Minister Swenson to the Secretary of State

No. 200

Sir: Your dispatch of the 26th ultimo, with enclosed amended draft of a convention for an eventual cession of the Danish West Indies to the United States, reached me Saturday, April 6.

On the 8th instant, I addressed a note to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, a copy of which is enclosed herewith, formally submitting the new project for the favorable consideration of the Danish Government and communicating to him your dispatch as above in full.

I have [etc.]

Laurits S. Swenson
[Page 489]
[Inclosure]

Minister Swenson to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

No. 119

Excellency: Referring to your excellency’s note of February 21, last, a copy of which was communicated to the Secretary of State, I now have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of his reply thereto with an amended draft of convention for an eventual cession of the Danish West Indies to the United States.

Your excellency’s views and proposals regarding the bases for such convention are so fully discussed in the enclosures herewith that I deem it superfluous to make any supplementary comment or explanation at this time.

You will observe that it is the earnest desire of my Government to arrive at an early agreement on this subject. In the dispatch herewith, the Secretary of State gives frank and cordial expression to a disposition to yield on as many points as possible and to accede to the requests of the Danish Government as far as practicable; and he gives proof thereof by incorporating in the amended draft the essential changes suggested by your excellency.

Feeling confident that your excellency’s Government will reciprocate the spirit in which this whole matter is now presented, I respectfully submit the amended project herewith for your early and favorable consideration.

Be pleased to accept [etc.]

Laurits S. Swenson