The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-28
Arbitration on England'S Right to Recognize
the South Conceded,
General Grants Opinion Of the
Prevailing Peace.
Secretary Seward on tho Paraguay
an Difficulties.
INSTRUCTIONS TO REAR ADrIRAL DAVIS.

uVu Oi Siaims-F0Wer9 OIL toe COnVcnllOus
My despatch OF day before yesterday giving the
points OF the convention to settle the pending claims
between the United States and Great Britain was
substantially correct, though erroneous in one very
important feature l refer to that part OF the
despatch which represented that the commissioners
were TO be three In number, two OF them to be ap-
pointed by Great Britain and only one by the United
States My informant was wrong on that point, and
fell into the error by misapprehending the expana-
ton OF very high Official who detailed the points OF
the convention in the course OF conversation As to
the number OF commits siones there is doubt that
the convention nxes II at four two on each side, but
provides that they shall decide on different
claims in . different manner. The conven-
ton divides the claims INTO two classes
one known IS the Alabama claims and the
other class comprising all other claims that
have arisen between the two countries since the
treaty OF 1853. In the OF Claims OF the second
class the convention declares that majority OF the
four commissioners shall decide unless some one
OF the commissioners calls for IN arbitrator, thus
leaving it optional with the Board Of Commissioners
to have an arbitrator or not as they choose; but in
the case Of the Alabama claims the convention pro-
vtdes that each and every one OF the claims shall
be passed unanimously, and not by mere majority
Of the commissioners, as In the case Of other Claims
When ono single commissioner dissents the claim
upon and the decision OF this arbitrator is to be nna
These are positively the provisions Of the conven-
ton ON the most vital points, the details and other
points being substantially a. I telegraphed you
last Wednesday. Ny Information comes from
such source as to leave no room for particle Of
doubt. BY this convention our government consid-
ers that it has caused Great Britain to c0ncede the
most vital point at ISSUE In the earlier stages OF
the negotiations the English government refused
to commit to arbitration the question as to her right
to accord beligerent rights to the rebels and her
right to permit vessels OF war to be fitted out In her
ports to harass our commerce ana attack our own
navy. Those were questions which she contended be-
longed to her own municipal laws, the construction
or which she would not suffer to be passed upon by
any other Power. Our government now holds that in
consenting TO have the Alabama claims passed upon
by this commission England has ipsO JdctO consent
ed to commit the question OF her right to c0ncede
bellgerent rights to the rebels to be passed upon
also, as the one question Is necessarily involved
in the other. This our government considers
Is concession OF the most vital point at issue and
q triumph OF diplomacy for our side. The objection
to the convention on the part Of our government Is
contained In the article which compels the commits
sioners to cali upon the arbitrator In case one sin
gle commissioner disagrees to any OF the Alabama
caims in other words, requiring the decision Of all
such claims TO be unanimous arbitrated. This
provision il under serious consideration by Presi
dent Johnson and his Cabinet, and may cause the
rejection or the protocol agreed to by Minister John
son and Lord stanley. A few days will probably
decide.
The Cabinet session to-day was unusually pro-
tracted. many important matters having been intro
duced, chief Of which were the Alabama claims.
Postmaster General Randall and Attorney General
Evarts remained Tor long tune after all the others
had retired.
General Grants views ON the Result Of the
Election.
In conversation few days ago General Grant cx-
pressed his Impression that the result OF the late
election had Quoted down the state OF feeling
throughout the country; CHAD produced con
diton OF sober and contented acquiesence IN
the declared will OF the majority and that an
improved tone 10 the political as well rs
in other relations OF life will be made
manifest. When he made use OF the expression ''Let
us have peace" he sincerely meant IT, and he appre-
heuded no trouble In any section Of the country un-
der his administration while ut the same time the
rights OF all classes and OF all communities shall be
protected and preserved. Referring to the four
teenth amendment he said Kentucky and Maryland
would suffer loss OF representation after the next
census II they refuse to allow negro Suffrage In accord
ance with the provisions OF that amendment. ut
will be q bitter pill TO them" observed the General
laughing, shut they'll have TO stand It,"
Visitors at the Willie House.
The White House was visited to-day BY large
number OF ladies and gentlemen from the interior
part OF Virginia. who had been attending meeting
OF stockholders Of the orange ana Alexandria Rail-
road ct Alexandria yesterday Being 50 near to che
national capital they resolved to pay It visit ~
many OF them had never been In the city.
Annual Reports Of the Treasury Department.
- hat
has been printed and the Secretary took copy Of 1t
with him when he went to the Cabinet meeting to-
day The report itself was printed in the Treasury
Building, while the accompanying documents were
printed at the government printing ONCE The Sec
retary was 80 fearful that portion Of his report
would fa into the hands OF the press that he would
not trust 1t outside OF the Treasury Building The
annual report or the Commissioner OF Internal
Revenue Ia not yet completed, but IL 10
expected that II viii bo sent TO the print
ers on Tuesday next. One reason why many OF
the reports OF heads OF bureaus are so much delayed
it Is stated is because they Include In their reports
the first quarter OF the present fiscal year. making
ave quarters In all reported upon, when law
and custom require the reports 70 be confined TO the
transactions during the fiscal rear ending the sotn
Of June Thus, order to make rs large an exhibit
as possible one quarter OF each scal year. the FIRST,
il twice reported. The officers who have included
in their reports this year the nrst quarter OF the
present fiscal year are the Commissioner OF Internal
Revenue. the Comptroller OF the Currency and the
Third Auditor.
Americas Travellers In RUSSIA.
The state Department mas been officially notified
By the government that IL viii be necessary
for Americans entering Russia, n they would avoid
delay at the frontier to have their passports csed
by tue Russian Ministers OF Consuls abroad; and
where they have no passports their voyage books
Qirre,s de rovdpej should in like manner be cissd.
Cattarausss Indian Land Claims.
The Commissioner OF Indian Affairs expects to
leave this city in q few days for the Cattaraugus
reservation, New York. for the purpose OF giving at
tention to the settlement OF certain Indian land
| claims.
The Dyer Court or Inquiry.