Record of the proceedings of the tribunal of arbitration at the thirteenth conference, held at Geneva, in Switzerland, on the 22d of July, 1872.

The conference was held pursuant to adjournment. All the arbitrators and the agents of the two governments were present.

The proctocol of the last conference was read and approved, and was signed by the president and secretary of the tribunal, and the agents of the two governments.

The tribunal continued with the consideration of the case of the Florida.

Sir A. Cockburn’s motion for argument denied. The Alabama. Sir Alexander Cockburn, as one of the arbitrators, proposed to the tribunal under the fifth article of the treaty of Washington, to call for the assistance of counsel upon the effect of the term of “due diligence”, and as to the principles of international law applicable to the case under the terms of that article.

After deliberation, a majority of the tribunal decided that it does not at present require the assistance of the agents and counsel upon the point proposed by Sir Alexander Cockburn; but that it reserves the right of requiring that assistance on any point, if necessary, according to the fifth article of the treaty.

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The tribunal also decided to consider at the next conference the case of the Alabama, and the questions of “due diligence,” and the effect of a commission in connection with that vessel.

The conference was adjourned until Thursday, the 25th instant, at half past 12 o’clock.

  • FREDERICK SCLOPIS.
  • J. C. BANCROFT DAVIS.
  • TENTERDEN.
  • ALEX. FAVROT, Secretary