The New York herald., 1869-02-18

enss ,9T1 Z -
would be necessary 70 determine whether such 70.
nunciation or remission should be absolute, or
whether readmission INTO the fold Of original allie
glance should be permitted ana u so on what terms
But 10th other an ana more complicated matters srss
whea questions o. dsscsns snScessiom y titie % pro
adapted to the existing state OF things have to be
considered, and much dth1culty might arise and
tons might come into discussion between govern.
ment unless such matters were duly weighed and
discussed and definite N principles hy which ali such
tho countries concerned and were sanctioned by
their respective Legislatures.
Prussian treaty were to be ADOPTED as the ground
work OF treaty between Great Britain and the
United States 1t would be necessary to consider the
bearing which such treaty would have not only on
the common and statute law but als0 on the legsla
ton OF British colonies; and considering the close
ne Usa q
process would doubtless have TO bc gone through
there. and in both 1t would probably be found that
quired to enable q naturalization treaty TO work
smoothly.
government feel can now be safely given to You. is
that you should assure Mr.. Seward OF their anxious
desire TO act In concert with the government OF the
United States in endeavoring to devise some eectua
means for setting at rest tns important and intricate
question. The obstacles TO immediate action which
they see are OF legal not q political character
enforce te doctrine OF ndefeasibe allegiance, and
are quite willing to adopt the principle Of oxpatria
ton which they think ought properly to be conceded
by government which for many years past has
sanctioned and even encouraged an extensive emil
grafton OF British subjects to foreign States.
It is their intention at once TO institute an inquiry
into the ega! bearings Of the question and they
hope that the result OF tins inquiry be the pro-
ducton, without unnecessary loss Of time, OF well
considered and satisfactory measure.
You are at liberty 10 communicate this despatch to
MI. Seward and give him copy. lam sSsSrry &sS
EDWARD THORNTON, ESQ.,, G. B., &C., &C., DC.
Following is a letter from Mr.. Adams, enclosing
the report of o debate In the House OF Commons
March O. to which Mr.. Seward replies expressing his
pleasure as the 'smeltorated tone OF parliamentary
and public opinion In Great Britain" He also ven
lures suggestions OF his to Mr. Thornton for SETTLE
ment Of the naturalization. San Juan and Alabama
questions On March 25 he telegraphs to enquire Of
Stanley and urge what Thornton recommends ABOUT
naturalization treaty." to which Mr.. Adams replies
that Stanton agrees ITO empower for naturalization,
but wants time to mature qualifications" I"
Mr.. Seward replies that 'delay is hazardous
On May 27, 1S6s Mr.. Seward, writing to Mr.
Moran, requests him to "sound the government
again upon the question OF naturalization" he
having learned that commission Of Lord Claren-
don and others had been appointed to examine the
British Naturalization laws. Mr.. Moran's answer
was prospect that her Majesty's government would
soon be disposed to empower Mr.. Thornton to nego-
tiate treaty."
Under date OF July 20, 1858, Mr.. Seward addresses
very long letter to Mr.. Reverdy Johnson, in which
he urges the settlement OF the naturalization ques-
ton and refers to the arrests Of American citizens in
Ireland. On the latter subject he says
As naturaliZed citizens Of the United States,
Irshmen and their descendants have right to visit
Great Britain and to be safe in their persons and
property there SO long as they practice due submis
sion to the authority OF Great Britain the same as
native citizens Of the United States When, how
ever. naturalized citizen OF Irish birth or descent
transiently visiting Great Britain Is arrested or
Questioned under the acts suspending the habeas
plaint In judicial proceedings, and thereupon
claims the rights OF citizens OF the United
States. he Is met in the courts OF that country with
denial OF the validity OF his naturalization and with
the assertion that his allegiance to the sovereign Of
Great Britain continues unbrOken. This theory Is
especially maintained In judicial tribunals In that
country-drst, as ground for DENYING to the natu-
ralized citizen Of Irish birth extraction trial by
jury de nedtetdfe U1s0uG. which is extended by
statute to all foreigners; and also By the pretence
tnat he IL especially anenabe IN British courts for
political opinions and conduct maintained or pursued
while the United States the land OF his adoption
1t ought not to have been at any time q matter OF
surprise to her Majesty's government that these in
vldious determinations in British tribunals between
two classes OF citizens OF the United States, who
stand upon one common Platform under our own
laws, continually engcnders suspicion Of prejudice
continue and increase with the progress of political
agitation In Great Britain, 1t must sooner or later
result IN an extensive and profound alienation OF the
two countries.
In reference to the san Juan and boundary ques-
tons Mr. seward announces that the United States
"still remain in disposition favorable to the pro-
cess or adjustment originally contemplated" On
subject Of the Alabama claims after referring to
past efforts at adjustment, Mr.. Seward goes on:--
1t seems to the President that an adjustment
might now be reached without formally reviewing
agreed upon for the adjustment Of all claims Of
citizens OF the United States against the
British government and Of all claims %. Of
United States upon the model Of the joint
commission OF February 8, 1853 which commits
ss,ted S 50 satlsfactorv All the which,
had arisen between the United States and Great
Britain from the peace OF Client, 1914, until the date
OF the sitting OF the convention.
While you are not authorized to commit this gov
ernment distinctly by such proposition you may
sound Lord Stanley upon the subject after you SHAH
have obtained satisfactory assurances that the two
more urgent controversies previously mentioned can
be put under process Of the adjustment IN the man
ner which have indicated.
Mi; JOHNSON TO Mr.. SEWARD.
LEGATION OF TIE UNITED STATES,
LONDON, August 20, 1853.
SIR have the honor to forward herewith three
United States and Great Britain the question OF
treaty on the subject OF naturalization, and like
wise respecting the Imprisonment OF Messrs. Warren
and Costello, which have just been issued for the
use Of Parliament EEvERDY JOHNSON.
Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary OF State.
Under date OF August 20 Mr. johnson incloses the
correspondence with the United staSes respecting
the Imprisonment OF Messrs. Warren and Costello
LORD STANLEY TO MR. THORNTON.
FoREIgs OFFICE, Jnne 10, 1868.
SrR-The United states Charge dAifares has iu-
quired OF me, by direction OF Mr. seward, whether
her Aaestys government were prepared at once to
enter into treaty with the United states on the
subject OF naturalization.
I reminded Mr. Moran, In reply, OF the statements
which some weeks ago made IN the House Of Com
mons, and which were received, AZ I believed with
general approval, that her Majesiy's government
prepared TO entertain IN principle the question
OF naturalization treaty and no longer held TO the
doctrine OF 1ndefeaslbe allegiance
But, l observed to Mr.. Moran, that with every
good disposition on their part contribute TO set
ting at rest question which, as II now stood, was
calculated to interfere with the maintenance OF
good understanding between this country and the
Cnlted states, her Majcsty's government found II
was inexpedient, not TO say Impossible, TO proceed
hastily in matter which involved points of great
legal dinculty. and might affect the interests not
tfu nff paxy In har Int af. ot.fl