No. 216.
Mr. Moran to Mr.
Fish
No. 341.]
Legation of the United States, London,
August 17, 1871. (Received August
31.)
Sir: I have the honor to send herewith, copy of a
telegram, to General Schenck from Mr. Davis, in regard to the appointment of
the British arbitrator under the treaty of Washington, the original of which
was received and answered by his excellency on the 13th instant. A copy of
the answer is also inclosed.
I also send herewith a report from the Times of the 12th instant, of Lord
Granville’s announcement in the House of Lords on the 11th instant, of the
appointment of the lord chief justice of England as arbitrator, and of Sir
Roundell Palmer as counsel for Great Britain under the above-mentioned
treaty.
I am, &c.,
[Telegram.]
Mr. Davis to General Schenck
Washington, August 12, 1871.
Schenck, Minister, London:
Has British arbitrator been named?
[Telegram.]
General Schenck to Mr. Davis
Davis, Acting
Secretary:
Alexander Cockburn, Lord Chief Justice, appointed Arbitrator. Sir
Roundell Palmer, counsel.
[From the
London Times, August 12, 1871.]
[Untitled]
Parliamentary Intelligence—House of
Lords, Friday,
August 11.
The lord chancellor took his seat on the woolsack at 5 o’clock.
PETITIONS.
The earl of Shaftesbury presented petitions from Bridport and Framlingham
for the repeal of the contagious diseases acts.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
Lord Redesale asked whether the question as to the right of the United
States to persevere in their demand for an indemnity on account of the
Alabama claims since the reconciliation of the Southern with the
Northern States would be distinctly raised before the arbitrators,
inasmuch as the damage for which such indemnity is claimed was inflicted
by the Southern States, who now joined in the application. He reminded
their lordships that on his putting a question earlier in the session it
was stated that the point had not been raised previously, and that it
was too late to bring it before
[Page 481]
the commissioners. He hoped it would now he taken up, for the acts of
the Southern States having been condoned by the Northern States, it was
contrary to every principle of justice that the former should claim
compensation for the damages inflicted by themselves.
Earl Granville replied that it would be inconvenient to discuss the
nature of the case to be laid before the arbitrators, but it would,
doubtless, be satisfactory to the noble lord and to the house to know
what steps had been taken in the matter. The drawing up of the case had
been confided to the noble and learned lord on the woolsack, who would
be assisted by Lord Tenterden and Professor Bernard, the two men in
England most thoroughly acquainted with all the facts. He was happy to
say also, that besides the advantages to be derived from the legal
advisers of the government, Sir Roundell Palmer had consented to act as
our counsel on the occasion. Sir Roundell had shown great public spirit
in accepting this task, at a great personal sacrifice. He would also
superintend every detail of the case. As to the particular point raised
by the noble lord, the government would, of course, not omit to urge any
point which they could fairly and honorably urge, while abstaining from
putting forward any point which did not appear to them or their advisers
founded in reason.
THE LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF ENGLAND AND THE ALABAMA
CLAIMS.
Earl Granville, before moving the adjournment of the house, desired to
make a statement which he had no doubt their lordships would hear with
pleasure. He was happy to state that he had just received a letter from
the lord chief justice of England to the effect that that most learned
judge (Sir Alexander Cockburn) had consented to act as arbitrator in the
case of the Alabama claims. [Hear, hear.]
Their lordships adjourned at 25 minutes after 6 o’clock.
