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

vantageous terms oil tho productions oil Darsh west
Indi.s for those Of the United States and TO extend
the hcne OF The liberal provisions contained Ia the
existing treaty between the two counti-s
The undersigned having laid Gan. Won Sebollen's
note before the President has been directed TO state TO
him, which he now has the honor do, that its con-
tents have received that earnest and deliberate
slider a,ion to which they entitled, well from
their imr orauce as from the high source and friendly
| motives from which they have emauntsd. The very
friendly relations which have subsised between the u
States and Denmark the perfect accord Of liberal
views, which has led the two Governments to essb-
lish their commercial intercourse upon the
larged principles OF equality and reciprociy h recent
evidence given by his Dsnish Majesty, of his desire
TO ADJUST amcably, the only subject Of difference ex-
listing between the two Governments; and the vesy
| datteriug mode selected by him. of communicating
his views aud Propositions to the Executive OF the u
S,ates, considerations too strongly indicative Of the
Kings frank and friendly dispositions towards this
try, to have been overlooked by the President, and
have added incentives to his desire to reciprocate
those friendly sentiments, and go as far as his own
sense Of executive authority could permit, in endea
voring 10 reconcile acceptance, by him, OF the pro-
positions submitted by Gen. Won schol,en, with bis
view OF the oblg atoms imposed upon the United Stos
| by existing laws, and by their solemn engagements
with other nations.
| Ac,ua,ed by these views, it has. therefore, been
with real and sincere regret that the President has
been unable, after the most deliberate consideration
and reflection. TO ovcrrule his conviction, that,
under existing circumstances, hs could not, consistent
ly with the obligations just referred to- accede to tina
terms proposed by Gen. Won Sehoen, "a the basis OF
commercial arrangement between the United States
ana Denmark founded upon reciprocal concessions oil
exclusive privileges This conviction, and the regret
II draws after IL, the undersigned has been directed to
! express to Gen. Won Scholten.
The of policy which has invariably been pur
sued by IN, United States In their commercial inter-
course with foreign patsns, and for departure from
which their Government at this time, discover
adequas cause, even il existing and imperative obi.
cations did not put out Of their power 10 do has
been to extend equal piveges to all naGns, who
sent TO reciproeae then, with the United States and
their legislation has been uniformly predicated upon
l Tha prae hava nund in
this ration Alone apart from all others, power
u motive Tor the utmost caution in considering
position, which, like that contained in Gen. Won Schol-
tens note, involved departure fiom general princ
pies and uniform practice But, In coming to deter
minaon as to The course proper for him 10 pursue,
has been governed by motives which left him still lees
free TO act upon the subject, in manner conso-
naut wi the drsire entertained by his Danish Males
~. These motives have their source in the treaties
i'm force, between the United States and other ma
tons, by virtue Of which, the productions of all of them
without distinction, admitted into ports, upon
payment of equal dutes and in all other respects up.
on equal conditions These s,ipulaiious nut Il out OF
the power OF this Government, to make any exception,
10 that regard In favor OF the possessions OF his Danish
Majesty.
In reply to so much Of General Won Scholten's note
demonstrates against the Injurious effects produced
by the heavy duties imposed upon the productions
his Danish Mejestys colonial possessions, in the ports
of the United States, and audes to measures Of re.
dress and indemnity, which bis Majesty may feel him.
self constrained resort to, in OF rejection by the
United States OF the propositions offered for their
|
instructed - cay. that the duties complained OF, form
part of the general legislative policy OF the u States
adopted with view to the protection Of their pro-
ductions, which the President considers being unde
the peculiar and appropriate direction of Congress-a
direction which he does not wish TO embarrass or a.
bridge, by any conventional compacts entered into
the executive authority, with foreign States He cam
however, with confidence, assure General Won Schol-
ten, well from lis knowledge Of the prevailing SEN
ment in that body, as from the known good WILL uni
veIsally existing towards Denmark in the u. States
aud which has extended itself every branch of this
! Government, that failure its past modify its
laws with reference to the particular interests OF his
Danish Majsstys possessions, never be ju,,ly
trbutable TO want OF disposition to improve and cher
ian the liberal and friendly relations between the
United States and Denmark, and to extend their com.
nercia intercourse as far that be done consist
emily with the respective interests OF the two counties
General Won Scholten has, in the note to which this
is wer alluded TO the measures which, in the e.
of the United States declining accept his propo-
ston, his Danish Majesty would feel himself compelled
to adopt in order to divert the trade of his West India
possessions from its present channel and to the
produce of those colonies, in country other than
the United States, exchange upon advantageous
terms Upon this branch of the subject, the under
signed directed to state to General Won Schoen that
after the many proofs which the United States have re-
ceved of his Danish Majestys friendly disposition to-
wards them, and the full and frank explanation now
given of the motives which govern the decision their
Executive this OCCASION the President feels conf
dent that whatever may be the character of those
sures they will be dictated by considerations ncon-
sistent with existing treaties, that may all impair
|
latons between the two countries. Any adopt
ed in that spirit whose sole object will be to promote
the interest of his Maestys colonial subjects whatever
may be its effects upon the commerce of the u States
cannot but be looked upon by the President with the
liberal and friendly feelings with which, II Is hop
ed his Majesty will consider the conduct of The Fede
raj Government in this negotiation. To this sentiment
the undersigned begs leave TO add his conviction
that, in the arrangements which the Danish Govern
ment find exPedent to adopt in relation TO its
West India trade, il will not lose sight of the natural
and undoubed advantages which ii derives from the
relative geographical situation, and the respective pro.
ductions, of the Danish islands and the United States
In concluding this note, the undersigned cannot, in
justice to his feelings, refrain from expressing to
General Won Schoen his deep sense of the satisfaction
which he has derived from the frank and friendly
in which this negotiation has been opened and
Quoted by General Won Scholten. Such dispositions
could not but meet with full reciprocaton the part
of this Governments and the undersigned finds in these
mutual good feelings additional cause TO regret that
il could not reconcile with its of duty and
exPedency ready acceptance of the friendly over
lures made by the Government of his Dan sh Majesty.
The undersigned avails himself OF this opportunity
renew to General Won Schoten the assurance Of his
most distinguished consideration.
M. VAN buren,.
General Von Seholten 10 Mr.. Pan Buren,.
WASHINGTON, December 4, 1880.
The undersigned, Major General Won Schollen, Co
General of his Danish Maiestys West India pos.
sessions, and charged with special mission the u.
States's Government, has the honour to acknowledge
the receipt of the which addressed to him on
the 29h ult by Mr. NJ. Van Buren, Secretary of State
of tho United States: and while he aments the failure
Of his mission, therein communicated, he cannot but
highly appreciate the fTankness and candor with which
the Secretary Of Sate by the Presidents orler has
| entered upon the whole question.