Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-01-17
WHOLE NO. A7.

the explicit answer, that we preferred
war to tribute, and thus opened the
way to the relief of the commerce of
the world from an ignominious tax,
so long submitted TO by the far moro
pOwerful nations of Europe.
If the manner of payment of the
Sound dues differs from that of the
tribute formerly conceded to the
Barbary States, still their exaction
by Denmark has no better foundation
in right. Each was inits origin moth
ing but tax on the common natural
right, extorted by those, who were at
that time, able TO obstruct the free
and secured enjoy ment of it, but
who no longer possess that power.
Denmark, while resisting our as
sertion of the freedom of the Baltic
Sound and Belts, has indicated a
readiness to make some new arrange
ment on the subject, and has invited
the governments interested, including
the United States, to be represented
In convention 10 assemble for tho
purpose Of receiving and considering
a proposition, which she intends to
submit, for the capitalization of tie
Sound dues, and the distribution of
the sum to be paid as Communication
among tho governments, according
to the respective;proportions of their
maritime commerce to and from the
Baltic.
/ have declined in behalf of the
United States toaceept thisinvitation,
for the most cogent reasons. One
is, that Denmark does not offer to
submit to the convention the ques-
tion, of her right to levy the Sound
dues. A second is, that if the
convention we're allowed to take
cognizance of that particular quss-
tion, still it would not be compe-
tent to deal with the great inter-
national principle involved which
affects the right in other cases of
and commercial freedom,
as well as that Of access to the Baltic.
Above all, by the express terms of
the proposition, it is contemplated
that the consideration of the Sound
dues shall be commingled with, and
made subordinate to a matter wholly
extraneous the balance of power
among the governments Of Europe.
While, however. rejecting this
proposition. and insisting on the
right Of free transitinto and from the
Baltic, have expressed to Denmark
a willingness, on the part Of the
United States toshare literally with
other powers in compensating her for
any advantages which commerce shall
hereafter derive from expenditures
made by her for the Improvement
and safety Of the navigation of the
Sound of Belts.
i lay before you, herewith, sundry
documents on the subject, in which
my views are re'fully disclosed.
Should no satisfactory arrangement
be soon concluded, i shall again call
your attention to the subject, with
recommendation of such measures as
may appear to be required in order
to assert and secure the rights of
the United States, so far as they
are affected ,by the ,pretensions Of
Denmark.
FRANCE.
| announce, with much gratiica-
tion, that, since the Adjournment of
Congress, the question then existing
between this government and that Of
France, respecting the French consul
at San Francisco, has been stisacto-
rily determined, and that the rela-
tons of the two governments con-
tinue to be Of the most friendly ma
ture.
GREECE.
A question, also, which has been
pending for several years between
the United States and the king.
dom Of Greece. growing out .of the
sequestratlon, by public authorities
of that country, of property belong
ing to the present American CuDsui
Mt Athens, and which had been the
subject Of very earnest discussion
heretofore, has recently'bsen settled
to the satisfaction of the party in
terested and lof both governments.
SPAIN.
With Spain .peacefal relations are
still 'maintained, and some progress
has been made in securing the re-
dress of wrongs complained ofby this
.Snsin has mot only