GehejmelegationsraadBilleSteenAndersen

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Belts, and commonly called the Sound dues, have re­ solved to conclude a Convention for that purpose, and have named as their Plenipotentiaries, that is to say, the President o f the United States, L ew is Cass, Secretary o f State of the United States, and His Majesty, the King o f Denmark, Torb en B i l l e , Esq., knight o f the Danne- brog and decorated with the cross o f honor o f the same order, his said Majesty’s Chargé d'Affaires near the Government o f the United States, who, after having communicated to each other their fu ll pozuers in due form, have agreed to and signed the following articles-. ARTICLE I. His Majesty the King o f Denmark declares entire freedom o f the navigation o f the Sound and the Belts in favor o f American vessels and their cargoes from and fo r ever after the day when this convention shall go into effect as hereinafter provided; and it is hereby agreed that American vessels and their cargoes after that day shall not be subject, to any charges whatever in passing the Sound and the Belts, or to any detention m the said waters, and both Governments will concur, i f occasion should require it, in taking measures toprevent abuse o f the free flag o f the United States by the shipping o f other nations which shall not have secured the same freedom and exemption from charges enjoyed by that of the United States. ARTICLE II. His Danish Majesty further engages that the pas­ sages o f the Sound and the Belts shall continue to be lighted and buoyed as heretofore without any charge upon American vessels or their cargoes on passing the Sound and the Belts, and that the present establishments