034 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. 



the importance of a friendly and complete understanding between 

 the two Governments with reference to the subjects specially sug- 

 gested for the consideration of the proposed Joint High Commission, 

 and he fully recognizes the friendly spirit which prompted the 

 proposal. 



The President is, however, of the opinion that, without the adjust- 

 ment of a class of questions not alluded to in your note, the proposed 

 High Commission would fail to establish the permanent relations and 

 the sincere, substantial, and lasting friendship between the two Gov* 

 ernments which, in common with Her Majesty's Government, he 

 desires should prevail. 



He thinks that the removal of the differences which arose during 

 the rebellion in the United States, and which have existed since then, 

 growing out of the acts committed by the several vessels which have 

 given rise to the claims generally known as the "Alabama " claims, 

 will also be essential to the restoration of cordial and amicable rela- 

 tions between the two Governments. He directs me to say that should 

 Her Majesty's Government accept this view of the matter, and assent 

 that this subject also may be treated of by the proposed High Com- 

 mission, and may thus be put in the way of a final and amicable 

 settlement, this Government Will, with much pleasure, appoint High 

 Commissioners on the part of the United States, to meet those who 

 may be appointed on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, and will 

 spare no efforts to secure, at the earliest practical moment, a just and 

 amicable arrangement of all the questions which now unfortunately 

 stand in the way of an entire and abiding friendship between the two 

 nations. 



I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your 

 obedient servant, 



Hamilton Fish. 



Sir Edward Thornton, K. C. B., &c. 



Sir Edward Thornton to Mr. Fish. 



Washington, February 7, 1871. 



Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of 

 the 30th ultimo, and to offer you my sincere and cordial thanks for the 

 friendly and conciliatory spirit which pervades it. 



With reference to that part of it in which you state that the 

 President thinks that the removal of the differences which arose 

 during the rebellion in the United States, and which have existed 

 since then, growing out of the acts committed by the several vessels 

 which have given rise to the claims generically known as the "Ala- 

 bama " claims, will also be essential to the restoration of cordial and 

 amicable relations between the two Governments, I have the honor to 

 inform you that I have submitted to Earl Granville the opinion thus 

 expressed by the President of the United States, the friendliness of 

 which, I beg you to believe, I fully appreciate. 



I am now authorized by His Lordship to state that it would give 

 Her Majesty's Government great satisfaction if the claims commonly 

 known by the name of the "Alabama " claims were submitted to 

 the consideration of the same High Commission by which Her 



