The Haitians had lapsed long since into a condition resembling that of their African forefathers.

They reveled in the barbarities of Voodoo, a sort of snake worship, and they groveled before "presidents" and "emperors" who rose and fell on the tide of decaying civilization.

The Dominicans unhappily were not much more progressive.

Revolutions alternated with invasions and counter-invasions and effectually prevented enduring progress.
On several occasions the Dominicans had sought reannexation to Spain or had craved the protection of France as a defense against continual menace from their negro enemies and as a relief from domestic turmoil.
But every move in this direction failed because of a natural reluctance on the part of Spain and France, which was heightened by a refusal of the United States to permit what it regarded as a violation of the Monroe Doctrine.

In 1861, however, the outbreak of civil war in the United States appeared to present a favorable opportunity to obtain protection from abroad.