The General Claims Commission (Mexico and United States) was constituted under the terms of the General Claims Convention signed Sept. 8, 1923, in Washington D.C. by the United States of America and the United Mexican States. The convention, which took effect on March 1, 1924, was intended to improve relations between the countries by forming a commission to settle claims arising after July 4, 1868, “against one government by nationals of the other for losses or damages suffered by such nationals or their properties” and “for losses or damages originating from acts of officials or others acting for either government and resulting in injustice.” Excluded from the jurisdiction of the General Claims Commission were cases stemming from events related to revolutions or disturbed conditions in Mexico. (The Special Claims Commission was formed to address claims arising from events which occurred between November 20, 1910, and May 31, 1920).

The Commission was composed of three members, one from the U.S., one from Mexico, and one from a neutral country. During the period represented by this collection, the commissioners were Cornelis van Vollenhoven, Genaro Fernández Mac Gregor, Edwin B. Parker, and Fred Kenelm Nielsen (who replaced Parker). The Commission met from 1924 to 1931 in Washington, D.C. and Mexico City. Work resumed in 1934 under a new agreement and format; the work of the commissioners ended in 1937, although final settlement was not reached until 1941.