Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-12-09


OF the opinion that a re-examina-
ton of the subject vii. cause
change in some instances in the
conclusions reached on these sub
jects at the last session of Con
| gres5
The court Of commissioners OF
Alabama claims, whose functions
were contiaued by an act of the
last session Of Congress, until the
first day of January, 1877, has car
ried on its iabors with diligence
and general satisfaction BY a re-
port from the clerk of the court,
transmitted herewith, bearing
date November l4th, 1876, it APP
pears that within the time now al
lowed by law the court will have
disposed of all the claims present.
ed for adjudication. This report
also contains a statement Of the
general result of the labors oil the
court to the date thereof. 1t is a
cause of satisfaction that the
method adopted for the satisfac-
ton of the classes of claims submit
ted to the court, which are of long
standing and justly entitled 10
early consideration, should have
proved successful and acceptable.
r. n
The connections which have
been prevalent in Mexico for some
time past, and which unhappily
seem not yet to be wholly qui-ted,
have led to complaints of citizens
of the United States of injuries by
persons in authority. 1t is hoped,
however, that these will ultimate
~ be adjusted to the satisfaction
of both governments. The from
tier Of the United States i'm that
quarter has not been exempt FROM
acts Of violence by citizens Of one
republic on those Of the other
The frequency of these is supposed
to be increased and their adjust
ment made more difficult by the
considerable changes in the course
of the lower part of the Rio
Grande river, which river is a part
of the boundary between the twa
countries. These changes have
placed on either side of that river
portions Of land which by exist
ing conventions belong to the jur-
isdictiOn of the government on
the opposite side of the river. The
! subject ofadjustment of this Gauss
of difficulty is under consideration
between the two republics.
1t is with satisfaction that L am
able 10 announce that the joint
commission for the adjustment OF
claims between the United States
and Mexico, under the convention
of 1868, the duration of which has
been several times extended, H.
brought its labOrs to close. FROM
the report of the agent Of the
| United States which accompanies
the papers transmitted herewith,
it will be seen that within the
time limited by the commission,
one thousand and seventeen claims
on the part of citizens of the u. s
against Mexico, were referred to
the commission. OF these claims
eight hundred and thirty-ont
were dismissed or disallowed, and
In one hundred and sixty-six
cases awards were made il favor
of the claimants against the Mex
lean Republic, amounting in the
aggregate to fonr million one hun
dred and twenty-five thousand, six
hundred and twenty-five dollarn
and twenty cents. Within the
same period nine hundred and
ninety eight claims on the part OF
citizens of the Mexican Republic
against the United S ates were re-
tered to the commission. or
these claims eight hundred anu
thirty one we're dismissed or dis
allowed, and in one hundred ana
sixty-seven cases awards Wee
made in favor of the claimants
against the United States amount
ing in the aggregate 20 one hun
dred and fifty thousand, four hun
dred and ninety-eight dollars and
fOrty-one cents,
| BY the terms of the convention
the amount of these awards j. 10
be deducted from the amount
awarded in favor of our citizens
against Mexico, and the balance
only to be paid by Mexico to the
United States, leaving the United
States to make provision for hi
proportion of The awards in favor
of its own eli liens.
l invite your attention to the
legislation which will be necessa-
sary to provide for the payment
In this connection | am pleased to
be able TO express the acknowledge
ments due 10 Sir Edward Thorn
ton. the umpire of the commission,
who has given to the consideration
OF the claims submitted to him
much time, unwearied patience,