Morning Republican

The Alabama Claims—Reported Basis of Agreement.

[Washington Correspondence of the Evening Post.]

Since it has become known that the negotiation for the settlement of the Alabama claims has been received, your correspondent has endeavored to ascertain the kind of agreement which would be ratified by the Senate, if sent to it by the President. Many prominent Senators, including members of the Committee on Foreign Relations, have had an interchange of opinion on this subject, and, after a careful survey, it is found that the following draft contains all the concessions to England which would stand any chance of being considered or ratified by the Senate:

First—The British Government must admit its pecuniary liability for the depredations of the Alabama, Shenandoah, Florida and Sumter, and agree to pay an amount of money which shall be determined by a joint commission to be hereafter appointed.

Second—A commission of four members shall be agreed upon, each nation appointing two, and these jointly selecting an umpire.

Third—This commission shall adjust all claims presented to them by American citizens, which arose out of the depredations committed by any of the above-named privateers, and shall investigate each case and decide what amount of money is due for said claims.

Fourth—After this class of claims are settled, the commission shall pass upon all other classes of claims by American citizens against England, from 1863 up to the present time. The commission will likewise consider all claims of British subjects against the United States, in the following class of cases:

First—All cases presented by British subjects residing permanently in the United States.
Second—All cases in which the claimant is unable to show that he remained neutral during the late civil war.
Third—Those cases decided finally by admiralty courts.

The above draft contains the largest concessions which those Senators who have studied the question thoroughly are willing to make; and anything which falls short has but little chance of ratification by the Senate.

It has not been ascertained whether or not this draft differs materially from Mr. Seward's views.