The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-02-10
ENGLISH AND AMERICAN RE-
LATIONS.
Official Correspondence.

WASHINGTON, February 0.
The President sent TO the Senate to-day
brief message, enclosing the following
correspondence:
SIR EDWARD THORNTON TO Mr.. FISH.
WASHINGTON, January 90, 1871.
"Sm: In compliance with instructions
received from Earl Granville, | have the
honor to state that Her Majesty's govern.
ment deem It of importance TO the good
relations which they arc ever anxious
should subsist and be strengthened be-
tween the United States and Great Britain,
that friendly and complete understand.
ing should be come TO between the two
governments rs to tho extent of the rights
which belong to citizens of the United
States and Her Majesty's subjects respec.
lively with reference to tho fisheries on
the coasts Of Her Majesty's possessions in
North America, and as to any other qucs-
tions which affect the relations oil the Uni
ted States towards these possessions. As
the consideration of these matters would
however, involve investigations Ofa some.
what complicated nature, and US 1t is
very desirable they should he thoroughly
examined, | am directed by Lord Gran
villC to proposeto the Government Of the
United States the appointment of joint
high Commission, which shall be compos-
cd of members to be named by each gov.
ernment 1t shall hold sessions at Wash.
ington, and shall treat and discuss the
mode Of settling the different questions
which have arisen out Of the fisheries, rs
well rs those which affect the relations Of
the United States towards Her AIajesty's
possessions in North America. | am con-
tident this proposal will be met by your
government in the same cordial spirit Of
friendship which has induced Her Males.
ties government to tender 1t, and cannot
doubt that In that case, the result will not
fall to contribute to the maintenance ol
good relations between the two countries,
which lpm convinced the Government OF
the United States rs well as that Of Her
Majesty, have equally at heart. l have
the honor 10 be with the highest consider
tiOn Sir, your most obedient humble ser.
want. Signed EDWARD THORNTON.
70 Hon. Hamilton BII.
MIR. FISH TO SIR EDWARD THORNTON.
Mr.. Fish, in reply, under date of Janu.
ary 30th, after acknowledging the above
communication, says: ~ have laid your
note before the President, who instruCts
me to say he shares with Her Majesty's
government the appreciation and import.
Rnce Of friendly and complete under.
standing between the two governments
with reference to the subject especially
suggested for the consideration OF the pro-
posed joint high Commission, and fully
recognizes the friendly spirit which
prompted the proposal The President is,
however, of the opinion that without the
adjustment of this class Of questions, not
alluded to In your note, the proposed high
Commission would fail to establish perma.
nent relations and sincere, substantial and
lasting friendship between the two gov.
ernments, which, In common with Her
Majesty's government, he desired should
prevail. lie thinks that the removal OF
the difference which arose during the re
bellion in the United States, and which
existed since then, growing out oil acts
committed by several vessels, which have
given rise to claims generally known us the
Alabama claims, 1t will be essential to the
restoration Of cordial and amiCable rela-
tious between the two governments. lie
desired me to say that should her Males.
tvs Government accept this view of the
matter, and assent that this subject also
may DO heard by the proposed COmmis.
sion, that II may thus bc put In the way Of
u final and amiCablc settlement. This
Government will, with much pleasure, ap.
point high Commissioners on tho part Of
the United States to meet those who may
be appointed on behalf of her Majcstys
Government, and will spare no efforts to
secure at the earliest practicable mo,
ment q just md amicable arrangement
of all the questions which now unfor-
tunately stand In the way of an entire and
abiding friendship between the two na.
tions.
Sir Edward Thornton replied FGbru-
ary lst After stating that he had sub.
mitted TO Granville the Presidents prop
OSitiOn, hesays: III nm now authorized by
lis Lorlship to state that 1t would give
her Majesty's Government great satisiac-
tiOn If the claims, commonly known by
the name of the Alabama claims, were
submitted to the consideration of the same
high Commission by which her Majesty's
government have proposed that tho quGs.
lions relating to the British possessions in
North America should be discussed, pro.
vided all other claims with British subjects
and citizens Of the United States arising
out Of acts committed during the recent
civil war In this country are similarly re.
iGrrcd to the same Commission. The
expressions made use of in the name OF
the President in the above mentioned note
with regard tU the Alabama claims con-
vince me that the government Of the
United St1cs will consider II important
that these causes of dispute between the
two countries should also and at the same
time be done away with, and that you
will enable me to convey TO my govern
ment the assent Of the President to the
addition which they thus propose to the
duties OF the Commission, and which can.
not fail to make II more certain that It's
labors will lead to the removal OfAll dillcr.
ences between the two countries"
MIR. Fish, February 3l, replies: "IhAvc
laid your note before tho President, and
he has directed Inc TO express his satislac.
tiOn with the same. He has received ln-
telligencc that Earl Granville has author.
lied you to state that Her Maiesty's Gov
eminent has accepted the views OF this
Government rs to the disposition to be
mazda nf thn sn,cn1lal Alabama rlnima
He also directs me TO say, with reference
to the remainder ol your note, that II
there he other and further claims Of the
British subjects or American citizens
growing out Of the acts committed during
the recent civil war in this country, he us.
scnts TO the proprieiy of,their reference
to tho same high Commission, but suggests
that the high Commission shall consider
only such claims Of this description rs
may be presented by the Governments
respective claimants at some carly day to
In n nVrool unnn hv thn Commissioners