711.5914/57½
The Danish Minister (Brun) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary of State: In accordance with our conversation on January 19th I at once cabled to the Danish Government suggesting that they should agree to a sum of 25 (twenty five) Million Dollars being named as a base for the negotiation and consideration of a treaty for the transfer of the Danish West India Islands to the sovereignty of the United States.
I am today in receipt of a cablegram from the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs authorizing me to agree to the said proposition.
The Minister adds that he will now expect to receive a draft of the treaty to be negotiated between you and myself, and he also submits to you that for reasons which I believe are obvious it is desirable that the matter should be proceeded with as speedily as possible.
Believe me [etc.]