New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-09-01
THE SOUND DUTIES.

THE SOUND DUTIES.
The entrsuce into the Baltic is tne" "a
narrow strait called the Sound, lying bet vsea
the Danish island Of Zealand on one side ssa
the COAT of Sweden on the other. This stra&
is about thirty miles long and some two u,ilss
wide at its narrowest point, where is builstAs
fortified town Of Elsinorc. Its fortress, CWs.
burg Castle, commands the passage. To tks
castle all merchant vessels passing 20 and ftsu
the Baltic are compelled to pay reverence b
lowering their topsails, and to the Danish Cor.
eminent all yessels-ev,n those of Denmart--
are compelled to pay toll. In ancient times sas
of the Kings of Denmark agreed to build sad
sustain lighthouses and landmarks aud otAR
necessary Improvements along tho saores Of
the Catterat, on condition that the fisuse tosS
81 ould pay tolls and duties for the saue--an
obligation subsequently assumed BY other mari
time nations.
We first read of England treating with Denmark
on the subject ia 1850. The duties which she, u
well as other countries, has paid Denmark have
varied at different times. At present England
France, Holland and Sweden pay duty Of one
Other countries, including the United States, Ny
ono and quarter per cent; even Danish ships
are taxed TO this rate. In the year 1896
treaty recognizing this duty was concluded -
tween the United States and Denmark. Tbs
treaty, however, according to one OF its shpuA-
tions may be dissolved by either of the partss
provided they give one years notice Of thslr
intention. Duriug the Presidency of John Tyisr
our Government determined to put q forciks
end to the imposition. Mr.. Upshur, then Seen
tary of State, fitted out a fleet of merchaat
men and vessels of war, under Commodore SseW.
art. which he designed should force its way 10
the Baltic and thus AZ enoe rid the United Stsiss
of the Sound duties. Mr.. Upshurs saoaen osssa'
however, by the explosion of cannon, just " "
feet was ready to starr, delayed the expedltsa
and it was finally abandoned. Mr. Calhoun Do
successor negotiated with the Danes, but ~
paid little attention to the matter, and soon an'f
more pressing business at home eDgrossed ne
entire attention of the United States Goyernm@t
and the case was allowed to rest.
-Four years afterward, in September, Isla
Mr. K p. Flenniken, the American Charge dAf
flares at Copenhagen. once more brought "
matter before the attention of the United Statss,
Government 1t was while Denmark was u
war with Schleswig. Hostein, and Dir. Flenniksn
supposiDg that Germany would Of course stpa-
late for the abolition of the Sound dutes
when a treaty of peace should be coneludsd
between the two countries, urged the Governmsas
at Washington not to allow so excellent an oppos-
tuniy for Kidding itself of the vexatous tax to psss
BY UNDECIDED In a conversation with N. Knuth.
the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs, the lAtSf
when pressed closely on the subject acknowledges
that he considered the ground taken by DeaGsrk
to be unreasonable and her demands unjust How
ever, considering the embarrassments fthe county.
he urged Mr. Flenniken to let the matter rest UNA
tie close of the war with Germany Ihls M
Flenniken agreed to do and the American Govern
ment ratified the postpoDeInent but OF the nee
time proposed that Denmark, instead n
the duties entirely should suspend them fors-
space of ten years In case they should mos
diately be suspended the United States oiierod -
pay Denmark $500 Before decisive ans~sf
could be returned the term of Office Of Mr. Flenaa-
ken had expired, and bis successor received osV
vague and unsatisfactory answers Blu! finally On
the 18th of April last the United states notlhoc
the Danish Government of their intention to cesse
paying the Sound duties and the stipulation OF ne
treaty will accordingly expire next Spring Shosso
no smicable arrangement Of the question DO n
rived at in the mean while we may then expect
to see our vessels passing the Sound Under war.
ike convoy. A serioas conflict viii then '-"''
probably arise.
Iodeed, there is reason to believe tha' % VIC
part Of Denmark tbs subject is regaraeN VIM
great anxiety. yice-Admira M'ursf A' ,s'.
been sent BY the Cabinet OF CopsnhassH =.
soecial mission to Paris to enlist the 'uYpo.s =.
II Emperor Napoleon in case Ola war o. :, .
the two countries. The Daaes fea1 80, 40
s,,t step of the American GoVern~ .i', " =. -
breaking out Of actual hos:ilitis q, CT, 4,
seize the islands Of st. Thoma> Ah1 o., ~, w..
the West ladies; and it Iops, s..ss 49, - NJ.
ADMIRAL Mourier i. evSoiAlly sas . ' %p =
"aro t6s nyoteeton france for these . 9 'l0nA''
. .hao1 ,Is .IaS danger actually menace them
o