The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-01-09

20
1854, is now placed on the same footing, in
respect to commercial intercourse with the U.I
S.. as the other British North American Prov
inces.
The commission which that treaty contem-
plated, for determining the rights of fishery
in rivers and mouths of rivers on the coasts
of the United States and the British North A
lmerican provinces, has been organized and
has commenced its lahors to complete which
there is needed further appropriations for the
service of another season.
SOUND DUES.
In pursuance of authority, conferred by Il re-
solution of the senate of the United States
passed on Sd of March last, notice was given
to Denmark, on the 18th of April, of the stip-
%ulation of the subsisting convention of friend
ship, commerce, and navigation between that
Kingdom and the United States, whereby eli
Their party might after ten years, terminate the
same at the expiration of one year from the
date of notice for that purpose.
The considerations which led me to call the
attention of congress to that convention, and
induced the senate to adopt the resolution refer
red to, still continues in full force. The con-
~vention contains an article, which, although it
does not directly engage the United States to
submit to the imposition of tolls on the YES
sells and cargoes Of Americans passing into
or from the Baltic sea, during the continuance
Of the treaty, yet may, by possibility, be con-
strued as implying such submission. The eX-
action Of those tolls noticing justified by any
principle of international law, it became the
right and the duty Of the United States to re-
lievc themselves from the implication of en-
gageuent on the subject, so as to be perfect
ly free to act in the premises in such a way as
their public interests and their honor shall de-.
mand.
I remain Of the opinion that the u. States
ought not to submit to the payment Of the
Sound dues, not so much because Of their a
mount, which is Il secondary matter, but be-
cause it is in effect the recognition Of the right
of Denmark to treat one of the great maritime
highways Of nations as a close sea, and the
navigation of it as a privilege for which trib-
ute may be imposed upon those who have oc-
casion to, use it.
This government, on a former occasion not
unlike the present ,signalizedi its determination
to maintain the freedom of the seas, and of
the great natural channels of navigation
The Barbary states had for a long time cocr-
ced the payment of tribute from all nations,
whose ships frequented the Mediterranean
To the demand Of such paymentm made by them
ShS iiltN otVsN tlbItouAi uhCIiii9 KISS by
their depradatiens than many other nations.
returned the explicit answer that We preferred
war to tribute, and thus opened the way to the
relief Of the commerce of the world from ar
ignorninious tax, so long submitted to by the
more powerful nations of Europe.
If the manner of the payment Of Sount
duties differs from that of the tribute formerly
t conceded to the Barbary states, still their ex.
action by Denmark has no better foundation
in right. Each was, in its origin, nothing Blu
a tax On a common right, extorted by those
who were at that time able to obstruct the free
f and secure enjoyment of it, but who no longer
t possess that power.
, Denmark, while resisting our assertion O
TIC freedom Of the Baltic Sound and Belts ha,
{; indicated q readiness to make some new ar
| rangement on the subject, and has invited tn.
governments interested, including the United
States to be represented Il in a convention to as
semble for the purpose of receiving and con
sidcring a proposition, which she intends t.
submit for the capitalization of the Sound dues
and the distribution of the sums to be paid al
| Communication among the governments, accord
4 ing to the respective proportions of their ma
ratime commerce to and from the Baltic.
r have declined in behalf of the United State!
| to accept this invitation, for the most cogcn
: reasons. One is, that Denmark does not offeI
: to submit to the convention the question of he
!, right to levy the Sound dues. A second is
: that if the convention were allowed to TAX,
h cognizance of that particular question, still
r would not be competent to deal with the grea
international principles involved which affect
! the rights in other cases of navigation ant
commercial freedom, as we'll as that of acces
s to the Baltic. Above all, by the express term
G of the proposition it is contemplated that tn
h consideration of the Sound dues shall be com
mingled with, and made subordinate to a mat
9 ter wholly extraneous to the balance of pow
or among the governments of Europe.
e While, however, rejecting this proposition
and insisting on the free transit into an,
n from the Baltic, I have expressed to Denmarl
a willingness on the part of the United States
c to share literally with other powers in com
e pensating her for any advantages, which com
e merce shall hereafter derive from expendi
$ lures made by her for the improvements an
safety of the Sounds or Belts.
d I lay before you, herewith, sundry docu
ments on the subject, in which my views ar
O more fully disclosed. Should no satisfactor
arrangement be soon concluded, l shall again
call your attention to the subject, with recon
mendation of such measures as may appea
.e to be required in order to assert the rights @
is thesUnited States, so far as they are affecte
1t by the pretensions of Denmark.
FRANCE.
N I announce with much qualification that sine
the adjournment of the last Congress, tn
if question then existing between this govern