ALABAMA CLAIMS, 27 
hereafter, that the personal fitness of Count Sclopis 
also rendered it eminently proper that he should pre- 
side; for he was the senior in age of all the Arbitra- 
tors, of exalted social condition, and distinguished as 
a man of letters, a jurist, and a statesman. 
On the proposal of Count Sclopis, the Tribunal of 
Arbitration requested the Arbitrator named by the 
President of the Swiss Confederation to recommend 
some suitable person to act as the Secretary of the 
Tribunal. Mr. Steempfii named for this office Mr. 
Alexandre Favrot, and he was accordingly appointed 
Secretary. 
The printed Case of the United States, with accom- 
panying documents, was filed by Mr. Bancroft Davis, 
and the printed Case of Great Britain, with docu- 
ments, by Lord Tenterden. 
The Tribunal made regulation for the filing of the 
respective Counter-Cases on or before the 15th day of 
April next ensuing, as required by the Treaty; and 
for the convening of a special meeting of the Tribu- 
nal, if occasion should require; and then, at a second 
meeting, on the next day, they adjourned until the 
15th of June next ensuing, subject to a prior call by 
the Secretary, if there should be occasion, as provided 
for in the proceedings at the first Conference. 
The record of these, and of all the subsequent Con- 
ferences of the Tribunal, is contained in alternate Pro- 
tocols, drawn up both in French and in English, veri- 
fied by the signatures of the President and Secretary, 
and of the agents of the two Governments. 
In these opening proceedings, that is, at the very 
