The New York herald., 1869-05-03
The Press Despatch Announcing the Re-
lection Of The Treaty Suppressed by
the English Government.
MINISTER MoTLEY's INSTRUCTIONS
The Virginia Constitution Election
Postponed Until July.

Heverdy johnson Ventilated-The Instruc-
to Minister Motley.
The arrival of the HERALD here last evening con.
tanning the special cable despatch setting forth the
views OF the British Cabinet and the comments Of
the English press on Senator Summers speech, and
the rejection OF the Alabama claims treaty was the
first intimation the government officials here had
OF the manner in which Great Britain received the
news OF the action OF the Senate. The tone and
temper OF the English press creates some surprise
in official circles, and no little excitement among
politicians and the people generally. Everybody
is inquiring, care we to have war with England ?n
Senator Sumner, who might be supposed to be more
interested than any other person on account OF the
storm his speech has raised in Great Britain takes
the matter rather cOOllv He seems to have antici-
pated something Of the kind, though he hardly
thinks the editor Of the London Times could have
read his speech through carefully, otherwise he
would not have characterized it as puerie, unrea-
sonable and unstatesmanike. Your correspondent
called upon Senator Sumner to-day for the purpose
OF ascertaining what he thought Of the tempest
In teapot being raised over his speech
by the English press The Senator was
In the best OF humor, and though delving away at
Of letters and papers on his table, very commu.
nIcative also. Senator Sumner is perhaps the most
industrious, hard working public man in Washing
ton, but he is busy, never so much engaged
that he is not willing TO communicate with the
representatives OF the public press when they call
upon him. Our interview ran about as follows:-
CORES EsPoNDENT-Mr Senator, your speech on the
Alabama claims is creating considerable feeling In
England judging from the comments Of the English
press.
Mr.. sUsfNER-Is there anything later on the SUBJ
ject than the cable despatch published in Saturdays
HERALD?
CoRREsPoNDENT-Nothing that have seen.
Mr.. SUMNER-I am not altogether surprised at the
way they have taken 1t. England does not like to be
told the truth. There never has been time since
the Conquest when England liked to be told the
TRUTH especially If she happened to be in the wrong.
consider that this is the first time she has had the
truth squarely told her about the Alabama claims.
CORRESPONDENT notice, Mr.. Senator, that even
your friend John Bright does not quite agree with
you this time.
Mr., SUMMERTIME; but he tells the British Cabinet
in so many words that the embarrassment caused
by my speech serves them right. John Bright knows
very well that England is In the wrong In this mat
ter.
CONSEQUENTLY you think we viii have q
war with England Mr.. Senator, before this thing is
settleds
Mr.. SUMNER-No sir; / don't think we shall have
war. hope there is enough intelligence and good
sense on both sides of the Atlantic TO avoid
that. Our new Minister, Mr.. Motley, under.
stands this whole question thoroughly and he knows
just what to do and how TO do it,
CoRREsPoNDENT-The tone Of the English press is
quite bellgeren you notice. One of the papers, the
London star, said to be John Bright's organ,
says:-'Tf Mr.. Motleys instructions are couched
in similar spirit Ito your speech) his mission Will
be frutess."
Mr.. SUMNER-I am inclined to think that neither
the British Ministry nor the British press understand
our position exactly on this question. The Alabama
claims treaty as 1t Is called Is the first instance
since have been chairman OF the Committee on
Foreign Relations where treaty was absolutely re-
ported against-that is, with the recommendation
that 1t be rejected. have frequently recommended
some change or amendment In the terms OF treaty,
but do not remember to have reported that treaty
ought to be rejected. You know the Senate was al
most unanimous in rejecting the Alabama treaty.
There was but vote In its favor-that OF Senator
McCreery, of Kentucky. Now, do not wish to say
anything unkind Of Mr.. McCreery. but you know he
is intensely proslavery to this day. He would argue
q whole day, If you would listen to him, favor of
the rghtfuness Of the institution OF slavery. He is
therefore, an exception to the general opinion of
American citizens.
CoRREsPoNDENT-senator McCreery, 1 take 1t, can
cratic party.
MIR. SUMMERTIME; that Is q very true remark He
does not represent any person on this question but
himself The Senate, therefore, may be said to be
unanimous In Its rejection OF the treaty. Now as
regards my speech, that was delivered, as you know
IN the presence OF full Senate l think IL was
rather pacific in Its tone, but 1t reflects the almost
unanimous opinion of the senate, and indeed OF the
administration. SO far as the President of the
United States had considered the subject he COIN
clded with my views exactly. | happen TO
know this because I talked with him on
the question before my speech was de.
livered. When had finished speaking
the leading men OF the senate took the trouble to
endorse all had said. Such men as Mr.. Fessenden,
Mr.. Sherman and Mr.. Howard said that the speech
met their entire appreciation. Mr.. Chandler was
quite enthusiastic over it. what followeds The IN
junction OF secresy was unanimously removed and
the speech was spread before the country. 1t met
with response from the press and the people
almost as unanimous as It had received from the
Senate. what nextS on that same day, after my
speech was delivered and the treaty rejected,
moved TO take up ana consider the nomination Of
Mr.. Motley 1t was taken up out Of its course not as
IL stood on the calendar, and that without o
dissenting voice. The "non OF Mr.. McCreery was
not even heard on thisiquestion. Mr.. Motley was
unanimously confirmed. Now this was all done on
one day, and 1t was all OF piece. 1t was all one
tning-one act, as 1t were. The English Ministry
does not seem to understand this.
CoRREsPoNDESr-According to the cable telegram
Mr.. Gladstone seems to think that the treaty was
rejected on political grounds alone.
Mr.. SUMNER-Yes; he says he has assurance from
reliable quarters that such was the fact Now where
could he get such assursnces Certainly not from
any person In this country whose opinion would
amount to anything. He must have got IL from Mr..
Reverdy Johnson. Mr.. Thornton "a too well posted
to have communicated any such Information.
CoBREsroNDRNT-Probably Mr.. Johnson has repre-
sened to Mr. Gladstone that the treaty was rejected
because the majority In the Senate was against both
him and President Johnson. merely as matter o
spite or revenge.
Mr.. sUxsER-very likely; but such is not tn,
fact The very next dag after the Alabama treatI