Oregon Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1870-1872, 1871-03-11
THE PRECEDENT ACCEPTS THE
PROPOSITION OF A JOINT COM
MISSION.

From the Few York Sun February
the 10th.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.-Conficting
statements have from time to time been
recently made cnncerning the questions
of the fisheries and the Alabama claims.
The real condition of the case was not
known outside of official circles until
to-day, when the President submitted
to the Senate a confidential message
concerning recent correspondence in
relation to them, and nominating Sec
retary Fish, Minister Schenck, Judge
Nelson, Ex-Attorney General Hoar,
and Senator Williams as Commission.
ers on the part of the United States, to
act 10 conjunction with a like Commis-
sion on the part of Great Britain for
purposes mentioned in the correspond
ence.
The executive authorities knew early
this morning that the Queen of Eng
land would state in her speech to Par
lament that she had engaged in AMIGA
BILE communication with the President
of the United States, and suggested
the appointment of joint Commission.
The Private Secretary of the President
delivered the latter's message and en-
closures to the Senate at half-past two
o'clock this afternoon, when motion
was made by Senator Morton, aud inn
mediately agreed to, that the Senate
proceed to the consideration of execu>
tive business.
The documents having been read,
Senator Sumner opposed the immediate
confirmation of :he Commissioners. He
thought it was better to let the subject
go over until the documents should be
printed, and the Senate have time for
their examination. In this. Senator
Davis concurred.
Senator Couckling replied to Mr..
Sumner and Mr.. Morton, and also
urged immediate confirmation. The
debate took wide range, involving our
diplomatic relations, the powers Of the
President, and the merits Of tne plan
proposed for the adjustment of the
pending questions between the two
countries.
The Senate adjourned, after session
oftwo hours and>a half, without coming
to conclusion, but will resume the
subject tomorrow. The following is
fhe correspondence accompanying the
Presidents message:
SIR EDWARD THORNTON TO MIR. FISH.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 1871.
SIR /: In compliance with an instruc.
tion received from Earl Granville,
have the honor to state that Her Ma.
jesty's Government deem it of import
ance to the good relations which they
are ever anxious should subsist ard be
strengthened between the United States
and Great Britain, that friendly and
complete understanding should be come
ito between the two Governments az to
the extent of the rights which belong
TO the citizens of the United States and
Her Majesty's subjects respectively
with reference to the fisheries on the
coast of Her Majesty's possessions il
North America, and as TO any Other
questions between them which affec
the relations of the United States to-
ward those possessions.
AS the consideration of these matters
would, however, involve investigation
of a somewhat complicated nature, ano
as 1t is very desirable that they should
be thoroughly examined, am directed
by Lord Granville to propose to the
Government of the United States
THE APPOINTMENT OF A JOINT HIGH
COMMISSION,
which shall be composed of members
TO be named by each Government. Il
shall hold its sessions at Washington