Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-01-10
Nr. Mdycy to Mr.. Bodinger.
DEPAR MENT OF STATE,

Na. Na5cy to Kr. Bedinger.
DEPAR MENT oF STATE,
Washington, Nov. 8, 1855.
SIR: proceed TO communicate the Presi-
dents reply to the proposition Of the Danish
government to the United States to join in o
convention with other powers interested in the
"Sound Dnes," at Copenhagen, for the purpose
of celebrating on that subject.
The friendly relations between Denmark and
the United States have never been interrupted.
The President cherishes an ardent disposition
to sustain and strengthen them, and he would
extremely regret that his determination to as
sert what he believes TO be just right in an
uGexceptiunable manner should ne regarded as
an indication of disrespect for Denmark, or a
want of proper appreciation OF her friend
ship. The exactions on foreign commerce at
the entrance into the Baltic have been pro-
ductive source of revenue to Denmark, and it
is very natural that she should struggle to re-
tain it. If these eXaotions were founded in
right the United States would be the last pow
er to interfere with her enjoyment of them.
1t is not proposed to discuss the question of
right in this communication; that has already
been done, and the United States have adopt
ed the conclusion that they are under no obi
CATION arising from international law or treaty
stipulation to yield TO this claim. Denmark,
on the contrary, has adopted a different and
an opposite conclusion. 1t is readily conceded
that both nations are anxious to arrive at a
satisfactory solution of this vexed question.
The subject interests several other powers
indeed, all maratime natiOns-and Denmark
has invited them to be represented in a con-
vention to assemble this month at COpenha
gen, to consider q proposition TO be offered by
her to capitalize this revenue, and To appor-
ton among commercial powers the sum to be
paid for the remuneration OF the present mode
of collecting it. The United States have been
respectfully invited TO send a representative TO
the proposed convention.
Without at all questioning the fair intention
of Denmark in proposing this measure, the
President feels constrained by a sense OF duty
to decline the acceptance of this invitation.
The convention is TO assume as the basis Of its
proceedings, the very right on the part of Den
mark which the United States DENY IL is as
sembled without any power 10 pass npon the
right Of Denmark to levy a contribution upon
foreign commerce, but only authorized TO ad-
Just the share to be paid by each nation in lieu
OF the collections heretofore assessed upvu
their respective vessels aud cargoes. The Uni
ted States, however contest their liability to
pay any contribution whatever. The main
question at issue between this government and
that Of Denmark Is, not how much burden
shall be borne by our commerce to the Baltic
but whether it shall be subjected 10 any bur
den at all The proposed tribunal, il will be
perceived by the restriction upon its juriSdic'
ton, is expressly precIuded from celebrating
and deciding upon the only serious question Al
issue between tie United States and Denmark
This is not, however, the only difficulty
4 a A.,
to be represented in convention. In claiming
an exemption Of our ships and their cargoes
from taxation by Denmark at the straits OF tn,
of the Baltic, the President is vindicating q
great national principle, of extensive and vari
Gus application. If yielded in one instance, i
will be difficult TO maintain i. in others.
exactions upon our trade at the entrance int
! the Baltic were acquiesced in by the Unitet
States, similar exacliOns might, on the sam,
principle, be demanded at the straits of Gibral
tar and Messina, at the Dardenelles, and on al
great navigable rivers whose upper branches
aud tributaries are occupied by different indie
pendent powers.
The President cannot admit the competency
of such a tribunal Us that proposed by Den
mark-as he would do il this government
were represented therein--to deal with prin
ciple OF such vast Importance 10 the who'll
commercial world.
There is another ground of objection t,
! Joining in the proposed convention quite a
controlling as the foregoing. The government
| Of the United States will never consent 10 th'
pretenson that the Nei5 World IS 10 be appro
| priated TO adjust the political balance OF th'
! DID, Il is clearly stated IA the proposition
I which Denmark has submitted 10 the Unite'
! States that the convention is 10 act upon th'
/ question relative TO the Sound dues in counec
/ ton with the system of the European baianc'
/ of power. Il is more than intilnated that Tia
/ former is 10 be sub0rdinated 10 the latter. q
/ the ultlity or wisdom OF the political theorl
] OF the balance of power IN It's application &
the European family OF nations il Is not pro
! posed 20 express an opinion, but enough OF u
| operations has been seen 70 impress upoa TIN
government q fixed determination 10 avoi'
! being brought within It's vortex. IL has lonl
J been the cherished policy Of this goyerninen
10 avoid such dangerous completely, aud ih
/ President will not yield Ia any case 10 III
4 slightest relaxation Of it.
Tho following qao,alion from the Danisl
document submitting the proposition to hi
/ government will show the intended conneo
ton and commixture Of the tao subjects:
" Besides this condition, there Is ssal snoihe
which the Dsuish government eonsiders essential
nausely: that the affair IN question the SCUM
/ dues be rot considered as one OF commerce
or money, bal as a political one. This WOOL
be 10 secosdance With the history Of III
Sound dues, aud With tie part which they hav
performed 10 the politics Of the north Of EUROPE
Otherwise, ths neg0iiali0a would be deprived q
thai scope usd character which are required {
prevent Is being feuerod by questions OF a second
AIRY nature, which may be pertinent 70 "a arrange
ment merely commercial and fiscal hnt not 10 Oa
desdned 20 seTye As a eomTlemant 70 treaties I
peace ard compromises by which the system Of ID
political balance has been adjusted
Ia passing upon The political questions pre-