New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-03
Washington, Nov. 3, 1855.

Mr.. Marcy TO Mr.. BediRger.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, Nov. 3, 1855.
SIR ! proceed to communicate the President
repy TO the proposition Of the Danish Government to
the United States to join in convention with other
Powers interested in the Sound Dues at Copen-
hagen for the purpose of celebrating on that subject
The friendly relations between Denmark and the
United States have never been interrupted. The Pres-
dent chershes ardent disposition to sustain and
strengthen them, and he would extremely regret mat
his determination to assert what he believes to be
inst ,cht in an unexceptiOnabc manner should be re-
garded az an indication of disrespcct for Denmark or
a want of proper appreciation OF her friendship. Inc
emotions on foreign commerce at the entrance lntothe
Baltic have been productive source of revenue to
Denmark and il II very Datural that she should strug
ole to retain it, If these emotions were founded IN
right The United States would be the last Power to IN
ttrf.re with her enjoyment OF them.
Ii il not proposed to discuss the question OF TgM
in this communications that has already been done,
and the United States have adopted the conclusion
that they are under obligation arising from inteTna
tona law treaty stipulation 10 yield 10 TINS cialin
Denmark on the contrary, has adopted different and
an opposite conclusion. II is readily conceded that
both nations are anxious to arrive at satisfactory So
luton of this vexed question. The SUBJECT interests
several other Powers-indeed, all maritime nations
and Denmark has invited them to be represented IN
convention to assemble this month at Copenhagen to
consider proposition to be offered by her to captahze
this revenue, and TO apportlon among comherciai
powers the to be paid for this remuneration Oh e
nreseu mode of collecting il. The United States have
been respectfuly invited to send representative to
the proposed convention.
Without at all questioning the fair intention oil Den
mark in protesting this measure the President feels
constrained nv sense of duty to decline the accept
auce Of this invitation. The Convention IL 10 assume
as the basis of s proceedings the very rlght on lie
part of Denmark which the United cta'es uehy' II
i assembled without any power to pass upon the
RIGHT of Denmark TO levy contribution upon foreign
commerce, but only authorized to adjust the share to
be paid by each nation in lieu of the collections there
of0re Assessed upon their respective vessels anu car
goes The United States, however, contest then Ma
hiljty TO nav any contribution whatever. The man
question at issue between this Government and that OF
Denmark IT, not how much burden shall be borne by
our commerce to the Baltic but whether II sha il Pe
subjected 10 any burden at all. The proposed trb-
una il will be perceived by the restriction upon It's
jurisdiction is expressly precluded from dehOeratlng
and deciding upon the only serious question at issue
between the United States and Denmark.
This Is not, however, the only clficuty winch pre-,
vents the President from consentng to be represented
in the Convention. In claiming an exemption ol our
ships and their cargoes from taxation by Denmark ~
the Straits of the Baltic the President y Nlndcathg
great national principle OF extensive and ya1ou, aPp
cation. If welded IN instance, 1t VIII be dhicu,
To maintain il in other. II exactIons upon our trade
at the entrance into the Baltic were acqueSced IN ny
the United States, similar eNactlon- might on the same
princp, be demanded at the Straits OF Gibraltar ana
Mersina at the Dardaueles, and on all great naviga
bic rivers whose upper branches ana tributaries AT
occupied by different independent Powers.
The President cannot admit the competency OF sucn
tribunal IA that proposed by Denmark-as he wouii
do if this Government were represented thercm-to
deal with principle of such vast Importance TO the
whole commercial world.
There ia another ground Vt objection to joining IN
the proposed Hton quite as controlling IA either
| Of the ior, going. The Government OF the United
states viii never consent to the pretenson that The
Nee World is to De appropriated To ADJUST the poica
balance VI the OIL IL is clearly stated IN the popo
! siiion which Denmark has submitted to the United
States that the convention - To act upon the question
relative 10 the Sound Dues IN connection with the sys-
| ten of the European balance Of power IL Is more
than ntimat.d that the former = to be suborlnaed To
! the latter OF the utility wisdom OF the political
theory of the balance Of power in IT. application Ia the
European family OF nations II Is not proposed 10 eA-
! r,ss an oulion; but enough of its operations hhs
! been seen TO impress upon this Government h1ed
determination TO avoid being brought within It's vortex
IL has hong been the cherished policy oi this Hov,rn'
mcrt to avoid such n dangerous completely, ana inc
President will Yield IN any case To the slightest re-
| taxation Of It. , 81, -.
The following quotation from the Danish aocuineh,
| .ulmitting the proposition 10 this Government wan
how the intended connection and comniAtwe Oh tho
| two subjects: ,t.,.
"Besido this condition there il It'll another which
The Danirh Government considers essential namely
Iai the affair in question ihr Sound Duel be not con
| sidcr,d ~ OF commerce ~ money, but as POM
cal one This would be in accordance with the history
az the Sound DUE, and with the part which th.y nav
| reformed In he pOliiics III the moth OF Fuf"P".
| OlheIwpc Ia, Negotiation would b. acpn''o :" ''''