The New York herald., 1871-03-04

Treaty to Await the Ratification Of
the New Dominion Parliament.
WASHINGTON, March 8, 1871.
The Joint high Commission will meet tomorrow
That will be the first opportunity that mas been
aflorded 70 have oil the members on both sides
in attendance. The meeting will be more for
organization than for business. The regular busi-
ness Will be commenced on Monday.
THE FIRST POINT
TO be settled is what are the questions to be con-
sidered. That is subject about which some dis
cussiOn is expected.
SIR STAFFORD NoRTuCoTE,
the last arrival on the British side, made some
visits to-day in company with Sir Edward Thornton,
and among other objects OF interest," took look at
the Capitol and at both Houses Of Congress in
session.
Considerable attention has been attracted TO
The messenger Of the British Legation arrived
here last night from New York, with the
MAIL FROM THE HOME GOVERNMENT,
received by the steamer Russia, in which was q
large number Of documents relating to the work Of
the Joint High Commission.
Lord Tenterden, the secretary OF the British Com.
missioners, has, since his arrival here, been con-
stan;y engaged In the preparation OF papers for the
use of the British members OF the Commission. IL
with him a brief Of the questions 10 be discussed
before the High Commission, which was the subject
OF examination to-day at the residence Of the Bri-
tish Commissioners.
Viscount GOderich, who went 10 Marlboro this
morning, with Albert Woodley on hunting expe-
dion, returned mere tonight with splendid bag Uf
game. The fact that German representative Of
THE BRITISH NOBILITY
was in town attracted the attention of the curious
Marlboro and the vlscount expressed his surprise
al the imperrinence Of some Of the Marylanders,
who wanted TO buy his gun. Tomorrow night the
British Commissioners will have another dinner at
their residence, and on Monday Earl de Grey, on be-
half OF his associates, Will entertain few invited
guests
THE POSITION OF SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD
on the Commission. The ideas of the Canadian gov
ernment on that subject are shown in the following
extract from one OF its official organs:-
Tne reasons which the home government had for appoint
ma bse he IL hs fn M
he subject that his knowledge could depended
% dscussion in Estimating Se
S os n mss s W. apg ss Se
whole subject VIII be discussed upon it's merits that England
Of fishery privileges maze TO The Amsr
d ns IN :. for an % and that
tected by be whole strength Of the British empire
Sir John himself in explaining his position last
week to the Canadian Parliament, said:-
II had been announced the House of Lords and in the
House Of Commons that the action Of the
mot ans M but would BE- to her Mess
England geen T
.nd Can Sna the u United M
Commission could not be made law unless ratified the Par
lament OF Canada 80 that there risk in the matter
From these utterances 1t Will be seen that Canada
does not intend 70 be passive spectator In this
Joint High Commission, and as Sir John Macdonald
is man Of marked ability he Will doubtless make a
vigorous
FIGHT FOR EQUIVALENTS.
That, however, is q doctrine which finds no favor
with The leading men In Congress, who consider
that Canada mas already, in the bonding system
transit trade and use Of our lake ports as ports Of
entry, more than equivalent for any fishery arrange
ments that may be agreed upon.
1t is understood that
THE SENSE OF THE NEW CONGRESS
Will be taken at an early day upon these subjects
The secret character Of the Commission is not favor
ably regarded by leading men in Congress, who
believe that IN questions Affecting the American
people the mysterious forms Of monarchical d
plomacy are unsuited to form Of government,
especially when the Commissioners are not what
can be called representative men. While IN Eng
land and other monarchical countries
THE WILL OF THE SOVEREIGN
Is conclusive, auu no power IL given 10 the repre-
sentatives of the people In reviewing treaties 1t is
shown that under the American constitution the
Executive Is not entrusted with such power, be-
cause it was intended tnat 1t should be possessed
alone by the representatives Of the people in the
Senate. Hence 1t is contended that the only SUBJ
stantial purpose OF holding the session Washing
ton should have been to enable American Commits
sloners TO consult with the leading men Of the
country step by step, and the strict obligation OF
secrecy at the outset defeats this object.
Views Of the Pail Mall Gazette on the Ala.
bnmR Claims.
LONDON, March O. 1871.
The Pau KaH Gazette expresses the belief that the
High Commission now In session IN Washington,
avoiding all difficulties as to the distribution of the
Alabama claims, Will agree TO pay round sum of
money, leaving the division Of the same to the United
States government