Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-02-11
Official Correspondence Between the
United States and England.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS TO DE
SETTLED.
HIGH COMMISSION APPOINTED By THE TWO
POWERS.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.
The President sent to the Senate to-day a
brief message, enclosing the following cor
respondence:
SiT In compliance with instructions re-
ceived from Earl Granville, have the honor
to state that Her Maiesty's government deem it
OF Importance to the good relations which they
are ever anxious to subsist4and be strength
ened between the United States and Great
Britain, that friendly and complete under
standing should come between the two gov
ernments as to the extent of the rights which
belong to citizens of the United States and
her Majesty's subjects, respectfully, with
reference to fisheries on the coasts of her
Majesty's possessions in North America, and
any other questions between them, which
affects the relations Of the United States to-
wards these possessions. And as consideration
of these matters would, however, involve in
vestigations of a somewhat complicated ma
ture, and as it is very desirable that they should
be thoroughly examined, am directed by Lord
Granville to propose to the government of the
United States, the appointment of joint high
commission, which shall be composed of
members to be named by each government.
1t shall hold its session at Washington, and
shall treat of and discuss the mode Of settling
different questions which have arisen out of
the fisheries, as woll as those which affect the
relations of the United States towards her
Majesty's possessions in North America. /
am confident 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 I cannot doubt
in that case the result will not fail to contri-
butte to the maintenance of good relations be-
tween the two countries, which / am con-
vinced the government of the United States,
as well as that of Her Majesty's, equally have
at heart.
consideration, sir, your most obedient SER
want.
(Signed,) EDWARD THORNTON.
Hon. Hamilton Fish, &c.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, ID. c., Jan. 80, 1870.
SIR,-I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your note of Jan. Goth, in which
you inform me in compliance with instruc-
tions from Earl Granville 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
come between the two governments, as to
the extent of rights which belong to the cit
izens of the United States and her Majesty's
supJCSes, ACsPSSavSiy, WAN iSlSiShSC W thC
fisheries on the coasts of her Majesty's pos
sessions in North America, and as to any
questions between them which affect the re-
lations of the United States towards these
possessions and farther, that as the consid-
Grafton of these questions would involve in
vestigations of a somewhat complicated ma
ture, and as it is very desirable that they
should be thoroughly examined, you are
directed by Lord Granville to propose to the
government of the United States the APP
pointment of Joint high commission which
should be composed of members to be named
by each government, which shall hold its
sessions at Washington, and shall treat of
and discuss the mode of settling the differ
ences which have arisen out of the fisheries,
as well as those which affect the relations of
the United States towards her Majesty's pos
sessions in North America. l have laid
your note before the President, who instructs
me to say he shares with her Majesty's gov
ernment in appreciation of the importance
of a friendly and complete understanding
between the two governments with reference
to the subject specially suggested for consid-
Grafton of the proposed joint high commits
sion, and he fully recognizes the friendly
spirit which has prompted the proposal.
The President is, however, of opinion that
without an adjustment of the class of ques-
ed high commission would fail to establish
permanent relations and sincere, substantial
and lasting friendship between the two gov
ernments, which in common with her Maj
esty's government he is desirous should
prevail. He thinks that the removal of the
differences which arose during the rebellion in
the United States, and which have existed
since then, growing out of acts committed by
several vessels, which have given rise to
claims generally known as the Alabama
claims, will also be essential to the restora-
ton of cordial and amicable relations be-
tween the two governments. He desires me
to say that should her Majesty's government
accept this view of this matters and assent
that this subject also may be treated of by
the proposed joint high commission, and may
thus be put in the way of final and AMIGA
BILE settlement, this government will with
much pleasure appoint high commission on
the part of the United States to meet those
who may be appointed on behalf of her Maj
esty's government, and will spare no efforts
to secure at the earliest practicable moment a
just and amicable arrangement of all ques-
tions which now unfortunately stand in the
way of an entire and abiding friendship be-
tween the two nations.
have the honor to be, with the highest
consideration, sir, your very pbedient servant,
To Sir Edward Thornton, X. c. B.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1st, 1871.
SIR II have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your note of the 3Oth ult., and to
offer you my sincere and cordial thanks for
the friendly and conciliatory spirit which per-
vades the communication. In reference to that
of it, in which you state that the President
thinks that the removal of the differences
which existed during the rebellion in the
United States, which have existed since then,
growing cut of acts committed by several
vessels, which have given rise to the claims
generally known as the Alabama claims will
also be essential to a restoration of cordial
and amicable relations between the two gov
ernments, l haye the honor to inform you
that have submitted to Earl Granville the
opinion thus expressed by the President of
the United States, the friendliness of whom, i
beg you to believe, fully appreciate. am
now authorized by his Lordship to state that
it would give her Majesty's government great
satisfaction if the claims commonly known by |
the name of the Alabama claims were SUBJ |
mitted to the consideration of the same high |
L. .rh,ah bar Na.nst,,,. rovn-,