Mr. Gresham to Sir Julian Pauncefote.
Washington, August 16, 1894.
Dear Sir Julian: I have your note of the 15th instant in relation to the proposed convention for the settlement of the Bering Sea claims.
Referring to the doubts raised by Her Majesty’s Government as to [Page 217] the restrictive effect of the words “British subjects,” in the fourth recital of Article I of my counterdraft, you state that you mentioned to Lord Kimberley I had given you the assurance that the Government of the United States “desired to satisfy all claims, the payment of which was justly due by international law;” and you then say that you have received a reply from His Lordship “to the effect that Her Majesty’s Government take note of that assurance and waive their objection to the words in question.”
While I am not of opinion that the language of your note is ambiguous, it is perhaps advisable, in order to avoid any possible misunderstanding hereafter, to say that in referring to international law it was not my intention either to enlarge or restrict the language of the proposed convention, but it was my intention to convey the idea that the Commissioners would, in construing its terms, be governed by the principles of international law. Such I understand to be your interpretation of my meaning, as expressed in your note; but out of abundant caution, I desire to avoid any possible ground for the inference that anything may have been said by me with the intention of modifying or controlling the convention by assurances given outside of it.
If convenient to you I shall be pleased to meet you at this Department at 11. o’clock a.m. tomorrow, for the purpose of signing the convention.
I remain, etc.,