In 1869 the desirability of San Domingo (Hispaniola island) as a coaling station for US vessels and other American interests there caused a movement toward the annexation of that republic to the United States. President Grant sent General Babcock to examine into the matter and, on his favourable report, a treaty was concluded on November the 29th,1869. The Senate rejected the treaty on June the 30th, 1870, and the movement became generally unpopular. Grant still persisted and Congress concurred in sending a commission, consisting of Wade, White and Howe, to examine the matter in 1871. Their report was favourable, but Congress continued to disapprove of annexation. Grant abandoned the question in a special message in April, 1871. Research San Domingo Question
Benjamin Franklin Wade was an American statesman. He was born in 1800 and died in 1878. He was a lawyer and Whig politician in Ohio; he had been in the State Senate and served as State Judge before his entrance into the US Senate. His term in that body covers the long period of 1851 to 1869. He rapidly became known as one of the most outspoken anti-slavery and later Republican leaders. He strongly opposed the Kansas-Nebraska measure, and during the Rebellion he was chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the War. SenatorWade opposed President Lincoln to some degree on the Reconstruction problem, and was naturally in the opposition to President Johnson. He was chairman of the Committee on Territories, and was chosen President pro tern. of the Senate in 1867. President Grant appointed him to the San Domingocommission in 1871. Wade was a leading candidate for the vice-presidency in 1868, and chairman of the Ohio delegation in the convention that nominated Hayes. Research Benjamin Wade
George Wade was a British general. He was born in 1673 and died in 1748. He put down the 1715 rebellion and made military roads in the Scottish Highlands. He was field-marshal commanding the forces in Flanders against the French in 1743. However, he failed in the Jacobite rising of 1745. Research George Wade
Wade Hampton was an American politician and noted slave owner. He was born in 1754 and died in 1835. He represented South Carolina in Congress from 1795 to 1797 and from 1803 to 1805, and commanded on the Northern frontier from 1813 to 1814. He was noted as owning 3000 slaves. Research Wade Hampton
Sir George Robey (real name George Wade) was an English comedian and actor. He was born in 1869 and died in 1954. He made his first appearance on the music-hall stage at Oxford in 1891, where he soon acquired a reputation as a comedian. In 1915 he appeared in the revue 'The Bing Boys are Here' at the Alhambra, and later with other revues. He was made a CBE in 1919. Research Sir George Robey
In Norse mythology, Nastrand was the worst region of hell. It's roofs and doors were wattled with hissing snakes, ejecting poison and it was through this that murderers and perjurers were forced to wade as punishment. Research Nastrand
The Battle of West Point Virginia was a minor skirmish of the American Civil War. On May the 7th,1862, several strong detachments of Federals were landed from gunboats, and, under the command of Franklin and Sedgewick, attacked some Confederates led by Whiting and Wade Hampton. These latter, charging on the Federals from the woods, easily routed them, but were themselves compelled to retreat before the firing from the vessels. The losses were trifling on both sides. Research Battle of West Point
The Battle of White House, on the Pamunkey, in Virginia was a battle of the American Civil War during Grant's expedition against Richmond. It occurred on June the 21st, 1864, and resulted in the Confederates being defeated. A small Federal force held White House, and upon this Wade Hampton had contemplated an attack with a strong company of Confederates, chiefly cavalry. Just as the assault was about to be begun, Sheridan, who had been absent on an expedition against the West Virginia Central Railroad, arrived with 6000 men. He immediately attacked Hampton's troops. These were utterly defeated and fled. Sheridan captured a considerable number of prisoners. Research Battle of White House
Abbreviations
Research San Domingo Question
