Oregon Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1870-1872, 1871-03-11
DALLAS, OREGON. SATURDAY. MARCH IL. 1871.


and shall treat of aud discuss the mode
of settling the different questions which
have arisen out of the fisheries, as vel
as those which affect the relations oil
the United States towards Her Males.
tvs 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 Majesty's Government
to tender it; and 1 cannot doubt but
that In that case, the result will not fail
to contribute to the maintenance of the
good relations between the two coun>
tries which | am convinced the Govern
ment of the United States, and that of
Her Majesty, equally have at heart.
| have the honor to be, with the
highest consideration, Sir, your most
obedient, humble servant,
EDWARD THORNTON.
The Hon. HAMILTON FISH, &C., &c.
Mr.. FISH TO SIR EDWARD THORNTON.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON,
Jan. 80, 1871.
SIR: / have the honor to acknow-
ledge the receipt of your note of Jan.
26, in which you inform me that, in
compliance with instructions from Earl
Granville. that Her Majesty's Govern,
ment deems it of Importance to the good
relations which it is ever anxious
should subsst and be strengthened be-
tween the United States and Great
Britain, that friendly and complete
understanding should be come to be.
tween the two Governments, as to the
extent of the rights which belong to
the citizens of the United States and
Her Majesty's subjects respectively,
with reference to
THE FISHERIES ON THE COAST
of Her Majesty's possessions in North
America, aud as to any other questions
between them which affect the relations
Of the United States towards those pos
sessions and further, as the considera-
tion of these questions would involve
Investigations of somewhat complicat-
ed nature, and as it is very desirable
that they should be thoroughly exam
ined. you are directed by Lord Gran
lille to propose to the Government of
the United States the appointment of
joint High Commission, which shall be
composed of members to be chosen by
each Government, shall hold its ses-
sions at Washington, and shall treat of
and discuss the mode of settling the
differences which have arisen out Of
the fisheries, as we'll as those which
affect the relations of the United States
towards her Majcesty's possessions in
North America.
| have laid your note before the
President, who instructs me to say that
he shares with her Majesty's Govern
ment the appreciation of the Importance
of friendly and complete un lerstand-
ing between the two Governments with
reference to the subjects specially
suggested for the consideration of the
proposed JOINT High Commission, and
he fully recognizes the friendly spirit
which has prompted the proposal. The
President is, however, Of the opinion
that without the adjustment of class
of questions not alluded to IN your note,
the proposed High Commission would
fail to establish the permanent rela>
tions, and the sincere, substantial and
lasting friendship between the two Gov
ernments, which, in common with Her
Majesty's Government, he desires
should prevail. He thinks that the re-
moval of the differences which arose
during the rebellion in the United
States, and which have existed since
then, growing out of the acts commit
ted by the several vessels which have
given rise TO the claims known as
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS,
will also be essential to the restoration
of cordial and amicable relations be-
tween the two Governments. He de-
sired me to say that, should Her Ma
jesty's Government 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 amicable settle.
ment, this Government will with much
pleasure appoint High Commission
ers on the part of the United States to
meet those who may be appointed on
behalf of Her Majesty's Government,
and will spare no efforts to secure, at
the earliest practicable moment, just
and amicable arrangement of all the
questions which now unfortunately
stand in the way of an entire and abid-
ing friendship between the two nations.
have the honor to be, with the
highest consideration, Sir, your very
obedient servant,
HAMILTON FIsH.
SIR EDWARD THORNTON, X. G. b. &c.
SIR EDWARD THORNTON TO MIR. FISH.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 1871.
SIR: / have the honor to acknow
ledge the receipt of your note of the
30th nit. and TO offer YOU nv sincere