PERIOD FROM 1871 TO 1905. 729 



Mr. Evarts to Mr. Lowell. 



[Telegram.] 



WASHINGTON, March 5, 1881. 



Read my dispatch 110, fourth and fifth paragraphs, relating to 

 arbitration, and ask secretary whether he was and is ready to submit 

 the matter there stated to summary award of Secretary of State and 

 British minister. If so, say to him that as he has expressed a prefer- 

 ence for a lump sum rather than this summary award, and I agree 

 in this preference, that I will receive a proposition from him of a 

 lump sum for the Fortune Bay claims, and if it comes up to two- 

 thirds of these claims, or $80,000, you have authority to accept it. If 

 not, you may communicate any offer he wishes to make for the For- 

 tune Bay claims. I renew the subject in this way as a last effort to 

 remove the obstacle these claims as heretofore treated by British 

 Government interpose to a liberal disposition of the more permanent 

 interests involved, and to supersede, if possible, the record made by 

 the recent communications between the governments that an explicit 

 offer of a lump sum for the Fortune Bay claims and those named in 

 No. 109 was retracted after its explicit acceptance by this govern- 

 ment. You may say to the secretary that I will also receive a propo- 

 sition of a lump sum for the claims in 109, and if it comes up to 

 15,000 you may accept it. If not, communicate it. 



Carefully distinguish in this dispatch what you are to say to secre- 

 tary and what you are instructed to do upon what may follow. 



You will use your own discretion as to the terms in which you will 

 impress upon secretary my earnest desire to relieve the important 

 discussions on the fisheries which must soon engage the two govern- 

 ments from the disturbing influence of the unsatisfied Fortune Bay 

 claims. 



You will of course understand that if secretary is ready to close 

 the offer of 15,000 for Fortune Bay and No. 109 already made upon 

 the assurance and information you are authorized to give, you can 

 close the matter at once and telegraph me. 



In reference to last part of your last telegram, I have no difficulty 

 in saying and feeling that no other claims are at all likely to arise, but 

 I cannot receive money measured by particular claims under any 

 indefinite obligations to reserve or distribute it otherwise. 



EVARTS. 



Mr. Elaine to Mr. Lowell. 



[Telegram.] 



WASHINGTON, March 8, 1881. 



Evarts' romnrk about advertising for claims was made to show 

 British minister the impracticability of sacrificing the rights of un- 

 known parties who might afterwards appear with just claims. At 

 present no such claims tire believed to exi<4. but I could not consent in 

 settling the known claims of one class of persons to bar the claims of 

 another class without notice. 



