The New York herald., 1869-02-18
Correspondence Relating to the Subject Of
Claims, the Subject OF Boundary and
the Subject Of the Rights Of Natur-
allied Citizens Between the
United States of America
Great Britain.

WASHINGTON. Feb. IT. 1869.
The following is, the diplomatic correspondence
between this government and the government OF
Great Britain on the subject OF the Alabama claims
our Northwest boundary line and the naturalization
question.
ON December 4, 1857, Mr.. Adams forwarded the
following letter to Mr. Seward:--
Further Correspondence Respecting British
and American Claims Arising Out of the
Late Civil War In the United states.
LORD STANLEY TO SIR +. WRIGHT BRUCE.
FOREIGN OFFICE, Sept. 10, 1867
SlR-The Minister OF the United States called upon
me to-day and communicated to me despatch, OF
which, however he was not authorized to give me
copy, from Mr., Seward, dated the 18th or August,
IN reply 10 my despatch to you OF the cath OF May
respecting the mutual claims OF the TWO conn
tries on each other arising out OF the late civil
assure me thai III. seward did not understand my
previous order Of arbitration TO apply only to claims
arising out OF the depredatons OF the Alabama, to
the exclusion Of those arising out OF the depredations
OF vessels OF the ike character but the contrary
an sae c 0sn Tse Prespp app s equally 20
says, considers the terms OF the offer
of the British government to go to arbitra-
ton upon the question whether, in che matters
uected with all those vessels out OF whose depreda-
lions the claims OF American citizens have arisen.
ment and those who acted upon its authority was
such as Would involve moral responsibility to make
good either in whole or IN part the losses OF Amera
Gently precise TO include all tile claims OF American
citizens depreoations on their commerce during
the late rebeiiion, which have been the subject OF
complaint on the part OF the government OF the
Unied States.
But Mr. seward goes on to say that the govern
meNt OF the United States would deem itself ut
liberty to insist before the arbiter that the actual
proceedings aud relations OF the British govern
neni, its officers. agents and subjects towards
the United states LII regard to the rebellion and
Tue rebels as they occurred during that rebellion
are among the matters which are connected with
vyl ara nlafp gnf.
just as In the case OF general Claims alluded to in
my despatch, the actual proceedings and relations
subjects in regard 10 the United States In regard to
the rebellion and the rebels are necessarily connected
with the transactions out OF which those general
claims arose.
:. Mr.. Seward further observes that MY plan seems
TO De 10 constitute Two descriptions Of tribunals:
an arbiter 10 determine the question OF the moral
responsibility OF the British government In regard
70 che vessels oil the Alabama class: and the other
mixed commission 10 adjudicate the socalled gem
eia claims OF both sides; and contingent reference
10 the same or other mixed commissions to ascertain
ana determine the amount Of damages ior indemnity
TO be awarded In the cases examined by the first
tribunal IN the event OF decision of moral respon-
sbty In favor OF the United states. But Mr. Seward
says that the government Of the United States do
not consider any distinction as to principle between
the two tribunals to be necessary, and that IN every
case they agree only to unrestricted arbitration.
lt may be convenient, indeed, that the claims
sh0nd be distributed between the two tribunals,
both OF which, however, the government of the
United States consider should proceed upon the
Mr.. Seward concludes his despatch by saying that
the President will be gratfed II the explanations
contained in 1t should conduce to the removal OF the
difficulties which have heretofore prevented the two
governments from coming to an amlcable and friend
" understanding and Arrangement.
reserve for future occasion any observations
that may have 10 offer on Mr.. Stewards despatch.
STANLEY,
MR.. ADAMS TO MR.. SEWARD.
LEGATION or THE UNITED STATES, !
LONDON, Dec. 0, 1857.
SIR obtained an interview on Tuesday last with
Lord Stanley for the purpose OF renewing the repre-
sentations as directed IN your despatch No os q
growing out OF the state OF things In Ireland. ex-
planned the precise nature Of the question applc-
the chief passages Of your despatch and concluded
by asking him TO reconsider the former decision OF
M er 10 ~ zes n thas
dis 0rdship asked me II had any special mea-
sures to suggest. said nothing beyond tnat already
specified in your despatch No. 2049 OF August last
and the later one already referred TO. He said that
passports had. long since proved 10 be OF little
avail. Unless the descriptions were very ac--
curate they were easily transferred from hand
10 hand: beside which, they had become
rather her obsolete mere. xisny At any rate Il seemed
identify citizens was thing to be supplied IN
America. and therefore should be suggested from
of naturalization. sad that they we're always IL
volved the issue OF formal certificates in the last
tnaf dos said il might in most Case. provided #
given TO be understood that they were essential
as protection. But, In course OF time, many were
lost by neglect to preserve them or other accident,
and 1t was long process from here TO procure
ofilcial copies. There Was also a class OF
cases OF children under age at the time
OF naturalization who grew up and claimed
citizenship Dy virtue OF the act Of their father,
without need OF any legal process for them
selves. That clam was recognized with US. Some
cases OF this kind had occurred since had been
here. There had been much trouble In consequence,
and some hardship.
His lordship said he was al loss to perceive what
they could do, but he would take the matter into
further consideration. and consult with Lord Mayo
about II. said that so far as anew there was no case
let OF arrest and detention without assigned cause
and provision made for trial.
The question was therefore, at present, only one
OF a prospective character. Hls iordship said he
believed THIS state of things would not last much
Igsntly reminded him Of tho fact that this had
been announced very formally last year; yet here
we we're. lie admitted the truth OF IT, but rested on
fnc encouragement incident to the failure OF all the
schemes. CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.
Hon. WILLIAM II. SEWARD Secretary OF state.
washington, ID. q.
Here follows letter from Mr. Adams. enclosing
letter and editorial published in the Lonion Times
On the subject OF the law OF expatriation
Hg. ADAMS TO Mr. SEWARD.
LEGATION or TEE UNITED SrATEs
LONDON, Dec. -, 1861. I
SfR-ln accordance with the directions contained
In your dispatches Nos. 2lO2 and 2l03 OF the 2sth
November and "a Of December, obtained to-day al
nw y S w a. Lord Stanley Y for the q
done 80 LEFT a copy, az directed IN 10. 2, ,1o3.
His lordship on receiving II asked me whether
was In possession OF any later views OF my govern
mcnt on the subject Of this despatch. Ipromptly
responded Ia the negative. I considered the ne
gotauon a. now closed, without prospect Of re
opening i, ana had 40 written home.
Ills lordship then said that he had just received a
letter from Mr. Ford, ut Washington which he would
be glad 10 have me read and give him my Iuippes-
SION OF It's meaning. lie then handed Il 10 me- and
looked over t carefully. II was dated the sth inst,
aud reported converrai on the writer hal inst had
with you. The substance of II was, according TO
him, that yon sad You could not recede from the po-
slton Of holding The British government responsible
for tie consequences OF the proclamation OF neutrali-
~: hence hat AL prospect OF success from the pro-
p0sa 0f arb tratl0n made with an exception OF that
point mnst be regarded as over Neither could you
make anv new oLer TO negotiate, for the United
states fef ltse1 IKE party injured by severe
blow, who could not properly initiate proposal for
rcparation from the party that had inflicted Il.
In order To get rh OF the awkwardness OF such q
position, you suggested the possibility OF his lord
ships proposing To merge this particular question
On the mass 0f matters now remaining open between
the countries, aud Jumping them altogether In one
treatment or negotiation You closed by limiting
..,slA