The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-30
THE DANISH SOUND TOLLS.
Correspondence 1stpeen The Secretary Of State and Mn
ister at Copenhagen
H. Marcy 20 Mr.. Bedinsey.


W. Marcy 70 Mr.. Bediago.
tErractl
DEPARTMENT STATE,
Washington, July Is, 1853
The subject of the "Sound dues collected Cronberg
Castle from American vessels has been repeatedly brought
to the notice of the Danish government by your predecs-
sors under instructions from this department The Pres
ident intends that this subject affecting njuriousy inn
porant interests Of the United States shall be pressed TO
conclusion and you accordingly instructed to obtain
early interview, after your official reception, with the
Minister Of Foreign Affairs of Denmark to communicate TO
him in emphatic but respectful terms the intention thus
entertained.
In Is4s the Minister of Foreign Affairs admitted to Mr.
Fenniken then representative the government of
that kingdom reported by him to Mr. Buchanan that
the principle upon which those dues are collected cannot
be defended This is assurcdly the II is clear that
defence be made in behalf Of principle so fa-
grany variance with the established right Of each OF
the nations Of the earth to the hberum mare
II has been alleged by Denmark that acquicscence
until years in the Esincur exactons, tacit
sanction Of their legitimacy established by usage
Is true that down to the present moment we have OIL
ered positive resistance to the collection Of the dues
but orbcarance heretofore in this respect does not JUS
y the inference that regarded them rghtfuly inn
posed and would forever acquesce in the continuance OF
this burden upon commerce.
Our mercantile marine measures at this time not less
than 100000 tons and in rapidly extending trade and
intercourse with the world is paramount object OF this
government is its Imperative duty, to remove every
obstruction 10 free by vessels sailing under
~. AZ
flag. We can recognise no immemorial usage as obg-
ntory when II conflicts with natural privileges and inter
national law These ancient customs have in many in
stances been found be inconsistent with rights now gene
rally recognised the liberal and reasonable practice Of
commercial nations and have been made to yield 10 views
better suited to the improved system of foreign trade
burdensome imposition upon that trade which has for it's
support nothing but antiquity and Is directly opposed
to modern policy win not 1t is hoped be longer insisted
on by Denmark.
The date of The origin Of the Sound tolls has bccn
far is known to this government anthcnticaiy ascer-
tanned They presumed to be the relics Of exactons by
the Norman pirates Of the dark ages As civilization adj
vanccd they enforced under the plea OF protecting
the lucrative herring fishery Scbonen The ccass Of the
three straits (Shaggeraok Cattega and the Sound
owned by Denmark until 1863 with the exception OF
thtysy years in the fourteenth century wbcn by the
treaty peace of Gohscd the cast coast OF the Great
Belt including the orthcations Of Hesnburg trans
ferred Sweden and is still owned by her The right Of
sovereignty upon which Denmark presumed, in conse~
uuepce of her ownership either side Of this connecting
link of water necessarily ceased aer this occur
renee it had been before in the slightest degree in
conformity with national law. But nevertheless, she per-
sisted at Cronberg the key the Sound in extorng large
from every bottom that passed Previous TO the
treaty with Sweden 10 the fourteenth century, the coec-
ton Of the Sound tolls rcsolutey and successfully re-
sisted by the fIanseac league Then now, they came
in direct conflict with the interests Of all the cities upon
the Baltic and that powerful confederacy nj that time in
the meridian of its greatness obtained free passage for
its ships and cargoes through the Sound In the year
ldeI Denmark, pcrccivng that the iIanseatc league
held her authority the straits in utter contempt
deemed IL judicious 10 invite other nations TO engage
in the trade of the Baltic and convention entered
into with England, and subsequently with Holland
by which their vessels permitted through the
Sound by the payment Of mere nominal tolls In i5lb y
appears that the latter country paid no tolls whatever ou