Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-02-15
Our Washington Correspondence
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. IL, 1871.

For want of more interesting matter to
write about this week, call the attention of
your readers to the new sensation in relation
to the Alabama claims, and our other differ
ences with Great Britain. Rumors had been
in circulation for some days that negotiations
were going on in respect to these matters of
difference between the two nations, and Gen.
Schenck's delay, after the time announced
for his departure for England, gave some
foundation for a belief in these reports.
The secret had been very well kept, however,
at the state department, and the announce
ment made last Thursday that a joint high
commission had been agreed upon for the ad-
justment of the Fishery question and the
Alabama claims, was quite a surprise. l.
give below the correspondence between Sec
rotary Fish and Mr. Thornton, in regard to
this matter
Sir EdtcGrd Thornton TO Mr.. Fish.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 1871.
SIR: In compliance with instructions re-
ceived from Earl Granville, have the honor
to state that Her Majesty's Government deem
it of importance 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 should be come to between the
two governments, as to the extent of the
rights which belong to the citizens of the
United States and Her Majesty's subjects re-
spectiYely, with reference to the fisheries on
the coasts of Her Majesty's possessions in
North America and as to any other ques-
tions between them which affect the relations
10 NIT cd tac ri
As the consideration of these matters would,
however, involve Investigations Of a some
what complicated nature, and as it is very
desirable that they should be thoroughly eX-
amined, | am directed by Lord Granville to
propose to the Government of the United
States the appointment Of joint high COM
mission which shall be composed of members
to be named by each government. 1t shall
hold its sessions at Washington, and shall
treat of and discuss the mode Of settling the
different questions which have arisen out of
the fisheries, as well az those which affect the
relations Of the United States toward Her
Maiesty's possessions in North America. |
am confident that this proposal will be met
by your government in the same cordial
spirit of friendship which has induced Her
Maiesty's Government to tender It, and
cannot doubt that in that case the result Will
not fail TO contribute to the maintenance Of
the good relations between the two countries
which, | am convinced, the Government Of
the United States, as well that of Her
Majesty, has equally at heart. | have the
honor 10 be, with the highest consideration,
Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
EDWARD THORNTON.
The Hon Hamilton Fish, &c, &c.
Mr.. FISH 10 Sir EdiCard Thornton
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, !
Jan. 30, 1871.
SIR | have the honor to acknowledge the
rsceip: of your note Of Jan. %, in which you
inform me. in compliance with instructions
from Earl Granville, that Her Majesty :
Government deem it Of Importance 10 the
good relations which they are ever anxious
should subsist and be strengthened between
the nited States and Great Britain, that =
friendly and complete understanding should
be come to between the two governments a.
to the extent Of the rights which belong to
the citizens Of the nited States and Her
Maiesty's subjects respectively with reference
to the fisheries on the coasts Of Her Majesty =
possessions in North America. and as TO any
other questions between them which affect
the relations Of the United States toward
these possessions and further, that as the
consideration of these questions would in
yolye Investigations of a somewhat compli-
Gated nature, and il is very desirable that
they should be thoroughly examined, YOU
are directed by Lord Granville to propose 70
the Government of the United States the ap-
p0intment Of Joint high commission, which
shall be composed Of members to be named
by each government, shall hold its sessions
at Washington, and shall treat Of and discuss
the mode Of settling the difficulties which
have arisen out Of the fisheries as well as
those which affect the relations Of the [ nit
IL.
North America.
have laid your note before the President,
who instructs me to say that he shares with
her Naiesty's Government the appreciation
Of the Importance Of a friendly and complete
understanding between the two governments,
with reference To the subjects specially sug-
gcstcd for the consideration of the proposed
Joint high commission, and lie fully recog-
nizes the friendly spirit which prompts the
proposal The President Is, however, Of the
opinion that, without the adjustment of a
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 friend
ship between the two governments which, in
common with Her Majesty Government, he
desires should prevail
He thinks that the removal Of the differ
I cnces 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 tho
restoration of the cordial and amicable rela-
tions between the two governments. He de-
sired 10 say that, should Her Majesty's Gov.
ernment accept this view 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 AMIGA
bic settlement, this government will, with
much pleasure, appoint high commissioner
on the part Of the United States, to NEE
those who may be appointed on behalf of Hel
Majcsty's Government, and Will spare NJ
efforts to secure, at the earliest practicabl,
moment, just and amicable arrangement o
all the questions which now unfortunatelv
stand in the way of an entire and abdin,
friendship between the two nations.
= | have che honor to be, with the highes
consideration, Sir, your very obedient ser
want, HAMILTON FISH
Sir Edward Thornton, X. c. B., &c, &c
Sir Edlcard Thornton TO Mr. Fish.
WASHINGTON, Feb. :, 1871.
/ SIR: have the honor to acknowledge tn,
/ receipt of your note of the Both ult, and t,
offer you my sincere and cordial thanks 70
the friendly and cOnciliatory spirit whicl
pervades IL. W lth reference to that part o
1t in which you state that the President
thinks that the removal Of the difference
r which arose during the Rebellion in tn
c United States, which have existed since then
= growing ont of the acts committed by tn
several vessels, which have given rise TO tn
claims generally known as the " Alabam
u Claims will also be essential to the res
), toration of cordial and amicable relation
, between the two governments, have tn
honor to inform you that | have submitte
t. Earl Granville the opinion thus espresso
by the President of the United States, tn
irlendliness of which | BEG Won To believe