The need of the United States for a naval base to prevent blockade-running during the Civil War influenced President Lincoln and Secretary Seward to urge the purchase of the Danish West Indies, in order to obtain the rights to the harbor of St. Thomas. Actual negotiations were not undertaken, however, till after Lincoln’s assassination. The first proposals were made to Denmark when she was smarting under the loss of Schleswig and Holstein, after the victory of her Teuton enemies. Secretary Seward visited the islands in the year 1866, and offered five million dollars for the group. But Denmark hesitated to conclude arrangements, lest she displease her victors. Furthermore, Napoleon III refused his consent to the transfer of St. Croix, and according to the agreement entered into at the time of the purchase of St. Croix from France, Denmark could not dispose of this island to any other country without the approval of the original owner. Seven and a half million dollars was the price finally named in 1867 for the two northern islands, and the Danish Senate and the inhabitants of the island voted in favor of the transaction. In the United States Senate the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee was Charles Sumner. As an opponent of President Johnson, it is believed he feared the purchase of the Danish West Indies, following the Alaska purchase, would bring too great popular favor to the Administration. At any rate, no action was taken on the treaty when it was presented. The opposition of Sumner to the Grant administration further delayed ratifications, and, in 1870, the treaty was allowed to lapse. The Danes again showed themselves willing to sell the islands during the presidency of Harrison and Cleveland, but met no response on the part of the United States. After the Spanish-American War, proposals were again renewed. A treaty was drawn up by John Hay in 1901, and the purchase price fixed at five million dollars for the three islands, St. Croix being included by consent of France. The United States Senate confirmed the second treaty in February, 1902, but this time the Upper House of the Danish Parliament failed to ratify. German influence in Denmark was held accountable for this attitude, since German steamship interests would be furthered by the retention of the islands by Denmark. In 1911, the transfer was once more broached, but again it failed of consummation. The question last came up for discussion in August, 1916, and again negotiations would have been fruitless but for the insistence of the Danish premier, who threatened to dissolve parliament and participate a general election if Government and people did not consent to the disposal of the islands. On January 17, 1917, terms were finally concluded between the two countries.