Year: 1868

The questions at issue between this government
and Great Britain still seem to bethe all absorbing
theme Of speculation hereabouts and every fresh
development in regard to them is eagerly seized
upon and canvassed In every possible light. 1t Is
pretty well understood that the terms OF the con-
ventton have not been definitely concluded the gen.
eral plan has been agreed upon between the Amer-
can Minister and her Majesty's Minister for Foreign
Affairs and few minor details only are under ne
RotatiOn. 1t Is also well known that among the
budget Of dispatches received by Mr.. Seward from
Minister Johnson the 2sd inst. was this very docu-
ment containing the basis Of settlement submitted
in oficial form for the ratification OF our govern
ment. Knowing this to be the case and being,
moreover OF the profound interest felt in this
great international question: deemed 1t my duty to
make an effort to get few facts with which to sea-
son the multitude Of rumors afioat.


In pursuit Of this object had the good fortune to
aght upon source Of information worthy of the
most implicit belief, from whence, Notwithstanding
the great caution with which the subject was
handled and the extreme parsimony shown in drop
ping the few hints that were given, enough was as
certained to furnish valuable lead for developing
the remainder OF the great State secret. Believing
that the work Of arranging satisfactory basis Of set
tlement for our national grievances was so far &C
compshed that some portion Of the negotiations

gering their success called upon Secretary Seward,
having in obedience to the established regulations
Of the State Department presented myself to the
gentlemanly confidential secretary OF Mr.. Seward.
requested brief audience with his distinguished
Chief The reply was that the Secretary
was exceedingly busy and had been closely
engaged all day on important matters. 1t was
therefore scarcely probable that could get access
to him. My request having been conveyed to the
Secretary he obigingly Hgnifed his willingness to
grant the desired interview and Twas ushered into
the large reception room. In q few minutes Mr..
Seward entered, whereupon the conversation that
ensued was substantially as follows:-


"Mr. Secretary. have obtained possession Of sew
eral statements purpOrtng to be some OF the terms
OF the convention agreed to between Minister John
son and the British government, and, although
have no reason to doubt their correctness for the
sake OF being absolutely certain wish to submit
them to you for either confirmation or denial"


81 should much prefer that you would submit to
me nothing OF the kind and hope you will not ask
any questionin relation to that subec for you do
and wish to be plain with you you see shall feel
constrained TO give you evasve answers"


n supposed that the negotiations had gone so far
now to render strict silence, to certain extent,
unnecessary otherwise / should not have ventured
to make such request"


~ am not prepared to say how far the negotiations
have gone, or whether they have gone at ALL am,
in fact, unable to say anything about the matter.
Everything yet in an inchoate condition, and to
make premature revelations would do much injury
and to possible good. II I should reveal augnt In
regard Ia the progress made may seriously en-
barrass the government OF Great Britain and If any
thing should be permitted to escape there 1t might
embarrass me-"


'In that case trust. Mr. Secretary, that you viii
pardon my having asked for Information you do not
feel liberty to communicate The great interest felt
In this subject by the whole country must be my
excuse"


''You are certainly justified in seeking the infor-
nation you are in quest OF, but in matter 80 i'm
portant as this the country should wait patiently
for the ofhcial announcement and have full faith
and confidence in the public officers having charge
Of the treaty negotiations l can only say that
hope for a speedy and satisfactory termination of
our differences with the government Of Great Britain,
and that my hope Is, believe, in fair way to be
realized"


Although this interview did not yield anything
profitable In the way OF completing the data already
obtained I was not discouraged, but sought the
desired information in another quarter where my
exertions attended with rather better success.


The Terms or the Convention.


Prom all that have been able to ascertain the
following Is the substance OF the convention ar
ranged between Minister Johnson and Lord Stanley,
which has received the approval OF the British gov
ernment and IL now under consideration by the
President. The convention begins with a preamble
stating that whereas various claims have been made
upon the government OF her Britannia Majesty on
the part Of companies and private individuals, citi-
zens OF the United states the President OF the
United States OF America and her Majesty the Queen
txc.r nf int.


speedy and equitable settlement Of all such claims
viii contribute 10 the maintenance OF the friendly
feelings which subsist between the two countries,
have resolved to make arrangements for that pur-
pose by means Of convention and have named as
their plenpotcntiaries to confer ans agree there
upon Hon. Reverdy Johnson Minister OF the
United States to her Britannia Majesty, and Lord
Stanley principal Secretary OF State for Foreign Az
fairs who after communicating to each other their
powers, agreed upon the convention The high con-
tracing parties agree that all claims on the part Of
companies or private individuals citizens Of the
United States upon the government OF her Britannia
Majesty shall be referred TO three commissioners, to
be appointed In the following manner:-That is to
say, two commissioners shall be named by her
Britannia Majesty and one by the President OF the
United States. The convention then provides that
p case or the death absence or inability OF either COM





name another. The commissioners 30 named shall
meet In the city OF Washington in the United states
AT the earliest convenient period after they
have been appointed, and shall, before proceeding to
business, make and subscribe solemn declaration
that they will impartlally and carefully examine
and decide to the best OF their Judgment and accord
ing to Justice and equity, without fear, favor or
afrection to their own country upon all claims that
may be laid before them. In case the commission
ers shall differ In opinion upon any OF the claims
under consideration and shall be unable to agree
upon decision they shall select rs arbitrator some
one OF the soverelgns OF Europe, who shall be
friendly 10 both governments. To the arbitrator or
umpire 30 selected the question In dispute shall be
referred, and his decision In such case shall be
deemed nnai and conclusive, The commissioners
shall investigate and decide upon such claims In the
order and manner they may think proper, but upon
such evidence or information only as shall be fur