Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: In conformity with the suggestions in your despatch No. 455, I have called M. Drouyn de l’Huys’s attention to the fact that our government has proposed a convention for the settlement of all claims of French citizens, and that the President in his last message had recommended the establishment of a special tribunal for the settlement of all claims of foreigners which have originated since the commencement of the war, and which it was expected Congress would carry into effect. M. Drouyn de l’Huys said that these matters had not escaped his notice, but he did not see how such tribunals were to get jurisdiction of these questions in respect to foreigners, but he would make a memorandum of the points and consider them further.
As I know nothing of the details of the proposed measures, I could, of course, give him little information.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, &c., &c., &c.