126 THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON. 
‘ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION. 
On Saturday, the 14th of September, the Tribunal 
assembled at the hour of adjournment,—half-past 
twelve o'clock. The Hall of Conference was crowded 
at this hour with the Arbitrators and the gentlemen 
attached to the Arbitration, the ladies of their respect- 
ive families, the members of the Cantonal Govern- 
ment, representatives of the Press of Switzerland, the 
United States, and Great Britain, and gentlemen and 
ladies among the most estimable of the private cit- 
izens of Geneva. The day was beautiful; the scene 
imposing and impressive. But the British Arbitrator, 
Sir Alexander Cockburn, remained unaccountably ab- 
sent, while curiosity grew into impatience, and impa- 
tience into apprehension, until long after the pre- | 
scribed hour of meeting, when the British Arbitrator 
finally made his appearance. 
The official action of the Conference commenced 
with the accustomed formalities. 
The President then presented the Act of Decision 
of the Tribunal, and directed the Secretary to read it 
in English, which was done: after which duplicate 
originals of the Act were signed by Mr. Adams, Count 
Frederic Sclopis, Mr. Steempfli, and Viscount of Itajubé; 
and a copy of tite Decision, thus signed, was delivered 
to each of the Agents of the two Governments re- 
spectively. 
Another original was subscribed in like manner, to 
be placed, together with the archives of the Tribunal, 
among the archives of the Council of State of the Car- 
ton of Geneva. 
