Danmark nederlag i Krigen i 1864 skabte i USA bekymring for om Østrig ville indtage Dansk Vestindien. Den amerikanske udenrigsminister William H. Seward indledte derfor forhandlinger med den danske gesandt Waldemar Raasløff i Washington. Amerikanerne var meget interesserede i at erhverve St. Thomas havn til sin orlogsflåde. I begyndelsen af 1867 forhandlede Seward og Raasløff en salgstraktat på plads som blev underskrevet på diplomatniveau den 24. oktober 1867: Amerikanerne ville købe St. Thomas med St. Jan for 7,5 millioner dollars i guld, men var ikke interesserede i landbrugsøen St. Croix. Dette skabte bekymring på denne ø for fremtiden:
To the Editor of the "St. Thomæ Tidende."
Hear Sir:! - It appears to me that, His Majesty the King of Denmark, &c., &c., &c., saw, from a political point of view, danger staring us in the face, and. in order to save his "beloved and faithful subjets", came to the conclusion to cede these Islands to the United States of America. Let us then through your paper return thanks to His Majesty, our Gracious King, for this noble act, in procuring our future welfare, by placing us in the hands of a government whom we feel assured will watch over us with a Mother's care.
Since this transaction took place we have labored under sad misfortunes, Hurricane and Earthquakes, which have placed us for the moment in great distress, let us then hope that our Gracious King will cause us to owe him a greater debt of gratitude, by placing at our disposal a Million of Dollars at a low rate of interest in order to enable us to restore, without delay our properties and to fix things in a fit state to receive with greeting of joy that Government whom our Gracious King has so judiciously selected to take charge of li is beloved and faithful subjects.
Long live our Gracious King!
(St. Croix Avis 10. december 1867)
Tiie position - speaking politically; and if we can venture to express these words: truly and really - of this Island, is uncertain at this moment, with regard to the future rule of it - the change of government, as is apparent. Some parties say, that St. Croix is sold; others deny it. Doubt has prevailed, for a considerable time, as to the uncertainty of the sale of this place. The secrecy that lasted during all this while, has not been either familiar or pleasant to any one. No! the feelings of man are too keen and perceptive not to observe all, and withstand this movement. Look then! Fellow-Citizens! at your present position; and study your own interests; for, it is undeniable, that the change of government, as far as regards the islands of St. Thomas and St. John came on equally as rapidly, suddenly, and unexpectedly as the hurricane of last month and the earthquakes during this month. Can any man of common sense and the least judgment then declare, that this island would be of value, benefit, or gain to Denmark, without St. Thomas and St. John? Can any one, for a moment, believe that the Agricultural interests of it would be better provided for in the present state of things? Shall we then with truth explain ourselves, and positively avow, that all things - whether agricultural, commercial and otherwise, would be left in suspense.
(St. Croix Avis 13. december 1867)
(From the St. Thomas Times, December 14.)
At an extraordinary Meeting held by the Colonial Council of St. Thomas and St. Johns on Wednesday the 11th instant, for the purpose of discussing the matters entered on the order of the day, fixed for the ordinary session appointed for the 19th ultimo, but which on account of the confusion that this community has been thrown into since the 18th November, had been postponed sine die, His Excellency, the Vice-Governor, immediately after the opening of the Meeting, addressed the Council in the following manner .
That the members of the Council had already by the Royal Proclamation of 25th October, 1867, been made acquainted with His Majesty the King's resolution relative to the cession of these Islands to the United States of America, and that the members, one and all, would doubtless join with him in the hope expressed in the proclamation, that the favorable dovelopcment of the Islands, in spiritual as well as in material respects, would be powerfully advanced, also under the new sovereignty. He would, however, take the liberty to use this occasion in earnestly impressing on the minds of the Council, and all its members to contribute on their side everything possible towards a happy transition from the new existing state of things to the future. The Colonial Council is at present the representative of this community, not only in municipal, but also to a certain extent, in legislative matters; and it is to be expected and hoped, that the new Government will make use of this institution in the deliberations on the changes in the legislature, and the regulating of the administration, that the new relations will require. Until that time the hitherto existing rules, and prescriptions must of course be observed; and he hoped, as long as he had the honor to fill the office of Superior Authority in this Community, and until the Islands be taken over by the new Government, that the Council with the same zeal as hitherto will contribute its co-operation in all matters which according to the Colonial Law appertain to and come under its competency. This for the present will be the correct, and only manner in which the transition to the future can happily be prepared.
From the foregoing remarks, no doubt can be left on the minds of this public, that henceforth and just as soon as the preparatory measures are completed, these Islands will pass into the hands of the United States.
Included among the proceedings of that day, the following proposal was put and carried: -
"That an amount of $10,000 of the funds of the Colonial Treasury be placed at the disposal of His Excellency the President, to be employed as loans in conformity with the Presidency's letter of 9th November last, No. 2565 ; and on such terms, and conditions, respecting the repayment, rate of interest, and security to be given, as may be decided upon by His Excellency, and two members of the Colonial Council, to be elected to-day".
The Members elected to unite with the Vice-Governor for carrying out the above measure, were Mr. S. B. Lange and Mr. H. Krebs.
(St. Croix Avis 17. december 1867).
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