The Secretary of State to the Danish Minister
Washington, January 24, 1902.
Sir: On this gratifying occasion of signing the convention we have negotiated for the cession of the Danish West India Islands to the United States it appears to be expedient to advert to a phase of the matter which came into view during our consideration of the bases of agreement, but which from its nature did not admit of expression in the formulated convention.
In your note addressed to me on the 23rd of November ultimo, you said:
Your excellency will remember that during the long time of these negotiations private parties have repeatedly tried to impress on the negotiators the necessity of their good offices in order to attain the adoption of the treaty, with a view to obtain some compensation for themselves under the name of commission, provision or others. The Danish Government is under obligation to nobody in this respect, and your excellency has been good enough to inform me that the United States Government also has incurred no such obligation.
Responding to the desire expressed by you it affords me much pleasure to confirm in a more formal way as I now do, the statements in this regard which I have made to you orally heretofore.
The Government of the United States is in no manner under obligation to the good offices of private parties in reaching the agreement now happily brought about between the United States and Denmark, and cannot admit for its own part or support in any way any such claim against Denmark for commission, compensation or remuneration of whatever nature which might be made by private parties for alleged service in connection with the cession of the islands in question to the United States.
Be pleased to accept [etc.]