The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-10-17

AS the controversy in regard to the ''soun
n dues" is likely to occupy no small portion 8
public attention during the approaching winter
we will explain the matter. The 'ssound"is
narrow strait between the island of Zetland
i belonging to the Danes, and the Swedish coasl
and gives entrance to The Baltic sea. The for
tress of Cronburg castle commands this pas
: sage, and e1acts a payment of toll from all yes
sells entering the Baltic; the ships of Denmar
having to pay as well as foreign vessels Th
real origin OF the tax, was for the purpose Q
replenishing the Golfers of a petty duke, andth
imposition has been continued TO the presen
day, under The plea that Denmark undertook
to build and sustain a series of lighthouse
along the coast, for which all the Jamestown
agreed to pay toll. England, France, HOLLAND
and Sweden pay aduty of one per cent. on ev
cry cargo entering the Baltic. The u. States
and some other countries, pay one and a quar-
ter per cent. toll. In 1896 a treaty, recognis
ing this duty, was concluded between Denmark
and the United States. This treaty, according
to one of its provisions, could be dissolved by
either government, provided it gave one years
notice of its intention. AS the period for which
the treaty was to exist will expire in 1856, the
president of the United States in April last Of
fcially notified the Danish government that il
American vessels would refuse to acknowledge
the business Of and decline the payment of any
sound dues whatever. The president believing
it to be a unique kind of .'free trade which
throws open all the coasts, rivers and harbors
of the United States free to the vessels of Den
mark and other European governments, and at
the same time forces An American to paw a
heavy tax for the privilege of entering the Bal
tic and sailing on its bosom.
This question appears to have created some
thing of a commotion in the cabinet, and may
lead to serious difficulties with our friends on
the other side of the Atlantic. 1t is known that
several cabinet meetings have been held, with
a view of discussing the matter, and it is believ-
ed that the president and the entire cabinet,
with the exception Of Mr.. Marcy, are anxious
to back out of the scrape they have gotten into.
At all events, Mr.. Buchanan has been prevailed
@on to postpone his departure from England,
with a view Of striving to amicably arrange the
matter. According to letters received at Wash
ington from Paris, Louis Napoleon has promis-
ed Denmark the assistance of France in case
=
the United States insists upon the adjustment
of the sound dues. As a compensation for this
aid, Denmark is to join the allies against Rus
STA. If she consents to this, the attempt of the
United States to send its vessels through the
sound, without paying the TAX, will be treated
by the allies as a cause of war, and France and
will at once employ force to bring tks
Americans to reason and maintain the Danish
imposition IN its present state-an incubus to
all maritime and commercial nations. A spe-
Danish commissioner is now in Paris, as
well as a special Spanish commissioner, both of
are reported to be daily closeted with the
French minister of foreign affairs, endeayoring
to arrange treatise of alliance, offensive and de-
against Russia on the one hand and the
United States on the other.
1t would appear that the Pierce administra-
has been outwitted on all sides. I%tcannot
demand PREPARATION for the indignities put upon
our flag by the authorities of Cuba, without get
ting into a war with England. 1t cannot re-
to pay an .exorbitant tax to Denmark, for'
5he privilege of sailing on the Baltic, without
being menaced with war and a chastisement
from France and England. This is the acme
Of ''foreig Influence and foreign interference,
and we suppose the demonstration is highly
satisfactory to the anti Americans.
FALSE REPoRrs.-Designing persons have
oeen for some weeks past assiduously %circula-
ing areport that the name Of Charles Derbigny
lad been stricken from the American ticket, and
he hon. John Ray substituted as the nominee s
or governor. The report is false from first 10
asst. No change whatever has been made by t
he American party in the nominations put forth I
~ the convention, nor has any change been
contemplated. All such reports are but tricks :
the enemy, who circulate them for the pur-
of deceiving the unwary, and in the hope +
hat they may make a little political capital by {
,ropagating such rumors. Charles Derbigny
S one of the %conscrip pit fathers of native Ameri-
anism, and no member of the American party L
would have his name erased from the ticket.
Ie is esteemed and ~ardently supported by all G
Who know him, and by none more warmly than !
" the hon. Jno. Ray, who has been and is now O
'on the stump advocating his election. Let y
ur friends beware of the tricks of tie enemy. a
HI
There is an exciting struggle going on at /
Washington, between the freesoil and the Sc P
essien wings of Pierce's cabinet, as to who e
hall be appointed to Fill the judgeship made e
acant by the death of the venerable judge il
The applicants for the place are Mr.. b
and Mr.. Redcliff. The latter is backed G
V JEFF. Davis, and is a favorite with the pres =
E =. Il L. Tz.-- ~. &.@@j =