The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-11
The High Commission Treaty in tho Senate
The First Days Proceedings.

Inc treaty mas passed. from the w Hlte housc
to the Capitol In compliance with the special
call of the President, the United States Sen
ate, in extra session, the Vice President in the
chair, assembled at noon yesterday, the men,
bcrs fully Informed upon the important bust
ness bringing them together, and apparently
we'll pleased with the great work Of the Joint
High Commission awaiting their Judgment.
The first proceeding after the calling of the
body to order was the prayer Of the chaplain,
the Rev. DR.. Newman, who, in behalf Of the
treaty, thus appealed to the Omnipotent Ruler
of the Universe :-''Upon the United States
and Great Britain we invoke Thy benediction
of wisdom and peace. BY no Satanic influence
or errors of craftsmanship may the peaceful
relations of these Powers be interrupted for
moment. May all the people be united in
good example for the peaceful settlement OF
the great questions now pending" To which
appeal, no doubt. call the people" will say
"Amen!'
The usual committee was appointed to wait
upon the President to inform him that the
Senate was in session, and ready to receive
any communication he might have to make
Next, pending the absence of the committee
on their mission, the Senate took q brief re-
cess. and on reassembling, after some little
formalities, Mr.. Cameron, Chairman Of the
Committee on Foreign Relations, moved that
when the Senate adjourn it adjourn over
to Friday next Tomorrow Here Mr..
Sumner put in the significant inquiry,
'Why not make it later day." This
looks like mischief. The object of mr.. Came
ron's motion was a day for the consideration
of the treaty by the Foreign Relations Com
mittee, watch he thought was all the time
they would require in order to decide upon
their report; but Mr.. Sumner was clearly of
the opinion that Mr.. Cameron, in his motion,
was in too much of hurry. The motion,
however, was adopted, SO that at the meeting
Of the Senate, tomorrow, Mr.. Cameron from
his committee will doubtless report back the
treaty to the Senate with the recommendation
that it be ratified.
Next, Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, offered a
resolution, which was adopted, requesting the
President ''to furnish a copy Of all reports made
by the Hon. William Whiting, as Solicitor Of
the War Department. upon any claims made
by the subjects Of any foreign nations for
damages in consequence OF the war against
orr rebelious States from 1861 to 1865"
And what does this mean? 1t means, per-
haps, that Mr.. Morrill, or Mr.. Sumner, or both
these Senators, intend to make a fight agains.
this treaty on the British claims against the
United States for the settlement of which it
provides. AT all events Mr.. Morrill, wants to
see the budget of these claims, and in this he
is right. In finding out, however, that the
catalogue embraces neither Canadian Fenian
raid claims, nor rebel cotton loan claims, nor
blockade runners claims, nor claims of British
subjects living in the South for losses of slaves
or losses Of property Of any kind from the war,
we dare say that the prudent Senator from
Vermont will be satisfied.
General Porter then appeared at the Senate
door to announce that he was instructed by
the Presiden' # the United States to deliver
the Senate message in writing, and having
handed it in, on motion of Mr.. Cameron, the
Senate went into executive session. Here
treaty. stated that it was highly honorable to
both countries and negotiated in the interests
Of peace, and he suggested that it be given to
the press of the country. Senator Sumner
warmly seconded Senator Cameron in his last
suggestion, although he is reported to have
said that he did not fully approve Of some
portions Of the treaty aud thought they might
be amended. Several Senators objected
to giving the treaty to the public,
mainly because it was contrary to the
old way Of doing things-a species
Of old fogyism that has fortunately become
rather exceptional in the United States Senate
of the present, and will doubtless be missing
from it altogether in the future. Mr.. Sum-
ner's objections appear to have been levellcd
mainly at the cliims of British subjects, and
even in regard to them his chief opposition Is
accounted for by his remark that If decided
opposition had been expressed by our Com
missioners they would not have been admitted.
Finally the treaty was referred to the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations, where it was
very cordially received, its reading having
created good impression.
The opinion seems to prevail at Washing
ton that within ten days or two weeks the
business of this extra session will be finished
in the final action of tho Senate upon the
treaty. No doubt appears to be entertained
Of its ratification, and by a large vote. The
st. Domingo annexation treaty proved to be
an apple Of discord, and the President wisely
cast it aside. The Alabama claims, British
claims, ST. Adams claims, East India gun
powder claims, Northeastern Fisheries, st.
Lawrence navigation and Northwestern boun-
dairy treaty, appear as On olive branch,
blooming with the symbols of peace, and SO
in all its details may it prove TO be. Ratified