New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-24
The Colombian Commissiou.

This international tribunal created by the Convention
between the two Republics negotiated by Gen. Cass and
Gen Therrau in 1857 and received and extended by
supplemental Convention in 1861 signed by Mr.. Seward
and uro since President Of Coombia closed its abors
the 18th inst, having adludcatcd and settled al the
laid before il by the Government OF the United
States
The Commissioner on the part of this Government was
the Hon. Thos Biddle of Philadelphia lawyer by pro
fesson but who has spent number of years abroad in
the consular and diplomatic service OF his country lie Is
an accomplished gentleman, ripe scholar, and nan OF
the highest honor and integrity. The Colombia Conlis
sionerwa Gen EusOrgio Sagar the Minister flenipo
tontay OF that Government AT Washington one OF me
most eminent citizens OF his country and who both ~ his
public character and private life has made the most iVor
able impression during his residence here The umpire
was the British Minister Sir Frederick Bruce who IN The
midst Of the always important and onerous duties o. mat
legation in this city, found time TO examine and determine
all the eases land they were neither few nor
which the Commissioners disagreed; he preshuE al
the discussions of all the cases where the large amounts
intricate questions rendered such disagreement probh
bic and generally delivering his judgments IN writing at
length They will furnish valuable contribution TO some
future edition OF Wheaton or Phmore.
The number of 49, and, beside those growing
out Of tho Panama riots of 1886 In which our citizens SUI
fercd severely of great variety npnncpes and details
There Of imprcssmeni, OF shipping ior military
purposes seizures 0f ships and cargoes for alleged voS
ton of revenue laws and claims founded on alleged
wrongful judicial sentences; cases Of bondhodes OF the
old Colombian debt Of tort and eases OF contract Of
damages direct and remote, OF captures by American Pa
teens DUNG the of South American independence
etc running back 10 the year 1877.
The total amounts claimed were ABOUT uiiioh anu !"
half of olars and il IS remarkable that tho total amount
awarded IL less than 100000, short 10 per cent
IT, this connection 10 may be stated 70 show how here
ofore the amounts OF damages against foreign Govern
rnenis have been exaggerated, that the claims against
Paraguay we're over 900 600 but, IN 1850 the Comns
sone Cave johnson rejected all Of them, and therefore,
no award whatever made 10 the complainanis-the
United States and Panama Navigation Company II VIII
De remembered that feet previously sent TO fara-
quay compel the President Of that Republic TO listen to
the demands OF claimants.
In the case Of Costa Rca in 1862 the claims were to
the amount Of a. 0O0o0 while the Convention awarded
only $4,000. per cent. The Umpire was the Ion
mander Bcr,lnaiti a., Italian Minister. Costa Rca was
represented Minister Moline Of that Republic, ana the
United states by Mr. Revford 81 Ncw-Nork 800,
ntliur OF rsr- sistngushcd council appeared at the
United States and Colombian Commission for the espec-
tive claimants. Among them may be mentioned ex-
Attoruey General Black the Hon. W. b. Reed cX-Mins
ter to China; the Hon ). = Cox, exJudge Gilbert Dean
Of NewY York ex-Judge Crosby of Massachusetts Wal.
tor l. Cox OF Georgctown; Charles lngersoll, esq OF
PHILADELPHIA; the Hon. Charles Mason of Iowa. and Jonn
Sherwood esq Of New York and against all TINS array
II professional talent, Colombia was defended by james
NJ Carlisle ESQ., Of Washington, gentleman whose posi-
tom a. al attorney and character gentleman Is widely
and iayoraby known.