Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress with the Annual Message of the President, December 2, 1872, Part I

No. 444.
Mr. Fish to Mr. Rublee.

Department of State,
Washington, October 10, 1872.

No. 92.]

Sir: You are already aware that the tribunal of arbitration, appointed agreeably to the provisions of the treaty of Washington of 8th May, 1871, concluded its deliberations and pronounced its final decision at Geneva on the 14th ultimo.

The tribunal was composed of five members, two appointed by the governments immediately interested in the questions submitted for its consideration, and three named respectively by the President of the Swiss Confederation, the King of Italy, and the Emperor of Brazil.

Dispatches this day received at this Department contain the record of the closing proceedings of the tribunal and its award. These dispatches bear witness to the industry and the high qualities with which the arbitrators pursued the investigation which was devolved upon them.

The President appreciates most highly the obligation of the United States, in common with Great Britain, to the friendly governments which have rendered assistance in the determination of the grave international questions that were at issue. This obligation has been enhanced by the high character and elevated positions of the eminent gentlemen named as arbitrators by those governments. The learning, the industry, the ability, and impartiality which these gentlemen have displayed have made a profound impression upon the President, and have not only contributed in an essential degree to the satisfactory conclusion of the pending questions in which two governments were interested, but must have a powerful effect in commending the principle of arbitration to the attention of the civilized world as an effective method of adjusting many international disputes hereafter.

You are instructed to make known to the government of the Swiss Confederation this expression of the appreciation by the President of the friendly act of the President of that Confederation in naming one of the arbitrators, and of the high character and eminent services of the arbitrator thus named by him.

To the federal council of Switzerland the United States are also indebted for the hospitality with which the tribunal of arbitration, before which the United States were a party, has been received within the territory of the republic, for many hospitable and liberal courtesies extended to the agents and counsel of this Government.

To the government of Geneva the President desires to express his grateful appreciation of their voluntarily placing the hall of the Hotel de Ville of the city of Geneva at the disposition of the tribunal for its sittings, and for the courtesy of the authorities and of the citizens of that beautiful city and canton, extended to those who represented the interests of this Government in connection with the tribunal, and for the reception for preservation among their own archives of the archives of the tribunal. The President requests that the minister for foreign affairs will kindly convey to the Honorable Mr. Stamp Hi his thanks, and will communicate to him the opinion entertained by the President of his character and services as one of the arbitrators; and to the federal council and to the government of Geneva the sentiments which are above expressed; and to Mr. Favrot his appreciation of the able manner in which he discharged the arduous and important duties of secretary to the tribunal.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

HAMILTON FISH.