The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-04-25
Miobltburp 8sgistcr
TUESDAY. APRIL rs. 1871.
The Joint High CommissiOn-Conven
ton on the Alabama Claims.

TUESDAY. APRIL rs. 1871.
The Joint High Commission-Conven
ton on the Alabama Claims.
IL is understood that the Joint High
Commission have concluded Convention
containing basis of settlement OF the
Alabama claims. 1t would seem that
questions for adjustment pending between
the United States and Great Britain are
considered separately, and the plan pro-
posed for their settlement is to be embod-
led in district conventions or treaties,
which, of course, are subject on our side
to the ratification of the Senate. 1t is
said that the Convention for the settlement
of the Alabama claims has been signed by
all the Commissioners that it is divided
into eight articles, substantially as fol-
lows:
First-The high contracting parties
aoree to be bound in their conduct by the
rule that a nation shall be responsible for
depredations committed on friendly pow
er by vessels fitted out and manned at n
neutral port.
Second-The high contracting parties
shall hereafter enforce this rule in their
treaties with all foreign powers, and will
endeavor to induce the adoption OF this
rule as principle ofintcrnational law.
Third-The classes of claims known as
the Alabama claims shall be submitted to
q commission to consist Of five members,
one to be appointed by the President Of
the United States, with the advice and
consent of the Senate, one by the Queen
Of Great Britain and Ireland, one by the
Emperor of Brazil, one By the President
of the Republic of Switzerland, and one
by the King Of Italy. This commission
shall meet in Washington within six
months after the ratification of this con-
vention. The commission shall decide
upon the responsibility of Great Britain
in each case, and award damages that
may be found. IF either Of the three pow
ers last mentioned fails to appoint COM
missioncrs, the vacancy shall be filled by
the King of Sweden and Norway.
Fourth-In case of vacancy in the COM
mission such vacancy shall be filed in
the same manner as an original appoint
ment.
Fifth-Members Of the Commission
shall be sworn not to be prejudiced in ad-
vance, and to decide each claim on the
evidence presented to them, being guild
ed, however, by the rule laid down in the
first article of this convention, viz that q
nation shall be responsible for depredations
committed on friendly power by vessels
fitted out and manned at neutral ports.
All claims shall be filed with the Com
mission within six months after their
meeting unless good reasons be shown for
delay, in which case the Commission may
extend the time for the presentation OF
claims. Final decisions upon all claims
must be made within two years from the
time of the meeting of the first meeting
Of the Commission. All sums of money
in payment of claims shall be paid in gold
at Washington in such manner as the
Commission shall dictate. No decision Of
the Commission shall be binding on either
of the high contracting parties, unless
agreed to by one of the two Commission.
ers representing those high contracting
parties.
Sixth-This article empowers the Com
mission to employ all necessary clerks
and assistants, provided that the expenses
of the Commission shall be borne equally
by the high contracting parties, and that
all bills shall be paid on vouchers Of the
Commissioners, and enters into details
with reference to these matters
Seventh-This article provides that in
case the Commission should fail to agree
on any specific claim, such claims shall
be referred to board Of three members,
one to be appointed by the President of
the United States with the sanction Of the
Senate, one by the Queen of Great Britain
and Ireland, aud one by the Emperor Of
Russia. This board shall meet at New
York within six months after the ad-
journment of the other Commission, shall
take testimony at length, and decide as to
facts, amounts due, etc. This provision
is evidently intended to cover doubtful
cases, with reference to which the other
Commission has not time to take necessary
testimony.
Eight-The last article relates to thu
expense of the Board last named, and il
similar to article sixth in all essentia
particulars.
Such, it is said, is the basis of agree
ment which the Joint High Commission
has come to for the settlement of the Ala
.bama claims.