The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-20

powerful coniederaoy obtained free passage for
their ships and cargoes through the straits, and en-
Ijoyed privileges which fused to other pow
ers, while they were capable of maintaining their
rights. In the year 1891, Denmark, percsiying
that the Hanse-rowns held IA err authority over the
sound IN utter contempt, deem led il advisable
H1e other powers TO engage in the trade of the Bal
uei ana convention was accordingly entered into
with England, and subssque nty with Holland by
which they were permitted to navigate the sound
by paying an exceedingly moderate toll In 1915,
seems that the latter country paid nothing what
ever in the shape of tolls but stipulated amount, of
but little magnitude, instead thereof This, as was
intended, was blow at the Hanseatc confedera-
leyi and in its name Lubec demanded the imme.
date exclusion of the Dutch from the Bal
tic--a demand winch was treated somewhat
slghtingly, for IN the year 1914, a treaty of
commerce was concluded between Christian ILL., of
Denmark, and Chares> Y, Gas regent of the Meth
erands by which the Sbbjeets of the high contract
ing parties permitted ''to trade with each 9TH
or by paying the dues (sound Of course) which had
existed since times QfotL" Tie Dutch at this peri
cd were great commercial people, and the stipu-
stions which they entered nto impaired dignity to
the pretensioIAs set up by the Danes 10 the sound
The influence of the Han s.Fowns began to decline
about the end of the 18th century, but they exer-
cised to a considerable degree, supremacy over the
Baltic and North seas, until about the middle Of the
l6sb century. From their unceasing quarrels with
Denmark relative 10 the sound tolls, recourse was
had tOnegotiaons, and in 1860 "theking Of Denmark
and his subjects on the part, and the honorable
Hanseatic cities, and the merchants thereof on the
other part" concluded the iIsay ofLls Odsnms. In
1863, Denmark Wa involved IN n war with Swe-
den, and she made II n pHrext TO increase the sound
tolls against the Hanse- Towns, notwithstanding her
covenant to the eontrarI three years before and
which still in force; but tbs Hanse- Towns were
compelled to submit vii imPuniGy to this aagrant
violation upon her oblig atoms. Ia 1870, treaty Of
peace was entered into between Denmark and Swe-
den at Stetn, by vhlt IN 1t agreed that tho lat
power should be c: tempted from the dues Of the
sound; but this was 'evaded from time to time by
Denmark in levying the toll upon the wines intend
ed for Queen Christi la's own private use, and
! by the prohibition OF ammunition when Sweden
was in absolute want Of 1t for prosecuting the
30 years war. At Ia ct she became iHoierant
az to search Swedish vessels, unnecessarily detan
them anu in some insi to carry them to Copen.
hagen. The Meth eriands experienced but little bet
ter treatment. The Stakeholder complained, and he
was pat OF with promises In l640, the year after
the dissolution Of the ,Hanssatic oonfederacy, the
Neherla nds which had secured their ndence
formed a compact with Sweden for the maintenance
Of their respective rig hts aud, in 1885, new treaty
was completed between Denmark and Sweden and on
the same day, 18Th Aug'ust,) one between Denmark
and the Netherlands In the negotiations which led to
them, the Dutch and Swedish plenipotentiaries de-
handed free navigation through the sound for oil
ons The Danish penpsentia ries commended that the
sound was emphatically Dan ISL canal and that the
dues collected were of similar character to those
exacted at the mouths of certarl rivers in Germany
and Holland. France, acting as mediator, held the
question under consideration, to be decided at a
more convenient period; and subsequently she sus
tanned the interests Of Denmark, for which she was
rewarded by bestowal of the same advantages to
her flag had been besto we'd upon the Netherlands
and without any lmi tation TO duration. In 1854
Great Britain concluded treaty with Denmark
which was renewed in 1870, by which all the ad-
vantages to be enjoyed by her which had been
conferred upon the n eherIands. Previous to 1920
(from l647) Denmark fixed the toll in her treaties
with other countries in conformity to the terms
" put aiACt tiiHe sHe
placed them upon the footing of the "most favored
nations" Sweden, in consideration of the resto-
ration of her provinces, which had been conquer |
ed by Denmark, stipulated to pay in future /
by the treaty of Fred ericksburg, of third June,
1720-the rate Of ouni dues that collect |
ed upon the ships and cargoes Of the most favored |
nations, reserving herself the right establish
commssary at Elsineur, to prevent impostons |
upon her commerce and navigation. These condi- |
tons and lgations--athough several treaties |
have been made between the two states snce-con- |
tinue be observed. During the eighteenth centu-
ry, Sweden having been quoted, the sound tolls |
seem to have been submitted to by other nations
without any resistance. Denmark concluded several
new treaties but of them contained provisions
prohihory of the exacton Of tb dues demanded at
EIsineur.
This was the position in which Denmark was
found when the congress- of Vienna assembled
Truly may it be said that perseverance, over
comes everything but the waves By persistine
for four centuries in system of illicit de-
mands, which no writer on national law can
Justly distinguish from ocean robberies, Den
mark really to imagine that the sound
which connects the Baltic and North seas is sdb-
stantally and unchangeably her property--her sea
nal" as it was designated by her diplomatists in
1915 She is not unlike the man, who fancied for 80
long period that he was the owner Of "a white po-
ney, that he was induced to buy saddle and bride
for it, She has ever, at uny period, bothered her
brain to show airy legal foundation for the privilege
which she ercises. But as do not wish to ex-
coed the usual limits ofmy letters, will this
sub Ject Tomorrow. .o. ....s .. ur
| Yours, truly,
AMERiCANUS.
We find in the New York Mirror the following
notice of forthcoming work of fiction, which will
probably attract good deal of attention in the go
ciety Of Washington. Mr.. Thomas, its writer, is