New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-23
REVERDY JOHNSON ON THE TREATY.
HEARTY ENDORSEMENT.

A HEARTY ENDORSEMENT.
The Hon. THos. F. BAYARD, United States Senator
My DEAR SIR Permit me to continue III this
way the conversation had on Friday last on the SUD
ject of the Treaty before the Senate for the ADJUST
ment OF several controversies with Great Britain
still think as then said that the interests Of the United
States require its ratification These as well as our
rights provided for and maintained as fully as we
should demand and certainly fully as we can ever
expect them to be.
First: The Alabama claims, I have doubt WILL I'M
der its provisions liqudated The only material diff
ference this item between the present Treaty and
the one negotiated by with Lord Clarendon. dated
Jan H. 1869 land this respect think the present
Treaty better ia that in the former three rules OF inter
national law to govern the liability OF England The
doctrines contained these rules have always thought
were established doctrines of international law at the
date Of the Convention Of 1869; but upon this point
juriss were not agreed Some Of the most eminent In
England particularly, entertained different opinion
It is idle therefore deny that the doctrine held by the
American Government could and would not be disputed
No one could tell with certainty, in advance, that our
view would be sustained by any arbitrament which
might agreed upon The stipulation, however, in the
9th article Of the present Treaty all possible
doubt on this point without admitting that the rules
referred to were when the Alabama and other
vessels Of that class escaped from had their arma
ments increased recruited in British ports, IL 49,
nevertheless stipulated that for the purpose OF passing
upon Englands liability for the depredaons upon our
commerce by these vessels they shall be considered as
having been in force at that time. Under these rules
it impossible that any Commission Of honest and intel
gent men can fail to decide the question in favor of the
United States.
That even ordinary diligence could have prevented the
departure OF the Alabama from Liverpool is upon the
evidence contained in the diplomatic correspondence
upon the subject too clear to be seriously questioned
She was being under the superintendent Of an
known be in the service OF the Confederate
Government. Her build evidently demonstrated that
she designed veselofwar and, OF course, that
she was to used for the capture Of the commercial
marine OF the United States. There not an ntel
gent man in Liverpool who did not think she in
tended or that reasonable ground" for that
impression The evidence not only tended to establish
but did establish such conclusion beyond possible
doubt Then as the other vessels that may not have
been fitted out at first in British port the evidence re-
ferred TO clearly shows that they aeward received
and had their ornaments increased and men recruited
in one This being the in relation TO all the vessels
that made war upon our commerce. the liability oil Eli
gland necessarily follows have not shadow OF doubt
that Board OF Arbitration 10 he selected under te
proyons of the Treaty will decide and that those
iongdeferred claims will be realized by the sufferers
Such a WILL think. be hailed with satisfaction IN
Great Britain say this after having had the best OPP
pornnity OF becoming acquainted with the sentiments
was the United states representative there.
disputed boundary line (Oeing the line prescribed ny he
first OF the Convention between the two countries
of
tbe negotiated by Lord Clarendon myself
of Jan a. 1862 except that 1t substitutes as the arbtra-
swiss Republic Neither government can fail to be salts
fled with any decision upon tins point which such an ar
the matter in dispute confidently believe the result Will
be favorable 10 the United states
third: The question ~ the fisheries not within |
my Instructions and had not indeed at that time the i'm
portance which it has recently assumed There are sew
ences of opinion are entertained These may, unless
soon amcably adjusted at any time give rise to serious
dict udD
event which would be most disastrous To both coun
tries and could not terminate in any compensatory adj
vantage to either is therefore, all important in this
well as in other particulars that the treaty should be
fourth The free navigation Of the st. Lawrence, from
the point where it to be the boundary line be-
tween the two countries and OF the three rivers Yucan,
Porcupine, and Stkne secured by the 10th Article OF
the Treaty is OF great value 10 and especially 10 the
people OF the Eastern and Northwestern States The
remark is true Of the provisions contained in the
9th Article the use Of the Welland and St Law
and other canals and the connecting canals within
our States. Any arrangement which is calculated
interest the Dominion OF Canada and the United
states cannot fail to be beneficial to both
relations between them The same observations APP
pcabe to the commercial regulations stipulated for in
Articles 20, 80 and 81 IL has understand, been OBJ
iected the Treaty that the machinery for the settle
picated and cumbersome. IL is true that in this parc-
uar the Convention Of January 1862 may be considered
that although there Is more complication in this Treaty
than In that Convention s as easy TO understand the
same; the doctrines upon which the decisions
must rest are the same; the rights OF peo- |
pie and the honor OF our Government are clearly
maintained and should the Treaty be ratified all the
matters dispute which have for years 50 irated the
public mind here, and to some extent in England will
coon be removed, and amcable relations between the
countries be placed, submit TO yOu upon 1rmer
and enduring basis than ever the treaty, indeed
one Cancellation. The several controversies
braced by ii have been OF long DURATION and al times
have threatened serious consequences The opinion
tertained by the British Government upon them Is,
doubtless sincere that held by our own That the
prosperity and honor Of both nations demand their settle
doubt How, them are they 10 be settled
II by friendly arbitration by Board 80 constituted
10 give that its award will be wisely and
mpartally made What apprehensions need be felt
OF Great Britain for the depredstions upon
merce by the Alabama and kindred vessels VIII not per
form its duty impartiay and with abityf What doubt
there be that the decision Will DC favorable ~ the
United States The several Governments OF Brazil, |
Switzerland and Italy, which to select three Of the
the opinion OF Continental rists already know Sew
era Of the eminent OF them have announced and
have sustained that view with abty-that Great Brit
TO the United states In the absence
an arbitration only two remedies II remedies they
called are left and these continued submis-
sion to the done us or war Whilst the nrst would
be an abandonment OF duty to our suffering country
and consequently disgraoefu surrender or our honor
the last would under the circumstances OF an arbtTa
ton proposed and rejected justly subject us 10 the
proach OF Chrisendom conclude In the language OF
Mr. JAY In his note Of November 49, 1874, communicating
to our Government the Treaty with England OF that year.
by saving OF this he said of tbat The door "
concIiaton is fairly aud widely opened by the essential
and the cOnyenences granted 10 each other
remain with regard your friend anu obedlent servant.
Baltimore MAY 49, REyERDf JOHNSON