The New York herald., 1871-03-02
THE JOINT HIGH COMMISSION.
Arrival Of Sir John A. Macdonald in Washing
ton-Dining and Diplomacy-Banquet to the
Commissioners by Secretary Fish State
Dinner to be Given at the White House

WASHINGTON, March l, 1871.
All the members OF the Joint High Commission
are now here except Sir Stafford II. Northcote. Sir
John A. Macdonald arrived this morning. and Is
Quartered at the Arlington He is accompanied by
Lady Macdonald and his secretaries. Sir John
called at the State Department this morning, ana
afterwards paid his respects to his colleagues, the
British members OF the Commission at their resi-
dence.
Secretary Fish gave grand banquet
his evening to the JOINT Commissioners. The
company was composed Of Earl de Gray Sir Ed.
ward Thornton. Sir John A. Macdonald, Professor
Montague Bernard, Lord Tenterden and viscount
Goderich. all Of whom are British. The Americans
present Secretary Fish, General Schenck, JUS
tice Nelson, Judge Nelson, Senator Williams, j. G.
Bancroft Davis, Vice President Colfax, Speaker
Blaine, Hamilton Fish, Jr, and Rev.
Mr.. Benjamin. q relative OF the Fish
family. Mrs. Fish, who was the only lady present,
occupied the post OF honor. The banquet was
magnificent AFFAIR.
The British Commissioners win entertal the
Americans tomorrow evening
The state dinner to be given by the President in
honor OF the Joint Commissioners is fixed Thurs
day. the 9th inst. number OF prominent members
OF Congress VIII also be present On that occasion.
The Alabama and Shenandoah Claims in the
English Parliament.
In the British House OF Commons on the 10th ult.
Ar. GOURLEY asked the FIRST Lord of the Treasury
n he would state to the House the nature or The
powers delegated by her Majesty's government TO
the Anglo American Commission and If the Com
mission was empowered to close oil claims for and
against this country arising out OF the sailing OF the
Alabama and Shenandoah.
MI. GREGORY asked, in continuation OF Mr.. Gour-
tey's question. whether the Commission was EN-
IN Qhand wi nray m
arbitration, the position hitherto maintained by
England OF non-liabilty for the ravages OF the Ala
bana,
MIR. GLADsroNE-I came down to the House after
carefully looking into the matter prepared to give
gwen. and Will give a distinct answer to it, but
should not wish TO answer the question
out as aeen me i9r oT %
ton. lest by answering hastily ] might pro.
duce an unfair impression; neither DO consider it
As expedient AT the present for the public interest
that should do so. tnear, hear.) With regard to
the first question, understand 1t to refer to two
snojects--tne nrst as to the extent OF the subject
matter that would be covered by the powers given
70 the Commissioners and next to tne nature Of
those powers. My honorable friend Will find the
latter part OF his question Is answered with perfect
clearness and In manner cannot improve, in
nj M Ta a w s1 OF
common consent include all claims oil compensation
which have been, or may be- made BY each govern.
ment or by Its citizens upon the ut her.r Then with
respect to tile powers OF the Commissioners, win
read Two passages from the instructions gwen them
The first commences by stating that they APP
pointed for the purpose OF discussing in a friendly
spirit with the commissioners to be appointed by
the government Of the United states the various
points on which differences have arisen he
tween Great Britain and the United States;
and then IL treats OF their amcabe ar
rangement Another instruction is that '.lier
MaJesty's government request however, that II the
mode VI dealing with any particular matter which
you may be disposed to agree to should diner mate
rally from the manner OF settlement OF which have
Informed you. and to which her Majes,y's govern
nlent prepared at once to assent, or on any dis
agreement or importance occurring between you
and the American Commissioners you are at
30 report by telegraph and await further lnstruc.