The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-22
FROM WASHINGTON.
The AInbn.nn CIaims.


Special Despatch to The Euenirg Telegraph.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22-The correspondence
between the United States and Great Britain
concerning the questions pending between the
two countries since the rejection of the Alabama
claims treaty, which has just been sent to the
Senate. covers over one hundred pages of
manuscript, and contains letters from Motley to
Fish and from Clarendon to Thornton. Secre-
tary FISH under date of September 25 1862
addresses Motley, stating that when he left
here on his mission the moment was thought not
to be most hopeful to enter upon renewed dis
cussion or negotiation with the Government of
Great Britain.
The President is now inclined to believe that
sufficient time has elapsed to allow the sub
sidence of the emotions of excitement and irri-
tation. Mr.. Fish then proceeds to give his
tory of the acts and events which have so much
disturbed the otherwise amcable relations of
the two Governments, and Although the
United States are anxious for a settlement on a
liberal and comprehensive basis of all the ques-
tions which now interfere with the entirely cor
dial relations which are desirable between the
two Governments, they do not now propose or
desire to set any time for settlements; on the
contrary, they prefer to have that question, and
also the more important question of means and
method of removing causes of complaint of re-
dialty, and preventing possibility of the pre-
sentation of such questions in future to the con-
sideration of her Majesty's Government.
"They will, however be ready, whenever her
Majesty's government shall think the proper
| time has come for renewal of negotiations, to
| entertain any propositions which that govern
ment shall think proper to present, and to apply
! to such propositions their earnest and sincere
| wishes and endeavors for solution honorable
and satisfactory to both countries" Under date
of June 30 Secretary Fish writes Mr.. Motley that
! ''the President wishes whenever negotiations on
/ the subject of the Alabama claims are renewed
| they shall be conducted in the United States
and he desires at the proper time you should
convey this wish to the Minister of Foreign
Affairs. 1t is impossible to say at present when
that time will arrive, but it will certainly have
arrived whenever the British Government shall
propose u discussion or shall intimate desire to
open negotiations In another letter to Mr..
Motley Secretary Fish SAYS
"The President is not yet prepared to pronounce
on the question of indemnities which he thinks
due by Great Britain to individual citizens of the
United States for destruction of their property
by Rebel cruisers fitted out in ports of Great
Britain, nor is he now prepared to speak of the
reparation which he thinks due by the British Gov
| ernmeut for the larger account of vast national
injuries it has inflicted on the United States nor
does he attempt to measure the relative
effect of various causes of injury, whether by
| untimely recognition of belligerency, by suffer-
ing the fitting out of Robel cruisers, or by the
supplying of ships with arms and munitions of
war to Conlederates or otherwise, in whatsoever
manner. At the present stage of controversy the
sole object of the President is to state the
position and maintain the attitude of the United
in the various relations and aspects of this great
controversy with Great Britain. Much other
correspondence has already been made public
in various ways.
Confirmation of Circuit Judges.
The Senate has confirmed the following Cir
cult Judges; - McKennan, Woodruff, Dillon,
Witty, Woods, Shepley, and Drummond The
other two were laid over for the present. Hoar
is now up, and an excited discussion is going on
over his case