The New York herald., 1871-02-20
Political and Commercial Re-
lations With Canada.
The Northwestern Boundary and
the Island OF San Juan.
RESUME OF ALL TIE SUBJECTS.
Removal Of the British Flag from
the American Continent.
Perpetual Peace and Friendship Between
the English-Speaking Nations.
WASHINGTON, Feb. II, 1871,

WASHINGTON, Feb. II, 1871.
The approaching meeting at Washington OF the
Joint High Commission 10 endeavor TO agree upon q
convention determining the principles which shall
govern the adjustment or the various questions
between the United States and Great Britain is an
era In the history Of the country, and has natu-
rally enlisted the attention OF public, both In
America and in Europe. To the United States it is
an Acknowledgements On the part OF England that
IL Is no longer safe 10 permit an enstrangement
between ana herself If The differences can be
honorably removed; and it is matter OF
graduation that the dignIned and firm attitude
we have assumed towards England has compelled
inat naughty Power TO make the first overtures
for a settlement. To England the Commission is
even more significant. With clouded horizon
IN Europe, a happy result or the ahors OF
The Commissioners means the friendship to her
OF lie only English speaking nation in the
world besides herself; people who have
been turned against her by her selfish and
cruel policy towards US in our hour OF need, and
who have Ielt and sil feel that 1t is no fault OF
Britain that we are not to-day an humbled and
broken people
Public opinion Is divided as to the probable results
OF this High Commission. Some regard ii as the
harbmger OF an era OF good feeling and harmony.
They believe that the convention, which Will be the
result OF deliberations SO auspiclously commenced,
Will concede 10 US all just demands, and that TO
Americans, Great Britain shall no longer be
synonym Of aggravated wrongs and lll-concertea
hatred. On the other hand, there are those whose
feelings partaEe Of no such roseate hues. They
believe that England has connived at all the buster
about the fisheries merely as SO much capital TO
trade upon N the genenal settlement with us; and
that frightened al the imminence of the danger OF
collision between our fishermen and the armed
cruisers arrestlng them, the British government
has hastily asked for Joint commission TO
patch up that matter and beat graceful
retreat; but that Far general claims against
England Tor depredatons committed by the
Aiapama and kindred English pirates are con-
cerned there Is more intention Of adjusting those
clalras now 10 our satisfaction than there was y
year ago. General Buffers belligerent utterances
and The knowledge that one Gloucester fisherman
killed by British cruiser, would inhame the Amer
mind, when would sweep like a cyclone rend-
Ing 10 alters Id instant all consideration but TO
avenge the blood thus spilled they believe have
had more 10 90 with the gushing overtures with
which sir Edward thornton has overwhelmed Mr..
Fish, tnan any considerations OF justice or sense OF
wrong 10 ne repaired IL Is seen that in England
they consider the nsnery question to be the mpor-
tant matter. The vision OF the possible American
fisherman, carried back to his Gloucester lone
done 10 death by over.zealous Canadian
roHed up tnelr soul, causing their
Knoited combined locks to part
Like quills upon the iTefgl porcGpine
The apprehension OF the British Ministry crop ont
IN the Queens speech, where ner MAZE " made
10 sa that the adjustment Of the fisheries question
calls for particular attention the possible indis
cretions OF individuals should impair our neigh
borly understanding. Those who are disposed 10
view the matter in an unlavorable light allePe that
II was no part OF Engand's programme 10 do any
Thing farther than To avoid General Buffers dead
constituent. II well authenticated rumor Is correct,
Sir Edward Thornton has gone so far as to repeat
edly assure Mr. Fish that colte Qltt colue Canada
won be directed TO restore the license system TO
our fishermen IN time for the approaching season.
The dcubters point TO the tact that the Alabama
question was dragged by our government and
they believe that the London Ta1seS speaks with
some knowledge when it growis forth a prophecy
that very great results viii blossom cut or that
part Of the ComInisslou's laDors.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
II would be superauou5 to allude at length to
the question OF the Alabama claims For nearly
ten years IL has been discussed IN every imaginable
way.
The manner in which the question win be pre-
Fented 10 tile High Commission Is shadowed forth
in the instructions Which Mr. Motley took with him
10 England. The President believes the rejection OF
interest or peace and in the direction OF a more
perfect and cordial friendship between the two
couIdries,'i and ne has declared he hoped when the
question should again be considered It will be broad
IN Its scope and thorough Ia is conclusions. He de-
that the treaty when made shan define clearly
the respective rights and duties neutrals In case
tie other government becomes unfortunately
engaged IN war with third Power, because
he nolds that "the absence Of some
agreement or definition on thi. subject was among
the causes leading 70 the rejection OF the recent
convention, under which, had it been adopted by
he two countries. Of the grave questions
which have arisen would have been passed upon
by a tribunal whose decision either party. much
less other nations. would regard as authority 50 as
10 prevent rep etitlon retaliation" lie desired
that the two great leading maritime nations OF the
word should establish sach rules would be con.
sidcred as binding By the civilized world. These
principles lie beyond ana are OF far greater import
ance lhan the mere gu estion OF details to our
losses for they seek 10 avert the future, recur
renee OF wrongs and revival OF injustice because
OF The absence OF defined puolic law.
With regard to the particular mode OF adjusting
the question the President desired that the ground
should be taken tnat the cause OF grievance agains
Great Britain WAS not so much upon the Issuance o
her recognition OF The Insurgents state Of al
upon her conduct under and subsequent to such re
cogniiionn This rs undoubtedly the clearest way o.
eung al the real issue--the absolute acts OF INJURY
innlcted upon our commerce and ctizens-and will
save much discussion as 10 whether the mere reco2
nison in ttseii considered participated IN as IL was
BY nearly every otner European POWER, u really
Important consideration, unless sucl recognition
MaH followed by subsequent uniriendly. injurious
and hostile acts. 1he question Is mus narrowed
down 10 an investigation OF the absolute wrongful
and overt ac,s, wAich, specifically presented, VIII