The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-11-28

L RI
sion, We sgain recur to it, with view Of making
our readers fully conversant with the matter
Our government quietly submitted to the inn
position, notwithstanding the remonstrances o
our sailors and ship owners, until 1914, when
the lamerted John c. Calhoun was secretary
of state, under John Tyler. He directed Mr.
Irwin, then o. 5. minister to Copenhagen, tc
open negotiations upon the subject, and at
tempt a reaceable abolition Of tie oppressive
tax. Mr. aUpshur, the predecessor Of Mr.. Cal
houn, exhibited more warlike spirit, and I'M
der his advice president Tyler had actually
fitted out squadron of men-of- war, composed
Of FIVE ships, to convoy merchantmen, with in
structions to force thepassage of the sound and
arbltrate at the lannon's mouth. Mr. Upshur's
sudden death prevented the carrying out Of his
plan, and tile negotiations Of Mr.. Calhoun re-
suited in nothing. In 1848, the matter was
again brought before the Danish government,
and whlleEit minister of foreign affairs admit
ted that the tax could-not be successfully de-
Tended, that government still temporised and
finally refused to negotiate for its abolition
The position assumed by the United States was
that, the principles of public right furnish no
basis for The pretensions of Denmark to levy
toll upon al vessels passing the sound. Ac-
cordlng to the law of nations, navigation is per-
fectly free upon the two seas connected by this
strait. Ii ought then to be equally free upon
the strait itself. Mr.. Wheaton contended that,
by the territory Of the same sovereign, and is
at the same time SO narrow as to be command
cd by canqon shot from both sides, the exclu-
sive territorial jurisdiction Of that sovereign
over such strait is controlled by the right of
other nations to communicate with the seas thus
connected But the sound is not even COM
manded OF both its sides by the Danes; since
the treaty of Roeskide, in 1858, one of its
shores appertain to Sweden It is true that
Denmark Las levied this impost tax for centu-
res. and hsr petty officials have fattened on the
spoils fchsd from helpless seamen, and exacts
It now as i;npost acquired BY the usages ofcen-
turies, sanctioned by a long series of treaties
made by various powers, generally leagues to
prop up ard maintain petty German princes.
But the origin Of this demand goes back to
very remote and barbarous period, far anterior
10 the discovery of America, and the reasons
which have suhiced to maintain it are not atall !,
applicable 10 the United States. 1rritated by
he vacillating and unsatisfactory conduct ofthe
Danish government, the United States with :
rev its former propositions, and now demand
he immediate and unconditional abolition of
be toll, ln reply to request of the Ameli-
an minister to Denmark, addressed to this gov +
rnment, secretary Marcy, who with all his po- a.
teal sins, schetning and intriguing, is an able Of
atesman, despatched the following pertinent a,
lswer: >"
''Sr: Your note of the 18Th October was re-
lived the 5ih of this month. .. In reply to IN
ur demand relative to the compensation to be Y
erred to Denmark for the abolition of the i'd
und dues, | am instructed by the president
inform yoN that he cannot authorize you to
er for that abolition any compensation what 'ii'
er which would cause to be regarded as a AL
'or that which we demand as our right
Signed, W. L. MARCY" be
The U. S. minister, Mr.. Bednger, then in er
ted that American ships should be freed I'M We
nationally from sound dues. After having .
de use o. all his talent and influence (which III;
must adnlt do not amount to much, as he ter
? mere politician, devoid of craftsmanship
i diplomatic sagacity,) without success, Mr. Ne
dinger at the request of the Danish minis off
furnished them with written memore of ito
American view Of the case, to which they in
'mised to make an official reply in writing. be
is reply has been delayed land months pass of
away without it being given, despite tie ur- do
1t solicitations Of the American minister
ally, in March, he was informed s.that as
n as circumstances would permit Denmark =,
ald enter into general negotiations with all -.
powers interested in the question Thus -
subject now rests. The Danish govern
Mt has appealed tothe governments ofFrance -.
Great Britain to aid her in keeping up the -
position, and to protect her from the United :
-f,,-,onN' or ''f'' ~ '. .'. 'no left
,. "sS, -, -, p0'''i' off
for US at present to say what aid and com -.
, if any, those nations have promised to the r
mes; but the leading commercial journals =
London and Liverpool take the American
W OF the question. Its not improbable that Ka
ore it is finally adjusted there will be an ap- as
Il to arms, and that the cannon of an Amer tif.
fleet will make an attempt, as Mr.. Upshur egs
intended in 1914, to open the strait which his
cannon of Cronburg now keep closed except sen
en- opened with golden key. Il is evident SEQ
t Denmark alone would be unable to resist I,o
United States, and it is therefore probable
she will be aided by her more powerful
5hbors, and, perhaps, b. France and Eng Inv ~
!; but whatever may be result, president =,
rec cannot now back out. He has gone so w." -.
that the honor of the nation demands that
obnoxious tax must be forever abolished. -
is infancy the United States refused to pay