The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-03-10
The Alabama Claims Debate.


In the House OF Commons Mr.. Shaw Lefevres
speech on the Alabama claims continued thus:-Mr.
Adams, writing to Mr.. Seward, July r. 1885, speak
ing of his first interview with Lord Stanley says
ellis lordship, welcoming me- remarked that he pre-
sumed his sentiments toward the United States had
been long well known to me. II had always IA
vored the cultivation of friendly relations with
and 1t had been q cause of regret that they
should have been at all endangered during the
late struggle by i'll considered speeches made in Par
lament (Iear and laugh.) The apology thus
given was certainly needed on behalf OF some OF the
noble lords colleagues, and he could only WISH
looking back at the four years Of the war; that the
noble lord had even occasionally used his great In
nuence by speaking out his own views to remedy
the harm caused by such mischevous speeches.
The American claims, which had been dor
mant for more than year, were again
newed In August, 1866. This time the question
OF recognition instead OF being treated as collateral
and apparently unimportant matter now became the
main subject Of complaint. Mr.. Stewards letter, on
reopening the discussion, was mainly occupied with
it, and he treated the question OF the maintenance OF
our neutrality as one of q really subordinate nature.
He said August 81 1866, without descending on this
have insisted, that there deficiency
OF energy in the maintenance OF neutrality,
you may remind Lord Stanley that IN the view which
we have taken OF the subject the misconduct OF the
Nggressors was direct and legitimate part of bell.
gerency against which we have protested; and that
the failure OF her Maiesty's government to prevent
and counterfeit the aggressions OF British subjects
was equally traceable TO the same unfortunate
cause. The noble lord, in a despatch to Sir +.
Bruce three months afterwards answered Mr..
Seward. He met his argument strongly and denied
all liability for It, at the same time he offered
arbitration upon the other questions which
had hitherto been IN dispute; ro Lord stan
on the other hand they are fully alive the incon-
venence which arises from the existence Of unset
tied claims of this character between two powerful
and friendly governments. They would be glad 10
settle this question: II they could do consistently
with justice and national sefrespect With this view
they will not be disincned to adopt the principle OF
arbitration, provided that fitting arbitrator
be found, and that an agreement can be come TO
as 10 the points TO which an arbitration shall
apply. Mr.. Seward accepted the proposal. Writ
ing to Mr. Adams on the nth OF January.
1867, he said:-"If her Majesty's government,
for reasons satisfactory TO them, should prefer
the remedy Of arbitration, the United States
would expect to refer the whole controversy first as
it is found in Che correspondence which has taken
place between the two governments, with such fur
Tier evidence and argument IA either side may de-
src without imposing restrictions, conditions or
limitation upon the umpire, and without waving
any principle or argument on either side.
Lord stanley writing to Sir i. Bruce on the
10Th OF March, 1867, said, TO such an extensive
ana unlimited reference Her Majesty's government
cannot consent, for this reason among Others that
It would admit and indeed compel the submission to
the arbitration OF the very question which have al
ready said they cannot agree 10 submit The real mat
ter IN issue between the two governments when Kept
apart from collateral considerations Is whether
In the matters connected with the YES
sels out OF whose depredations the claims
Of American citizens have arisen the course pursued
by the British government and by those who acted
under It's authority such rs would involve moral
responsibility on the part of the British government
TO make good either In whole or In part the losses OF
American citizens. The answer made by Mr. Seward
To this despatch was unfortunately not given IN full
in the papers before the House, but II printed Mt
length In America. There only reference to 10
I'm the letter written by the noble lord to Sir Il.
Bruce. II was dated the 18th OF August, 1867.
IA this point the transmission and reception OF
the report by the cable ceased.l