Robert C. Schenck to Hamilton Fish, May 25, 1872

No. 58. General Schenck to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I forward herewith copies of a correspondence which has taken place between Lord Granville and myself in regard to the proposed identic notes to be communicated to the Arbitrators at Geneva, in case of the new Treaty Article being adopted, together with a copy of His Lordship’s original draught of said identic notes sent to me in his letter of the 20th instant.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

Draught of Identic Note to the Arbitrators.

The undersigned, Agent of Her Britannic Majesty, (Agent of the United States,) is instructed by Her Majesty’s Government (the Government of the United States) to transmit to _______ the accompanying Declaratory Convention, concluded on _______ between Her Britannic Majesty and the United States of America, by which it is provided that, in consideration of the agreement therein set forth, the President of the United States will make no claim on the part of the United States in respect of the indirect losses stated in the Case presented on the part of the Government of the United States to the Tribunal of Arbitration on the 15th of December, viz: “The loss in the transfer of the American commercial marine to the British flag, the enhanced payments of insurance, and the addition of a large sum of the cost of the war and the suppression of the rebellion.”

In accordance with the provisions of this Convention the undersigned has the honor, on the part of the Government which he represents, to request that no claims for indirect losses as aforesaid may be entertained by the Tribunal.