Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/463

Rh adjust the claims. The commission was to appoint an arbiter and hold its sessions in Washington. Gomez Palacio was appointed by the Mexican government, and William H. Wadsworth by that of the United States. These commissioners began their labors in August 1869.

To enter into particulars connected with this joint commission, whose labors extended over a period of seven years, would be tedious. Its abrupt termination several times seemed imminent, threatening a rupture between the two nations, and it was frequently prorogued. In 1870, Doctor Lieber, after much wrangling, was appointed arbiter, and on his death, which took place October 1, 1872, Sir Edward Thornton, the British minister at Washington, was made umpire in October 1873. There were further frequent interruptions. Twice the Mexican commissioner was changed. In 1871 Palacio was appointed Mexico minister to the United States, and Leon Guzman succeeded him as member of the joint commission in April 1872. Guzman and Wadsworth, however, could not work amicably together, and the former resigned in December, the labors of the commission being again interrupted till the arrival, in July 1873, of his successor, Manuel María Zamacona. Henceforth more cordiality existed between the commissioners; and on the 31st of January, 1876, their labors terminated. The time allowed the commission for the adjustment of their claims had been on several occasions extended by special conventions, and when the cases which still remained undecided were submitted to the umpire, who was required to send in his decisions within six months after the closing of the commission, it was also found necessary to extend that time to November 20th, on which day the adjustment was finally concluded.

The result of this lengthy investigation, which cost