New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-05-29
LETTER FROM SENATOR GRIMES.
ASSURANCES OF AN AMERICAN SENATOR TO THE
ENGLISH PEOPLE.

ASSURANCES OF AN AMERICAN SENATOR TO THE
ENGLISH PEOPLE.
To ne Editor Of The London Taies.
SIR; Will you permit an American who, who Inns ms
last two weeks American affairs and who thinks he
has toeraby correct judgment Of the public sentiment
l. That there never has been time within tho ast 90
wears when there was in tho United states OF
ston 20 go 10 with any country, least OF all with
Great Britain, than there Il AZ the present moment.
That tho Senate Of the United States by their vote
on what IL called 1.-THE Alabama Treaty" simply agreed
20 the conclusion az which Mr. sumner arrived In his
the processes by which he reached that conclusion the
arguments by which he supported u.
3 That Mr. Sumner delivered an elaborate speech on
this subject which he had been for weeks preparing aud
from which he desired tho Injunction OF secrecy 10 be
moved request that Is always granted by the Senate
An other remarks made tho occasion Informal
and conversational and tho speakers neither felt o1
pressed any similar desire for publicity.
That there were various causes not generally known
and which IS needless 20 audc to- that couspred
tbeunwise declaration OF members OF tho British legation
IN Washington which, coupled with the manner OF COnst
tntipg the Commission as agreed upon IN tho treaty gave
appearance at least OF probable uufaness in the arb
That Fnplands ofenso In the eyes OF Americana IL
not that she conceded belgercnt rights the Confcd
eracy az time when the Southern States had apparently
established themselves Us an independent Power that
she recognized their Delllgerent rights at any time
nor that o we Gd got ~ ePy tho iTil ympsthy OF
Is that the Alabama built and fitted out I'm
English port never ran INTO Confederate port
90 acquire the legal character OF Confederate bcgo-
technically otherwise that che In truth an
English vessel, sailing from British port under the
British flag manned by British sailors was everywhere
cordially received supplied and oOaled 40 British stations
while such hospitality was denied 10 American crufcrs
that che never had any other homo than the port 81
Liverpool, from which size originally departed, and 70.
mainCd IN law and conscience, British until she
beneath tho waves This Is grievance All else
Is the cmbcllshmout OF the advocate and orator.
g. That while ~ Is not 10 be denied that there a. de-
sire In the North Western States Of tho Union
British Provinces added 10 their Government for tho pur.
pose OF securing control OF tho navigation OF the It,
Lawrence River, which drains large portion OF their
territory II Is also true that many OF the Atlantic States
opposed 10 their acquisition, because they fear that,
II acquired the West will have uninterrupted water
municauOn with Europe, without passing through and
being tributary 20 them. Tho intelligent people
OF tho West patiently bidiug their time,
In tho full faith that when tho British
Government concludes aB IL sooner later will conclude
that the Provinces are an element Of expensive weakness
IT, and that VIII no longer support them they Will DO
men, who almost exclusively enjoy tho bounty bestowed
by the Homo Government. now proioss % DO unwilling
90 do There IL not respectable minority OF any
party any State In the Union that would for moment
Justify attempt 70 wrest the Canadas by force from
British Crown.
T. am not prepared % say what may be tho specific
Instructions with which Mr.. Motley may como 20 Eng
OF the most pacific character 1t should be
mind that under our Government the Senate Is part OF
the treaty making power, that the rejection amend.
Of treaty by that body Is Of frequent occurrence,
and that such rejection furnishes reason 10 the
American nnd why efforts at negotiation should not be-
renewed again ana again. Possibly Mr. Motley may not
be instructed 70 take the initiative ia "a treaty but
that should not be the OF uncasness the part Of
any one, and certainly cannot bo tho cause OF war.
No. l CluTgo5-st., May 10. AN AMERICAN CITIZEN