1 914] Settlement of International Disputes 195 



SETTLEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES. 

 By Hon. Mr. Justice William Renwick Riddell. 



{Read 28th February, 1914.) 



In the following paper I propose to show the methods adopted for the 

 settlement of their international differences by Britain (including Canada) 

 and the United States, that is, the English-speaking nations, from the 

 time of the substantive Treaty of Peace, signed September 3rd, 1783. 



This treaty had, by Article II, fixed the boundaries of the new 

 Republic; one of these was with reference to the source of the Saint 

 Croix, while another was the middle line of the Great Lakes and con- 

 necting rivers. 



There were two rivers either of which might fairly be called the St. 

 Croix, and the two nations claimed respectively that as the true St. 

 Croix which would give it the more territory. 



Again, Britain continued in possession of the forts on the left bank 

 of the waters (Dutchman's Point, Point au Fer, Oswegatchie, Oswego, 

 Niagara, Buffalo, Detroit, Michillimacinac). This was because some 

 of the States had passed legislation which prevented British creditors 

 from recovering their debts from American debtors. 



The Treaty of 1783 had by Article IV expressly provided that "cred- 

 itors on either side shall meet no lawful impediment to the recovery of 

 the full value in sterling money of all bona fide debts heretofore con- 

 tracted." Notwithstanding this, the States refused to repeal the obnox- 

 ious laws, and the state courts held that these laws were binding. Many 

 representations were made by the United States as to Britain remaining 

 in possession of the forts spoken of ; but they were told with the utmost 

 firmness that Britain intended to remain in possession of the territory 

 until redress should be granted to British subjects. 



Some three thousand negro slaves had, during the Revolutionary 

 War, come into the British lines relying on proclamations which offered 

 freedom, and they accompanied the British forces on evacuation. The 

 Treaty of 1783 by Article VII had provided that the British troops 

 should not carry "away any negroes or other property of the American 

 inhabitants." The United States demanded the return of the 3,000 

 negroes or payment for them. Britain replied: "The negroes became 

 free when they came within British lines and were no longer property 

 of the American inhabitants"; and refused either to give back the slaves 

 or to pay for them. 

 10— 



