The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-05-09
WASHINGTON.
Signing of the High Joint Commits
sion Treaty.

5a WASHINGTON, Mays.
The treaty was signed to-day by the
High Commission at the Department oI
State. The gentlemen, after this was
done, exchanged congratulations on the
result Of their labors, expressing belief
that they had done the most they possibly
could for the peace and honor Of the two
countries. Although the Commissioner
have been cautious inltalking 10 persons
outside Of their own circle, the following
points will be found TO be correct: First
there are to be two boards Of arbitration
or Commissioners, to one will be referred
the Alabama and other similar claims
which are recognized as national, and will
be settled on the principle Of responsibility
for such depredGlions where the govern.
ment has not exercised the utmost dill
gence and oil possible precautions to pre-.
vent privateers being fitted out In its
ports TO prey upon the commerce Of q
power with whom 1t was at peace. The
other Boards TO take cogniZance Of mis-.
cellaneous claims, British and American,
confined principally to periods from the
commencement TO tho close Of our late
civil war. Among these are the st. AL.
bans claims for damages TO property in
that town by the Canadians, but no claims
for Fenisn invasions Of Canada are 10 be
admitted. As to claims Of British sub
jects for seizures OF their cotton,
Great Britain, through her Commissioners,
does not recognize them in cases wherein
each subject took up their domicil In the
South, as thereby subjected themselves to
all the risks and contingencies ofyar. An
legitimate claims for cotton viii be con-
sidered. It has been reported without
warrant that they will amount 10 thirteen
or more millions than the claims Of the
United States. This Is considered to be
an exaggeratiOn. They will not proba-
bly, amount To one million dollars. There
win be no difficulty In ascertaining all the
particulars, as the Treasury Department
has all the dates Of all seizures OF cotton,
names Of the owners thereof, and all
of the particulars concerning the
seizures. The Government Is aware that
q full list oil the British claims was re-
Gently published in that country, but it
also hos information that many Of them
has already been adjusted, while others
will not come within the provisions Of the
treaty. Among the claims which will
also come before this board will be that
Of our Government growing out Of the
purchase Of sallpeter In the East Indies
during the war, and which was seized by
the British authorities. There are other
miscellaneous claims which will come be-
fore this second board. The'san Juan
question will be referred to the arbitra.
ton Of some friendly sovereign, probably
the Emperor Ol Brazil. From the charac.
ter Of the documents accompanying the
treaty It Is inferred that a decision cannot
Gail TO be in favor Of the United. States
treaty; provides free navigation IN tho st.
Lawrence, by vessels Of the United States
and for the use Of Canadian canals, on The
payment ot regular tolls There are also
provisions regulating the privilege to fish
In Canadian waters, but these have not
been ascertained with sufficient accuracy
To Justify q statement Of them.
The London 1IInes mistakes In saying
that the treaty must be ratified by both
Houses ol Parliament, though 1t will re-
quire legislation TO carry some Of its pro-
visions into effect.
The President will not return TO Wash
ington until tomorrow. Hewill prOba.
bly, remain at Baltimore tonight Dep.
uty Commissioner Douglas Is acting as
Commissioner In the absence of General
Pleasonton. An additional number Of
Senators have arrived. There Is now no
doubt that o full regiment Of district
militia will organize atan early day. The
Fifth Maryland regiment will arrive here
Wednesday morning, on their way home,
They will receive a marching salute
from the President This regiment Is
composed Of members, some Of whom
were In the Union, and others In the
Confederate army, during theWar.