a searching investigation in order that the course he had
pursued might be vindicated by the well-considered judgment of
impartial men.

The President's selections for the Commission were wisely made.
Benjamin F. Wade of Ohio, Andrew D. White of New York, and Samuel G.
Howe of Massachusetts, were men entitled to the highest respect, and
their conclusions, based upon intelligent investigation, would exert
large influence upon public opinion. The Commission at once visited
the island (carried thither on a United-States vessel of war), made
a thorough examination of all its resources, held conferences with its
leading citizens, and concluded that the policy recommended by General
Grant should be sustained. The Commissioners corroborated General
Grant's assertion that the island could supply the United States with
the sugar, coffee, and other tropical products needed for our
consumption; and they upheld the President in his belief that the
possession of the island by the United States would by the laws of
trade make slave labor in the neighboring islands unprofitable, and
render the whole slave and caste systems odious.

In communicating the report, the President made some remarks which had
a personal bearing. "The mere rejection by the Senate of a treaty
negotiated by the President," said he, "only indicates a difference of
opinion among different departments of the Government, without touching
the character or wounding the pride of either. But when such rejection
takes place simultaneously with charges, openly made, of corruption on
the part of the President, or of those employed by him, the case is
different. Indeed, in such case the honor of the nation demands
investigation. This has been accomplished by the report of the
Commissioners, herewith transmitted, and which fully vindicates the
purity of motive and action of those who represented the United States
in the negotiation. And now my task is finished, and with it ends all
personal solicitude upon the subject. My duty being done, yours
begins, and I gladly hand over the whole matter to the judgment of the
American people and of their representatives in Congress assembled."

The pointed remarks of the President were understood as referring to
the speech made by Mr. Sumner when the resolution for the appointment
of the Commission was pending before the Senate. Mr. Sumner had
previously conceived a strong dislike to General Grant on account of
some personal