The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-02
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.

THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
Tho Johnson-C Clarendon Treaty
with Great Britain.
WASHINGTON, January 90.
The following is the full text of the
Alabama claims treaty negotiated at Lon
don, January IA, 1869, by Lord Claren-
don and Reverdy johnson, and which
is now pending in the Senate Of the
United States for ratification:
Whereas claims have been made at
various times, since the adjournment Of
the convention between the United States
and Great Britain of February s, 1853,
upon the government of her Britannia
Majesty on the part, Of citizens of the
United States, and upon the government
of tie United States by the subjects of
her Britannia Majesty; and whereas
some of said claims are still pending
and remaining unsettled, the President
of the United States of Amerlca, and
her Majesty, the Queen of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
being of opinion thata speedy and equit-
able settlement of all such claims will
contribute much to the maintenance of
the friendly feelings which exists between
the two governments, have resolved to
make arrangements for that purpose by
means of convention, and have named
their plcnipotentiaries to confer and
agree thereupon, that is to say: The
President Of the United States of Amer
lea, Reverdy johnson, Envoy Extraor.
dinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, Of
the United States to her Britannia Msies-
ty, and her Majesty the Queen of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and
ireland, Lord Clarendon &C., her Brit
annie Msjesty's principal Secretary of
State Fer Fereigu Affairs, who, after hav-
ing communicated to each other their
respective full powers, found in good
and due form, have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1. The high contracting par
ties agree that all claims on the part of
individuals, citizens of the United States,
upon the government of her Britannia
Majesty, and all claims on the part of
individuals, subjects Of her Britannia
Majesty, upon the government of the
United States, which may have been
presented to either government for its
interposition with the other, since the
exchange of ratifcations at London,
February s, 1858, which yet remain un-
settled, as well as any other such claims
which may be presented within the time
specified in article three, hereinafter,
shall be referred to four commissioners,
to be appointed in the following manner,
that is to say, two, commissioners shall
be named by the President of the United
States, and confirmed by the Seuate and
by her Britannia Majesty. The afore-
said commissioners shall meet at the
earliest period after they shall have been
respectively named, and before entering
on, the discharge of their duties shall
make declaration under oath that they
will impartially and carefully examine
and 6ecide,tc the best of their judgment,
and, according to justice and equity,
without fear, favor or affection to their
Fown country, upon all such claims as
shall be laid before them on the part Of
the governments of the United States
and Of her Britannia Majesty, respect,
lively, and such declaration shall be en-
tered on the record of their proceedings.
The commissioners shall then, and be-
fore proceeding to any other business,
name some third person to act as arbi-
traitor or umpire in any case or cases on
which they may themselves differ in
opinion. If they should not be able to
agree upon the name of such third per-
son, they shall each name person, and
in each and every case in which the com
missioners may differ in opinion as to
the decision which they ought to give,
it shall be determined by lot which Of
the two, persons so named shall be the
arbitrator or umpire in that particular
case The person or persons so to be
chosen to be arbitrator or umpire shall,
before proceeding to act as such in any
case, make and subscribe solemn dec
laration in a form similar to that which
shall already have been made and sub
scribed by the commissioners, which
shall be entered on the record of theil
proceedings. In the event Of the death
absence or incapacity Of such person OF
persons, or of his or their emitting OF
declining or ceasing to act as such or
bitrator or umpire, another and differ
ent person shall be named as aforesaid
to act as such arbitrator or umpire il
the place and stead of the person sc
originally named as aforesaid, and shall
make and subscribe such declaration as
aforesaid. i.
ART. 2. The commissioners shall ther
forthwith proceed to the investigation O
the claims which shall be presented tc
their notice. They shall investigate ane
decide upon such claims, in such order
and in such manner, but upon such eyi
dence or information only as shall be fur
nlshed by or on behalf Of their respect
i've governments. They shall be boun(
to receive and peruse all written docu
ments or statements which may be pre-
sented to them by or on behalf Of theil
respective governments in support O
and in answer, to any claim, and to hear
if required, one person on each side, OF
behalf of each government, as counse
or agent for such government, on eacf
and every separate claim. Should the,
fail to agree in opinion upon any claim
they shall call to their assistance the ar
bitrator or umpire whom they may have
agreed to name, or who may be deter
mined by lot, as the case may be, ant
.such arbitrator or umpire, after having
examined the evidence adduced, for an6
against the claim, and after having heard
Iif required, one person on each side, a:
aforesaid, and consulted with the com
missioners, Shall decide thereupon final
ly and without appeal Nevertheless, i
the commissioners, or any two of them
shall think it desirable that sovereign
or head of friendly State, should b.
an arbitrator or umpire in the case Of
any claim, the commissioners shall re
port to that efftc. to their respective