The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-23

Although, as | have before remarked, nothing
whatever transpired in the Congress Of Vienna con-
corning the Sound tolls. Denmark, have been 10
formed, has occasionally given vague limitations
that they were guaranteed as an indemnity for the
surrender Of Norway TO Sweden. Admitting this
to be true, and that every European state was irreV
ocaby bound by the commitment Of that body; as
the United States were not party in any way, no
obligations were or could have been imposed upon
them. Whatever blunders our government may
have committed during It's existence, in diplomacy,
Il has at least never entertained the idea OF sur.
rendering any portion Of its Invaluable blrth-right
(the freedom Of the ocean highway to any earthly
power. Thai il knows how TO appreciate; hat il
will be ready and willing to defend, regard
less Of cost or consequences. Complicated ques-
tons should be adjusted by negotiation; simple ones
require no waste Of words or the latter character
is that Of the Danish Sound tolls. II a man post
himself at your door and forbid your entrance I'M
less you pay him an eagle, you will not stop TO ar
que the justice Of hiS demand, but will at once have
recourse to action. You not, however, more ef-
hciently protected in your domicary rights by the
laws Of your country, than commerce and navigation
is protected upon the ocean by the law Of nations,
II a New Bedford whsler should deem il advisable
to proceed direct from the Pacific to Stettn, with
cargo of oil and bone, and our government should
send a feet of men-ofwar as a convoy to her
through the Sound, by which she would be enabled
to eyade the payment Of the dues, no power state
in the universe would or could comp lain Of the pro-
eedure. On the contrary, it would be justified by
every civilized country proper act, urgently de-
manded by our interests.
| do not wish to be understood as advocating an
immediate resort to harsh measures We have a
convention of Friendship, commerce, and naviga-
ton" with Denmark, the term Of which expired on
the 26th of April 1885, but its operations are not
cease until after a twelvemonth's notice has been
given. That notice should be authorized by Con-
gress at its next session. and should be accompanied
by distinct and unequivocal avowal from our gov
eminent of its determination, as soon as the period
elapses, to stand upon our heaven-reserved rights,
and leave the consequences to Christian VIII, king
Of Denmark. In the convention referred to, it is
stipulated, Cart So "nether the vessels of the Uni
ted States nor their cargoes shall, when they pass
the Sound or the Belts pay higher or other duties
than those which are may be paid by the most
favored nation" 1t is unfortunate that our peni.
pot ,ntary should have considered the Sound tolls
sufficient importance to entitle them to mention in
the negotiation which he was conducting. It pro-
ceeded no doubt, from the limited information in
his possession relative TO their merits at period so
far back 1926; but having done So it seems moth
ing more than respectful that should await the COW
enanted condition for the abrogation ofthe provision
In the meantime, the contemplated railroad between
Hamburg and Lubec, aided by other means which
at work, may exercise a salutary agency in in
Auencing Denmark to voluntarily abandon such an
absurdity as her claim to the Sound. II it were, in
Decd "her canal"-excaveted by her own hands in
stead of by the God of industry under scien.
t6c discoveries will render it worthless. The
iron rail and the locomotive across Hostein will
cause to be deserted If vessels arc not permitted
plough its waters freely.
In future letter ] shall take occasion to notice
the workings of the Danish and other reciprocity
treaties that we have contracted. They have served
US good purpose, but we must make them add
tionally useful.
Yours, truly,
AMERICANUS.