Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-02-17

the Cincinnati convention.
We hope the above named dis
tinguished democrats and patriots,
will not be stigmatized as radicals.
All good men may yet be forced to
unite to defeat Grant; such An ALI
ance would not be absorption but
the development of political power.
-Whig and Tribune.
THE BILL OF DAMAGES.
From the st. Lsuis Times.
That there should be developed on
the part of the little British govern
ment a stubborn indisposition to en-
terrain the consideration of Ameri-
can claims for constructive, indirect
or consequential damages arising
from the depreciation of Confeder-
ate cruisers is not much to be Won
dered at when the actual amounts
to be itemiZed aggregate so fOrmid-
able footing. The demand for re-
compense on the Sumner theory is
not only prepOsterous, but it is alb
sOlutely incapable of being reduced
to figures. The effect had upon
American commerce by this mischief
Of Southern priVateers is not suscep-
tible to tangible estimates either in
Money or duration; and the United
States will hardly be sustained by
the enlightened sentiment of the
world, if we insist upon claims that
have only an ideal foundation-or
claims that viii be interpreted as
the dictate of a merely sordid self
interest.
The genuine and admissible claims
for idemnity are for the most part
based on the acts of the steamers
Alabama, Shenandoah, Florida,
Georgia and Sumter, and the ex-
hibit shows that these alone amount
to over eighteen millions of dollars.
The Alabama destroyed sixty-nine
vessels; the Shenandoah thirty-eight,
the Florida thirty-six, the Sumter
twenty-seven, and the Georgia ten.
| One item in the account is also for
! increased war insurance premiums,
estimated at 81, 120,795.
! The case of the United States as
made up by Mr.. Bancroft Davis con-
/ taIns complete recital of the facts,
! great and small, of what are com
monty understood as the Alabama
! grievances, coupled with an equally
full recital of all proceedings had,
| formally, aud informally, in relation
to the difficulty. This plea on
| record forms volume of five hun
| dred pages, and is accompanied by
! seven other volumes of documents.
1t asks for compensation in a round
/ sum for the loss of vessels and their
cargoes; for the expense of pursuing
/ the rebel privateers; for the loss
| sustained by the transfer of Ameri-
can ships to foreign flags and in
| creased cost of insurance; and for
/ the prolongation of the war caused
| by the operations of these cruisers,
not definately stating a demand for
consequential damages, but virtual
| ly so, as was doubtless intended by
/ our astute American commissioners,
whether their British colleagues so
| understood it or not. The follow
ing table prepared by the New Y ork
| World will give some idea of what
it is that we ask, and what it is that
seems TO be inspiring John Bull with
a manifest repugnance to pay:
1. For the destruction ofvessels
and property belonging to the
government of the United
States Observation-Disclosures - ,OOe
! II. For the destruction of mer-
chant vessels, cargoes and
property sailing under the flag
OF the United States. .... 1890, $50
III. For other damages or inju-
ries TO persons growing out of
the destruction OF each class OF
these vessels
In respect to this item the
"case" says it is impossible at
present for the United States
TO present a detailed state
ment, but the amount Of the
claim cannot be less than
hundreds of thousands and
possibly millions of dol
lars, on account of hardy,
helpless seamen and their
familieS.l
". For national expenditures
in the pursuit of cruisers 7,OSO,47S
| V. For loss in the transfer Ofthe
American commercial marine
TO the British flag.
In respect TO this itsm the
United States ask the arbi-
traitors to e innate the
amount which ought to be
psiu to them, after we sub
init statistics IN respect 10
our tenage before and after
the rebellion.
vi. For enhanced payments OF
Insurance by citizens OF The
/ United States, 50 tar Is now
known 900 -------.-.--. LIN 40
VII. For prolongation of q civil
war, the addition OF large sum to
the cost thereof and of the suppress
sion of the rebellion.
las to this item the United States
claim that after the battle of Gettys-
burg offensive operations by e in
surgents were conducted only at
sea, through the Anglo-COnfederate
cruisers, with the hope of involving
this country in war with Great
Britain, and that the latter ought in
equity to reimburse the United
States for the expense thereby en-
tailed upon them.
VIII. Interest upon all the claims
up to the day when the award is
PAYABLE by the terms of the treaty,
which is twelve months AFTER the
date of the award, at the usual rate
OF interest in the city of New York
where most of the claims of individ-
uals are held, which is seven per
cent per annum' The United States
claim that interest should be COM
puted from an average day, say July
/, 1868.