New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-16
THE WEST INDIES.
ST. THOMAS.

TIE CESsION OF THE ISLAND TO THE UNlIED
STATES ANNOUNCED TO THE INHABITANIs-
PROCLAMATION OF THE KING OF DENhAkh
address OF THE ROYAL COMMISSIONER
THE TERMS OF THE TRANSFER
HAVANA Dec. 14--Iate files from ST. Thomas, dated
on the I'd inst bring the text of the Royal Danish
proclamation transferring the Island to the United
States by right of purchase. The document appears
in the St. Thomas Times of the 30th of November IL
comedies to the inhabitants Of St. Thomas according
to circumstances and residence period of two years
TO effect complete change of nationality under the
new reQin6 At ST. Thomas on the I'd inst. flour was
plenty, and rating at $l1 50 per Dbl. for Sorted.
THE TEXT OF THE PROCLAMATION.
FORTRESS MONROE, Va, Dec. t12.-From the St.
Thomas 1idende of Nov. q, received by the United
States steamer De Soto. find the following in rela-
ton to the cesson of that island and ST. Johns. to
the United States:
ST. THOMAS Nov. 27.-AccOrdng to invitation
from his Excellency Gov. Birch, the members OF the
Colonial Council the civil and military unctlonarles
of the Island, and other inhabitants, assembled at
Government House to-day at IL o'clock. At l2:lO,
their Excellencies Gov Birch. Vice-GOv. ROthe and
Chamberlain Christensen. appeared with their aides
and attendants. His Excellency Gov. Birch IN a
few words introduced TO the Assembly his Excel
lency Chamberlain Christensen, Knight Of Darme-
bronze, and Darmebronzerman, as Royal Commas
sioner Extraordinary WhereupOn his Excellency
Chamberlain Christensen addressed the Assembly as
follows:
"GENTLEMES: In conformity with His Majesty. s, our
Most Gracious Kings order dated 25h of October cafg
ing Royal Commissioner Extraordinary 70 prepare
the cessOn the Islands st. Thomas and ST. johns 10 the
United States Of America, shall enter on my duties ~
making known His Majesty's Procainaton dated 2otn
October TO Inhabitants Of st. Thomas and ST. johns
Here His Excellency read the Proclamation as fol-
lows:
I'VE Christian TX by the Grace Of God, King OF Den
mark the Vandas, and the GOths, Duke OF schles%lg
Hulstein, stOrmarn, Ditmarsh, Lanen6Org, and Odeh
borg send TO our beloved ana faitliu subjects III tne
Islands OF ST. Thomas and St Johns our Royal greeting
1--WE have resolved TO cede our Islands OF 81 IhOinas
and ST. Johns the United States Of America, and we
have to that end with tho reservation OF the eOnsu
tlOnal consent Of our Rgsdag concluded convention
with the President Of the United States We have, by
embOdyng In that convention explicit ana precise pro
visions, done our utmost " secure you ~ 5S
liberty your ion, your property and private rgnts
and shall be free 10 remain where you now resde O
tO any time retaninRwhat You possess IN sad
islands, dsposng thereof and removing tle proceeds
wherever yOu please without you being subjected on TINS
Tno who shall prefer to remain in the sand islands may
either retain the title and the rights OK their natural ae
glance or acquire tn0se OF citizens OF the United states
but they shall make their ehOee Wh Two year, Ilo
the date OF the exchange OF notifications or the sad con
yento and those who shall remain in the islands after
the expiration Of that term without having deeIru tir
intention retain their natural allegiance SHAH he eo
sdered have chosen 10 become citizens Of the United
81 ties A. We however VIII not exercise any
faithful subjects, VIII give you the opOTtu
regard THIS cessOn, and we have TO that eject, given
the necessary instructions 10 our Commissioner ENtfaor
binary.
with sincere sorrow do look fOrward 10 the sever
ment of ties which for many years have united you
to mother country and never forgetting those
many demonstrations Of loyalty and affection we nave
received from you. We trust that nothing has been
neglected from our side 10 the further welfare OF
our beloved aud faithful subjects, aud that mighty l-
pulse both moral and ateralwll be given 10 the happy
dvclopmcnt of the islands under the new sovereignty
| Commenting yon 10 God -, ~,
Given Palace Of Amalienborg, the 25th day OF
/ n.t.1. taGTn MD nur ru
/ n 81 CHRISTIAN r."
His Majesty has charged 10 interpret to you more
imrssyCy than could be done In the Royal Prorlana
tin painful feelings InscpaTaOle from the cesslOn O
Island and tIue love TO his people and Ia
lis country. being submitted TO severe trials. The
terrible dlspesaions with which these islands have
recently been visited must necessarily influence the exc
cution my mission. The time that must pass before
settled state Of confidence be restored To the people,
shall be employed by ME, with the assistance OF His EX
ceecy the Governor Of the Danish West India Islands,
H. supporting the wishes of the inhabitants on the Occa-
sion oi the cessiOn OF the islands The voting will be
postponed To the commencement Of January. To the
successful accomplishment OF my Grand need not only
the cooperation the officials but also the assistance Of
all good citizens and feel confident that such assistance
will rendered In the execution OF my mission with
which have been intrusted by His Most Gracious
Majesty the King.
long live KING Christian TX.