The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-01-27

i y.
The following is the full text of the Ala
bama claims treaty, negotiated at London,
January IA, 1869, by Earl Clarendon and
Reverdy Johnson, and which is now pend
ing in the Senate of the United States for
ratification:
Whereas claims have been made at various
times since the adj journment of the Conven-
tion between the United States and Great
Britain, of February s, 1853 upon the Gov
ernn1ent Of her Britannia Majesty, on the
part Of citizens Of tho United States, and
upon the Government of the United States,
by subjects Of her Britannia Majesty; and
whereas, some such claims are still pending
and remaining unsettled, the President of the
United States OF America, and her Majesty
the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, being Of opinion that Il
speedy and equitable settlement of all such
claims will contribute much to the muinte-
nance of friendly feelings which exist be-
tween the two Governments, have resolved
to make arrangements for that purpose by
means of n Convention, and have named
their plenipotentiaries To confer and agree
thereupon; that is to say:
The President Of the United States of
America Reverdy Johnson, Envoy Extra
ordinary and Minister Penipotentiary of the
United States to her Britannia Majesty; and
her Majesty the Queen of the United King
dom of Great Britain and Ireland Lord
Clarendon, ETC., ETC., her Britannia Majesty 8
Principal Secretary Of State for Foreign
Affairs, who, after having communicated to
each other their respective full powers.
found in good and due form, have agreed as
follows:
ARTICLE l. The high contracting parties
agree that all claims on the part of individ-
uals, citizens Of the United States, upon the
Govern ment Of her Britannia Majesty, and
all claims on the part of individuals, sub
jects of her Britannia Majesty, upon the
Government o. the United States which
may have been presented to either Govern
ment for its interposition with the other
since the exchange of ratifications at Lon
don, February s, 1858, which yet remain
unsettled 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 ap-
pointed in the following manner-that is to
say: Two commissioners shall be named by
the President OF the United States, and CON
frmed by the Senate, and two by her Bri-
tannic Majesty. The aforesaid commits
sloners 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 uDder oath
that they will impartially and carefully exa-
mine and decide to the best of their judg-
ment, and according to justice and equity
without fear, favor or affection to their own
country. upon all such claims as shall be laid
before them on the part of the Governments
tf the United States and her Britannia Ma
Jesty, respectively; and such declaration
shall be entered on the record of their pro-
ceedngs.
The commissioners shall then, and be-
fore proceeding to any other business, name
some third person to act as an arbitrator or
umpire IN any case or cases on which they
may themselves differ in opinion. III they
should not be able to agree upon the name
oil such third person, they shall each name
person; aud in each and every case in
which the commissioners may differ in
opinion as to the decision which they ought
to give, it shall be determined bv lot which
OF the two persons so named shall be the
arbitrator or umpire III that particular case.
The person or persons SO to be chosen to be
arbitrator or umpire shall, before proceed
ing to act as such in any case, make and
subscribe n solemn declaration in n form
similar to that which shall already have
been made and subscribed by the commits.
sioncrs, which shall be entered on The re-
cord OF their proceedings. In the event of
the death, absence or incapacity Of such
person or persons, or Of his or their omit
ting or declining, or ceaslng to act as such
arbitrator or umpire, another and different
person shall be named as afoi esad, to act
rs such arbitrator or umpire in the place
and stead OF the person originally named as
aforesaid and shall make and subscribe
such declaration aforesaid.
ART. 2. The commissioners shall then
forthwith proceed to the investigation Of
Che claims which shall he presented to their
notice. They shall investigate and decide