Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1855-10-11
The Sound Dues"-what they Are.

mark, which may possibly ripen into war,
and in view of this possibility ii is invested
with considerable degree of ntere /. TIE
Sound Dues about which so much is
said in the foreign dispatches, consists of
tribute exacted by the Government of Den
mark of all vessels entering by way Of the
"Sound," into the Baltic Sea, Of whatever
nation. The exaction ofthis tribute is of
very ancient date, and was originally found
ed upon nothing more tenable than The "rght |
Of might" Denmark being formerly pow
errul marntime nation. The amount exacted |
is not entirely uniform, - England, Holland,
and Sweden paying duty Of one per cents
and all other countries one and quarter
per cent, upon the value of their cargoes.
The "Sound" is the only safe entrance for
ships into the Baltic, and consists OF the
narrow strait between the Island Of Zealand
trance ortrading vessels into the Baltic, and
Is guarded by Cronborg Castle on one side
Of the channel,-which is here only two and
a halfmies wide, land on The other stands |
Ue'siugborg. This is within range of the
guns OF Cronborg Castle, and it is here that
vessels are obliged 10 lower their torsails,
submit TO on examination and pay over the
Dues" or tribute TO the Danish Govern
ment.
The value of these exactions may be I'M
derstood when il is stated that from 1880 10
1853 the average revenue TO the Danish
treasury from this source was two and a.
quarter million thalcrs per annum, or mil
lion and half Of dollars. BY the terms Of
the treaty made in 1896 the United States
recognized the validity ofthe claim for these
"Sound Dues" but there was n stipulation
for the dissolution of the treaty by either Of
the parties. on giving to the other one years
notice Of such an intention. We learn from
a cotemporary that during the reign of Tyler
tour Government determined TO put forci-
bic end tothc imposition. Mr.. Upsher then
Secretary of State, fitted out fleet of mer-
chantmen and vessels of war, under Com
modore Stewart, which he designed should
force is way into the Baltic and thus at once
rid the United States of the Sound duties. -
Mr.. Upsher's death, however, by the exp|o-
sion of cannon, just as the fleet was ready
to start, delayed the expedition and it was
finally abandoned. Mr.. Calhoun, his sue
cessor, negotiated with the Danes. hut they
paid little attention 10 the matter, and soon
after more pressing business Mt home en-
crossed the entire attention OF the United
States Government and the case was allow
ed 10 rest"
At a subsequent period, negotiations took
place relative TO the abolition of tie pratt
cal imposition so far as American vessels
were concerned; and an offer of $3.50 COO
was made as consideration; but circum-
stances occurred which prevented a con-
summation ofthe arrangement. On the l2lh
of a ril last, however, our government gave
notice to that Of Denmark OF IFS intention to
refuse further compliance with The exaction,
as soon as the term provided for by the trea-
ty would permit. The notice will expire
next spring. This notification has caused
an intense anxiety on the part o. the Danish
government, which has reason to fear that
our government will resoutcly resist and
defy all attempts 70 coerce payment Of the
II, =, l.,