The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-02-10

made by authority Of the British Gov
ernment, but that the terms being un-
satisfactory to the United States, nego-
tiations were postponed. 1t is supposed
that the agent who is expected to-day
will have more extended powers. MI.
Sumner says there is no ground for the
statement editorially made by New
York journals thathe stands in the way
of settlement with England, urging that
no arbitration can be complete which
does not include the question OF prema-
ture recognition of belligerent rights.
Correspondenee on the Fisheries
and Alabama Questions.
The President sent to the Senate to-
day brief message, enclosing the fol-
lowing correspondence:
SIR EDWARD THORNTON TO Mr.. FISH.
SIR compliance with instruc-
tons received from Earl Granville, /
have the honor to state that Her Maj,-
esty's Government deem it important
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, respectively,
with reference to the fisheries on the
coasts Of Her Majesty's possessions
in North America, and as to any
other questions between them which
affect relations Of the United States
towards these possessions. AS consld-
Grafton OF these matters would, however,
entail investigations OF somewhat
complicated nature, and as it is very de-
srable that they should be thoroughly
examined. | am directed by Earl
Granville to propose to the Gov
ernment OF tlfc United States the
appointment OF a joint High Com
mission, which shall be composed
of members to be named by each
Government. 1t shall hold its ses-
sions in Washington, and shall treat
and discuss the mode OF settling
the different questions which have
arisen ont OF the fisheries, as
well as those which affect the rela.
tions of the United States toward Her
Majesty possessionsin in North America.
am confident this proposal will be met
by your government in the same cor
dial spirit Of friendship which induced
Her Majestvs government to tender it,
and cannot doubt in that case the result
will not fail to contribute to the main
tenance of the good relations between
the countries, which am convinced
the government OF the United States, as
well as that of Her Majesty, equally
have at heart.
Il have the honor to be, with the
highest consideration, sir, your most
ohedient and humble servant.
TSigned7 EDWARD THORNTON.
"To Hon. HAMILTON FISH"
Mr.. Fish in reply, under date of Jan
nary 3Oth, after acknowledging the
above communication, says:
81 have laid your note before the
President, who instructs me to say he
shares with Her Majesty's Government
the appreciation Of the Importance Of
friendly aand complete understanding
between the two Governments with
reference to the subjects specially sug-
ge4ted Tor consideration by the pro-
posed joint High Commission, and full
iv recognizes the friendship which
prompted the proposal The President
il, however, of opinion that without the
adjustment of class OF questions not
alluded to in vour note, the proposed
High Commission would fail to estab
lish the permanent relations and secure.
substantial and lasting friendship be-
tween the two Governments, which, in
common with Her Maiestys Govern
mcnt. he desires should prevail |
He thinks that the removal Of
differences which arose during the
rebellion in the United States, and |
winch has existed since then growing
out Of acts committed by several YES
sells. which have gwen rise to claims /
generally known as the Alabama claims,
will also he essential to the restoration
of cordial and amicable relations be-
tween the two Governments. tie de-
sired me to say that should Her MaJes-
tv Government accept this view OF the |
matter, and assent that the subject of
the Alabama claims may be heard by |
the proposed Commission, and NAV thus |
be put IN a way of final and amlCable |
settlement, this Government will, with |
much pleasure, appoint High Commits
sioners, 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, a just and
amicabe arrangement OF all questions
which now unfortunately stand in the
wav of an entire and abiding friendship
between the two nations.
SIR Edward Thornton replies Febru.
arv lst. After stating that he had
submitted to Earl Granville the Presl-
dents proposition, he says:
II am now authorized by his Lord
shin to state that it would give Her
Maiestv's government great satisfaction
if tine claims commonly known By the
name of the Alabama claims were sub
mtted to the consideration Of the same
High Commission by which Her Maj
estv's government have proposed the
questions relating to the British posses
sions in North America should be dis
cussed, provided all other claims, both
of British subjects and citizens of the
United States, arising out of acts COM
mitted during the recent civil war
in this country are similarly referred TO
the same commission. The expres'
sions made use Of in the above men