ALAllAMA CLAIMS. IQO 



possess knowledge of tliose debates, liavc perfect right 

 to refer to tbeiii on all fit occasions. 



I propose, liowevcr, on tlic present occasion, to ex- 

 ercise this riglit sparingly, and that only in two rela- 

 tions, namely, llrst, very briefly, where sncli reference 

 involves niei'o Ibrniality, and is almost inscjiarable 

 from acts recorded in tlic protocols; and, secondly, 

 with a little mure fullness at the close, and with some 

 retrospection, for the ])nr])osu of cx[>laining the final 

 act of the British Arbitrator. 



DISCUSSIONS OF THE TRIBUNAL. 



At the meeting of the 15th, discussion arose imme- 

 diately as to the method and order of proceeding to 

 be adopted in the consideration of the subjects refer- 

 red to the Tribunal. 



j\lr. Stivmpfli tlien suggested tliat in his opinion the 

 proper course was to take uj) tin; case of some vessel, 

 as e.\])ressly I'equii'cd by the Treaty, and consider 

 whether on tliat vessel (ireat Britain was res])on.>Ible 

 to thc^ United States, lie had directed liis own in- 

 ([uiries in this way, and in this Avay Iwid arrived at 

 satisfactory conclusions. His plan liad been to select 

 ft vessel, — to aljstract the facts pi'oVed regarding her. 

 — and then to Apply to the facts the special rules of 

 the '? leaty. 



Deijate on this proposition ensued between Sir 

 Alexander Cockburn, on the one liand, and the rest 

 of the Arbitrators on the other Iiand ; the fornrcr de- 

 siring to liave preliminary consideration of "princi- 

 ])les," that is, of abstract (questions of law, and the hit- 



