Cramer to Evarts, August 11, 1879

No. 146. Mr. Cramer to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: Referring to your dispatch No. 297, relative to a rumor now current at St. Thomas, of negotiations now pending between Denmark and some government not named, but presumed to be that of Great Britain, I have now the honor to inform you that to-day (Monday) at 3 o’clock p.m., I called at the Danish foreign office, and excusing myself to the minister for foreign affairs for calling on him at this unusual time—the weekly diplomatic conferences being held on Thursdays—I broached the subject by saying that a rumor was current in St. Thomas concerning negotiations being carried on between His Majesty’s Government and some other government not positively named, for the transfer of that island, and that, as the Government of the United States could not but feel a deep interest in the matter, I would be both pleased and grateful if his excellency would kindly inform me whether or not there is any truth in the report.

The minister replied with perfect candor that there is no truth in the report, and that no negotiations are pending with any government on the subject in question. * * *

I am, &c.,