The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-14
TREAsuRY DEPARTMENT.

r
removed.
Moses GIBSON, of Wisconsin, to be Re-
cciver Of Public Moneys at Willow River,
Wisconsin, vice John G. Floyd, who de-
clines the Office. e
SAMSON CLAYTON, Of Alabama, to be
Register of the Land Office at Lebanon, Ala
bama, vice Hugh p. Caperton, removed.
STEPHEN +. PAGE, Of Michigan, to be
Receiver of Public Moneys at Iona, Miphi-
gan, vice Frederick Hall, removed.
MERRIwETHER LEWIS CLARKE Of Mis-
sour, to be Surveyor General Of Illinois and
Missouri, vice Frederick r. Conway, re-
moved -t
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
John b. ROBERTSON, Deputy Postmas-
ter at New Haven, Connecticut.
THE "UNITED STATES" STEAMER
AFFAIR.
DEpAarmEn EMF OF STATE,
WAsHIsGros, April 10, 1919.
Baron Won RoENNE,
n. n. q. NJ. p. ofhe German Empire.
The undersigned, Secretary Of State, has been
directed by the President of the United States 10
make to the Envoy Extraordinary land Minister
Plenipotentiary of the Gcrmanic Empire tho follow
ing communication:
On entering upon the Executive office the Presi-
dents attention was called to the fact that large
steamer, named "The United States,n was fitting
out at New York. destined, as was generally belev-
ed and known for the naval service of the German
Empire. An exact inquiry into the fact, which he
at caused to be instituted resulted in abundant
evidence and irrcragabe proof, to satisfy his mind
that this war vessel was really designed to be
poycd by the Central Government of Germany in
the unfortunate contest now existing between Ger
many and Denmark A.. gtH
The United States ut this moment remain In pea CO
with all the world they contemplate with profound
to advance their true happiness and 10 reform and
improve the systems of government under which
they live. In the progress and development of the
great events which are daily ranspring in Fur ope
conflict has unhappily sprung up between Germany
and Denmark that has not failed 10 awaken q new
and lively solicitude on our part, as the common
friend of the belgerent parties 1t is precisely In
this condition Of affairs between these con tending
nations that the high and imperative duty as been
devolved upon the Executive to take III ut there
shall be violation or infringement of the laws Of
the United States, enacted expressly for the PURPOSE
Of enabling to preserve our cherished relations Of
amty and good understanding with all foreign Pow
crs, and to fulfil with strict impartality the duties Of
neutrality, and all the obligations Of our treaties with
those Powers. This grave duty Is enjoined by the
constitution Of the United States which, by solemn
and defend"
The enlightened Minister of Germany cannot be
ignorant OF the existence of the act of Congress of
the Goth April, 1915, entitled An act in addition to
the United States, and TO repeal the acts therein
mentioned" To the stringent provisions of that
statute tho undersigned Ia now Instructed by the
President to invite your Excellencys special atten
ton Its lh section requires the forcible detention
Of vessels Of the character described land within its
purview comes, unquGstionaby, the steamer United
States, when about TO depart under circumstances
which render i probable that they are intended to
commit hostilities agninst friendly Power. An
other section, tho 3d. imposes fine and imprison-
ment all persons engaged In such enterprises and
also the forfeiture of said vessels. And Its 10th Sec
ton makes it's obligatory on the owners &c. ofsuch
vessels TO enter into bond to the United States not
to commit hostilities against any nation with which
the United States are at peace BY the 6th section
OF the act the President Is fully empowered and re-
qured to execute the law by carrying all its provs-
ions into effect.
Moreover, you are aware that the Government OF
Denmark has entered a formal protest against the
fitting out of this vessel for the objects alleged. In
answer to the protest, the Danish Minister has re-
ceived from the President the most satisfactory
snrances in reference TO the views and feelings OF the
American Government, and in regard to tho course
which the latter under the circumstances believe 1t
to BIO a duty to pursue. Independently however of
tho consideration just adverted TO- 1t Is due to your
Exccllency to state that che President, guided by
sense Of justice and good faith, has already, before
the protest of Denmark was laid before him. deter
termned that It was his bounden duty to respect the
rights of friendly power and, Ii absolutely neces
sary to enforce, TO the very letter. all the pro-
visions of our laws which were passed and intended
to protect those rights.
But while thus firmly resolved to discharge duty
which was due to Denmark, the President is equally
DESTROYS, nay anxious, TO convince the German
.Ixn
cultivate the mos. cordial relations OF amity and
goodwill with thcm and to oyncc most clearly tho
friendly split which aniniates him, by exhibiting u
signal mark Of the confidence he reposes in the
honor and integrity Of The distinguished individual
who worthily represents the German Empire and
people near this Government. To this end, the I'M
dersigned is now authorized by tho President say
to your Excelency, in all frankncss, that the mo-
ment you shall be prepared to communicate to the
undersigned in writing, the solemn assurance that
the vessel in question now fitting out in the harbor
Of New York is not designed and intended TO be,
and will not be, employed by your Government
against any power with which the United States
are now at peace such assurance on your part will
DO deemed and taken by the President sufficient
pledge and security to remove all doubt from his
mind, and to justify him in suffering the steamer
quit the port Of New York, and to proceed, with
out interruption or hindrance TO her destination
whatever that destination may be; il being distinctly
understood tint tho said steamer, while the pro-
pcrty of the German Government or OF her agent,
shall thus proceed In hor true charater Of German
vessel.
The undersigned, in making thia communication,
which he trusts your ExcGcncy will receive and
part to your Government In the spirit in which II
originated and has been made most gladly avails
himself Of the opportunity which II affords TO reitcr-
ate 10 your Escellency the assurances given by his
predecessor in the name Of the Government and peo
pie Of tho United States that the President will ever
be readylnnd studons to foster the friendship now
80 happily subsisting between our respective
tries and to promote far may consist with his
public duty, the prosperity Of the German Confed-
Grafton, and the accomplishments tho great objects
which The German people have III view.
Tho undersigned has the hoRos TO renow to your
Exceency the assurance Of his distinguished con.
| sideration. JOHN NJ. CLAYTON.