The New York herald., 1870-12-02
important letter from Hx-16in-
lister Reyerdy johnson ON
the Alabama Claims.
How Insurance Companies May
Be Affected.
American Claims, Thirteen Mil.
lions of Dollars.
Advice to Underwriters That They Mako
Direct Demands on Great Britain.

The following letter has been written by Hon.
Reverdy johnson, ex-M Minister to Great Britain, in
reply TO inquiries addressed to MN by John A.
Parker, Esq, President OF the Great Western In.
surance Company
MY DEAR slR-Your letter 70 me or the 5th inst,
and copies Of your letters 10 Secretary Fish md Mr.
Freinghuysen, dated respectively July and Au-
gust, were duly received.
Before proceeding 10 consider the points stated In
this correspondence IL IL proper TO clear appre-
Aenson Of them hat state snccncty what was the
ernments regarding the Alabama claims az tie ter
minauon OF my mission 10 England.
Soon after the commencement OF our civil war
the British government, on the 18Th of Nav 1861
recognized the C0nfederates as belligerens and the
Alabama and several other vessels OF the same
character were from time 10 time Dnilt Ia that coun.
Try Tor the use of the Con!ederates and were permit
ted TO go 10 sea.
These vessels destroyed American ships ana car.
goes 70 the value. II II stated, In the aggregate OF
thirteen millions OF dollars.
For these depredatiens Tire British governs ent
was advised that she was responsible.
Under instructions Mr.. Adams, our then Minister
made the demand, and supported it with great zeal
and ability. and with view 10 its adjustment pro-
posed an arbitration similar to the provided for
0y tne conventlsn between the tive countries or the
Earl Russell then at the head OF ihe Fsre,gn once.
promptly and decidedly rejected the proposition,
maintaining that ms government was so clearly
sponsible that 1t could not with proper respect SUD.
NIT the question TO arbitration. ~
When Lord Stanley succeeded him Mr.. Adams re-
submit the question whether England was liable
because she had not fulfilled her neutral duty In the
question of liability from having accnrde1 nell,
gereney to the Confederates, holding that every ma
ton has an absolute right TO decide FOR itself such
matter.
THIS appears in hts Lordghip's despatch 70 MI.
Ford, then IN charge Of the British Legation at
Washington dated the 18th Of November, 1857
His language Is this ! quote:-"To prevent any
misapprenension on this subject ner Majestys gsv.
tn ie to say 6oI as
ward by citizens OF the United States and as re.
CARDS the general claims, that they cannot depart
foreign Power to Determine whether the policy of
recognizing the Confederate States as . beilgerent
Of the time when the negotiation was madeU
Our government insisting upon the submission,
And this was communicates to Mr.. Seward by Mr.
Adams In his despatch Of the 4th December. 1857,
and that gentleman having afterwards states to
closed, Nj Seward, IN his despatch Of the 18th OF
January 1865, approved this statement His words
the Alabama Gains M IS now IN 30
pect Of its being reopened."
ondo4 Qn The 18th Of August 1885, as The successor
my i,siructons dated the 2otn Of July 1895, as 70
the claims were that before entering upon the sub-
lect should first obtain satisfactory adjustment
Tl ne naturalization and the northwest boundary
Ny first interview with Lord Stanley was on the
10th OF September, 1883. We lost no time IN dis
veses ns s
terms OF their settlement by separate protocols,
lowing month. We then commenced the consider
Rtion OF the Alabama claims and on the 10th OF No
vember agreed to a convention for their settlement
For reasons not necessary now to De given our
government not satisfied with that convention.
Afterwards, on Lord Clarendon's accession to The
Foreign once, the negotiation was renewed and
concluded to the satisfaction OF then adminstra-
lion by u convention dated the l4th OF January,
1868.
Under this convention have not the shadow OF
. doubt that all the losses OF our citizens, ln-
fcted by The Alabama and other vessels ftted cut
as she was, would long since nave been fully dis
charged.
the public sentiment Of the people OF Great Brl
tain exhibited to me on visits by Invitation TO all
the large towns i'll England and scotland, obviously
favored SUCH payment. As FAR IL had an opportu-
nifty to learn 10, the opinion OF Parliament was 10
the same effect.
Under tins convention the question OF the recog-
milton OF Southern belgerency. as wen AS any other
question which either government might think pro-
per 10 raise beore the commission could have been
presented.
and Clarendon and myself. No attempt on my part
was made to delude them in this or any other mat
lsh and futile. These statesmen possessed great ex-
prerlence and consummate ability. And while they
were both soicl,ons that the most friendly rela-
tions between the TWO countries should be es-
and good name OF each. they never
,rnnl1 have consented TO or could have been deudcd
dered any inaeflai right or nyuriousy afected in
the least degree the rue honor Of England.
then 81 hs 8 ID s, or Sd Of Maca 500 but was
Tot enay acted upon until the 18th Of april ieow 81
nsS SuSns xhsn he ssss Between s TRANSMISSION il
and rejection by the Senate was not advised by
any member OF the body or by the state Department
what were the objections to the conveation or that
there were any. Icsected, however, from articles in
our press, brought to my notice IN London that the
main. II not the only objection, was mat it did moi
,lD fQrf a n
ernment then supposed ithad, In Its own right upon
Great Britain. Up to this period had never heard
that tine United States contemplated such demand.
NV Instructions as did those to Mr. Adams looked
exclusively to the adjustment Of individual claims,
and alleged commission or omission OF the British
government OF her duty 10 the United States pend
ing the war, was given IN any part OF the CORE
sp0ndence between the two governments as having
any influence upon other than individual claims.
As soon as / discovered In the way just stated
that our present administration and the Senate or
some OF its members, were OF opinion that the gov.
eminent had claim Of It's own for alleged pecu
mary losses caused directly or indirectly by the
conduct OF the British government proposed te
Lord Clarendon, first in a personal interview, and
afterwards IN an official note, dated the 25th ol
March, 1862 the signing of supplementary conven.
tion, which should only so far modify that or the
1ath OF January to provide for the settlement OF
any claims that either government might nave upon
the other.
The wer OF his lordship, dated the sth OF the
ensuing month, Induced me to believe that II was
be acceded to-a belief which | stlll entertain.
Feeling most anxious that the entire controversy
should be closed teegraphed to Secretary Fish on
the 9th 10th OF April that Thought could obtain
such Modification II instructed TO propose II. But
that gentleman instantly replied by telegraph that the
convention being before the Senate the President did
net think it advisable to change it-a reason, the
force Of which dd not then nor do | now perceive
n the administration really desired an amcabe set
Element OF the controversy.
Since the termination Of my mission do no
understand that any EFFORT has been made on on
part to renew the negotiation. And, indeed, IL Il
rnmored that Will not renew II until Great Britain
shall first offer a more acceptable mede OF settle
ment than was contained In the rejected convention
That no sucn oner will be made Is apparent from
the subsequent correspondence between the tw
governments.
has Yielded an much as her honor will permit. Tit
whole matter therefore as far as the private claim
ants are concerned, Is ended, and without reason
able hope that they will at any time obtain indem
nifty through the action OF eur government Thei
losses are most severe and are increasing II
amount by delay. Justice demands that they b
satisfied
The parties are new informed, and believe, thai