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Commission signed by Queen Victoria and bearing the Great Seal appointing Lord Chief Justice Cockburn British Commissioner at the Alabama Arbitration.
Commission signed by Queen Victoria and bearing the Great Seal appointing Lord Chief Justice Cockburn British Commissioner at the Alabama Arbitration.

Commission signed by Queen Victoria and bearing the Great Seal appointing Lord Chief Justice Cockburn British Commissioner at the Alabama Arbitration.

Date1871
Object number00015116
NameCommission
MediumVellum, metal, cotton, wax
DimensionsOverall: 381 x 526 mm
Display Dimensions: 178 x 55 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionCommission signed by Queen Victoria and bearing the great seal appointing Lord Chief Justice Cockburn British Commissioner at the Alabama Arbitration. After the Civil War had finished the United States claimed contributory damages from Great Britain for the destruction caused by Confederate raiders such as the SHENANDOAH. The United States claimed that Great Britain had allowed Confederate ships to refuel and repair in supposedly neutral ports and thus assisted Confederate ships in their campaign against US vessels. The international court which dealt with this claim decided that British neutrality had been breached and a total judgement for $15,000,000 was awareded against Britain, some $3,750,000 because of the activities of the SHENANDOAH.HistoryAfter the American Civil War had finished the United States claimed contributory damages from Great Britain for the destruction caused by the Confederate raiders CSS ALABAMA,CSS FLORIDA and the CSS SHENANDOAH. The United States claimed that Great Britain had allowed Confederate ships to refuel and repair in supposedly neutral ports and thus assisted Confederate ships in their campaign against Union shipping . The international court which dealt with this claim decided that British neutrality had been breached and a total judgement for $15,000,000 was awarded against Britain, some $3,750,000 because of the activities of the CSS SHENANDOAH. The CSS SHENANDOAH arrived in Melbourne on 25 January 1865 to effect repair, take on supplies and as it transpired recruit new crew. The United States Consul in Melbourne protested to the Governor. The CSS SHENANDOAH's visit divided local opinion which was reflected in the press of the day. On leaving Melbourne the CSS SHENANDOAH proceeded to attack Union whalers in the Ochotzk Sea and Behring Strait.SignificanceThis commission graphically demonstates that the visit of the SHENANDOAH was not simply a dramatic local incident but also had important international diplomatic consequences.