogative and we should not worry if fulano black is tar thinks he's spaniard descendant..I am concerned about economical relations where both will benefit rather than continue to live without saying Bonjour/Buen Dia to each other in the morning. Your analogy of middle east to DR/Haitian relationship is not even close. What's up with you man..I swear you are annoying me. Just because you have dominican blood doesn't mean Haitians as myself identify as the same with the DR..Actually living there made me realize how different we are in many aspects but how close we are but separate and will remain so..What's up with all the name changes?

Now I see why NY4Life said that he doubts some Haitians don't want to invade the DR. Dude, please let these people know that many Haitians dont share your views and you are all on this by yourself. We to separate countries with issues that isn't big compare to middle east and eastern europe..

A good book about the subject is Naboth's Vineyard: The Dominican Republic, 1844-1924. Arno Press. by Sumner Welles (who, if a might add, was a relative of the aforementioned congressman, Charles Sumner). It's one of the best books written about the DR from the lens of a foreigner that I have ever read.

"So you say that we should live up to the ignorant expectations of foreigners and be one?"

Where do you see me say that we should? I am not telling you we should have one general Governance... I mean two independent sovereign Nations can co-exist precisely, as civil amicable neighbors. Who says that we are like Israel & Palestine? Do you read or even comprehend English for you to galvanize and tarnish what I said as such? Go read it again and this time slowly until you understand and comprehend the context of what I said. Do not be quick to reply simply for the mere fact to reply and not having a clue nor grasp fully anything I have said. That would be considered as impulsively ignorant of a thing to do, you feel me... Read what I wrote again, and remember sloowwlyy!