The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-11-26
OUR WEST INDIAN POSSESSIONS.

OUR WEST INDIAN POSSESSIONS.
Departure Of An Expedition 10 Take Possess
sion Of the island. Of ~. Thomas aud 80.
John.
Il has been knowa for some tims psst that GER
tain arrangements being perfected ia this city 10
forward 70 some point the West Indies an expedition
connected with the acquisition Of territory thai
locality which could in the future be made the depot OF
supplies for our Atlantic squadron and also could DO OF
great utility and value 70 government in any naval
neysnsnts which Is is possible may be necessity.
Tho need or such depot sorsy fs, during the
rsbsion and our mercantile marine the sufferer 60
the sxtsnt Of many vsiuabls thousands OF
dollars from the lack OF depot NJ which could be oh
tanned the supplies necessary 70 constantly keep
nsst In good steamng condition wbiis ia chase
search OF tho rsbs! prvateeTs.
Acting upon ths experience thus gained Secretary
Of State has been FOR NO little e quietly negotiating
for the acquisition OF two OF the Islands Of
the West Indies In order that fof all sine to
proper and we'll appointed harbor could DO al the
mand Of our navy, and available our merchant ships
in case Of the possible contingencies of q war.
while the public have bsen frequently regsed with
mysterious articles and dispatches apparently q
an Official nature but stu not msceabls 10 any direct
Washington. relating the purchase Of the
harbor Of SANTANA, tho Island OF s. Domingo and even
the island Of Porto Rico, all Of which but mere
conjsc.ura stories, While all this been eagerly READ
and discussed by tho public, With evident qualification
the thought tia, this country would long have
territory among the West India Islands the shrewd Minis
Ter Of 5a,e has been negotiating with Denmark Tor
tho purchase OF tive Of Its islands there situate viz
the island OF g. Thomas and the island OF Sc John
The negotiations have boon brough, to conclusion
and the United States now stands committed through
valuable islands for tho Of millions dyo hun
drod thousand dollars in gold. The treaty. is stated
has already received the signature OF the King Of Den
marx .. bis palace in Copenhagen and In few weeks
will be signed By the President OF the United states
While the negotiations we're pending at Copenhagen
tho Rev. Me- Hawisy commissioned TO canvess tho
islands and ascertain The sentiments OF the inhabitants
towards the government or hc United Sistes and hs
mission in this respect Of the MOS. sat-
isfac,ory nature. The sentiment 0! the psopie
there, OF all classes, found be in the
hghcs. degree favorable 70 the great American republic
and hardly dissenting voice has been raised among it,
intelligent population in opposition 20 their annexation
70 this country In fec. government is cons dered
very truly by them The greatest and most successful
a. well the oerai ratsrasi and powerful in the
world, and the thought TIA, they could become fe- ot
zens OF tas greas republic and that
tory is 10 add another TO galaxy has engenderd
degree Of enthusiasm such a. has seldom thTlec these
otherwise politically quiet Isles or the
Everything thus being in the right train for the fulfil
OF the desires Of this country u was deemed al
visabs that preliminary steps should be =, onoo taken 10
In proper manner the advantages of the treaty
Accordingly 70 determined 70 send small oypedi-
ton OF troops With comm SSH to take possession Of
the Islands Of 70, Thouas aud "a. John, 10 tho
name or the United States OF America and raise the
American dag tho territory. II aoi thought
s,rnssod the departure al Geucra Rousseau and stan
thu nhosp,table shores OF Russian America but il
was determined TO serd Cat smaller commission, and
In a more quiet, transformations manner. Thus while
naval vessels were lying comparatively idie az navy
yards, tho Commissioner Wac scot upon Passenger
steamer being loss Likely to attract Undue attention
while several Of Atlantic squadron ordered 70
rendezvous At 81 lhonas and Await orders The regular
steamship packet for ST. Thomas and South America
been loading week. for her regular trip aud the
aborsrs the pier have been much puzzled At The great
weight OF the numerous obiong cases OF merchandise
which haye from day 20 day been delivered there
and which haze boon duly deposited 10 the
hold. Ono Two Of the knowing who
have probably served In Quartermaser's depart
mont during the lats war, shrcwdy whispered their
srspicons thar those boxes OF merchandise contained
the sans kind OF hardware In which rifles and nuskes
wont 10 DO shipped by Cncle SAINT when they were
in the servicc-end they were about right in their
picions. In addition 10 the numerous boxes OF rines
and sabres there were many more containing army
unliormS, besides large quantities OF ammunition,
range probably intended for harbor delence, fun
terry Of artillery and many other appurtsnances per-
icausr and !, ID stated thai ONE Or The arSsn cs,s
upon tbs pier applied for bsrths sailors under the
BELIEF that the vessel was To be transformed int "
formidable Fenian prvaieerf
yhs troops were no. marched ON board until = few
hours before tho steamships departure when they
went aboard in small squads in citizens dress sttrac
ing no attention, except occasional remark that
craft taking out unusual number OF passengers.
rhs commission consists Of Colonel SlwsIl, United
States Ninster 70 Venezuela who will represent The
United States In the formal ceremonies that may take
PLACE a. ~ Thomas de = aecempanisd ny General
New Orleans and w. Il Murray, state Senator Of Mlnne-
Upon arriving at -. Thomas tho party will be
there rondsxvogssd and It expected win take posses
sion Of the place with Al the ceremonies due 70 inn
portani an occasion. The Danish Tag viii be lowered
hy tho Dansh officials while aeet vii rsndes statutes
from their brosdsdss and the stars and Stripes will
hested amid the ssvos Of artillery thus announcing 20
dreaded by European nstionsa standing point Cor Tbs
fcst OF tho universal Yankee nation, whose tsead IS
As win be seen ~ reference to succeeding Paragraphs
the population 10 not nfcient 20 entts the Islands
be erected into = state. aud consequently they will be
piscsd updss tAs charge Of Territorial Governor its
thought that OF she members Of Colonel Siilws;s
Commission viii assums this dgoisy, hut probably not
Ia order that our readers may in rul posssx,on Of
all Information relative ~ these islands wiz
that the Danish Yves, india Islands heFetoots
prIsed -. Iholnsr ~ croir O. santa CRUZ and 81
John lor ~ JAM the island d. ~ Thomas Il situated
is degrees 20 minutes north, longitude q degrees
10 minutes west. II contains OF forfy.
I've miles q rugged and wall elevated surface,
II i miles in length by sb,Sat Ace miles in
brssdtb. Al ono period Il wss veil wooded, bus tie
timber been from yssr TO yesn which mill
tatsd against ~ Agricultural qnsltst 10 considerable
degree aging lie satics lsre 20 the tropical gsyx
the sun which has bad tho ensst or dry log ~ nearly
all tho spr ags thst once irrigated the and. Tue so
SANDY aud zFssi portion 70 entirely upcnltysled ons
sboui tvonsy. ave hancred heux planned with
augsr cane. which proasceR sugar cf ar s,cellsnS
quality Vhsre ~ extensive sde Al the own OF a.
lhomAs much 81 tho produce OF bs uaghbcsng siAnds
b.ine sani thero Tor ssap1sns 70 ESrcpe also The
primo pal station Of Ito West lns4 Egrop0ae NATL
steamships, asd son. three .l.ssand vessels anagay
yist the IAnd 10 The course VI niesrsnts trade The
Gags 81 Of Tho prn,ps, Eurcpvsn nations are to
lie scep Gosilhg from the consular Axec.a. and so-
rather rhntnss W suhal hek and STRIVING 1er.