Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-02-16
EDWARD THORNTON.
Hon. HAMILTON FISH, &c, &c. l
Mr.. FISH TO SIR EDWARD THORNTON.
DrpApT,frNT OF STATE.

| DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
/ WASHINGTON, January 30, 1871.
SIR: have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your note of January 26, in
which you inform me. in compliance with
instructions from Earl Granville, that
} Her Maiestys government deem it of i'm
J portance to the good relations which they
are ever anxious should subsist and be
strengthened between the United States
and Great Britain, that friendly and
complete understanding shonld be come
to between the two governments as to the
4 extent of the rights which belong to the
citizens of the United States and Her
Msiesty's subjects respectively, with re-
ference TO the fisheries on the coasts OF
her Msjesty's possessions in North
America, and as to any other questions
between them which effect the relations
of the United States toward those possess
siops and further. that IA the considera-
ton of these questions would involve in
vestigations of a somewhat cnmplicated
nature. and as it is very desirable that
they sbouI1 he thoroughly examined, you
are directed by Lord Granville tn propose
to the government of the United States
the appointment of joint High Commits
sion which shall be composed OF members
to be named by each government; shan
hold its session at Washington, and shall
treat and discuss the mode of settling the
different questions which have arisen ont
of the fisheries as well az tbsee which af-
feet the relations of the United States to-
ward her Majesty's possessions in North
America.
have laid your note before the Presi-
dent. who instrncts me to say that he
shares with her Msjesty's Government
the appreciation of the importance of o
friendly and complete understanding be-
tween the two Governments with refer
ence to the subjects specially suggested
for the consideration of the proposed joint
High Commission, and he fully recog-
nizes the friendly spirit which has
prompted the proposal.
The President il, however, of the opin-
ion that without TIE adjustment of class
of questions not alluded to in your note.
the proposed High Commission would
fail to establish the permanent relations,
and the sincere, substantial, and lasting
friendship between the two Governments,
which, in common with Her Msjesty's
Government, be desires should prevail.
He thinks that the removal of the diff
ferences which arose during the rebellion
in the United States, and which have
existed since then growing out of the
acts committed by the several vessels |
which have given rise to the claims gen.
orally known as the alabama claims,
will also be essential to the restoration of
cordial and amicable relations between |
the two Governments.
He directs me to say that should her
Masaefx,,a g of
this matter, and assent that this subject
also may be treated of by the proposed
High Commission, and may thus be put
in the way of final and amicsble settle /
ment. this Government will, with much
pleasure, appoint high commissioners on
the part of the United States 10 meet
those who may be appointed on behalf Of
Her Msjesty's Government, and will
spare no efforts to secure at the earliest
practicable moment just and amicable
of all the questions which
now unfortunately stand in the way of an
entire and abiding friendship between
the two nations.
have the honor to be, with the high
est consideration, sir, your obedient SER
want, HAMILTON FISH.
SIR EDWARD THORNTON, KC.B. etc. |
SIR EDWARD THORNTON TO MR.. FISH.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 1871.
SIR: have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your note of the 30th ult,
and to offer you my sincere and cordial
thanks for the friendly and concil iatory
spirit which pervades it.
With reference to that part of it in
which you state that the President thinks
that the removal of the differences which |
arose during the rebellion in the United !
States, and which have existed since then,
growing out of the acts committed by the
several vessels, which have given rise to
the claims generally known as the Ala
bama Claims, will also be essential to the
restoration of cordial and amicable rela.
tions between the two governments, 1 have
the honor to inform you that l have sub
mitted to Earl Granville the opinion thus
by the President OF the United
States, the friendliness of which | beg you
to believe fully appreciate. l am now
authorized by His Lordsbsp to state that
it would give Her Majesty's government
great satisfaction If the claims, COM
monty known by the name of
the alabama Claims" were submitted
to the consideration of the same High
Commission by which her Msjesty's Gov
have proposed that the questions
relating to the British possessions in
North America should be discussed. pro-
vided that all other claims. both of British
subjects and citizens of the United States,
arising out of acts committed during the
recent civil war in this country are simi-
larly referred to the same commission.
The expressions made use of in the name
of the President in your aforementioned
note with regard TO the "Alsbama claims"
convince me that the government Of the
United States will consider it Of import
anca that fhosa rssaa If disnnfe betWeen |