reaty which was speedily ratified
by both governments. It provided for arbitration upon the "Alabama
Claims," upon other claims by citizens of either country for damages
during the Rebellion, upon the fisheries, and upon the northwest
boundary of the United States. Provisions were also made by it for the
common use of the lakes, rivers, and canals along the Canadian border,
and for the transit of merchandise free of duty, under certain
conditions, across either country to and from certain ports.

The fisheries part of the treaty is discussed in the next chapter. The
question of the northwest boundary was referred to the decision of the
German emperor, William I. The treaty of 1846 had left it doubtful
whether the boundary line through the channel between Vancouver Island
and the main-land should be so run as to include the island of San Juan,
with its group, in the United States or in Canada. The emperor's
decision, given in 1872, was in favor of the United States.

Three commissioners--one appointed by each government and a third
appointed jointly--met in Washington, September 26, 1871, to pass
judgment upon the war claims other than the "Alabama Claims." The
American claims of this class, amounting to less than $1,000,000, were
all rejected on the ground that the British Government was not proved
responsible for the damages incurred. British subjects put in claims for
$96,000,000. The commission allowed less than $2,000,000, which the
United States Government promptly paid into the British treasury.

But far the most important and interesting part of the treaty was the
provision for the settlement of the "Alabama Claims." England's
unfriendly attitude during the war and her subsequent refusal to submit
the "claims" to arbitration, had stirred up much hard feeling throughout
the United States. The graceful expression, in the preamble to the
treaty, of England's regret for the ravages of the cruisers was
therefore very gratifying. More material satisfaction was to follow. The
treaty provided that the claims should be submitted to a tribunal of
five persons--one appointed by each government and one each by the
Emperor of Brazil, the President of Switzerland, and the King of Italy.

The tribunal met at Geneva, Switzerland, December 15, 1871. Charles
Francis Adams, our minister to England during the war, was the United
States member, and Lord Chief Justice Cockburn the English. Baron
Itajuba, the Brazilian minister plen