The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-02-28

confded their management. No Gaphn claims Gard
frauds suspicion upon their official integrity They
win carry with them into private life that will con-
mand respect from all who entertain proper estimate
honesty and fidelity in public officer. With such cabinet
no administration could fail OF under any circuu
Stances and the candid will admit that administrator
ever perplexing and almost Overwhelming
difficulties than attended the present at nearly every ste,
of its progress. Its record will form Of the brehea
pages Of the history of the country and the OF Frank
lin Pierce will go down to posterity of the abt
rmes and patriotic that have ever filled Tho
executive chair"
REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE C0MMIS
SIONERS FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF CLAIMS Dr.
TWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRt
TAIN.
We have read with great satisfaction not unminged with
feeling of PRIDE the admirably report recently
printed by order Of the Senate Of the proceedings Of The
commissioners for the adjustment OF claims under the
venton of February g. 1853, between the United Stats
end Great Britain The convention under which the con-
mission was appointed provided for the adjustment Of
claims made upon the government of the United States
corporations companies and private individuals subjects
Of her Britannia Majesty and claims made upon the gov
eminent Of Great Britain by corporations companies
private individuals, citizens Of the United States.
The jurisdiction of the commissioners extended to all
Cases uuscttleu, uccn PtescuWu
either for its interposon with the other c
the signature Of the treaty Of peace the Gath Of Dm
ber 1914 and such other claims subsequent that time
as might be presented the commissioners within Dix
months from the day of their first meeting
These claims to be impartally and carefully
ined By the commissioners and decided according the
best of their Judgment and according justice and equity
and their decision to be "a full 6na and perfect se
Element of every claim arising out Of any transaction Of
date prior to the exchange Of the ratcatons of Ss con-
veptionp
The respective governments engaged to give full t
these decisions without objection delay evasion and
further engaged that all claims within the urisdcond
the commissioner whether presented for their
sideracn, should, from and after the conclusion Of The
proceedings of the commission be considered and at
ed finally settled barred and thenceforth nadmsbh'
By the terms OF the convention these cases were
decided within year from the opening of the commits
sion As this found to be mpracticable the time was
extended by supplementary convention to further pc
riod of four months Within the period thus extended
the commissioners acted upon and finally disposed of all
claims before Them and united, the 18th of January
1885, in mutual reports to their respective
the result of their labors.
Congress and Parliament early made appropriations for
payment Of the several awards made by the commission
and all claims between the citizens subjects Of either
country against The other the date of the ratification
the convention July 2G 1855 have since been fully and
finally settled
Tie commission consisted of Hon. Nathaniel G. Uphsu
On the part Of the United States and Edmund Hornty
ESD, the part OF Great Britain General John A. Thomas
appointed agent Of the United States and James Han
men, esq, agent ofGra Britain to present the claims made
in behalf of hir respective governments and to answer
Ill claims made upon them. And it may not be out Of
place here to state that WHILE in pursuance of the copsu
ton given to the treaty, the British claimants repre-
sented in each by the eminent legal talent Tho
United States commission were entirely unaided.
This government has had the good fortune the results
Of this commission abundanty and concusively show
carry out all the great international principles which
has contended for since the commencement of the present
century The of the Mesrs Laurent Of tie most
Important which adiuicated by the commission, for
established the following principle:
Where claimants, who were originally British subjects
md become domcil,d in Mexico and continued reside
there engaged in trade during between Mexico ana
he United States held that they had far changed Their
national character that they could not be considered Brit
sh SUBJECTS within the meaning of these used
he convention for the settlement of claims of British sub
ects upon the government Of the United States.p
In the course of General Thomass powerful and elabcr
ne argument in this interesting and important case,
aid:
81 am asked by the counsel for her Majesy's govern
nent, whether would maintain that Brsb-b born subject
ound In arms against England could not be executed o
reason 1t is not Necessary to the correct decision Of The
question under discussion that should answer this inter
ogatory; but will say, however that do maintain that
Tery proposition, always supposing that the change Of
iomic Is made in good faith. There be fitness 10
POINT OF Time and fairness of intent and publicity OF tbe
'ct; when these circumstances concur no nation would
justified by the law of naionsin executing treason
me OF its natve-born subjects found in the military service
y another country with which it might be at war ID
maintaining this proposition perfectly aware tbs,
sir William Scott has held that adopted citizen musI
rot be found in hostility to his native country and thai
Blackstone and Lord Hale have held like doctrine
,ut these distinguished judges recorded these opnions
line when eudal institutions had rmer hold England
ban they have and the latter two before the Sta
md nations of America had taken their places among ne
Independent nations of the world and before half million
people swarmed annually from the British isles to en
pon and make their homes In nearly every inhabited spo
IN The globe They would now II they could be herew
witness this wonderful change in the condition OF Toe
world, contend that these persona, many OF whom wer