The national Republican., 1869-06-15
Attitude of our Goyernment on the
Alabama Question.

"Cymon," the Washington correspondent
of the New York Times, writes as follows to
that paper under date Of June 18th:
Since the discussion Of the Alabama ques-
| ton both at home and abroad he's taken
| such a wide scope, and since there has been
| such decided reaction from tho position Of
i Mr.. Summers speech, and since the proposi-
| tlon to make the question party Issue
meets with little serious countenance, IL be-
/ comes more than usually interesting to
| know precisely where the Administration
stands at present. The Gladstone ministry
will In a few days officially understand our
| position, and there can therefore be no
impropriety in stating the facts as they
| exist.
30 much has been said from this point on
this subject, and such vague and contradlc-
| tory accounts have been given OF Mr.. Mot
ley's instructions, that the public mind must
be much confused respecting the precise at
titude Of our Government. Mr.. Sumner,
while never asserting In positive terms that
those instructions were based on Ills speech,
has nevertheless sought to convey In his con-
yersations the impression that he had been
substantially indorsed, and he has repeatedly
stated that Mr.. Motley and himself wore In
perfect accord upon the subject. This latter
assertion is very possibly true; but Mr.. Sum
ner knows what Mr.. Motley's instructions
are as thoroughly as does the man who
wrote them, and his pride probably prevents
him from making q frank admission OF the
completeness of his defeat. No matter what
subject 1t Is nevertheless known here that he
Is much dlspleased with the instructions
and that they are almost entirely at variance
| with hls views, for ths following reasons;
/. Mr.. Sumner wanted Mr.. Motley In
structed to propose reopening OF the nego
tiations at once on the basis Of his speech
, Mr.. Motley's Instructions were precisely the
reverse Of this, to wit; to make no oyertures
for tho re-opening OF negotiations at present
but await the action Of the English Govern
ment and the Development Of events.
.. Mr. Sumner wanted the instructions t
| cover the question OF belligerency, which, h
, | insists In his speech, gives this Governmen
claim against the British Govern nent fo
damages or reparatlon. On the contrary
I Mr.. Motley was instructed to inform th,
7 British Government at the proper time tina
0 the United States, as a Government, has nj
claim against Great Britain for damages be
cause OF her recognition Of the belllgercnc'
Of the rebels.
7 This. whole matter was maturcly consid
: cred by the President, both In Cabinet an
out Of Cabinet, and In the light not only O
our relations to Great Britain, but our rela
tionB to France, Spain and other nation
, which recognized the South. In these di'
d cusslons the only man who stood by NJ
n Summers position was Secretary Boutwell,
q Every other member Of the Cabinet, as we
:. as the President, disapproyed very decided
of the policy enunciated In Mr.. Sumner
y speech, and the result OF their deliberatlor
c was, as has been repeatedly stated in yor
n telegraphlc dispatches, that the Admlnistri
=. tion upon this question resolved upon no'
, action.
i These know to be the facts In the cast
: and they define substantially the present a
ttude OF the Administration.
Imay add one word respecting the Cuba
r question. The President, the Secretary
rs War, and possibly one or two other membe
al of the Cabinet, were strongly desirous I
q taking early steps towards the recognition
" the Insurgents. But after careful royle
he of the whole situation, 1t was formally d
'. cded that the aspect OF affairs did not wa
le rant action by the Government. This W
n prior to the recent revolutionary events
ie the island, since which there has been l
ID reconsideration Of the subject.