The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-11
Grsni,ss State gollrnal.
Settlement of Our Difficulties with
England.

The President on Thursday sent mes
sage to Congress in reference to the settle
ment of our pending difficulties with
Great Britain, growing out of the Ala
bama claims and the fishery questions in
which he enclosed the diplomatic cores
pondence between the two governments,
through Secretary Fish on the one side,
and Sir Edward Thornton on the other.
This correspondence, and the message OF
the President as well as the paragraph In
the speech from the English throne, de-
livered at about the same moment, in re-
gard to the relations existing between the
two countries, give the gratifying assurance
that our outstanding difficulties are at
length in fair way of friendly adjustment.
The conclusions arrived at by the two
governments, through their respective
ministers, originated in a proposal from
Lord Granville for joint high commits
sion to meet at Washington for the pur-
pose of treating of and discussing the
mode of settling the question as to the ex-
tent of the rights belonging to the citizens OF
the United States and her Majestys sub
iects on the coasts of her Majesty's posses
sions in Norta America, and other ques-
tions affecting the relations of the United
States to those possessions. In reply to
this proposal the President suggested, as
essential to the complete re-establishment
of friendship between the two nations, the
adjustment of the difference which arose
during the late civil war, 'growing out OF
acts committed by several vessels, which
have given rise to the claims generally
known as the Alabama Claims" and pro-
posed its reference also to the joint COM
mittee
Lord Granville accepted, with proviso
that all other claims, both of British sub
iects and citizens of the United States,
arising out of acts committed during the
recent civil war, be similarly referred;
and to this proviso the President gave his
assent, suggesting, however, that the high
commissioners shall consider only such
claims of this description as may be pre-
sented by the governments of the respec-
tive claimants at an early day to be agreed
upon by the commission. The appoint
ment of members of the joint commission
by the respective governments will COM
plete this important preliminary. There
can be no doubt that the great mass of the
people of this country are interested in the
preservation of the most friendly relations
with Great Britain, and the course agreed
upon not only opens the way to
thorough, equitable and honorable settle
ment OF all differences, but rebukes the
spirit that would keep alive the fires of
resentment, and foolishly impsril peaceful
progress and development.
The President has nominated as commits
sioners on the part of the United States
Secretary Fish, Judge Nelson, ex-Attorney
General Hoar and Senator Williams, OF
Oregon, and cable dispatch states that
Earl De Grey left England yesterday for
Washington, as president of the commits
sion on the part of the British government.
The President submitted the diplomatic
correspondence to the Senate in executive
session, together with his message making
the foregoing nominations. An extended
debate ensued as to the immediate con-
firmation of the nominations, Senator Sum-
ner lea ling in the opposition. The whole
proceeding, otherwise, however, says the
Baltimore Sun, is in the rational spirit
which should actuate great and civilized
nations in the light Of this nineteenth
century. The Queen, in her speech at the
opening of Parliament, expresses hope in
advance Of satisfactorily settlement of all
questions with this country.