The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-06-20
NAVY Dxp.xrnksr. March 49, 1919

Denmark and the German empire,
pehe nsive of conduct the part OF the
government of the United States ahording military facilities
to either of those may be regarded as voIA-
ton OF our friendly relations with the other
You wi therefore, abstain from any further parIieipa
oy 'o OF the eashr United sas a.
New York recently purchased for the rse OF Tie German
am, respectfully. your obedient servsnS -, AaA
u. s. Navy, Tarry,own. N. T.
The justification of this singular proceeding Ito say the
least of i the part OF the administration, appears in
the following extract from the letter of Mr. Clayton TO
Baron Roenne, dated April 10, ls49, which published
! in the Union of the 10th inst
On entering upon the Executive Office the P.esidents a
,ention was Called to the fact that large steamer named
The United States" was flung out at New York. des
tined generally believed and known tor the naval
r. service oil the German Empire An inquiry into the
fact which at once caused be instituted resulted in
abundant evidence and rreiragabe proof 70 satisfy his
mind that this vessel really designed to be
poyed by the Central government OF Germany in the
fortunate contest now existing between Germany and Dem
mark.
Moreover. you that the government of Dem
mark has entered formal protest against the fitting out of
the Danish minister has received from the President tho
satisfactory assurances In reference to the views and
feelings of the American government and in regard to hs
which the latter, under the circumstances believe
| il TO be duty to ptrsue
We will now examine the truth Of the pretext put
forth by the Secretary in justification of his conduct in
reference TO this matter.
First he alleges that careful inquiry into the fact has
resulted in abundant evidence and rrragabe proof to
satisfy his mind that this vessel really designed
to be employed by the Central government Of Germany in
the unfortunate existing between Germany
and Denmark" Yet, he does not condescend to give
TO Baron Roenne to the public, particle OF the
abundant evidence and irrefrasabe proo which he
alleges he has in his possession. But TO fortfy bis in
defensble course he summons in the charge from Dem
mark and he makes the required protest in support Of
the Secretarys position.
We will now proceed to show, at the expense OF lit
tie anachronsm in the chronological order of the
respondence that the course pursued by the Secretary
uas resolved upon Immediately upon his coming INTO office,
and long before the agent of Denmark appeared upon the
scene or thought that the transaction was an infringe
men of our neutrality laws, in any way an injury to
his government
It will be borne in mind that the steamer United States
was purchased about the 18th of February ls4S; and
from that time until March 10, ls49, the date OF the or
ders of suspension she was in government dock at
Brooklyn undergoing repairs and being prepared for her
armament The fact was published in the newspapers Of
the day. and notorious 10 everybody; and yet Mr. Bile,
the charge from Denmark residing Philadelphia, and
presumed to be cogni-ant of chat going on had
made no protest to our gopernnen,; and eot 10 pre-
cent the armament and departure of the "United States
He does appear upon the stage until April D. 1910,
when he made his protest which Secretary Clayton,
in justification of his conduct, alludes in his letter
Baron Roenne OF the 10th of the month"; Heretofore
published in the Union and until eeks after the
order issued for the suspension of the fitting out of
the vessel.
Now what is the fair construction be put upon these
facts None except this that the Secretary and the cab
met from motives which do expressly appear had
resolved upon the detention of the vessel and ust
fcation OF their conduct. had nstgaed Mr. Bile to make
his celebrated protest. upon which they rely for de-
fence.
That they had resolved upon the detention of the yes
sci upon the very instant of the installation of the ad
mnistration. appears from the following letter Of Mr..
Clayton to Mr. Bile, in his protest The italics
are
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, April 4, 1870
SIR have just received yoar note of the I'd instant
peans The and hns out at New YoIf OF
atfnfon attracted to this subject as soon as Itook
promptly faksa TO sraet informattn as the real
character and denafion Of Ms seamer The object was
the tfuh and collect facts and necessary
Information to enabls the government OF the United States
Judge and decide how (n the present condition OF
your government and that of Germany any
aid cooperation on part this government its off,
GERS citizens in fuhepg the naval and military views
of the German government might under the circumstances
be Justly regarded violation of the rights OF friendly
power. The information sought. far received, has
proved satsiacioy and as feel most DESTROYS to disem
barrass this question from all doubt, and 10 and
preserve tire good faith and anity between
respective governments upon the hmest basis. by frankly
the United feels bound and means pursue in its
conduct towards the government, OF Denmark deem 1t
expeden invite ron visl, Washington early
venient, aion opportunity OF making the neces
; sary explanations.
am sir with high consideration your obedient servant
JOAN NJ CLAYTON.
Mr.. SrEgS Buzz
Cha re d'AIiaes OF Denmark Philadelphia.
In this letter have the precious confession. that "ds
as" Mr. Clayton entered upon his duties Secreta
ry of State, he resolved to interfere with this business
and to put an end to it. We have given all the facts Of
importance which in the correspondence; and now
ask if it does not clearly appear from them that the
duct of Secretary Clayton influenced by both
OF the following motives: lst. premedated design TO
reflect upon and dsparagc the conduct Of his predecessor.
Mr. Buchanan and the last administrator or, to
icst TO The roid that the administration of Gen Taylor,
controlled as is By the old federaas of this country,
opposed to the popular movements in Europe IN fa-
Uer of repubiicdnism?
On the other of the horns OF this dilemma the
honorable Secretary must hang; and either OF them is
sufficiently discrediiabIe to himself the administration,
and TO the country.
In the Union of the 18th instant we proved satjsfac