, 1869-02-19

him the following letter:
Mr.. Seward to Gen. RaasLof..
Department of State, Washington, July II,
1S66.-Sir: [ have the honor to propose to you
that the United States will negotiate with the
King ofDenmark for the purchase of the Danish
islands in the West Indies, namely, st. Thomas
and the adjacent iSlets, Santa Cruz and st. John.
The United States will be willing TO pay for the
same 5000, 600 in gold, payable in this coun-
try negotiations to be made by treaty, which,
you will of course understand, will require the
constitutional ratification of the Senate. Inso-
much as you propose to visit Copenhagen, the
United States Minister at that place will be in
structed to converse with you or with your Cow
eminent on the subject; but should your Gov
eminent conclude to negotiate the proceedings
will be expected to be conducted here, and not
elsewhere. Accept, Sir, the renewed assuran-
ces of my high consideration.
lr. Sewdrd to Mr.. Yeamam.
Department of State, Washington, Aug. II,
166S.-Your despatch of the 23d of July has
been received. In that paper you call my
attention to the delay which has attended the
ratification of the treaty for the purchase of the
islands of st. Thomas and st. John. The sub
ject is one which this Department must neces-
sarily treat with prudence and delicacy, mas
much as the Senate and Constitution, have the
right to approve or reject the treaty. 1t be-
came manifest, early in the beginning of the
late long session Of Congress, that the policy of
foreign acquisition which the President has pur-
sued would be StudiOusly canvassed in those
two bodies. The regular and customary bust
ness Of the Senate and Congress gave place to-
political matters quite unexpected and of alb
sorbing interest. 1t was apparent that favor
toward the Danish treaty could not be forced,
and that, on the contrary, the delay would pro-
badly work beneicially. Congress has now
adjourned, probably not to reassemble until
December. Many questions have been dis
posed Of the presence Of which was unfavorable
to a reconsideration of the treaty. l have now,
by the Presidents direction, invited Mr.. Billie
to come here and to enter into an article ex-
tending the time of the ratification one year.
Mr.. Bile has heretofore given me assurance
that the Danish Government would cheerfully
concur in this arrangement. You may commu-
nicate these facts to Count Friss, and assure
him, at the same time, of the Presidents sin
cere desire for the consummation of the treaty
with Denmark. | am, Sir, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM III. SEWARD.
Geo. Il. Yeaman, &C., Copenhagen.
Mr.. Separd to Mr.. Yeamam.
Department of State, Washington, Aug, II,
lS6o.-Slr There Is manifest in the public
mind something of a reaction in favor of the
recent treaty acquisitions of Alaska and st.
Thomas, and for establishing reciprocal trade
with the Sandwich Islands. / do not, however,
find this reaction as yet sufficiently strong to
justify an expectation that the addition of Santa
Cruz, with an increase of the purchase money
stipulated in our Danish treaty, would proba-
bly, render it more acceptable to the Senate
and Congress, The nation just now has its
attention turned quite away from foreign affairs
and fastened upon its own internal forces and
interests. Things may change, however, after
the lapse of some months. In that case Won