The New York herald., 1871-02-10
Special Statement Of the American Ac-
count Against England.
History Of the English Priva-
teers, Their Commission
and Ravages at Sea.
Lord John RusselTs "BelIigerent Rights" Re.
cOgnition and Its Consequences.
From May 8, 1861, to Februa.
ry 8, 1871.


We are specially informed by cable telegram
from London-pubshed elsewhere IN our columns
that the British Cabinet is engaged in the most
serious preparation for the commencement of
direct Utrd negotiations with the United States
government for the settlement OF the Alabama
claims account ana, may be reasonably inferred,
prompt discharge Of the amount OF the bill when
1t has been duly certlfed.
The HERALD despatch, which is dated in London
yesterday, announces to the American nation
excellent authority that his Grace the Duke
Of Devonshire and the Right Honorable VIII
liam Edward Forster NJ. P. for Bradford. with
other gentlemen, English and Canadian, will take
thier departure from the British metropolis within
very short period OF time and proceed route to
Washington, duly commissioned by Queen Victoria
to hear and audit the bills of American citizens and
to consider--it must be So Of course-the national
averages OF the American losses--directly at sea
and consequently on shore in our commercial cen.
trcs-whCh were sustained by the operations OF THE
English privateers employed In the service OF the
American rebel government during the progress Of
our civil war to the moment OF the destruction OF
the Alabama by the Kearsarge.
The North American fisheries question viii also be
considered by the Commissioners.
Queen Victoria personally referred to the Alabama
claims In her speech from the throne, delivered at
the opening Of Parliament yesterday
PRESIDENT GRANTS ACTION.
Confrmatory or the accuracy OF the highly I'm
portant inteligeqce conveyed In this special cable
report from England We have telegraph
despatch from Washington-whcn we also
publish above-whicb proclalms the fact that
President Grant sent specla message to tho
United States Senate yesterday on the subject
of the Alabama claims and the North American
fisheries questions, In which the head OF the United
States executive announces tnat the government OF
her Majesty the Queen or Great Britain consents to
have these matters referred for arbitration to q
joint commission OF both countries, and that in
view Of this action on the part OF the English gov
ernment the President has appointed Secretary
Fish, General Schenck Justice Nelson ex.Attorney
General OF the United States Hoar, with Senator
Williams Of oregon, Commissioners to act in the
name and behalf of the American people.
SENATE CONFIRMATION.
The appointment Of the American commissioners
named above was confirmed Immediately by the
United States Senate IN executive session.
THE PLACE OF AssEMBLAGE.
The joint commission will assemble In Washington,
and 'al matters pending between the two coGntlies
Will be referred to It's members for adjustment.
HOPES.
Thus-as win be seen by our special telegrams
from each side Of the Atlantic-the American people
may hope at length for friendly Encouragement Of
their outstanding bills with Britain.
THE POINTS FOR ARBITRATION.
Our telegraph statements open practically before
the eyes Of the people OF both countries, Great
Britain and the United States. vastly wide field FOR
the exercise OF the most careful international nego-
tiation; for although the American claims have al
ready passed into history under the destructive
designation OF the Alabama claims, 1t must be reco.
lected that our national bill Of charge embraces the
items Of damage which inflicted on our CON-
mercial marine dag by the active operations OF q
little feet OF English cruisers, or which the Alabama
ana the Florida were the most prominent and
active
We have also had set forth in our pages individual
claims for compensation for losses incurred III
various forms not naval.
From these operations the most disastrous re-
suits have ensued TO the American shipping interest,"
Affecting our trade from tue shlpbuiIding yards Of
New York to those OF Maine, and from the desks OF
our great offices and banks TO the cheer
less resides of our unemployed seamen n their
garrets, both here in New York and in all our sea-
board cities.
NATIONAL PRINCIPLE AND THE FIRST WRONG
His Grace Of Argyle, the other English commits
sonsrs. well as the executive representatives OF
the United States, VIII have to carry their minds
back 10 HTSt prlncIple-or, ratner. violation or
prnciple-as set forth In tue "bcligerent rights,
recognition which Lord John since Earl Russell,
then queen Victorias Secretary OF state Foreign
Affairs accorded TO the American rebel government
OF JEFF Davis by his declaration made in the House
OF Commons on the 9th or My, In the year 1881.
on that occasion Lord John Russell rose to reply
to question put by Mr.. Evart, NJ r. on .he "a OF
the month, which he (Mr. Evartl had prefaced By
remarklng that '.t was reported THAI the Confede-
rate government about to issue letters or marque
to prvateers, - and inquired what action her Ma
jesty's government would take In the occurrence OF
such an event."
TIE WORDS OF RECOGNITION.
Lord John Russell took four days to consider his
reply.
he consulted his fellow minister's, and on the 9th
OF May 1851, went down 10 the House OF Commons
tand replied to Mr.. Eyart. The noble Secretary
RusselQ said with respect to telbgerent rights
In the case Of certain portions or State oesHg IN
there lcas precedent achtch seems op-
pltcao!e to this purpose IN the yeur 1925 The British
government at that time auoped the oe,,tgereat
'Gsts or the provisional goreraaet OF Greecs. Tho
question Cr. Eyartsl 'os been under the consicsiu-
ton or the government. 7ne Attorney Gensrci, ana
solicitor General, and ne queens Adrocote ana the
haze come 90 te opinion that the Sossth-
cQNIkNVED on TENrH PAG2