The Secretary of State to the Chairman, Select Committee on Purchase of Danish Islands
Washington, April 3, 1902.
Sir: I have received your letter of the 31st of March, and in reply beg leave to say:
In the early part of December, 1899, Captain Christmas called upon me at this Department, and informed me that, through private and personal sources in Copenhagen, he had become aware that there was a disposition among some of the leading members of the Danish Government to regard favorably an overture from the Government of the United States looking to the acquisition of the Danish Islands. He said that he had been a naval officer, and spoke at some length in regard to the desirability of the island of St. John as a naval station for the United States. At my suggestion he conveyed what further technical information he had on this subject to Admiral Bradford of the Navy Department. Although he presented no credentials whatever and expressly declared he had no official character, I thought his story was of sufficient interest to be worth investigation. I told him I would send a confidential and trusted agent of this Government to Copenhagen to ascertain unofficially the true state of affairs, and mentioned to him the name of Mr. Henry White, First Secretary of Embassy at London. Captain Christmas said he would like to be in Copenhagen when Mr. White arrived, and bring him into communication with the members of the Government whom he had mentioned. I gave him a note of introduction to Mr. White, and they met in Copenhagen, where Captain Christmas had arranged for an interview between Mr. White and a member of the Danish Government. Mr. Christmas was not present at this interview, and his connection with the matter ceased entirely at that time. He afterwards returned to Washington, and I saw him once or twice, but told him that there was no need of the services of any private person in any negotiations which might be taken up between the two Governments in regard to the acquisition of the islands.
I enclose a copy of a letter which I gave the Danish Minister in Washington at the time of the signing of the recent treaty, and also a copy of a letter which I have received from the Danish Minister, Mr. Brun, dated the 31st of March 1902.
Very sincerely yours,