The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-19
sc d'AGaires of Denmark, Philadelphia.
Mr.. Bile TO the Secretary Of State.
DANISH LEGATION.

DANISH LEGATION
WASHINGTON, April 9, 1S49
SiR:-IIaving sent in my note of the I'd inst ana re
ceived in reply yours Of the 4th and having had
the honor Of personal interview with you i'm ex-
apprehension the of vessels of war BENZ fitted
out in this country in violation of its ueutraliy ms de
nnsd both by the recognised law Of nations am. by
quoted by me In my note of the I'd instant
might therefore abstain from any further ..r-
renee In the matter on account of nv poyernmey. .
deem it a duty to you Mr. Secretary who are c. .
upon to act in this case to make any which
to my mind shall be calculated to throw additional
light upon the subject and which possibly NAV ba 90
escaped your notice.
beg leave therefore, to call your attention to the
legal position OF the vessel In question after she shall
have left the port of New York for foreign mort
understand to be the purpose of this government to
allow upon certain securities being given to its salts
faction that the vessel shall not be used for hostile
In aid of one Of the begerent powers in the
north of Europe against the other.
The vessel may thus leave the port of New York
either as German vessel under German coors or as
an American vessel under American eolors
In the first she will bear her national character
upon the face Of her flag and be subject to seizure by
his Majestys cruisers wherever met and
bound In the latter case she will be in disguise and
involve the American flag in positive fraud
1t is known to everybody that the vessel is no longer
American she has been sold and bought
formalties may be by which it shall have been at
tempted to disguise the fact by STIMULATING the deli
very Of the vessel not to take place till after her arrival
II she was bona tide American vessel carrying mu-
nitions OF war, and clearing out from New York to
Bremen as a beligerent port, which we know to be
her destination she would be liable to seizure by his
Majesty cruisers for carrying of war the
same will be the case If she carries contrabands Of
war as cargo because she is in herself article of
conrabands Of war being constructed and purposely
so altered as to answer war purposes. Under such
circumstances the American flag could give protec
ton, were it even to bona de American proper
ty, much less SO when it Is only fraudulently made
use Of
why, then, it may be asked is the American flag 90
eagerly sought for to cover the vessel when in reality
1t can afford no legal protection under the circum-
s.ances dhe answer suggests itself readily 1t Is be-
his Majestys cruisers might possibly embroi the two
countries into to the benefit Of the party commit
this country with regard to its ag and that his Ma
jesty's cruisers, from apprehension of this kind
might possibly abstain from making such seizure.
Another scheme may be presumed that of clearing
out for some neutral ports In the vicinity Of Bremen
as for instance the Texel in Holland and thence take
their chance of reaching Bremen in safety to some
port In Norway Sweden touching at Bremen for
pretended innocent purpose or other to render the
case more complicated for the Danes under their sim
cere regard for the true American flag and If armed at
the same time guns would doubt be made use of to
increase the and enforce the deception
under the cloak Of selfdefence for the American flag
To any Of these schemes based upon evident
sbufe Of the American flag 1t is not supposed the
United States government will give its countenance
see therefore, no alternative left but that of claiming
from the vessel that she shall carry the flag of the 60
vernment to which she belongs, taking her own
course and her own risk in arriving at the place of her
And having been altered IN this country to war
steamer contrary to law 1t may nevertheless by way
OF attention to the German government, with which
this country is at peace and with which 1t wishes to
cultivate good understanding, though not to the ex-
tent of violating its neutrality at the expense of
another power with whom 1t likewise is at peace and
wishes also to cultivate good understanding be al
lowed to depart, though without armament, and on
bond or assurance being given that she shall not be
employed for war purposes against Denmark as the
other beligerent power ct the present time.
The German government has once bought the vessel;
che is their property let them therefore, have her in
their own ports fthey manage to get her there
the nucleus for the German navy they DESTROYS
OF creating Independently they say of the present
war and therefore In perspective only, which may be
deemed peaceable enough. ~. -
] shall remain in Washington until this matter is
finally settled and shall then be at your disposal
whenever you shall be pleased to request my presence
in the State Department.. -
With the greatest regard have the honor to be- Mr.
Secretary, your most obedient servant,
STEEN BILLIE.
The Hon. JOHN NJ. CLAYTON, 81
Secretary of State Of the United States. tt