The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-01-11

time, cOreced the payment of tribute from al
nations, whose ships frequented the Mediter
ranean. To the last demand of such nav
ment made by them the United States, al
though suffering less by their depredaiions
than many other nations, returned the explic
il answer, that we preferred war to tribute
and thus opened the way to the relief of the
commerce of the world from an ingenious
tax, so long submitted to by the more pow.
erful nations of Europe.
lfthe manner of payment of the Sound
dues differ from that of The tribute formerly
conceded to the Barbary States, still their
exaction by Denmark has no better found.
alton in right. Each was in its origin, moth
ing but Tux on a common natural right, ex.
torted by those who were at that time able
to obstruct the sea and secure enjoyment of
it, but who no longer possess that power.
Denmark, while resisting our assertion of
the freedom of the Baltic Soud Belts, has
indicated Il readiness to make some new ar
rangement on the subject, and has invited the
governments interested, including the United
States, to be represented in convention to
assemble Tor the purpose of receiving and
considering proposition, which SHE Intends
to submit, for the capitalization of the Sound
dues, and the distribution Of the sum to be
paid as communication among the governments,
according to the respective proportions of
their maritime commerce TO and from the Bal
tic. 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 secsnd is, that, il the convention were nj.
lowed TO take cognizance of that particular
question. still It would not be competent to
deal with the great international principle in.
volved which affects the right in other cases
Of navigation and commercial freedom MS
well MS 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 comminglcd with,
and made subordinate to, a matter wholly
exiraneous, the balance of power among the
governments of Europe. -Ff '"t
While, however rejecting the proposition
and insisting on the right of free transit in.
tn and from the Baltc, | have expressed to
Denmark II Willingness on the part of the
United States to share literally with other
Powers in compensatng her for any advan.
tages which commerce shall hereafter de-
Improvement and safety of the navigation of
the Sound or Belts. .
lay before you herewith sundry docu.
ments OH the subject, in which my views are
more fully disclosed. Should no satisincto.
nv arrangements be soon concluded, | shall
again call your attention to the subject, with
of such measures rs may ap
peare to be required in order to assert and
secure the rights of the United States, so far
as they are affected by the pretentions OF
Denmark.
announce, with much qualification, that
since the adjournment of the last Congress,
the question then existing between this Gov.
ernment and that of France, has been salts
determined, and that the relations
of the two Governments continue to be of |
the most friendly nature. e..s.E.
a question also which has been pending |
for several years between the United States
and the kingdom of Greece, growing out of
the sequestration by public authorities of that
country, Of property belonging to the present
Consul Mt Athens, and which had
been the subject of very earnest discussion
heretofore, has recently been settled to the
satisfaction of the party interested and of
both Governments. ...-. ... ......-ri
With Spain, peaceful relations are still
and some progress has been made
in securing the redress of wrongs complained
of by this Government. Spain has nod only
and disapproved Of the officers
who illegally seized and detained the steamer
Black Warrior at Havana, but has also paid
llie sum claimed as indemnity for the loss
thereby inflicted on citizens of the United
States. 'i'
q In consequence of destructive hurricane
which visited Cuba in 1914, the supreme
of that island issued decree per.
nittcd the importation, for the period Of six
months, of certain building materials and
free of duty, but revoked it when
lalf the period only had elapsed, to the injury
,t citizens of the United States, who had
to net on the faith of the Decree
The Spanish Government refused indemnifi-
n ion to the parties aggrieved until recently,
when it was assentcd to, payment being
Promised to be made so soon rs the amount
lue can be ascertalned. ..... II
Satisfaction claimed for the arrest and
earch of the steamer FL Dorado has not yet
,ren accorded, but there is reason to believe
hat it will be, aud that ease, with others,
continues to be urged upon the attention OF
he Spanish Government. do not aband, IN
he hope of concluding with Spain some
yenera az tahgrment if i: do not wholly pre-
'rnt the recurrence of difficulties in Cuba,
viii render them less frequent; and whenever
hey shall occur, facilitate their more speedy
settlement. ..
The interposiiion of the Government has
,een invoked by many of its citizens, on nc.
ount of injuries done to their persons and
for which the Mexican Republic is
esponsible. The unhappy situation OF that
country, for some time past, has not allowed
Is government to give due consideration TO ,
lains of private reparaton, and has appeared ,
o call for aud justify some forbearance in
uch matters on the part of this government.
}ut, il the revolutionary movements, which
ave lately occurred in that republic, end in
h. organization of n stable government, ur-
,ent appeals to its justice will then be made,
nd, il may he hoped, with success, for, the re.
ress of all complaints of our citizens.
In regard to the American republics, whi,h,
rom their proximity and other considerations, i
ave peculiar relations to this government,
while il has been my constant aim strictly To
bserve all the obligations of political friend.
hip and of good neighborhood, obstacles to
his have arisen in some Of them, from their
wn insufficient power 10 cheek lawless ir. ,
uptions, which in effect throws most of the
ask on the United States. Thus the dis
racted internal condition of the State of ,
Nicaragua has made il incumbent on me to
ppeal TO the good faith Of our citizens 10
bstain from any unlawful intervention In
Is affairs, and TO adopt preventive meas.