The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-12-04
TERRITORIAL ACQUISITION IN THE WEST INDIA
IsIENDS.

ant Oullcu otttSc Silfail w al OtuOA SpAA'
merclal nations.
TERRITORIAL ACQUISITION IN THE WEST INDIA
IsLENDs
The West India Islands were settled and col.
onized By European States simultaneously with
the settlement and colonization OF the American
continent. Most of the colonies planted here
became independent nations in the close OF the
last and the beginning OF the present century
Our own country embraces communities which,
at one period were colonies of Great Britain
France, Spain, Holland, Sweden and Russia.
The people in the West Indies, with the excep
ton Of those of the Island OF Hayti, have Meth
er attained nor aspired 10 Independence, nor
have they become prepared for selt-defence. Al.
thonph possessing considerable commercial val.
ne. they have been held by the several Euro
poan States which eOlOnizcd or ut some time
conquered them, chiefly for purposes OF mill
tary and naval strategy In carrying out Euro
pean policy AID designs in regard 10 this CONT.
nent. In our Revolutionary War, ports and
hlrbors in the West India Islands were used by
our enemy, to the great injury and emb3rrass-
mont Of the United States. We had the same
experience in our second war with Great Bri
tain. Tho same European policy for long time
excluded US even from trade with the West In
dies, while we were at pace with all nati1ns.
In our recent civil waF the rebels, and their
piratical and blockade breaking allies, fOund IA
cilities in the same ports for the work, which
they too successfully accomplished, OF iniTring
elu DEVASTATING inc commerce WHICH We aIt
now engaged IN rebuilding. We labored cSpe-
cially under this Gisadvantage-the European
steam vessels, employed by our enemies found
friendly shelter, protection and supplies in
West Indian ports, while our own naval opera
tions were necessarily carried on from oar own
distant shores. There was then n universal feel.
ing of the want Of an advanced naval outpost
between the Atlantic coast and Europe. Tbs
duty of obtaining such IN outpost peacefully
aud lawfully, while neither doing nor menacing
Al 1N4 sNf T.
tenti0n OF the Executive Department before the
close of tho war. and it has not been lost sight OF
since that time. A not entirely dissimilar naval
want revealed itself during the same period on
the Pacific coast. The required foOthold there
was fortunately secured BY our late treaty with
the Emperor of Kussia, aVd IL now seems i'm.
perative that the more obvious necessities OF
the Atlantic coast should not be less carefully
provided for A good and convenient port and
barbor capable of easy defence, will supply that
want. With the possession of such station by
the United States. neither we nor any other
American nation need longer apprchend injury
OF offence from any Trans Atlantic enemy. L
agree with our early statesmen that the West
Indies naturally gravitate TO, anu may be ex-
pected ultimately 20 be absorbed by the Cont
Mental Statas including our own. agree with
them also that il is wise TO leave the question of
sach absorption to this process of natural politi
cal gravitation. The IslandsOf st. Thomas and
ST. Johns, which constitute partof the group
called the virgin Islands, seemed TO 0iter us adj
yartages Immediately desirable, while their &C.
QUESTION could be secured in harmony with the
principles 20 which l have alluded. a tIeaty
has, therefore, been concluded with the King Of
Denmark for the eessiOn Of those Islands, and
viii be submitted to the Senate for considera.
ton.
ALASKA.
1t win hardly be necessary to call tho attention
Of Congress TO the subject Of providing for the
payment to Russia of the sum stipulated In the
treaty for the oessiOn Of Alaska. Possession