Schleswig by a fair execution of the fifth article of the treaty of Prague; and that however great to Denmark might be the advantage of a cession of the Danish West Indies, it could not possibly outweigh the disadvantages that would result from doing anything that would injure the position of Denmark in the Schleswig affair by weakening her claim to vote in Schleswig, or by lessening the moral force of a popular expression. For these reasons he found it necessary not only to ask the approbation of the people of the islands, but also equally necessary that their consent or approval should be referred to in the treaty, though not agreed upon as a condition precedent. It is to be, in his language," unilateral," but he regards it as so indispensable that he can not advise the King to make a treaty without it. General Raasloff would yield the point, and has exerted himself to have it yielded by the count, but he seems immovable. I have no doubt of his sincerity, both in desiring to make the cession and in thinking the vote necessary in the present attitude of the relations between Denmark and Prussia. I have constantly opposed this vote, giving what I thought good reasons for my opposition, especially as to the insertion in the treaty. But I am convinced, by information from the islands, and the tendency of public sentiment here, that the annexation would be voted willingly and by a very large majority. And whether the people would vote thus or not, the point now is and this is the only way to get the islands—and we had better get them that way than not at all - had we better risk an unfavorable vote than to refuse to negotiate on account of the vote. I am sure you will not deem it amiss in me to express my opinion thus freely. Yesterday I sent you by cable the following telegram in cipher : "Denmark quite ready to conclude, if vote mentioned in treaty. Considers favorable vote sure. Desire explicit acceptance of Santa Cruz." SIR: . Saturday, the 5th instant, I received from you a telegram, which I translate as follows: "No condition of vote in treaty. If Denmark wants to negotiate for Santa Cruz by separate treaty, send draft here for consideration." Upon the receipt of this I promptly advised Count Frijs and General Raasloff that I proposed at once to close the treaty by inserting a clause simply stating the fact that the King would afford the people an opportunity of freely expressing their approbation of the cession. After my dispatch 107, of the 3d, and my hasty private notes of 3d and 4th instant, inclosing note from General Raasloff, I learned that the interviews of the French minister had assumed a more serious aspect, and that Count Frijs was really astonished that the British and Spanish ministers had not approached him, and expected their remonstrances daily. I then sent you the following telegram in cipher : "France knows our offer, and remonstrates. Denmark expects other remonstrances. Prompt action desirable. Vote in treaty indispensable." SIR: I recur to your dispatch No. 106, and to your two letters of the 3d and 4th instant, which have also been received. Each of the letters is accompanied by a private and sealed communication, addressed by General Raasloff to myself. The burden of the several papers thus received is that my early instructions declining a stipulation to submit to the people of the two islands the question whether they shall be transferred to the United States constitutes a serious and insurmounable barrier to the negotiation on the part of Denmark. On the 5th of October, one day after the latest date in these communications from Copenhagen, I instructed you by telegraph to waive the objection referred to and consent that a popular vote be taken in the islands at the instance of Denmark. I have this day reiterated that instruction by telegraph, and have asked you to report progress. It is very desirable that the treaty, if one is concluded, should be submitted to the Senate as early as possible, to the end that if it be ratified, as I trust it will be, Congress may in that case be immediately invited to pass the laws which the transfer of the islands by treaty will have rendered not only necessary but urgent. I am, sir, your obedient servant, George H. Yeaman, Esq., etc., WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Uncompleted Treaty Between the United States of America and His Majesty the King of Denmark Concerning the Cession of the Islands of St. Thomas and St. John. Signed at Copenhagen on October 24, 1867 1 The United States of America and His Majesty the King of Denmark being desirous of confirming the good understanding which exists between them, have for that purpose appointed as Plenipotentiaries, The President of the United States, George H. Yeaman, accredited as their Minister Resident to his said Majesty; and His Majesty the King of Denmark, Count Christian Emil Juel-Vind-Frijs, President of the Council of the Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Grand Cross of the Order of Danebrog, and decorated with the Cross of Honor of the same Order. And the said Plenipotentiaries having exchanged their full powers, which were found to be in due form, have agreed upon and signed the following articles: ARTICLE I His Majesty the King of Denmark agrees to cede to the United States by this Convention immediately upon the exchange of the ratifications thereof, the islands of St. Thomas and St. John, in the West Indies, with the adjacent islands and rocks, situated north of the 18th degree of north latitude. His Majesty the King of Denmark will, however, not exercise any constraint over the people, and will, therefore, so soon as practicable, give them an opportunity of freely expressing their wishes in regard to this cession. ARTICLE III The inhabitants of the said islands shall be protected in their liberty, their property, and private rights, and they shall be free to remain where they now reside, or to remove at any time, retaining the property which they possess in the said islands, or disposing thereof and removing the proceeds wherever they please, without their being subjected on this account to any contribution, 1 From the official copy, U. S. Senate. tax, or charge whatever. Those who shall prefer to remain in the said islands, may either retain the title and the rights of their natural allegiance, or acquire those of citizens of the United States. But they shall make their election within two years from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this convention; and those who shall remain in the said islands after the expiration of that term, without having declared their intention to retain their natural allegiance, shall be considered to have elected to become citizens of the United States. ARTICLE V In consideration of the cession aforesaid, the United States agree to pay, at the treasury in Washington, within three months after the exchange of the ratifications of this convention, to the diplomatic representative or other agent of His Majesty the King of Denmark, duly authorized to receive the same, seven millions five hundred thousand dollars, in gold. The cession conveys to the United States the said islands and appurtenances in full and entire sovereignty, with all the dominion, rights and powers which Denmark now possess and can exercise in them, free and unincumbered by any grants, conditions, privileges or franchises in any way affecting or limiting the exercise of such sovereignty. ARTICLE VI When this convention shall have been duly ratified by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate on the one part, and on the other by His Majesty the King of Denmark by and with the consent of the Rigsdag, the ratifications shall be exchanged at Washington, within four months from the date hereof or sooner if possible. In faith whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed this convention and thereto affixed the seals of their arms. Done at Copenhagen, the 24th of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven. GEO. H. YEAMAN, (L.S.) C. E. JUEL-VIND-FRIJS, (L.S.) Extracts from Correspondence between Secretary Seward and the United States Agents in the Islands, October 26-December 4, 1867 1 MR. SEWARD TO MR. HAWLEY Department of State, Washington, October 26, 1867. SIR: This Government has concluded a treaty with Denmark for a cession of the islands of St. Thomas and St. John in the Caribbean Sea, belonging to that power. The treaty has not been received here, but it is understood that it contains a stipulation that before the cession shall be absolute the vote of the people of the islands shall be taken upon the proposed change of sovereignty. It is also understood that the Danish Government has sent a commission for the purpose of superintending the taking of that vote. As it is desirable that this Government also should not be entirely without the attendance of a representative there, you are requested to proceed to St. Thomas. You will, however, consider your attendance there as of a character entirely confidential. But this direction will not be construed so literally as to prevent you coming into useful communication with the Danish authorities and any consuls or naval representatives of the United States. I herewith hand to you extracts of a dispatch written by the United States minister at Copenhagen, which very distinctly indicate the manner in which it is supposed that your agency can be made useful and effective. You are at liberty also to present yourself to the Danish commissioner, whom you will meet at St. Thomas, and you will show him this instruction and also the extracts of Mr. Yeaman's dispatch. In all things you will practice the utmost frankness with him and absolute deference to his judgment and opinions. It is expected that you will meet Rear-Admiral Palmer, of the United States Navy, with the ship of war Susquehannah, at St. Thomas, who will have instructions similar to your own to cooperate with the Danish commissioner. It is presumed that you will be at no loss for arguments to show those who may have votes upon the subject the advantages which they would derive from transferring their allegiance to the United States, should they think proper to remain in the islands. The market of this country, even now, is an eligible one for their products. It must become much more so in the event of their annexation. As one of the purposes of this Government in the acquisition is to secure a naval station, the inhabitants of the islands will derive benefits from that, which it is needless to expatiate upon. If, too, they should become a part of the domain of the United States, they and their posterity will have the same right to protection by a powerful government in 1 U. S. Sen. Doc. No. 231, pt. 8, 56th Cong., 2d sess., pp. 198-210. |