The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-16
ST. THOMAS.


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The New West Indian Acquisition OF an,
United states-Description or our Bnse Il
the Antiiies-The Trade TO South America
In the Pacific, and tha Wtndward West I'm
dies-A Vote Allowed 90 tho Peepie-FeoiiuG
Of tho Resident Merchants.
81 THOMAS, Dec s. 1851.
A our government has nov purchased The islands Of
~ fhomas and St Johns Will doubtless interest your
readers 70 hear something about them the
spoh ana VINO has boon some years resident In thew
oar people wiz probably wish to know whether NJ.
seward mas made agood bad bargain, especially
s,nc6 the facsnt caiamitss which have bsfalen them
st. Thomas occupies = most important geographical
positions u Is IN the track OF vosaels bound from ths
United stass 10 South America Pacific aud the
wEdSard West India islands, and ships crossing tho
Atlantic Shsn In Distress often npd this the easiest n
tho only haybor they reach and. during the
months especially, there arc many sach vessels here
from all parts ottbe world Tho harbor ,soif or
the The West ladies'; easy OF access capscous
and hav ng sufficient depth OF water for ships OF any
GLASS; and the natural facilities for terrifying such
Nat Il can easily bu made impregnabls. Hence In a
m Slitary naval point OF view az rendezvous for
our eeis and depot for GOALS and supplies s import
anee can oe hardly oysrestimated gives US what We
have Yong wanted, foothoid In the Wes Indies and
a ths kVy 70 the other islands, and beyond all doubt
most inn vortant acquisition to the United States. All
these adv Nntagea the sagacous mind q Mr Seward no
4ouot az o see compromised when Le was here.
al Johns though little ented and sparssy popu-
lated has very duo hsrbor and - valuable IN connec
It's TO b. reu el,sd that Santa Cruz, tho remaining
Daush island wa not ncladed In tho purchase for ia
mans respects Is IL the gem Of the Antilles The sau.
brity Of a winter inmate unsurpassed by any place
on hv globe hany NDf our countrymon now como here
ana on ships Of war. when driven by disease
from the other isl ends. como here 70 recruit
The calxsisiss which have recently neialsn these
are such all West India islands are subject 70 and
may not again in ny years No hurricnne t.ii
has occurred since Aug vst 1851 period Of thirty
ysar earthqua xs was never befors known
Tho wisdom o. the policy ~ car government Ia the
cannot o. doused and viii bs pprovod By tue
people. Denmsrk, which 10 Oos OF the most libsras
governments OF europe has .vvs her coon'sts righs
the island 20 Ia. United States Py vote. which
have no doub. will 10 in favor Of c
The merchants aomewhat Altar nd Iest our revo-
nue aud tariff laws should be- Introduced here.
which would probably ruin tho commerce OF the island
aaarssr Der csu. al aiorsm duty on Imports an i'm
supplying the other islands and tho Spanish Main with
goods I presume, however, C0nsrcss Will hAvo
propsr regard for tho welfare or those engaged
10 mercantile pursuits here, and will DO governed only
by desire TO guard and foster the prosperity OF this
island.
The Danish ProcIau,ssion-Reyai Anasusce.
ment ofsthe Transfer.
At the late session OF tho Legislature OF st. Thomas
bis Excellency Chamberlala earHensen addressed inc
C.sSrr smrs-In conformity with his Majesty oorsmoss
gracious Kings order. the 25th Of DC ober. charg.
log me as royal Commissioner Extraordinary 70
prepare the ccssions Of the islands 81. Thomas
ana ST. Johns to the United States Of America shall
snter on my duties ~ making known MS hsjsssys
proclamation, daed 18th OF October 70 the Inhabitants
or ST. Thomas and 50. johns.
Hero his Ercslsncy read, the proclamation, fol.
We Christian TX, by the grace OF God King OF Den.
mark the vandals and the G0tns. Duke OF schlsswis.
Hols.sIn, stormsrn, Ditmarsh Iauenborg and oden-
and - hftnn Tn tina
islands or st. Thomas and 81. Johns Que royal greet
and st. Johns tho United states o. America, and ve
have to that end with the reservation Of the consttu
tonsi oonsen. o. our k.s,aas, concluded convsaaSs
cmbodytng In that convention explicit and precise pro.
Visions done utmost 70 secure you protection IN
rightA ana you shall be free to whore you now
reside 10 remove a any time retaining the property
which you possess In the said islands, or diaposlug
hereof ana removsg the proceeds you please
without you bong subjected on this account 70 any oon
ss. s, az. g crs., 70 in tho said islands
mar either retain the tito and the rights Of their nstura
ssacs o. soqairs those o. citizens q ,ss , Ua -.
ysuFsrom the date Of the sxcbange Of rauncaons o.
re s,d sas e 49, . su shon
declared their Intention retain their natural allegiance
bs considered 10 have chosen 70 become citizens Of
AZ we however, win no. exercise any constants over
our fanrfvi subjects will gve you the opportunity
gard 10 this cosson and TO that effect given tho
necessary instructions 10 our Commissioner Exuaord
With sincere sorrow do We look forward the ssver-
mon, Of ties which for many years have united
you TO and the Mother Country and, never forgetting
tboss many demonstrations OF loyalty and aectton We
have received from YOU trust that nothing has been
neglected from side the future welfare OF
our beloved and faithful subjects aud that mighty i'm.
pulse both moral aud material, viii be given TO the,
happy devslopmsnt OF the Islands under tue new
Commendiog you 70 God Given at our Palace OF
Am.llenbog the 18th Of October 1887 andsT our royal
Al the conclusion the Chamberlair said His Majesty
has charged interpret 10 you moro irnpressvely
than could DO done IN tho royal proclamaon;he pain
full feelings inseparabls from the cesson OF The island
Ills deep and true 10 his people and TO his country
Is being Submitted TO severe trals.
The terrible dispensalilns WITH when tncss issnds
the execution my mission the Tins that must pass
before settled state Of confidence be restored 70
on his FxcelIsney the Governor OF the Danish West
India Islands, In supporting the wishes or the inhsb
tants on the occasion Of the cesson OF the islands
Tho voting will DO postponed 10 the commencement
TO the successful accomplishment, Of my GRAND
need not only the cooperation OF the officials but also the
assistance Of all good ciizeus, and feel confident that
such will be rendered me In tho execution Of
Moss Gracious Majesty the King. Long live King Chris
tian Xxi
The Transfer to be Voted by Native Maskeed
Sanraac.
Pursuant TO his Msssiy's proclamation da,sd 2,th Of
0ctobsr the inhabitants Of the Islands g. Thomas and
T. Johns will be given tho opportunity Of expressing
their wishes with regard 10 the cesslon OF those Islands
to the United States OF America.
In sccordancs with his hajcsys order Of ssue date,
hereby publish shs following for the Information OF
all concerned -
l. Every male 81 liable nishsd character, Who has 81.
tanned twcnyGfh u entitled 10 vote provided he
has RICH, Of nativity or has been residing within She
Municipality ST. Thomas aud 81 Johns for two years
and has been legally deprived Of the management, %
his property
D. The lists Of persons entitled 70 vo.s viii be laid open
FOR Inspection from tho lth TO 1870 OF December ensuing
FROM nine O'Clock each day In tho rooms Of the
Town Court b. thomas and 81 thu court House Of s.
Johns
s. Apy peraon who tbirks HIS nsmo wrcngfuly omitted
or another wroagfuy entered on the list
has during the period from the ih 10 wh Of December
three O'Clock r. NJ 20 forward his complaint " writing Y
the the board the voting therein
erirnV stat 81 reasons for ompinnt.
fha board experimenting the voting consists IN 81
Thomas of Judge Rosenstand AZ chairman and Messs
Krebs X. D.; = u. Lsnsr, DE Leon aud " VI smlh' "
III Johns Judge poshurst ~ chairman, add Aessrs j.
nd u Ilndnula.