Mr. Johnson to Mr. Seward
Sir: Your cipher telegrams, dated the 21st, 24th, and 27th instant, respectively, have been received.
I was to have had an interview with Lord Stanley to-day, but he has just advised me that he is obliged to leave the city, and therefore to postpone our meeting until to-morrow.
Under the authority given me by your cipher dispatch of the 24th instant, I hope and believe that I shall be able to conclude a convention in relation to the Alabama claims and other similar claims, as well as all other claims, upon the basis of the convention of the 8th of February, 1853.
His lordship, however, is very reluctant to leave the decision of the first two of those claims to a board composed of subjects of her Majesty or citizens of the United States, with an authority to call in an umpire to be selected by themselves, because of the character of the questions of international law which they present. He prefers that these should be submitted to some foreign friendly government. But this, I think, he will consider will be accomplished by a convention under which the selection of an arbitrator is to be afterwards made by the two governments, and not by the commissioners.
I fully appreciate the force of the objections suggested by you to the naming of an arbitrator in regard to these claims in the convention itself, that it might hazard its confirmation by the Senate and be more or less distasteful to the country.
It is understood between us that the arbitrator is not to be restricted to the consideration of any one point upon which the claims may rest, but may consider every one involved in them.
I am gratified to know, from your dispatch above referred to, of the 27th instant, that the protocol on the naturalization subject heretofore sent to you is approved. On the request of his excellency Mr. Hale, our minister at the court of Madrid, and General Bartlett, our minister resident to Norway and Sweden, made, as I understand, at the instance of your department, I have forwarded them copies of the protocol.
Although I have not as yet heard whether the one in relation to the San Juan difficulty is approved, yet I look with confidence to my being early so advised.
I have the honor to remain, with high regard, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.