The New York Herald Newspaper, February 6, 1872, Page 4

4 ary articles arrived, as they were considered tho harbingers of returning peace and prosperity; still Bome dissatisfaction was evinced when it was ascer- tained that in framing them the Commissioners had disregarded the instructions which had required them to consult the French Court. The secret arti- cle—tne existence of whicn had been concealed from Vergennes—caused Congress considerable em- barrassment; but @ motion to censure the Commts- gioners tailed to pass The treaty on the whole, however, was quite satisfactory, ‘The provisional articles were ratified by the re- spective governments within the specified time, and in April, 1783, the British Ministry appointed David Havtiey to conclude with the American Com- missioners a detinite Treaty of Peace. But after -several months were spent in discussing the various preliminary articies they were unable to agree on any alterations; and so on September 3, 1788, the provisional articles were adopted and signed at Paris asa definite Treaty of Peace by David Hartley on be- hail of Great Britain, and by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay for the United States. JAY'S TREATY OF COMMERCE, NAVIGATION, BOUN- DARY, ETC. —1704. After the termimation of the Revolutionary Btruggie it was soon discovered that inere were many pomts of difference between the United Staces and Great Britain that were either uot provided for by the Treaty of Peace of 1783, or were SO Lmper- fectly treated in that agreement as to seriously peopardize the harmony exisiing between the two scountries. The most important omission was that ‘of some arrangement for the regulation of inter Mational commerce. In 1783 Mr, Pitt introduced a Milt into Parliament for the temporary regulation of jcommercial intercourse between the two countries, »which, among other stipulations, proposed to admit american vessels into West Indian ports with gooas ‘or merchandise of American growth or production, fand to permit the people of the West Indies to ex- port goods to the United States, But wus blll was Niolently opposed by the British shipping interest, mnd consequeatly failed to become a law. Soon iter this Orders im Couneti were issued entirely xcluding American vessels from the British West fous 3 and prohibiting some of the staple prod tous of America from entering tose colonies In British vessels. { gonn Adams, who was then American Minister 10 ondon, proposed in 1785 to pla the navigation ud trade between the British possessions and the Jnited States on # basis of perfecc and liberal re- uprocity, but the proposition was rejected and Mr, ams was given to understand that none of a ike nature could be entertained. fie thereupon re- ommended Copgress to pass navigation laws for Ane beneflt of American commerce, but under the farticles of confederation 1 was not clear that it Se sufficient power. When, however, the federal constitution was adopted and the revenue jaws came into operation Great tam considered t unwise to retuse to a united country the re- ciprocai policy which it had decitued to extend to Mhirteen separate States, arliament, therefore, Rppointed a committee to consider and report what Were the proposals of a commercial nature that avould be proper to make to tbe Unised States, and the report wiuch was drawn up and presented by {Lord Liverpool in 1791 propose to ask the consent DI the United States to an arrangement similar to Lat proposed by Mr. Adams six years betore, ‘fhe relations between the two countries from 4791 to 1794 were not very harmonious, m con- Bequence of Britain declimng to surrender the Western foris, Which the United States mamtalned were held in opposiuon to the provisions of the Treaty of 1783, and im the imettiing by British Emussaries of hostile Indians against the Ameri- pans; as well as, In consequence of Great Britain becoming involved with France aad Holland, the \ssuing of Orders in Councti which were extremely Vojurious to American commerce, as they led to tie Dapture and condemnation of niinerous vessels upon jalse and frivolous pretensions; co the impress- ment Of seamen from on Hoard American vessels and tothe exclusion of American shipping from lwading to the British West idies.. These acts treated much bitter feeling In the United states kgainst Great Britain, and in the spring of 17944 ‘ar between the two countries seemed Inevitable. foavert such a Calamity Jolin Jay, ov the nomma- Bon of Wasuington, was se 8a special envoy to Bugiand to settie ali mati in dispute, he was induced to sign a treaty which was defective In bone points and objectionable in others, but which ‘was the best that could‘thea ve obtained, ‘This treaty, signed at London by Grenville and Jay, on the 19th of November, 1794, covsistea of twenty-eightarticles. Tue tirst ten, which were de- vlared to ve perpetual, provided for constituting three Bourds of Commissioners—one to determine the Eastern boundary of the United States, by 0xing bn the river intended by the treaty of peace as the Bt. Croix; anotner to acertain tue amount ot losses pxperienced by. British subjects in consequence of legal impediments to the recovery of Briash anti- revolutionary debts, which amount, so ascertained, was tl be pald by the goverument of the United Btates; and a wird to estimate the losses sustained by American citizens in consequence of irregular and illegal captures by British crutsers, tor which there eXistea no adequate remedy in suits at law, these losses to be paid by the Eritisn goverament. Ln consideratiod Of tue arrangement of the question of British debts the Wesvern posts were to be sur- rendered on the Ist of June, 1746, then residents in the neighborieod to have the opuon of removing or becumiug American citizens. ‘Fo give both na~ Lions an equal culaive of the Indian (rafiic there was to be a reciprocity Of inland wade and tatercourse between the North Ainerican territories of the two nauions—inciuding the bavigauion of the pi—the Briush also to be admitted American harbors, with the right to ascend alirivers to ihe bighest port of entry, & ins reciprocity dul not extead to the territory of the Hudson Bay Company nor to the admission of American Vesseis. into «the arvors of the British = North American colonies, nor to the navigation of the rivers of these colonies below the highest port of eutry. No objection of a Lenage was to interiere With the possession of land within the dominions of eliher power by subjects or eltizens of Me other, as EXistin, tne date of the treaty, nor with its regular descent, nor to tue event of any war or rupture was there to be any confiscation by either party of debts or cf puolic or private stocks due to or held vy the citizens or subdjects of the owner, ‘The other cighieen articles we Btreaty of commerce aud limited to two rs aiter 0 then exisuny EB) “an war. They provided for the admission of Au n vessels into British poris in Europe avd the Mast Indies on terms of equality With British vessels, but there were no stipulations With regard to a participation in the East Indian coasting trade or in the trade between Europe and the Bricish East Ladie also tor the reservation to the British of the right to meet, by couutervalimg enactiients, the discrimination in American tonnage and uaport duties; for the privilege of American vessels not exceeding seventy ious in burden to trade to the Brittsn West Indies, ‘ein the nature of and were but they were nov to trausport trom America to Europe any of the principal colonia: products; and Jor Britis vesseis With cargoes to be admitted into American ports under existing discriminating duties and on the terms of ta favored nations. it was ulso stipulated ta ra were to be placed under bonds as security for any damages they might commit against neutrais, and to be sub- ject 10 certain dt gulations with regard to the condemn equipment, &c articles not usually coniravammi, under pecuilar circumstances, be contiscated, but paid for that no vessel atiempiing to oulravand articles, ons and other becoming 80 port was tobe captured unicss she had first been notified and turned # . jon was to permit enlistments with: by any third nation at War With the ober; nor were the citizens or subjects Oo! ether ty accept Commissions from or enlist in the service of such third natic ing Which they would be treated as pire of war aud privatwers of the two countries are to be , disre; mutually admittea and hospitavly recet to @ach other's ports, and, with their prizes, to be free irom search, seizure or jurisdiction. Privateers of nations at war with either were neither to be armed nor allowed to sell their prizes in the ports of the other, nor to purchase more provisions than were necessary to carry them to the nearest port of their own pation. Noshelter was to be given to armed vessels of any third nation which had captured ves- seis which had belonged to either country uniess forced in by stress Ol weather, in which case they must depart as soon as possible; but netther this nor any other article was to interiere wito the ob- Jigauon of pre-existing treaties, Neither nauon was 10 allow vessels or goods of the other to be cap- tured In any of its bays, ports or rivers, or wi Gannon shot Of its coast. in Case of war the citi- gena or subjects of either nation resident in the territories of the other were to be allowed to remain and conunue their* calling so jong as t ehaved peaceably, but to be subject to ve ordered off in case of suspicion, on tweive montis’ notice, or without any notice if detected in violation of the laws. No reprisals were to be ordered by either party ti}! satisfaction had first been demanded. Fu- gitives irom justice charged wita murder or forgery were to be mutually surrendered, ‘hough the treaty provuied for the collection of debts contracted before the Hevoluiion and due in the United States to British creditors, 1t did not tn- demnuy Americans for siaves carried away by the Briish at the close of the Revolauon and sold to the Weat Indies, which was oae of the grievances claimed against Great Briain. The news of the conciusion of the treaty reached the United States before the termination of the closing session of tne Third Congress; put the treaty itself aid not arrive ili the session had termt- nated. A special session oi the Senate was there- fore called by Washington to take it into considera: tion, and after @ fortmight'’s debate in secret session the ‘treaty was ratified (June 24, 1795) by @ vote of Twenty to ten—precisely # constitutional majority— that article excegtea which rejated to the West jodia trade, ag it impésea upon the national com- merce @ sacrifice Which the Beuate was unwilling to sanction, It is curious to mote that among tue pro- become an article of exportation from the Southern Scates. When tae vext of the treaty became known there Was much opposition exhibited towards It In Boston, New York and other cities, and an effort ‘Wan made to induce the Presideat to withhold his sygnatare to it, out without avail. ADDITIONAL AND BXPLANATORY ARTIOLRS. Aa additional article to Mr. Jay's treaty of com- Qoumerce Was couciuded at /Lladeiphia ou May 4, which leaned strongly towards England, ween Phineas Bond, on vohalt of Great Brain and Timothy Pickerimg for the United States,’ by which the operation of 40 much of the objectionable article eifth) in the original treaty as referred to the regulation of the West india trade was suspended, and an explanatory article was agreed upon having reference to the third arucle of the treaty regulating commerctal intercourse be- tween thé two parties on the Continens of America. Another explanatory article, signed in London, March 15, 1793, by Lord Grenvite and Mr. Rutus King, was to form part of the original treaty and to release the commissioners from designating Jautude and longitude Of the source of the river intended by the St. Urorx, CONVENTION (YAYMENT OF PRIVATE DBBTS, BIG.) OF es having arisen in the execution of the riicie of the Treaty of Amity (1794), by which United Siates was to make compensation to Brits creditors tor 1o3sea occasioned. by legal im- pediments to the collection o: de>ts contracted he- Tore the peace, @ convention was agreed upon on January 8, 1802, at London, the negotiators bein; Lord Hawkesbury, on Uke part of Great Britain, an Mr. Ku.us King On that Of the United states. In accordance with this convention a por ion of the said sixun article was annulled and the United reed to pay to Great. Britaindor the use of 3 described in the said articie the sum of 0,000 sterling, 1m three agonal instalments of £200,00) eA ‘The fourth article of the ‘Treaty of Peace of 178%, relative to private deots. was also recoynized and coniirmed, aud Commissioners were to proceed in the execution Of the duties assigned them by the seventh article ofthe treaty of i794 and ascertain the amount due by the Brittsa government as compensation to Amer:can citizens for ilegal cap- vure of their vepeels bY British subjects, When tnese Conimissioners ciosed their labors, in 1803, they had awarded to Ainerican merchants about six millions of dollars, all of which was duly paid py the British government, Deducting from this the amount at which the British debs were also zome small awards td British claum- ants for captures made by French privateers in American waters, and there siil! remamed a bat- auice of upwards of three million doltars secured to the country by Jay’s treaty; to which migat be added ouher larger sums recovered in the Brit.sh Courts by way of damages for tliegal captures, also the restoration of mauy captuced vessels and car- goes by the British Admiralty Court of Appeals, THR WAR OF 1812. Phe war which broke out anew in Kurope in 1805 renewed ail the sources of grievance which America had had against England. ‘Tne latter Power put again io full force her “Orders in Council’’’ ex- cluding American commerce jealously even from her own Eust and West Indian possessions, seeking by every means to cripple our wade. Congress retaliated by passing a law for- bidaing the importauon of certain goods from Great Britain or her dependencies, but its opera- tion was postponed owing to the opening of nogotiations tor @ treaty of commerce between the United States and England. Munroe and Pinkney were appointed Commissioners to treat, out were unable to obtain the redress of the grievances of which America complained. ‘The treaty which they had negotiated was rejected by Jefferson and Madison without having been presented to Con- gress. Depending upon the superiority of her naval the | wrongs suffered by our country in those remark- able words which most fittingly descrive the latter action of England during our civil war, and prove how tenaciously sue clings to her TRADITIONS OF VIOLENCE AND SELFIBHNUSS when she can do so without danger, We bebatitn, fine, on me site of bys Britain a state of war against the Uni and on States'a state of peace towards direst Briain be ah ni ates Continue passive usurpations and neln ac: a het’, prouressive : ul cumulating wrongs, of, opp. foree, to foree, to defence of their national rhe aha commit a just canse into the hand: of the Almighty Disposer of events, avoiding all connections which might entangle it inthe contest or other Powers, and @ constant to concur im an re-estab- Mshment of ace and friendship, is a solemn aveation which the constitution wisely confides to the legis- lative department ot government, In recommending it to thelr eariy deliberation tain DappY Jn the assurance that ine decision wi rthy the enlightened and patriotic coun- cls of a virtuous, tree aud powerful nation, These noble words were but the echo'or the popu- lar thought, and alter mature Consid mi and full discussion an act declaring War against En,land was presented on the 5th of June, 1812, from the House of Representatives to the Senate asking its concur. rence. On motion it was twioe read, unanimously received and referred to the committee appointed to confer and report upoa the President's Meas: of tne Ist of June. ‘The isch of the same month the act declaring war against England received the sig- nature of President Madison, and in @ few days the States were aroused to patriotic enthusiasm by the Pre-ident’s proclamation annonucing thai a free poopie had resolved to draw the sword to avei Insults which tuey nad too iong and too patien borne. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERI- OA—A PROOLAMATION, Whereas the Congress of the United States, by virtue of the authority veated in them, have declares by their act, bearing date the 1th of the present month, that war existe between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the depenaencies thereof and the United States of America and their territories, ‘Now, therefore, I, James Madison, Preatient of the United States of America, do herevy prociaim the same to sil whom it may concern: and I do specially enjoin all persons holdin ollices, civil or ‘military, unJer the authority of the Unu Staves that they be vigiant and zealous in discharging the duties respectively incident therereto; und Ido, moreover, exhor: all the good people of the United Stotes, as they love their country, as they value the precious heritage derived from the virtue and vaior of their fathers, as they feel the wrongs which have forced on them the last resort of injured nation: 2 consult the best Dg means under of Divine Providence of abridging its that they exert themselves in preserving order, in promoting concord, in maintaining the authority and the efticacy of the laws, and 1m supporting and fovigoratiag all the measures which may be adopted by the constituted authorities for obtaining speedy, just and an honorabie peace. In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be allied to these pre- sents. Done at the city of Washington the 1th day of June, 1812, ‘and of the independence of the Uuited States the thirty- alxth, JAMES MADISON. By the President: JAMES MONROR, Secretary of State. We need not enter into detalls of the struggle which ended sa gloriously for the American arms, @nd Was closed in 18i4 by THE TREATY OF GHENT, For more than\a year before the close of this war efforia were made to bring avout @ peace. On Janu- ary 1, 1814, the British schooner Bramble arrived at power England, so far back as 1793, had issued “Orders in Council,” which were in effect @ pro- hivition addressed to neutral nations, foroidaing them to trade with countries who were momentarily her enemies. Nor was this tyrannous action con- fined to mere declarations, but the ail-poweriul navy of Great Britat, controling the avenues 01 commerce, inflicted most considerable damage on the mercanule navy of such nations as reiused to acknowledge the binding force of the British decree. Among those free peoples who protested unceasingly against this unlawful assumpuon of power, our Own country, though at Annapolis, Md., beariug a flag of truce and a proposi- tiou for peace ana on the bth of that mouth the President informed Congress of the same. The overtures were promptly met in @ concillatory spirit. by our government, and Gommiasioners ap- pointea to negotiate a treaty. The United States appointed John Quincy Adams, James A. Bayard, Heary Clay, Jonatnan Russet! and Aloort Gallatin, The Britisn Commissioners were Admiral Lord Gam- bier, Henry Goniburn and William Adams. The American Commissioners proceeded to London, where they were annoyed by being treated with neglect and by a want oi prompctude on the part that time little more than @ struggling colony, was markedly conspicuous, But Britisn arrogance and power paid little heed to tne protests or complaints of our lather, and instead of respecting THE FREEDOM OF OUR FLAG. English commanders seemed to grow more ag- gressive tn face of the representations addressed totem. To add to fthe bitterness and injusuce of the prohibitory decrees affecting our commerce the Englisn recruiting officers had not scrupled to violate the rights of American seamen, and under the Impressment act to seize men who were ciuzens of afree country and force them to serve on board British ships, The continual recur- rence of these outrages kept alive the oid feeling of bitter hostility which had sprung up in the Revoiu- tionary times, but the men at the head of the government, feeling how dangerous a conflict with such a powerful nation as Engiand was then, prefer- red co suffer rather than to risk the danger of an un- success{ul War, ‘Lhe country had not yet been con- Solldated, and there was still a lingering tory party, ‘Trusting to her own strength, and principally to our own divisions, even as she does now, England proceeded from one act of wrong to another, until THE PATIENCE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE was completely exnausted. In spite of the con- uunued protest of the American government the 1un- pressment of American sailors into the Englisa i navy continued until in June, 1807, when the return of the numbers known to be forcibly detained under the Briush flag amounted to the enormous figure of 8,292, In addition to some 936 who had been forced into service, put liberated on the representation of tae American government. It certainly appears as- tonisting that an independent nation could so long have suomitted to outrages which deprived their citizens not atone of their property but even of their lives and liberty. No doubt the traditions of the patience we then exhibited has influenced Eugland im all succeeding disputes with us. Tae culminating point of #rilish insoleace was reached on the vist of June, 1807, when the American frigate-ot- war Chesapeake sailed out of the Lampton Roads on nec way to join the American squadron in the Mediterranean. When a few miles irom port sne fell in with a portion of the British fleet, which was hovering of the coast exercising the rigut of search and tearing Am-rican sailors {rom under the pro- tection of their fag with impunity, But upto that moment the sovereignty of the nation had never had uever peen attacket through insult offered to the national marine. ‘the Chesapeake sailed out on A MISSION OF PEACE, for attack or defence. When miles from land she was hailed by the british frigate Leopard and a demana made on her captain to surrender some men of the crew. ‘ihe demand was promptly reiused, but owing to some want ol energy and discipline the suip’s batteries could not be got into fighting order, ‘The Briush ship poured in broadside ager broadside into the helpless American frigate. One shot to save the honor of the fag was tired and the Stars and Stripes were hauled down, ‘Then occurred @ scene witch is without parallel in the history of this country. ‘Tae captain announced that surrendered nis ship; but the haughty captors Iniormed him that they simply came to seize some or the crew, whom they cialwed were British sub- jects. Four men were carried off by those English pirates, and one of hem was alterwards shot as a deserter. Jali of sorrow and indignation the crew of the Chesapeake returned to port, and tHE NEWS OF THE OUTRAGE spread like wildfire. The fires of public 1adignation, which had been smouldering, burst forth with alarming tury. From every point of the country came appeals and petitions to the President and Congress tnat tney would take immediate steps to avenge the outraged nonor of the country. Eng- land, like a cowardly bully, was aftrighted by the in- tensity of the anger which her acts called fortp, and Canning promptly apologized for the insult which had been offered to the American peopie. But his protestations of sorrow were insincere, and acts of violence on the part of British otlicers com- manding in the American seas soon became as men- acing and insulting as ever, ‘The excitement, which had begun to cool down, was renewed by the ATTACK OF THE BRUSH FRIGATE MELAMPUS on the Three Brothers in Chesapeake Bay. The ship was close to Cape Henry when hailed oy the English ship, and, continaing her course, was fred upon and then boarded. Four men were then cat ried vit invo captivity. Ouirages of this nature con- unprepared about eight unued to excite the American people, and the government not feeling strong enough to provect ther citizens in their = foretun ventures while their ships were being preyed up by the navies of two of the greatest Powers im the world—ior France also was engaged in the work of contiscation—resolved to lay an embargo on American slipping, The result did not meet their expectations, as the merchants were discon- vented to have their ships laid up and their bust- ness brought to a standstill, It was feit that, it war could only be avoided on these terms, iv was better to fight. Already America was suffering all the evils consequent on War while in @ state of proiound peace. While things were in this critical position — Jefferson re- ured from the conduct of puviic affairs and James Madixon was elected President. He renewed the protests and remonstrances which had been ad- dressed to the British government, but possibly owing to a belief that the American people would suffer any injustice rather than fight, his representations went unheedes ‘The demand for the repeal of the obnoxious “Orders in Council’? were evaded by quibblings of the mosi a worthy kind, It was not attempted to astity by any other rue than fugiisu in- and their maintenance was vased on cy. ‘The reasons put forward tor maintaining them were notoriously hollow and lusincere. It could not be with the aim of crip. pling the French, a8 it was well Known that sup. plies of all Kinds were freely turnished to France from the British ports with the connivance of the Kngiish goverament. Engiaud want to secure | ber commercial a8 well as her naval supremacy, and for that reason 4 | PREYED UPON THE AMERIC to ports tu friendship with France at tue same time that her own merchants were largely engaged in furnishing supplies to this same enemy. Atlength the patience oi vs country was ex- hausted, and the President addressed a confidenual message to the Senate and louse of Kepresenta- tives, im which he reviewed the causes of quarrel with Great Britain in an able and ex. hausuve, ut temperate manner. Jn it he declared against the right of searca, “as thiserying enormity which Great Britain would be 8) prompt to avenge TRADERS if commited against herseif, toe United states have in Vain exhausied remonstrances and expostula- tons; and that no proofs mught be wanting of ther conciiatory dispositions, and no pretext offered ior the continuance of the practice of the right of search, the British goverament was formaliy assured of the readiness of the United States to enter arrangements suci as could not oe re- of the British governmeat. The business was consequently postponed for several months, when it ‘was agreed that the Joint Commission should meet at Ghent, in Ketgium, in the month of August, 1814, ‘Their negotiations ia that city resulted in a treaty, which was signed December 24, and which con- sisted of eleven articles, and was ratified by kng- tand before it was despatched to the Unted States, It arrived at New York on February 11, 1815 (more than a month atter the battle of New Orleans, which was fought after the seitiement of peace), and was unanimously ratified by the Senate, and formally promulgated on February 17. ‘Ihe treaty provided for the mutual restoration of all conquered territory, and tor the appointment of three commissions—one to settle tne title of the islands of Passamaquoddy and Grand Menan, in the say of Ifhdy; another to mark out the northeastern boundary as far as the St. Lawrence, aad the third to raa the line through the St, Lawrence and the lakes to the Lake of the Woods. In case of disagreement in either commts- sion the point in dispute was to be referred to some irienuly Power. No provision was made as to the boundary west of the Lake of the Woods, nor as tothe fishery on the shores of British Ameri ca. ‘The British Commissioners refused to accept, in return for this right of fishing, a modified renewal of the article for the navigation of the Mis- SiSsippi, Which, in their view, Was aiso terminated by tae war. The result, therefore, was that, m- stead of leaving the parties where they began, the war took away from Great Britain a nominal right, never used, of navigating the Mississippi, and from the New fngland fishermen @ valuable right, hitherto used from ihe earliest umes, of catching and curing -fish on the shores of the Gulfor St Lawrence, Of the whole question of impressment and neutral Tights, the sole ostensible occasion of the war, nota word was said. ‘The sritish Commissioners had de- sired that each party sould retain what he hela at the signing of the treaty, and that their tudian ailles should be allowed a permanent neutral terri- tory, with a prohipition to the United States to es- tablish fortresses or keep ships on tne great takes; but they were unable toget any of these supulations introduced into the treaty. COMMERCIAL CONVENTION —1515, In the summer of 1815, while Messrs, Jonn Quincy Adams, Henry Clay and Albert Gallatin remained to Kurope, they negotiated a convention of commerce and navigation, which was signed at London on July 3, 1815, the British commissioners being Fred- erick John Robinson, Vice President of the Commit- tee of Privy Council tor Trade and Plantauons; Henry Goulburn, Under Secretary of State, and William Adams, D. C. L. It was ratified by the Prince Regent on July 31 and by the Uniled States Senate on December 22 following. ‘This conventton comprised five articles and was to be binding for four years, but was subsequently, by the fourth article of the Convention of London of October 20, 1318, continued for ten years. It estab- lished reciprocal liberty of commerce between the territories of the United States and British territo- ries in Europe and complete protection to com- merce, subject to the laws of each country; pro- hibited the jevying of higher or otner duties on the importation or exportation of productions, &c., of each country than on those of other foreign countries; decided that prohibitions on the importauons or exportations cf either country were to exteud equaliy to those or all other nations; that there should be an equality of duties on American and British vessels, and of duties bounties and drawbacks on the productions, &c., of each country, whether imported in American or British vessels, but that intercourse with the British West indies and North American Continent should not be aifected by such regulations. (irade was not thoroughly opened with the Brittsa West Indies tll the year 1831, when Great Britain relaxed its pro- hibitive position, and an amicable arrangement for such trade was entered into by Mr. McLane, our Minister at London, and Lord Aberdeen.) ‘The con-' vention permitted the United States to trade direct with the Bast Indies under certain regulations, but subject to certain pronibitions in time of war, and estavlished regulations with regard to the consuls of each party resident in the dominions of the other. Upon tae exchange of raufications in Washington the ‘ritisu Charge d’Affaires at Washington made a declaration, withdrawing the permission granted in tne convention for, American vessels calling at St. Helena, in consequence of 1ts being decided upon since the siguing of the treaty as tne residence of Napoleon; but this restriction was withdrawn on July 30, 1521, after the death of the ex-Bmperor, CONVENTION REGULATING VESSELS OF WAR ON THE LAKES—I817, In April, 1817, a convention was entered into between Ricbard Rush, acting as Secretary of the Departineut ot State, on behalf of the United States, and Charles Bagot, the British Minister at Wash- ington, jor the reguiation of the naval force on the lakes, This arrangement, which was pro- claimed by the President on April 20, 1818, restricted each nation to maintain one vessel on Lake Ontario, two Vessels on the Upper Lakes and ‘neon Lake Champlain, each not exceeding one hundred tons barden, and armed with one 1v-pouad cannon. AL otwer vessels were to be dismantied, and six months’ notice required if either party desired to anoul the ment. ‘Ihe convention was terml- nated by a notice from our government, CONVENTION—FISHERIES, BOUNDARIES, ETC.—1818, ‘The fatiure of tne Treaty of Ghent to restore 10 American fishermen the right of catching fish in British waters,as accorded to them by the Treaty of 1783, was a source of great complaint in New Eng- land, Negotiations were entered into for an ami. cable settiement of this and other matters of dis. pure with Great Britain, and a convention was signed at London on Uctover 20, 1818, by Albert Galiatio, the Minister to France, and Ricnard Rush, minister to England, on the part of tne United States, ana by Frederick Jonn Robinson and Eeary Gouiburn, on venall of Great Britain. By this convention the rights of fisning were re- stored to the Americans 80 far ag related to the north aud east coasts of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the coast of Labrador and the Magdalen Islands; vat off the coasts of New Rrunswick aud Nova Sco- tla, in the Bay of Fuady and on the western aod southern coasts of the Gulf ot St. Lawreace Ameri- can vessels were not to fish wrtnin three miles of the shore. The permission to dry aad eure fish on the shores was restored on the same terms as bolore, but exceptions were made as far a8 regaras the ter- rivories of the Hudson Bay Company. The Commissioners (Thomas Barclay and Join Holmes) appointed under the Treaty of Ghent vw settle the Wie to the isiands in Passamaquoddy Bay and the Bay of Fundy nad decided on November 24, 1817, that Moose Isiand, Dudley island and Frederick Island belonged to the United States, and that all the other islands in Passamaquoddy Bay and the Isiand of Grand Menan, in tie Bay of uudy, be- longed to Great Britain. The running of the line through the st Lawrence and whe faves, pro- vided for by the same treaty, was also in progress (he decision of the Commissioners, Peter Porter jor the United States and Anthony Barciay for Great Britain, was completed at Utica, N. Y., on June 18, 1822); but the commission ou the ‘northeastern jected if the recovery of British subjects were the real and sole object. The communicauon passed without effect.’’ Paasing on he reviews the outrages committed on our mercantile navy, the disastrous results of pre- tended blockades, which were in reality but a shallow excuse for piracy against our commerce, the contempt of Kagland for the rigats of neutrals, aud sume up the piovure of boundary had not yet been e: conclusion, y Mabled to arrive at any By the convention which was now en ‘was aiso decided that the TOriysuinth degree, OF north latitude should be the boundary between the United States and British North Ameyica, from the Lake of tae Woods to the Rocky Mountains, Tne verritory west of those mountains (now Oregon and Washington Territories) was to remain for ven years 1m the joint occupation of both parties ; in other words, the British Kur Company, Which alone had then any establisuments in that remote region, was not to be disturbed for that period. The commer- cial Convention of 1815 was likewise (as heretofore stated) prolonged for that period. As the two governments had been unable to agree upon the trae interpretation of the article in the ‘Treaty of Guent concerning slaves carried away, under which @ large amount was Claimed in the way of indemnity, 1. was arranged tn this convention to reter it to a Lhird Power. It was afterward agreed pon. Ags invite the mediation of the Kmperor of CONVENTION—MBEDIATION OF THE EMPEROR OF RUSS{A—1822 AND 1826, On the 22d of Aprtl, 1822, the Emperor of Russia made an award upon the disputed matter just re- ferred tu, and defined tne nature of the claims apon Which he considered the United Staces enut to recover, giving at the same ume exceptional cases in which he concluded they were not entited to claim an eee ¥or the purpose of currying this award into eé! the Emperor's good ofices were further evoked in framing the arlicies of & convention which should provide the mode of as- certaining the value of slaves and otner private property ‘under consideration, For this purpose the mperor appcinies Counts Nesselrode and Capo @’Istrias to join Sir Charles Bagot, the British Am- Dassador at St. Petersburg, an Henry Midateton, United States Miuister there, in the negotiation of a treaty, which they compieted on the 12th July, ieak, and the ratifications were exchanged on the 10th January followmg. By the terms of inis convention arbitrators and commissioners were to meet at Wash- ington for the purpose of ascertaining snd aetermin- tug the amouut of indemnification due to citizens of the United States, under the decision of the En- peror, and the rules by which they were to be governed in arriving at that decision. Difficulties, however, having arisen in the execu- tion of this convention, and the two nations being desirous to obviate the same, Albert Gallatin, the American Muster at London, aod William Huskis- son and Henry Unwin Addington, previously British Minister at Wasbington. met in London, and on the 13th of November, 1826, agreed on terms of settle. ment, the ratifications of which were exchanged February 6, 1827. In accordance with the terms of this convention Great Britain was to pay $1,204,960 to the United staves to carry the decision of the Emperor of Russia into eifect, which sam was to be in full of all claims under the convention. CONV: NTION —NORTHWEST BOUNDARY—1827, To prevent disputes arising between the two gov- ernments 10 respect to tue territory on the north- western boundary, west of the Rocky Mountains, after the expiration of the ten years’ joint occupa- tion, as agreed upon October 2), 1818, a new conven- Von was concluded between the two governments at London (signed August 6, 1827; ratification exchanged Apri! 2, 1828, and proclaimed by the Pres- ident May 15, 182s), where 1t was negotiated on the art of the United States by Albert Gallatin, and on ‘hat of Great Britain oy Charles Grant (afterward Lord Gleneig) and ary Unwin Adaiogton, ip Which the tine for joint occupation was rurther if. definitely extended and continued in force, but ver- minable after October 2), 1828, by a twelve months’ notice from either of the contracting parties. Nothiug, however, in the convention was to be con- strued or in any manner to affect the claims which either of the contracting parties might have to any part of the Rocky Mountains, COMMEROIAL CONVENTION OF 1815 RENEWED—1827, On the same day that the foregoing convention was conciuded (August 6, 1827), Messrs. Gallatin, Grant and Addington agreed upon @ renewal of the Commercial Convention of July, 1815, which had afterwards been renewed tn October, 1619 OONVENTION—SETTLEMENT OF NORTHEASTERN BOUN> DARY¥—1827, On Sept ber 29, 1827 the tnree gentiemen above mentioned, who negotiated the last two conven- tions concluded a third at London, September 29, 1827, the ratitication and proclamation of which were made on the same days as were the previous conven*ions, ‘This was an agreement made ior the relerence to a triendly sovereign or power of any misunderstanding that migut arise between the commissioners appoited under the provisions of the fith article of the Treaty of Gaent in relation to the northeastern boundary. It stipulated that the evidence in support of tne respective claims should be laid before tne arbitrator add the tine in which the same should be done, and declared that the de- cision of the arbitrator should be final. in accordance witn this convention this disputea juestion was submitced to the arbitrament of the lug of the Netherlands, and the announcement of his decision was received soon after the adjourn- ment of Congress in the spring of 1831, Aiming to lake a middie course yetween the conflicting claims of the parties he gave satisfaction to neither; and though it seemed to have been his especial purpose to secure to cach country what it most feared to lose, he had marked out a dividing line, which, it Was agreed by both, there was nothing in the treaties between them to justify. It was subse- quently insisted by the United States, with the ac- quiescence of Great ssritain. that as the umpire had Not fixed on the boundary which either party con- tended was right his decision was not vinding. The question of this boundary, therefore, remamed as unsettled a3 ever. ASHBURTON TREATY—NORTHEAST BOUNDARY, SLAVE TRADE AND EXTRADITION OF CRIMINALS—1842, More than ten years elapsed after the unsatisiac- tory award of the King of the Netherlands before the dividing line bevween Mate and the British Provinces was placed in a fair way for settlement; and during tnat period the dispute arising tnere- Trom threatened conte to the peaceful relations of the two countries. It was, however, finally agreed to settle the same by @ Special treaty to be nego- tiated at Washington. For this parpose the British government sent over Lord Ashburton on a special Inission, while the United States was represented by Daunte! Webster, then Secretary of State; and a treaty was concluded and signed on August 9, 1542, and ratified vy the United States Senate oa the 22d of the same month. In addition to the settiement of the long-disputed Northeasvern boundary ques- tion, the treaty also provided for the final suppres- sion of the Slave trade, in furtherance of an undertaking entered into im the Treaty of Ghent, aud for the giving up of criminals, fugitives from Justice, in certain cases. The boundary line as finally decided upon t some extent followed the line marked by tie surveyors of tne two governments in 1817 and 1818, and decided upon by the com- missioners appointed under the sixth article of the ‘I'reaty of Ghent, and as thus settled has become the definite boundary between tue territories of the two countries, The provisions for the suppression of the slave trade stipulated for the maintenance by each nation on the coast of Africa of an adequate naval force, carrying 1n all net iess than eighty guns, ‘to enforce, separately and respectively, the laws, rights, and obligations of eaci of the two countries for the sup- pression of the slave trade,” but the said squadrons, though acting In concert and co-operative, were to be independent of each other. The two govern- ments also undertook to unite in remonscrance with other powers within whose dominions & market was found tor slaves. TREATY—BOUNDARY BETWEEN OREGON AND THB BRITISH POSSESSIONS UN THE PACIFIC—1846, The vast territory m the Northwest, between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific coast, had, when Polk became President in 1845, been for some time a subject of dispute between the United Stuies and Great Britain, [n the conveation of 1813 16 was decided that each country should mutually enjoy the bays and harbors on that coast for ten years, which ar- rangement was, in 1827, 1adetimitely’ prolonged, sub- ject to its being rescinded by a twelve months’ notice from either party. ‘The territory in dispute extended from the parallel of forty-two degrees to that of tirty-four degrees forty minutes north latitude. Cap- tain Grey, of Boston, eutered the mouth of the Co- lumbla River in 1792, and Captains Lewis and Clarke explored that region, trom the Rocky Mountains Westward, in 1804and 1806, In 1811 tne late J. J. Astor established a trading station at the mouth of the Columbia, now Known as Astoria, ‘he United States claimed the whole of the territory, under the discovery of Captain Grey, in accordance with the british doctrine that tne entrance of a vessel of a civilized nation in the mouth Of a river gave title by the right of discovery to tue territory Watered by that river and jts tributaries; and the discovery of Captain Grey 10 1792 Was not disputed, but the ciaim was not admitted by Great Britain. Repeated efloris had been made by the United Staves for an amicable division of the disputed ter- ritory upon tne basis of the parallel of forty-nine de- grees (lhe Ras of the dividing line the two countries between the Lake of the Woods and the Rocky Mountains), and a proposition to that effect was pending when Mr, Polk became President. Un- der these circumstances he, in July, 1845, repeated the offer which had already been declined by Great Britain, though he aaserted in his inaugural ad- dress ‘that we had a just claim to the entire territory; and, as the line would divide Van- couver’s Isiand, he offered to Great Britain, in addi- tion, the free use of the ports on the southern end of that island, The offer, however, being rejected by the British Minister, without even reierring it to nis government, was withdrawn, with the intima- tion thatit would not be renewed nor would any Jurther proposition be made, After this tie British government proposed arbitration, which the Presi- dent declined, as ke Said it might lead to the divid- ing line being fixed soutn of tire forty-ninth paral- lel. ‘The next step was for the Senate to pass a reso- Tuuon advising the President to give twelve months’ notice, in accordance with the stipulations of the Convention, to terminate the joint occupation, which was accordingly done. This led the British government to desire a repetition of the President's offer, Which they sought through Mr, McLane, our Minister at London; put Mr. Polk declined to do so, stating that he could not now authorize a treaty on the same basis, and that he would accept nothing Jess than the whole territory, unless the Senate should determine otherwise. Mr. McLane ‘was, however, empowered to receive and transmit to his government any proposition which Lora Aberdeen might feel inclined to make, but on no condition were negotiations to be transferred to London. On May 15, 1846, Lord Aberdeen tnformed Mr. McLane that the British government had de- cided upon a proposal for the partition of the dis- uted territory, Walch proposal would be transmit- Fed by the next steamer to Mr. Pakenham, the British Minister in Washington, for submission to he President, 9 ‘This proposal was received by our government, and on the 10th of the same month it was trans- mitted by the President to the Senate with tne re- quest for thelr advice in the matter: and two davs later a resolution was adopted advising its accept- ance, and in four days more the treaty was laid be- fore the Senate for its approval and was ratified on ‘he 18tn of June (1846) in the precise 1orm of the ritish proposal. ‘The treaty, which pears date June 15, and the ratt- fications of which were exchanged at London on the 17th of July, was signed ~ james buchanan, then Secretary of state, and kichard Pakenham, the British Minister at Washington. Itdecides that the forty-ninth parallel of n latitude, as the die viding line between the territories of the two coun- , should be continued westward from wne Rocky untains ‘to tye middle of the channel which sepa- fates the Continent from Vancouver's Isiand, and thence southerly through the middie of aaid claus WEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1872.-TRIPLE SHEET. nel, and of Fuca Straits to the Pacific with the a = of ment y the treaty. in 1 rovided 101 f ‘ ‘ays p r the purchase of tne rights AL. CONVENTION—1848, PosT. A postal convention Was negotiated between the two countries ana concluded at London December Dy A treaty, concluded 15, 1848, whep it was signed by George Bancroft. United States Minister, on behalf ‘oni govern- ment, and oy Lord Palmerston, tien Sec! 'y lor Foreign Affairs in the British government, the ratifications were exchanged at the same place on January 26, 1849. This convention regulated the all tettera and other postal ing between the two countries, the transmission oi closed matis through the respective countries and the charges and reguiations tor mails posing thi the res) countries for otner wWors, It was to exist for an indelinite period, but termiuabie py twelve montas’ notice trom either side. Additional articles to this convention were agreed upon in 1849, 1852, 1853, 1856, 1558, 1859, 1860, 1862, israel a mo was to Pree entirely new 01 viding for reduce: Postage and in- creased facilities, was concluded. ‘his latver wilt be found in its proper place in this present paper, TREATY (OLAYTON-DULWERK)—SHIP CANAL BETWEEN ATLANTIO AND PACIFIC—1850. On April 19, 1850, a treaty was concluded at Wash- Inzton between Mr. Clayton, Secretary of State, and Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer, the British Minister, re- lating to any communications, by ship canal, which may effected between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, by wal of tne river Sau Juan do Nicaragua and either or both of the two lakes of Nicaragua and Managua, to any or place on the Pacific Ocean, The ratifications of this treaty (knowD as the Ciayton-Buiwer Treaty) were excuanged at Washingtou on July 4 of the same year. By the Verma of the treaty neither Power was either ever to obtain or maintain for itself any exclusive control over the said canal, nor erect nor maintain any fortifications tne same, or assume or exercise any dominion ovor Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Mosquito coast, or aay pory of Central America. In case of war vessels of either Power traversing the sald canal were to be exempted irom biockade, de- tention or capture by eltner of the belligerents within a certain distance of the two ends of the canal, which was alterwards Lo be agreed upon. There were also other stipulations with regard to the construction and operation of the said canal, and to the protection of any other practical com- munications, Whether by canal or railway, across the isthmus which connects North and South America, especially the then proposed railways by the way of Tehuantepec and Panama. CONVENTION FOR SETTLEMENT OF OLAIM3—1863-4, On February AE a convention was concluded and signed at London, by Joseph R. Ingersoll on behalf of the United States, and Lord Jonn Russell on the part of Great Britain, for the settlement of penatus claims against the respective governments, ¥ corporations and individuals of each coeney By the terms of this convention no claims were missible arising out of any transavtions of a date rior to that apon which was signed the Treaty of heut, in 1814. For the investigation and settlement of the claims a commissioner named by each party and an umpire chosen by them were to meet in London, and their decision was to be considered as absolutely final and conclusive. The claims were to be presented to the Commissioners within six months of their first meeting, and tne decision was to be made within one year irom that date; and the payment of the awards was to be made by the re- spective governments within twelve montis after the date of such decision. By @ supplementary convention, concluded and signed at Washingion, July 17, 1854, by William L. Marcy, Secretary of State, and Jonn #. Crampton, British Minister, the termination of the Commission was extended for a period not exceeding four months Irom the 16th of September proximo. RECIPROCITY TREATY, FISHERIBS, BIC.—1354. The next treaty concluded between our govern- ment and Great Britain was the important one for the establishment of reciprocal free commerce with tne British provinces and for better regulating Loe fisheries on the coast of British North America, ‘nis treaty was negotiated at Washington by Willfam L. Marcy, Secretary of State, on behalf of the United States, and the Earl ot Elgin, Governor General of Canada, on the part of Great Britain; it was signed June's, 1854, and the ratificatiuns were exchanged at the same piace on the 9th of September follow- ing. In accordance with the terms of this treaty American fishermen were to have, in addition to the privileges secured to them by the convention of 1818, the liberty, in common with British subjects, “to take fish of every Kind, except shell fish, on the and in the bays, harbors and creeks of Canada, yw Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and of the several islands thereunto adjacent, without being restricted to any distance from tne shore, with permission to lana upon the coast and snores of those colonies and the islands thereof, and also of the Magdalen Islands, for the purpose of drying their nets aud curing their fish;’? Dut in so doing they were not to interiere ‘With the rights of private property or with British fishermen tn the peaceable use of any part of the said coast in their occupancy for the same pur- pose. This liberty, however, was to apply solely to sea fishery, as the salmon and shad and all other fisnertes in rivers and at their mouths were reserved exclusively for British fishermen, On the other hand British subjects were to have, “in common with the citizens of the United vtec t the liberty to take fish of every Kind, except shell fish, on the eastern sea coasts and shores of the United States, north of the thirty-sixth parallel of north latitude, and on the shores of the several islands thereunto adjacent, and in the bays, har- bors and creeks of the said sea coast and shores of the United States, and of the satd islands, witbout being restricted to any distance {trom the shore,” with permission to dry and cure fish similar to that accorded to American fishermen, as apove stated, and with the same reservation us to salmon, shad and other fresh water fisheries. A commissioner appointed by each party, with an umpire, were to eXamine the coasts comp ised in these regulations, and to designate the places re- served from the common right of fishing. ‘The conditions for the establishment of free com- merce were that certain enumerated articles, twenty-eight in number, being the growth and pro- duce of the United States or of tne British Pro- viuces mentioned, shoula be admitted into each country respectively free of duty, these articles betng animal, vegetable and mineral productions, unmanufactured, American citizens were to have tne right to navi- gate the St. Lawrence and the Canadian canals communicating between the great lakes and the Auantic ocean, on the same terms as British sub- jects, but the British government retained the right ‘of suspending this privilege on giving due nouce,’ im which case the United States was to have the right, if it thought proper, of suspending the opera- tton of the article respecting the free importation of products, so far as the province of Canada might be affected thereby, and for s0 long as the suspension of the iree navigation of the St. Lawrence or tue canais might continue, ana While such free naviga- tion was accorded to the Americans the right to freely navigate Lake Michigan was to be granted to British subjects; and the government of tue United States engaged to urge on the state governments the securing to British subjects the use of tne several State canals on terms of equality with im- habitants of the United States. ‘The stipulations of this treaty were to be ex- tended to the island of Newfoundland, so far as they were applicable to that colony, and subject to certain legisiative regulations; while 1t was agreed that all timber floated down the river st. John from Maine should not be subject to export duty, when shippea to the United States from the province of New sBrunswick. ‘The provisions of the treaty were to take effect a3 soon as the necessary legislation had been com- pleted, and ihe treaty was to remain in force tor ten years, and furtber until the expiration of twelve months aiter notice was given by either party to the other of its wish to terminate the same; but such stipulation was not to affect the right of tempora- rily suspending the navigation of the St. Lawrence, &¢., and of carrying into effect the contingent regu- lations. ‘This treaty was proclaimed by the President on March 16, 1455, on which date 1t came into opera- tion. Besore the expiration of ten years irom that time @ joint resolution of Congress, approved Janu- ary 18, 1866, declared that, it being no longer for the benefit of the United States to continue tne same, notice be given for its termination, and that the President ve charged to communicate such notice tothe British government, and in consequence of this notice the operation of the treaty was termi- nated in the following year, TREATS FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE, 1862. On April 7, 1862, a treaty the more effectual suppression of the African slave trade was con- cluded ana signed at Wasnt a by W. BH. Seward, Secretary of state, and Lord Lyons, British Minis- ter, the ratifications of which were exchanged at London on the 25th of May and the treaty ee. claimed by the President on the Sth of June follow- ing. Ey the terms of this treaty it was agreed that cer- tain war vessels of each nation might visit mer. chant vessels of the other, reasonably suspected of engaging In tue stave trade, and it defined the man- ner in which the reciprocal right of search shoul ve exercised and the mode of procedure in cases of ful detention = should made each nation and that three mixed courts should ‘be established at Sierra Leone, the Cape of Good Hope and New York, with the right of changing the Jocale of such couris. ‘The treaty further defined the jurisdiction of these courts, from which there was no appeal, and de- clared that oMcers committing wrongtut acts were to be punished, and that the equipment of vessels should be prima facie evidence ot their being en- gaged in the slave trade and rendering them jiable to Selgure; and that condemned vesseis should be broken up and the owners, officers and crew pun- ished, and tne negroes found on board such vessels should be deciared free and placed at the disposal of the capturing government, By an additional article, concluded February 17, 1863, proclaimed April 22, it was agreed that the Tight of search and detention of certain vessels might be increased within thirty leagues of Mada gascar, Porto Rico and St. Domingo. In tne appropriation act passed in the third ses- sion ot the Fortieth Congress (1869) the President ‘Was requested to apply to the British government pA an end to that part of this treaty which re- quired each Dettary to keep up mixed courts, and on June 3, 1870, a0 additional convention was concluded, the ratifications of which were ex- changed August 10, and the same prociaimed Sep- vember 16, of that year, by which the original treaty ‘Was 80 modified that the mixed courts should cease and their tu should ve ig future exer. It was also provided that losses by wrong- | ns | LIGHT WANTED ABOUT THE SPARKLING Sabet raed er coerce ‘aud ap ed. FOR THE FINAL SETTLEMENT OF CHB CLAIMS OF THH HUDSON BAY COMPANY AND TH PUGET SOUND AGRICULTURAL COMPANY—1863, The setiiement of the claims specified in the of 3 pt by @ tre: aiid ta naees ee Ganiaaee ot ut ton on July ft, 1863, by W. H. Seward, Secrevary of State, Lora and Lyons, British Minister, whica Was rautied by We Senate op Marco 2, 1864, and prociuimed by the President on the 5th of the same mont. In ac- coruance with the terms of this treaty Commis- sloners were Lo be appointed and meet af Washing- the the claims of the two 1p! ton for settlement of companies above specified, such Commussiovers be appoint an Baspire, or, if unable vo agree, one to be appointed by the King of Italy, ‘ne decision of this commission was 10 be final, and the award to ve paid by two equal annual instalments. This award ‘Was made on September 10, 1869, when it was deter- mined that the United States should pay $650,000 1a gold in full safisfaction of all tae possessory rignts and Claims of the Hudson Bay Company and the Pe- get Sound Agricultural Company, POSTAL CONVENTIONS—1867-9, On June 18, 1867, a new postal convention was concluded between the two countries, negotiated a6 Lonuon py the Duke of Montrose, Postmaster Gen eral of Great Britain, aud Mr, John A. special Commissiouer for the United States. Thais convention, which was rattiied by the Presidems July 8, placed the postal communications becweor the two countries on @ very liberal basis, reduced the minimum letter postage to twelve cents, pro- vided tor tne registration of ietiers and for th transmission of packe's of books, engravings, sam- ples of seeds and otner merchandise, &c,, tie Con- vention being termivable by a yeur’s Douce Om eltner side. An additivval convention was concluaed betweea the Postmusters General of the LWo countries and signed at London aud Washington respectively om duly 18 and Ausust 14, 1808, for ion, greg ‘ume ex- change of maus between the United States and tae East Indian possessions 01 Great Britain, A furier convention was also sigued at Londea November 7, and at Washington November 24, 1868, by the respective Postmasters General, Wuich pro- vided that at the end of a year a surtner reduction Of postage suould be considered, anu which improved the details and regulations lor the transumussion of mails passing between or through the twu countries, And by an additional convention, signed in Wask- ington December 3, by Jonn A, Creswell, Postmaster General of the United States, -and in Londoa December 14, 1869, by Lord Hartington, Britis Postmaster General, a reduction 1a the postage om letters was made to six cents for the single rate. We may here state that negouations are at pres- ent in progress to establish asystem of money orders sitnilar to that which now obtains betweem this country aud Switzerland. JOHNSON-CLARENDON TREATY FOR SRTTLEMENT OF THB SAN JUAN DIFFICULTY —1869—(RiJBO"BD) In consequence of the dispute as to whic. of two channels passing between Vancouver tstand and the Conunent is intended by the ot 1546, San Juan and other smailer istands of the Hare archipelago have for many years been claimea ay both nations. An attempt to settle the diiiculty was Made in 1857 by jolut Commissioners sent to the spot, but without avai, as they were unable te ag to the boundary channel. Alter this a core respondence was entered into between the two gev- ernments tending toward an adjustment of the fii culty, when, on December 10, 1860, Lord Lyons, Briush Minister at Washington, wrote to Mr. vase, Secretary of State, proposing that the questiom shoula be left .o the arbitration of eitner Bei- giam, Denmark, or the Swiss republic; but owing to the commencement ot our civil war the matter was leit in abeyance. Some time alter the close of the war, and when the negatiations upom the Alabama question bad apparently terminated inetlectually, Mr. Seward, on January 13, 1368, im- structed Mr. Adams to suggest to Lord stanley, then Britisn Foreiga Secretary, that a conference should take place in which the Alabama clatms, the San Juan question and the fisheries should be considered togetier; and in the following Marok Mr. Seward proposed to Mr. Thornton to take up the proposai made by Lord Lyons to Mr. Vass, an refer the aajustment of the San Juan question to Switzerland, and instructions: to that effeot were given to Mr. Reverdy Johnson in July, upon his proceeding as Minister to London. ‘The negotiaiion resulted in @ protocol being signed by Lora (ane § and Mr. Johnson in London on Oo- tober 17, 1868, by which it was agreed that seme friendly soveretga or State selected by the two gev- ernments, within three months alter the ratification of a convention, was to decide, if possivle, upon the boundary line intended by the treaty, and if that line could not be formed then to lay down an equi- table ine, This was accepted vy our government, with the exception that the President of Switzer- land should be named as arvitrator, Lo whicn Lord Stanley agreed; and on January 14, 1889, the proto- col was changed into a convention and signed a, London by Mr. Reverdy Johnson and Lord Olaren- dou, who had then succeeded to the British Foreiga Ofiice. ‘This treaty was, however, afterwards re- jected by the United States Senate, JOHNSON-CLARENDON TREATY FOR THE SETTLEMENG OF THE ALABAMA CLAIMS—1869—(KEJECTHD.) When Lord Stanley became British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in 1866, he expressed to the British Minister at Washington that he was pre- pared, providing the two governments could agree upon an arbitrator and upon the points to ve sub- mitted to him, to refer the Alabama claims to arbi- tration; which was a step towaras their settlement, as hus predecessor, Earl Russell, had denied tne lia- bility ot Great Britain aud declined to reier the claims to any commussion. However, after a tong correspondence, no arrangement was come to, and all negotiations on the subject had ceased when Mr, Reverdy Johnson reached London, in August, 1568, That gentieman immediately opened negouauons with Lord Stanley, which were carried on sunut- taneousiy with those upon the San Juan question, and proposed a joint commission, to which Lord Stanley agreed, suggesting the King of Prussia and the President of Switzerland as arbitrators, which suggestion, however, Mr. Seward would not accept. Atter this, on November 10, 1868, Mn Jonnson and Lord Staniey agreed upon &@ convention, according to which the Alabama claims were to be relerred to iour commissioners (two to be appointed by each government); and if taey were anavie to come to @ unanimous decision tne subject should ve left to the seitiement py the sovereign of some Iriendly Power. In addition to this a majority of the com- missioners were to settie all other claims, and the commissioners and arbitrators were to have sup mitted to them all the oficial correspondence on any claim or class o1 Claims that had taken place between the two governments, But this convention was not accepted by our gov. ernment; and, consequently, the negotiations were renewed, but with Lord Clarendon in place of and as the successor to Lord Stanley; and on January 14, 1869 (the day upon which the San Juan treaty ‘was signed), they concluded and signed a treaty founded upon the claims convention of 1853. By the terms of this treaty “every claim upon either government arising out of any transaction of a dave prior .to the exchange of ralifications’ was to be considered fully and finally settled by tne result of the proceedings of a commission appointed under this convention. Three commissioners, appointed by the two governments, were to cloose an arbitrator; but, in the event o. a Jaulure to agree, the arbitrator was to be determmed by lot out of two persone named by each side. As it was considered that Une treaty did noi meet the full demands of tais country aguinst Great britain it was rejected by the senave on April 13, 1869, ouly one vote being cast im its favor. CONVENTION IN REGARD TO RIGHTS OF NATURAI+ IZED CITIZENS—1870. On May 13, 1870, a conventidn was concluded and signea in London by Mr. John Lothrop Moilcy, our Minister to Great Britain, and the Earl of Claren- don, and proclaimed vy the President, September 10, 1870, which has for its object the regulation of the citizenship of citizens of the United States who have emigrated or who may emigrate to our shores from the British dominions, and the final settlement of a question that, from the establishment of our im- dependence, has been a matter of grave difticulty between the two countries. By this convention citizens of either country naturalized as citt- subjects of the other are to as citizens or subjects of such country. It also provides that citizens of the United States who have become naturalized as British subjects shall be at liberty to renounce their naturalization and resume their nationality as citi- zens of the United States, provided that such re- nunclation be publicly declared within two years after the exchange of ratifications of the present convention; and in the same manner British sub- jects who have become citizens of the United States may renounce their allegiance to the latter and re- sume their British nationality. And it further pro- vides that citizens or subjects of one country nat- uraifzed in the other and renewing their residence in their original country, may be restored to the privileges of citizenship tuerein; and the other country can in such case make no claim upon them on account of naturalization. THE TREATY. OF WASHINGTON OF 1871 was the next and is the Jast important compact between ourselves and Great Britain, With it our readers are fully acquainted, as it has been the subs ject of newspaper comment ever since it was de- cided upon. It was the great diplomatic event of the year, its importance even exceeding that of the treaty which terminatea the Franco-German war. Jt was the result of careiui deilverations and mur tual concessions. Should the bonds of amity, which, metaphorically speaking, it was presumed totorge, be now broken, 1 will give us another verification of the celebrated French adage, “Man proposes, but God disposes.” DIAMOND FIELDS. TOWANDA, Pa., Peb. 2, 1872. To ra® Eprvor oF THE HERALD:— Wiil you please inform a large circie of your read+ ers as to the most feasible route to the African dta- mond fields, the probable ume required to reach Graff Reinet, South Africa, by water, the cost of passage, 4c.? As the reports upon this subject which have come under general observation have been ex parte your answer to these queries will be read with a@ lively interest by hundreds who are now on the ‘anxious seat,” or are fondly “dream~ ing of days to come,” when, perchance, they may by a lucky stroke ot the pick unearth one of those 105-carat sparklers, or some ‘lesser light,” whose beams may light up and radiate their subsequent path of ew ash Mn Sa bers gd it with, flowers of perpetual bicom. Awaiting, &c. P. Ie EMMONS. A strong effort 1s to be made to relieve ex-Senator David L. Yuiee, of Florida, from the disabilities ‘which prevent his entrance tothe Senate of the United States. At che coming election he will be & qandidate for Senator