The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-05
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, FEB. 4 1873.
THE ALABAMA COMMISSIONERS DECIDE AGAINST
THE cIAnxs OF BRITISH suBJEcTs-rHosE OF
OTHER FOREIGNERS ADMITTED TO TRIAL
AWARDS DECLARED.
The Alabama Claims Court have rendered two
important opinions regarding the rights OF I'M.
nstnralized foreigners. The nrst was In the
claims ofcertain SUBJECTS OF Portugal who, during
the years lse2and 1855, enlisted In the commercial
marine or whale fishery under our Dag. in the
ships Euphrates. Gen. Williams and Sophia Thorn
ton, ana the bark Virginia, all Of which were de-
stroyed BY the Confederate cruisers.
Alter an elaDor to review OF the general law
ana the law constituting the Court tho decision
Is given as follows:-
The public law OF Christendom and the mum.
cpal law OF the land declare that foreigners,
cnr sai or WnetSer on ths decSs Of onr ss,Us a
trusting to the security OF our nag
upon the nSa !, seas .,n are equally entitled
titled to sue Tor their rights in our courts. There.
fore, on the ground OF abstract justice and pro-
priery. and upon the ground oil legal right, we
decide that foreigners entitled to the protection Of
our nag IN the premises. whether naturallzed or
not, nave right 10 share in tue distribution OF
this und.
In the other cases the claimants were subjects OF
Great Britain. This IS also very deliberately mr..
gued, aud the conclusion reached is as follows:-
the case OF British subjects sailing under our dag
(as 1t l. a matter Oh great doubt wherher IN the
In the same light as Il foreigner OF some O:ner
nation entitled 10 our protection in The prem'ses).
and as the only case reported OF British subject
presenting claim at Geneva would seem to MILL
tate against such cons ruction and as 1t Is much
safer Tor court OF limited jurisdiction TO keep
within the limits OF lis powers raj her than to run
the risk OF exceeding them, we therefore decide
that while foreigners entitled to our protection
tie premises oIner than subjects OF Great Britain,
|
this iund and TO sue In this Court, we cannot see
that British subjects are so entitled.
For the reasons given. the demurrer OF the
counsel for the United States was sustained.
Judgment was rendered tod " In case No. II,
Robinson master OF the bark Gypsey, destroyed
/ by the SHENANDOAH vs. The United States, in
favor OF the plaintiff for $6,97l, with interest
from the date OF the des tructon OF the Cyp-
sey. Judgment was also rendered In case
No. $685. Allen (mate OF che Gypseyl vs.. The
United States, Tor $l,624 so for plaintiff
with interest," The calendar, in accordance
with recent order of the Court, was then called
to the extent OF the first fty cases, and no cases
being ready on the part OF claimants the Court
adjourned
AND CERTIFICATES.
Tho Ways and Means Committee, At the con-
clusion OF long session to-day on taxation and
revenue questions, had an open session OF few
minutes duration, In which Mr.. William NJ.
Tcnney was further examined regarding the Ger.
tincates OF deposit issued BY jay Cooke 4 Co. in
favor or John G Schumacher. Nothing new
was elected, the witness being able merely to
show from the books the connection between the
certificates, and how, for instance. the nrst was
retired upon Schumaker's Endorsement by issuing
another for lesser amount and paying the dr..
ference in cash. Mr.. Tenney repeated mis- state.
ments OF yesterday, that ne had no acquaintance
with Schumacher ana no personal recollection or
other knowledge OF the transactions OF the bank In
regard to these certificates or the checks cashed.