The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-01-02

TO commercial intercourse with the United States.
as the other British North American provinces.
The commission, which that treaty contemplated
for determining the rights of fishery in rivers and
mouths of rivers ON the coasts OF fhe uhiteo
States and the British North American provinces
has been organized and has commenced its la
bors to complete which there Is needed fur
ther appropriations for the service of another sea
son.
SOUND DUES 4s-ss,ssI
In pursuance of the authority. conferred by
resolution of the Senate of the United States pass
ed on the Sd of March last notice was given to
Denmark, on the 18th day of April, OF the inten
ton of this government avail itself of the spn
lation OF the subsisting convention of friendship
commerce and navigation between that Kingdom
and the United States whereby either party might
after ten years. terminate the same at the expira
ton of one year from the date of notice for that
purpose.
The considerations which led me to call the at.
tention OF Congress to that convention, and in.
duced the Senate to adopt the resolution referred
to, still continue in full force. The convention
contains an article which, although it does not di-
reetly engage the United States to submit to the
imposition OF tolls on the vessels and cargoes of
Americans passing into or from the Baltic sea,
during the continuance of the treaty, yet may, by
possiollty, be construed as implying such submis-
sion The exaction of those tolls not being justi-
ned by any principal of international law il be-
came the right and the duty of the United States to
relieve themselves from the implication of engage
ment on the subject so as TO be perfectly free to
act IN the premises in such way as their public in
terests and honor shall demand -s. u
remain of the opinion that the United States
ought not to submit to the payment of the Sound
dues-not much because of their amount which
is a secondary matter but because it is in effect
the recognition of the right of Denmark to treat
one of the great maritime highways of nations as
close sea, and the navigation of it privilege
for which tribute may be imposed upon those who
have occasion to use it.
This government, ON a former occasion not un-
like the present, signazed its determination to
maintain the freedom of the seas, and of the great
natural channels of navigation. The Barbary
States had, for long tlme coerced the payment of
tribute from all nations whose ships requented the
Mediterranean. To the last demand of such pay
ment made by them, the United States, although
suffering less by their depredations than many
other nations, returned the explicit answer that
preferred war to tribute and thus opened the way
to the relief of the commerce of the world from an
isnominious tax, so long submitted to by the more
powerful nations of Europe.
Ii the manner of payment of the Sound dues dit
fer from that of the tribute formerly conceded TO
the Barbary States, still their exaction by Den
mark has no better foundation in right. Each was,
in its origin, nothing but tax common natu-
raj right, extortcd by those who were at that tme
able to obstruct the free and secure enjoyment OF
it, but who no longer possess that power.
Denmark while resisting our assertion of the
freedom of the Baltic Sound and Belts, has indi-
Gated a readiness to make some new arrange
ment on the subject and has invited the govern
ments interested including the United States,
to be represented in convention to assemble for
the purpose of receiving and considering propO-
sitiOn, which she intends to submit for the capital
ization of the Sound dues, and the distribution of
the sum to be paid as communication among the
governments, according to the respective proper
tions of their maratme commerce to and from
the Baltic. l have declined in behalf of the
United States to accept this invitation, for the
most cogent reasons. One is that Denmark does
not offer to submit to the convention the
question of her right to levy the Sound dues.
A second is, that if the convention were allowed
to take cognzanee OF that particular question,
still it would not be competent to deal with the
great international principle involved which affects
the right in other cases of navigation and com.
mercid freedom, well as that of access to the
Baltic. Above all, by the express terms of the
proposition it is contemplated that the considera-
ton of the Sound dues shall be commngled with,
and made subordinate to a matter wholly extrane-
Gus, the balance of power among the governments
of Europe.
While, however, rejecting this proposition, and
insisting the right of free transit into and from
the Baltic, have expressed to Denmark will
ingness, the part of the United States to share
liberally with other powers in compensating her
for any advantages, which commerce shall hereaf-
ter derive from expenditures made by her for the
Improvement and safety of the navigation of the
Sound or Belts.
the subject, in which my views are more fully dis
closed. Should satisfactory arrangements be
concluded shall again call your attention to
the subject, with recommendation of such meas
ureS az may appear to be required i'll order to as
sert and secure the rights of the United States so
far as they are affected by the Bretepsipns of Den
marx.
FRANCE F..t
/ announce with much qualification that, since
the adjournment of the last Congress, the Ques-
tion, then existing between this government and
that of France respecting the French consul at San
Francisco, has been satisfactorialy determined,
and that the relations of the two governments CON
tinue to be of the most friendly nature.
. GREECE. ..-f-s
A question. also, which has been pending for Sc
veral yeaps between the United States and the
Kingdom of Greece, growing out of the sequestra-
tion, by public authorities of that country of prop
erty belonging to the present American consul at
Athens, and which had been the subject of very
earnest discussion heretofore, had recently been
settled to the satisfaction of the party interested
and of both governments.
SPAIN.
With Spain peaceful relations are still maintain
ed, and some progress has been made in securing
the redress of wrongs complained of by this Gov.
Spain has not only disavowed and dis
approved the conduct of the officers who Illegally
seized and detained the steamer Black Warrior at
Havana, but has also paid the sum claimed as in
demnity for the loss thereby inflicted on citizens
of the United States.
In consequence of destructive hurricane, which
visited Cuba in 1914, the supreme authority of that
island issued decree, permitting the importa-
ton for the period of six months of certain build
ing materials and provisions, free of duty, but re-
yoked it when about half the period only had elaps
ed to the injury of citizens of the United States,
who had proceeded to act on the faith OF that de-
cree The Spanish Government refused indemni-
fication to the parties aggrieyed until recently,
when it was assented to, payment being promised
to be made so soon as the amount due can be as
certained
Satisfaction claimed for the arrest and search of
the steamer Ell Dorado has not yet been accorded,
but there is reason to believe that it will be, and
that case, with others, continues TO be urged on
the attention of the Spanish Government. do
not abandon the hope of concluding with SPAN
some general arrangement, which. If it do not
wholly prevent the recurrence of difficulties III
Cuba, will render them less frequent, and when
ever they shall facilitate their more speedy
settlement. Ff @ 'f
MExICo
The interposition of this government has been
invoked by many Of its citizens, on account OF in:
iuries done to their persons and property, for
which the Mexican Republic is responsible. The
situation of that country, for some time
past, has not allowed its governments to give due
consideration to claims Of private reparation, and
has appeared TO call for and justify some forhear
ance in such matters on the part OF this govern