Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-01-29

people. fair system Of duties and imposis, which
shalt admit tho possibility Of exchange OF commcd
les, appears therefore, to he he indispensable eehdi
tion contemplated by the commercial ntert st through
out the woj; and departure from II, by exorbitant
and prohbi,ory duties, failed 10 draw forth COM
plants from the parties sygreved though the present
state OF commerce does not admit OF more specihc
expresson. From this view OF the subject, the under
signed cannot rsiinquish the hope that Il may be
deemed fair by tho United 5 ates' Government, and at
the same time suit its interests, modify and
duee the present duties, which weigh so heavily upon
the staples Of the West Indies as favour to any
colony in particular, bu, general measure enly Tor
the purpose OF preserving benehc intercourse with
the West Iudies Whereas, however, the Secretary of
State has stated Il TO be subject which the President
considers beiug under the peculiar aud appropriate
direction OF Congress. the undersigned s
lest he should be wanting in his duty with regard
the nteres, con6ded to his care he did not
specially request from the President that the various
observations made by the undersigned relative to the
West India trade, might be laid before the Legislature
OF the United States, which shall have to decide upon
rule OF policy, in which the interest OF impor-
tant part Of his Msj.stys possessions is deeply
cerned The undersigned takes, therefore, the liberty
to request the favour Of the Secretary Of State sub
| note.
In discussing the sutjec, Of commercial intercourse
bs,ween the United States aud his Danish NJ esy's
West India possessions the undersigned has eded
with frankness and candor, and is happy find thar
the Secretary OF State has done him the Justice 10
knowledge that no unttiendly feelings have been in-
volved in the question From impression that a
concentrated trade with the United States would be
more beneficial TO the island of ST. Croix as
OF more certainty and regularity in its operation than
scattered intercourse with Europe in general the trade
OF the colony was actually confined by law. Ameri
vessels the only foreign vessels admitted into
the colony, and the intercourse with the United States
the only foreign intercourse, beyond the Vast India
seas, allowed. No wonder, then, that this intercourse
should have increased to the extent time did,
that should have been felt in the
same ratio when the resources oil the colony actually
were rendered unavailable in the American market
This having been the case, the system beca no
longer tenabe and, i'm explaining that TO
the United States nt the unde alters
hiBelf to have removed every unfavorable mpre
which otherwise might result from the adoption of a
new system for the colonial trade of the sland OF ST
Croix. should continuation Of the present duties in the
United States upon the staples Of the West Indies
der the same indsp.usably necessary: he feeis how
ever perfectly satisfied that departure from the pre-
sent system will be made without the greatest reiuc-
lance, and that, therefore, will be limited such
measure: only as The interest of the colony may be
deemed inperiously TO reguirs.
Although the negotiations opened by the undersign
ed with the Secretary OF Sae have to suit Ia
vorabls TO the views of his Majesys Government yet
the undersigned has derived great satisfaction from the
good f. cling and friendly disposition evinced by the
United States Government upon this occasion, aud
which presents an additional pledge OF that good
derstandug between the two countries which il will
no less be his Massty's desire cultivate and improve
In concluding this note, the undersigned beg- leave
acknowledgement, OF the courtesy which has been extend.
ed to him. and avsis biase OF this opportui TO ten
der to the Secretary OF ate the of his most
disting ushed consideration. p. Won SCHOLTEN.
| Mr.. MARTIN VAN buren,,
Secretary Of State Of the United States.
| Mr.. Pan Buren, to Gen Pom Sch0iten.
| DEPARTMENT OF STATE, :
| Washington, Dec 10, 1880. y
The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United
ates has submitted to the Pfe.iJeni the note which
Major General Won Schol,en Governor General of his
Dani'h Majesty's West India possessions, aud his spe
cial Minister 10 the United States, pleased to adj
/ Iraae foh Ia ,l
which the undersigned by the direction of the Prss.
dent Wrote to him on the ooh umo upon tie sub
ject OF certain propositions which he had made this
Government, tor the regulation OF the commercial
| course between the United States and his Danih Ma
jesty's said possessions.
The under-gnsd is expressly directed by the Pre-
sdent to observe TO General Won Scholten as he has
the honor OF doing, in reply this last commune alton
from him, Tn In The exercise of the high and spon
bie duty with which he is charged by the constitution
and laws oihs union, in regard 10 its foreign relations
he could derive no greater satisfaction than from cor
dial and jealous cooperation with his Danish Majesty
In acc immodstng the commercial intercourse
the United States and the Danish West India possess
sons to the views and wishes of his Danish Majesty up
on the subject, as far IS this nigh, he found COM
petent TO him, and not Incompatible with his sense of
the paramount interests OF his constituents of their
engagements TO other Ststes. Under these circun-
Stances the fsgned is likewise especially instruct
ed by the President to repeat to General Won Schoen
upon the present eccasoD the deep regret which was
experienced at having been obliged, by fe consdera
lions which are already made known TO him. to decline
accedIng to the ovefures Of General Won Scholen in
behalf oi his sovereign, upon that important concern
The undersigned has great pleasure, however, in sta
ting, by direction also the President, that he will take
an early opportunity, in conformity with the wish
pressed by General Won Scholten, TO submit Con.
gress during its present session. copy OF the entire
correspondence which has passed between Genera!
Won Scholten and this Department, in relation to the
proposed modification Of the commercial intercourse
| TERED 10.
The undersigned renews TO General Voc SchoIten
The assurance OF his distinguished consideration.
M VAN DUREN.
General Pom Scholten to Mr. Pan Buren,
WAsHINGroN, Dec. III, 1880
The undersigned Major General Won Scholten, CO.
General Of his Danish Masstys Wes, India pos
sessions, aud charged with special mission TO the u
MED States Government has the honor to acknowledge