Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-07-04
MISUNDERSTANDING Cores
DOnlleAcc

The National Intelligemer Of the 9th
instant. contains long diplomatic Cor
respondence which lately ook place be-
tween our Government and that Of Ger
many, in relation to the employment of
some Of the officers of the T. S. Navy on
Through. in the service o the German
Navy. or rather in building up the latter;
and also in reference TO the arming and
fitting out of the steamer United States
purchased by the agent Of the German
Government in New York in February
last
1t seems that in November last the
German Government expressed to our
Minister Mr.. DonelSon a desire to obtain
the services of some of our Navy Officers.
temporarily. in building up their Navy,
which was commune ated to our Secreta-
ry of State Mr. Buchanan. In compl-
ance with this desire, Commodore Parker
was directed by order of President Polk
to proceed to Berlin and Frankfort, and
inform himself as to the particular wishes
OF the German Government, in order that
proper information might be laid before
oo' N'o ~ Ch"oiC tilCiiI ~ ACT upon the
subject. On the 9th of January Com
modore Parker addressed letter from
Frankfort on the Maine, to Mr.. Mason.
Secretary Of the 5 MsaaXvu saying 1sha1 tls
creation Of a German Navy. and that as
Germ any and Denmark were about to be
involved in hostilties with each other, it
was. in his opinion. unwise TO accede TO
the request, any further than to allow the
Officers of the Navy to give advice.
In February last Baron Roenne adj
dressed letter to Mr. Mason, thanking
the President for the mission of Commo-
dore Parker. and requesting in the name
of his Government, that all Officer of the
L. 5. Navy of the rank of Lieutenant or
Commander might be designated to pro-
ceed to New \ ork to assist the agent OF
! the German Government in the selection
and purchase Of large War Steamer,
and if any should be purchased. to take
command of her, to superintend the arm
ing and equipment of her. to engage a
crew and officers, and when ready. to
take her to Bremen-haven. there to re-
ceve the further orders Of the German
Government He further requested that
proper orders might be issued to the
Commandant of the Navy Yard at New
York to afford facilities for the equipment
of the Steamer.
The Secretary Of the NAVY declined to
designate an Officer to command the
Steamer. on the ground that it would be
a violation of Neutrality towards Den
mark, but issued orders to Captain Nc
keern Commandant of the \. Y. Navy
Yard to afford facilities for fitting out the
steamer.
Thus matters stood, until the 10Th O
March. when Mr. Preston the present
Secretary Of the Navy revoked the order
to Capt. Mckeern. for the reason that il
might be regarded as a violation of oul
friendly relation. with Denmark
On the Cd of April Mr.. Steen Bile, the
Danish Minister, addressed a formal pro-
test to Mr.. Clayton, Secretary of State
against the fitting out Of vessel in New
ork or its sailing thence. under Ameri
can colorS, as was intended.
The Attorney General having given i
as his opinion. that it would be a clea
violation of internatona al law. it was fin al
ly determined by our government that tbs
vessel should not be allowed TO depar
without giving bond in double her value
conditioned that she should not be EN-
ployed TO commit hostlltles against an,
State or people with whom the Unite,
States are at peace.
The German Minister relied on III
opinion Of b F. Butler. Esq. as TO th
legality Of the proceeding It is a ma,
ter of congratulation that this delic at
: matter has been disposed of so justly b
our Government. and without in the leas
i I II
of the belligeren,s.
A letter received at the office Of tn