1859-June-19: Special agent William L.

1859-June-19: Special agent William L. Cazneau reported to Secretary of State Lewis Cass on the strategic importance of the Bay of Mancenille on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. Cazneau argued that the bay was better situated for a coaling station than St. Thomas and proposed that it be erected into a free and neutral port. He privately suggested to Dominican President Santana that ceding a strip of land to the United States would save the “harassed remnant of the white race” on the island from destruction by Haiti. Cazneau’s report reflected the continued American interest in acquiring naval outposts while maintaining a racialized view of Caribbean stability.