Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-01-09

| the Mediterranean. 10 the last uemhnu
of such payment made by them, the Uni
ted States, although suffering less by
their depredatious than many other ma
tions, returned the explicit answer, that
We preferred war to tribute, and thus
opened the way to the relief of the COM
merce of the world from an ignominious
tax, SO long submitted to by the more
powerful nations of Europe.
The manner of paying the Sound dues
differ from that Of the tribute formerly
conceded to the Barbary States. still their
exaction by Denmark has no better fouu-
dation in right. Each was in its origin,
nothing but tax on common natural
right, extorted by those, who were at that
time able to obstruct the free and secure
enjoyment of it, but who no longer pos
sess that power.
Denmark, while resisting our ssser
tions Of the freedom Of the Baltic Sound
and Belts, has indicated u readiness to
make some new arrangements on that
subject, and has invited the governments
interested, including the United States,
to be represented in convention to as.
semble for the purpose OF receiving and
considering proposition, which she in
tonds to submit for the capitalization of
the Sound dues and the distribution Of
the sum to be paid as communication
of the governments, according to the re-
lative proportions of their maratime COM
merce TO and from the Baltic. have de-
clined in behalf Of the United States to Ro-
cept this invitation for the most cogent rea-
sons. One is, that Denmark does not Of
fer to submit to the convention the ques-
ton Of her right TO levy the Sound dues.
A second is that, if the convention were
allowed to take cognizance of that par
ticular question, still it would not be
competent to deal with the great inter
national principle involved which affects
the right in other cases Of navigation and
commercial freedom, as we'll that Of
access to the Baltic. Above all by
the express terms Of the proposition
lit is contemplated, that the consideration
of the Sound dues shall DO commingIed
with, and made subordinate TO, q mat
ter wholly extraueous, TO the balance Of
power among the governments of Eu-
rope.
While, however, rejecting this PROPOSE
ton, and insisting on the right of free
transit into and from the Baltic, I have
expressed to Denmark willingness, ON
the part of the United States, TO share lib
orally with other powers in compromising
her for any advantages. which COM
merce shall hereafter derive from any e1-
peuditures made By her for any improve
ments and safety Of navigation to tho
Sound Belts.
lay before you, herewith, sundry doc
uments on tho subject, in which my views
are more fully disclosed. Should no sa-
tisfactory arrangement be coon concluded,
l shall again call your attention TO the
subject, with recommendation of such
measures as may appear 10 be required
in order TO assert and secure the rights Of
the United States, SO far as they are effect
ed by the permission Of Denmark.
FRANCE.
l announce, with much qualification,
that, since the ad journmcnt of the last
Congress, the question, then existing be-
tween this government and that Of France,
Respecting the French consul at San
Francisco, has been satisfactorily deter
mined, and that the relations Of tho two
governments continue TO DO Of the most
friendly nature.
GREECE.
| A question, also, which has been pend
ing for several years between the United
States and the Kingdom of Greece, grow
ing out Of the sequcstration, by public
authorities Of that country, Of property
belonging to the present American consul
at Athens, and which had been the subs
ject of very earnest discussion heretofore,
has recently been settled to tho satis(ac-
ton of the party interested and Of both
| governments.
| SPAIN.
With Spain, peaceful relations arc sill
maintained, and some progress has been
made in securing the redress Of wrongs
complained Of by this government. Spain
has not only disavowed and disapproved
Of the conduct Of the officers, who illegal.
! ly seized, and detained the steamer, Black
Warrior, at Havana, but has also paid
the sum claimed as indemnify for the loss
thereby inflicted on citizens of the Uni
ted States.
In consequence OF destructive hurri-
cane, which visited Cuba in 1874, the
supreme authority Of that island issued
decree, permitting the importation
for the period Of six months of Gers
tain building materials and provisions,
free of duty. but revoked it when
about half the period had only elapsed,
TO the injury of citizens of the United
States, who had proceeded TO act on tho
faith Of that decree. The Spanish gov,
eminent refused indemnities TO the par
ties aggrieVed. until recently, when it
was assented to. payment being promised
to be made, SO soon AB the amount due
can be assertained.
Satisfaction claimed for the arrest and
search of the steamer EI Dorado has not
yet been accorded, but there is reason to