The national Republican., 1867-01-30
Mr.. MOTLEY TO Mr.. SEWARD.
IHaATtoH OF fHR UNIrED SrAI

VKSHA, Dec. IL, 1855.
Hon. William II. SstOard, Secretary Of State;
Sir: An hour or two ago received a let
ter from you, dated 2lst November, 1866, to
which ! hasten to reply. You inform me
that citizen of the United States has ad.
dressed letter to the President from Paris,
stating that in the course Of the last year "he
had occasion to see something Of our Minis
ters and Consuls in various countries; that
most Of those whom he met were bitterly
hostile to the President and his administra-
ton, and expressed that hostility in so open
a manner as to astonish Americans and to
leave a very bad impression on Europeans"
With this opening paragraph, relating
generally to United States Ministers and
Consuls abroad, / have nothing especial to do;
other gentlemen are fully competent to
answer for themselves. You proceed to say
HE adds that you do not pretend to conceal
your disgust" as he says you style it, "at
the Presidents whole coRduct; that you
despise American democracy, and loudly
proclaim that an English gentleman is the
model of human perfection; that the Presi-
dent has deserted his pledges and principles,
in common with Mr.. Seward, who, you say,
is hopelessly degraded
You conclude by requesting me to deny or
confirm the truth Of these reports. My first
impulse on reading the letter was to content
myself with fat denial Of their truth. On
little further reflection, however, / do not
wish that there should be doubt as to my
political sentiments. AS representative OF
the foreign policy OF the Government, have
done my best faithfully to discharge my
duties in strict conformity with my instruc-
tions. In the conflict Of opinions in regard
TO home questions, especially that OF recon-
struction, my views have never been asked
for by the United States Government, and
should have considered it unbecoming and
superfuous to volunteer public declaration
OF them, as certainly should have deemed
il my duty to express them frankly when
ever they were officially demanded. | do
not understand that am even now directly
questioned on the subject, but, after reading
your letter, / owe 1t to myself to say few
words.
have always believed it necessary that
strong guarantees should be taken against q
recurrence Of the rebellion, and the re-es-
tablishment Of some form Of slavery before
the seeded States should be readmitted to
representation in Congress. Latterly have
inclined to the opinion that the noblest and
the safest course would be by amendment of
the Constitution, prohibiting distinction of
race or color in regard to the attainment of
the franchise, together with a general am
nesty to be pronounced by the President
These opinions, in the privacy of my own
household, and to occasional American vis.
tors, have not concealed The great uues-
tion now presenting itself for solution, de-
mands the conscientious scrutiny of every
American who loves his country and be.
lieyes in the human progress of which that
country is one OF the foremost representa-
tiyes. l have never thought during my
residence at Vienna, that because have the
honor of being apublic servant Of the Ameri.
can people, am deprived Of the right oI
discussing within my own walls the gravest
subjects that can interest freemen. A Min
ister of the United States does not cease to
be citizen Of the United States as deeply