The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-01-22

A Washington dispatch of the 18th, to the Gin
cinnati Commercial says: Mr.. Seward received
information by the cable, on Friday morning,
that Reverdy Johnson and Earl Clarendon had
signed treaty for the settlement of the claims of
citizens of the United States against Great Britain
and of citizens of Great Britain against the United
States. This treaty, substantially, was at the
State Department, and Mr.. Seward submitted il to
the president, at the cabinet meeting, held at
noon, where, after some discussion, II was ap.
proved. II was then sent to the Senate, but as
that body adjourned until Monday, without going
into executive session, 1t remains on the table of
the presiding officer, in company with two other
treaties negotiated by Reverdy johnson with
Great Britain.
One of these defines the question of citizenship
and of expstriation, and the other settles the
Northwest boundary question as to the Island of
San Juan.
The copy of the treaty thus before the Senate
is the original protocol or draft agreed upon at
London in November last, which was confiden-
italy printed at the foreign Office, on heavy blue
official paper with the lines far apart, and with
wide margins for corrections, interlineatons or
additions.
Copies of this protocol were signed by the
contracting parties and sent by Beverly Johnson
to the State department.
One of the copies, amended by Mr.. Seward,
was returned to Mr.. johnson, but the other was
retained at the State department and as the nego-
tiation has progressed all the amendments have
been made on it as 1t was originally signed. Ii
was consequently in shape to be laid before the
Senate, although changes have been made since
the signatures were written; but this informality
will be waived, and the document will be referred
to the committee on foreign relations, and ordered
to be printed, in confidence, for the use Of the
Senate.
The treaty. signed on the 18th, viii doubtless
be here in time to be substituted for this amended
protocol before any definite action is taken by the
Senate.
Mr.. Seward is very anxious to have the matter
of the Alabama claims settled before his retire.
me- Mt and hence his haste in sending to the Senate
merely draft Of the treaty, and not the official
document.
The articles Of the treaty are eight in number,
and are substantially as follows:
First The two governments agree to the settle
ment of all claims and differences which have
arisen since the convention Of 1858.
Second. Provides for a commission of four per-
sons, each government being entitled to two rep
resentatives; this commission to agree upon q
plan of settlement.
Third. Provides that a majority Of the commits
sion shall decide the question involved.
Fourth. Provides for cases of disagreement of
any claims considered by the commission. In
such an event the two governments shall choose
an umpire. The president of the United States
shall act for the United States, but the umpire
selected shall not be qualified unless confirmed by
the Senate.
Fifth. Provides that in the event of the refusal
of the umpire to decide the question, il shall
be settled by lot in the presence of the COM
mission.
Sixth. Excludes from the jurisdiction of the
commission all cases arising from claims which
have been adjudicated by the courts of admi-
rally.
Seventh. Provides that claimants shall have first
preserved strict neutrality during the war; and did
not aid the South.
Eighth. Provides for the holding of the session
of the commission in Washington.