No. 69.
Earl Granville to Sir E.
Thornton.
[From British Blue Book “North America,” No. 9, (1872,) p. 30.]
Sir: I asked General Schenck to-day whether he had received any instructions from his Government to inform her Majesty’s Government of what was the scope and extent of the principle which is proposed by them to us in the draught Article which has been recommended by the Senate.
He answered that he had received none excepting those which were contained in the several telegrams which have been communicated to Her Majesty’s Government, and he added that the general principle could only be laid down and the interpretation made when cases arise.
He referred me again for explanation of the position taken by the United States, including their view in relation to the necessity of a general rule with regard to indirect damages, to the remarks which he made to me and reduced to writing, and of which he furnished me a copy on the 10th of May. He added that the Article as passed by the Senate was connected with what he had therein stated.
I replied that I had no recollection of anything which he had written on the 10th of May, defining in any degree the scope or extent of such an Article as was now proposed.
Our conversation was interrupted by the necessity of my attending a Cabinet.
I am, &c.,