ALABiUIA CLAIMS. 95 



for the places they filled, both of them having served 

 ia similar capacities in the foreign Department of 

 their respective Governments, and both having assist- 

 ed in the negotiation of the Treaty of Washington. 

 Their friendly personal relations were advantageous 

 in facilitating the movement of business before the 

 Arbitration. 



Mr. Bancroft Davis deserves particular mention. 

 Englishmen may criticise the American " Case," the 

 labor of preparing which devolved chiefly on him; 

 but its indisputable merit should draw to him the 

 applause of every American. His literary accom- 

 plishments, his previous diplomatic experience, his 

 knowledge of men and things in Europe, and his de- 

 voted and untiring attention -to the public interests, 

 were singularly useful to the United States. 



Of the persons or qualities of the Counsel of the 

 United States, Mr. Morrison R. Waite, Mr. William 

 M. Evarts, and the writer of this exposition, it would 

 be unbecoming, as it is quite superfluous, here to 

 speak. 



In this relation, however, it is proper to call atten- 

 tion to two facts or incidents of national interest or 

 concernment. 



In the first place, to the honor of the President of 

 the United States be it said, in the selection of Coun- 

 sel by him, as for instance in the invitation to Mi*. B. 

 R. Curtis, considerations oi party were not allowed to 

 exert controlling authority. 



Secondly, the Counsel themselves emulated the 

 catholic spirit of the President in subordinating- all 



