No. 306.
Mr. Evarts
to Mr. Lowell.
Read my dispatch 110, fourth and fifth paragraphs, relating to arbitration, and ask secretary whether he was and is ready to submit the matter there stated to summary award of Secretary of State and British minister. If so, say to him that as he has expressed a preference for a lump sum rather than this summary award, and I agree in this preference, that I will receive a proposition from him of a lump sum for the Fortune Bay claims, and if it comes up to two-thirds of these claims, or $80,000, you have authority to accept it. If not, you may communicate any offer he wishes to make for the Fortune Bay claims. I renew the subject in this way as a last effort to remove the obstacle these claims as heretofore treated by British Government interpose to a liberal disposition of the more permanent interests involved, and to supersede, if possible, the record made by the recent communications between the governments that an explicit offer of a lump sum for the Fortune Bay claims and these named in No. 109 was retracted after its explicit acceptance by this government. You may say to the secretary that I will also receive a proposition of a lump sum for the claims in 109, and if it comes up to £15,000 you may accept it. If not, communicate it.
[Page 506]Carefully distinguish in this dispatch what you are to say to secretary and what you are instructed to do upon what may follow.
You will use your own discretion as to the terms in which you will impress upon secretary my earnest desire to relieve the important discussions on the fisheries which must soon engage the two governments from the disturbing influence of the unsatisfied Fortune Bay claims.
You will of course understand that if secretary is ready to close the offer of £15,000 for Fortune Bay and No. 109 already made upon the assurance and information you are authorized to give, you can close the matter at once and telegraph me.
In reference to last part of your last telegram, I have no difficulty in saying and feeling that no other claims are at all likely to arise, but I cannot receive money measured by particular claims under any indefinite obligations to reserve or distribute it otherwise.