Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-09-19
TAs Outstanding Claims between the ruted States and
England-The New Treaty.


49,
Engiand-The New Treaty.
From the London Times, Aug. &c.
good grievance even where a subject Of the realm Is
the complainant and the government OF country
the defendant property OF great aiue aud eh,rHord,
nary vitality. 1t is barred by statue Of limitations
with bankrupt when all his other possessions pass
TO his assignees and IL descends in all It's integrity, Tree
Of duty representatives however numerous they may
be- and no ever remote their connection with their az
geved Nor this the whole, 10 be regret
ted whatever may be the Inconvenience arising In ndi
vdual cases forced public attention by orators who
take them up from caprice from desire OF display or in
spirit of hostility existing Administration
In the opinion of sensible and impartial persons gov
crnment gains credit by firmly resisting irivo-
ous claims than by promptly eonceding those which are
well founded for the latter is pleasing and easy duty
while the former Is dsagreeable and nNdious one
Where however, the subjects of country prefer de-
mands against the government Of another the difficulties
of dealing with each il occurs are vast
ly increased. National honor may be compromised, and
national interests be sacrificed by yielding some APP
pareny insignificant point while the most lusthtble re-
iusa of individuals claims may involve ali the horrors
Of a ruinous and internecine
IL is little the credit of the Anglo Saxon race
that notwithstanding the many OF difference which
have from time arisen between aud our trans
atlantic brethren there has been since the treaty OF uhent
no actual quarrel between the couures The Roman
historian, in speaking OF the odd frdbEs soIfd gave
" faithful description OF the relations which
frequently exist between communities closely allied
by and origin. In the OF England aud the Uni
ted States this melancholy aud Illuminating fact Is easily
explained. The ill.feeling unnaturaly excited in
both countries by the successful struggle OF America Tor
independence the contguiy of our Canadian possessions
to the territory OF the republic differences OF prnc
pie and feeling the important question OF slavery, and
the rivalry unavoidable between commercial nations whose
interests cannot at all times be the same would have
amply sufficient account for disputes far more serious
than any which the powers hAveyet been Involved
The treaty which have referred concluded on
the cath Of December lSl4the Engsh negotiators
ing Lord Gambler, Mr.. Goulburn and DIR. VIM. Adams,
while the Americans were represented by John Quincy
Adams with four colleagues one OF whom was Henry
Clay Its stpuations clciied the time much criticism
from the opposition and the provision for deciding ques
tons OF boundary which afterwards occasioned much
difficulty, especially noticed Mr.. Ponsonby moved
amendment the Ministerial address of thanks aud
Sir James Mcintosh avaed himself Of the opportunity
censure ouy the mode in which the war had been
terminated, but the in which it had been prosccu
ted by this country The claims which under that
treaty ultimately satisfied by the payment of eOi
goo the American government but since that period,
fresh account has been running, for the settlement of
which provision has been made BY convention, dated
the sth OF last February, the rafcaons Of which
exchanged ON the Goth a? last month.
We published this important document in our impress
sion OF yesterday, and need not at present do
than briefly recapituate its principal provisions. Ii
meDces with recng that since che treaty OF 1874 claims
have various times been made upon the English gov
erDment by citizens OF the United States and
that of such claims still peuding-and that their
speedy settlement would contribute much to the main
OF the friendly feeling which subss between the
two countries Ii then proceeds declare that all such
demands shall be referred commissioners nomina-
ted by the respective governments with power appoint
al umpire in OF difference. All claims be
presented within six months after the constitution of the
COMMISSIONS further period OF three months being hoN
ever, allowed where delay may appear 10 have been
avOdaoe and the decision on every case TO be pro-
nounccd within year from the first meeting OF the
commissioners. Subsequent articles provide hat all
claims either side, whether brought forward not
shall after the commission has concluded its proceedings
be considered finally settled barred and thcuceforth
inadni-s.be and that all aSArded shall be paid by
the respective governments within twelve months after
the date Of the award The preamble above referred
may be regarded pAraphraSe automatically expressed
OF two hOnely prOveEbs-"Beter late than never, aud
short accounts make long friendships Had tribunal
Of the nature proposed been constituted earlier
period, it. duties would have been TAR less complicated
than will nov be the clse-t would have saved parties
really sggeved from delay OF justice the hardshps Of
which no payment Of interest can conpensate-Snd it
would We eNtIuguhed in their infancy many frivolous
claims which hcscver futile and oasess afford dangerous
topics for angry defamation IN irrtlted OF public
feeling NnI tnus tend 10 Imper the continuance OF ami
! cable relations between tie two countries.
To tie English commissioner To be appointed under
i this convention may offer suggestion, which,
now not Who he = 70 be- cannot be considered imply
iuG any doubt of his abilities The American nesotaor
whose name have mentioned Ia connection with the
treaty o. Client, by rcui-s IN urging
vance ant his panr.yti-t tells that under us sc.
cy, toe claims made 90 foreign governments by the Uni
tel States Government, the part OF the citizens for in
Jurlcs, acre persisted Ia sh unCXiupcl success The
spirit Of John Quincy Adams l. far from being extinct and
his couutrymen have, irO various Pecul4Fties their
history and la their political system, gained great eNpe-
renee 90 the theory aud practice OF grievances One Of
the largest folio volumes which have happened meet
with among the American State Papers bears the oniuous
lettering, Claims but, having sscettain,d that the
deN aoLe occupies hity closely printed pages have
not further Investigated it, IL might be pre-
sumptuous 10 attempt to limit 10 the variety C wrongs
WHICH human nature may sustain, or human ingenuity con-
ceNt' but We may assume that the authentic record
which have referred tOlerabiy ample colec
uOn OF srryceabe pr,ccieUt-; and without intending the
slightest d=rrspect American irieniswho will
family not omit u press any claim pUcssing the slightest
shadow OF plIu=IbItye some acquaiu-
lance with tue manner ia which their domestic complaints
have been dealt WITH will be found extremely useful in
tIuatrg the validity OF their demands on ourselves
No state = bound 10y the internal laws Of another but
all civilized states are, in theory bound ~ international
Law. Yet this inter- aiioua L1- in every ace been
Overborue 10y the yiOe Of the strong Willie il has been
dsregar!cd by the selfish the tni and the adyocles Of
peace at any price.
Il hA-, thereo.c been useless as protection to the
weak, because ITS provisions have been practically
enforced by any adequate sanction By agreeing On an
amcable mode Of settling differences xch slight A. NAV
be their intrinsic importance miLt bv urprrciuI,i or
unsk'u manag cement, be aggravated into national QUAR-.
rel-, England aud America acku0W ledge end r.
ne the supremacy Of international aa and the hom,,.
which they yield to It's dictates they will be better able
TO exact from Others when old causes Of mutual irritation
shall have teen removed and when the possibility OF their
being brought into collision -h4 have been prevented ~
Ter as human foresight prevent such A CALAMITY ly
mutual aud voluntary concession. All experience ttcb
us hoE great htte fire kindlrth' and ronss-
queniy, trivial the subjects Of d may BE- We re-
J2'ee mat the conclusion Of convention With America
Tor the settlement Of outstanding claims 10y mixed com
mission, should lave guaizsd Lord John Russell bris
administration Of the foreign department
TnE LospoS Tnss, oS tia FISHERY QcrsrroS. Sent
!>t says after recng the rImo- published iu tis coun
try, touching Mr. Champions proposition 10 the new Al
mini.raiiou:
at appears that the Brii.l Go.crrmen, I. not unvi
ling upon fair conditions, to place American f-lernsn on
Tue oo"g ~ all respects Of our cpons and thu, "a
terminate absolutely all chances ofil-rcncs in respect Ia
these matters ln return IL f. uuder.tpa that demands
have been preferred on -e Tor the repeal Of import
duties on colonial fish, the sOypigc Of the bouue- nov
paid 10 American h.crueu aud A reciprocty Of priyi-
lege for Bnu- fishermen American waters I'll. Ia,
condition - little better tyu nominal for British fisher
ne have already waters Of their Urn nor do We see ho
the other term. could bee liable 10 uJstantii stccptiyn