Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-06-04
eaTHE ALABAMA BUsINEss.T r:
The Truth About Minister Motiey's In.
struetions,

! tFrpm the Cincinnati Commercial. -
. / claim no particular enterprise h
the matter, for some information has
come into my hands in a very acci-
dental manner, which 1 can use with
out compromising anybody, and for
the truth OF which win answer. In
the first place, Mr.. Motley had fttli
and complete instructions, when he
sailed fromSNew York, on the 18th
inst. These instructions were not of
a general character, but were minute
and anabridgedt fhey referred not
only to naturalization and emigration,
and all the matters in interest at pres
ent between the two countries, but
they were particular and specific on
the subject of the Alabama depreda-
tioIs. Instead of these instructions
being prepared under the direction of
the President, the very reverse is
true. Secretary Fish was asked by
the. President to pl,epare memoranda
of his (Fish's) ideas respecting the
Alabama subject, Or'yto submit 4 rough
draft Of instructions to him, which he
wORldl lay lqef0re the cabinet. This
Mr.. Fish did. He prepared at great
length, in his own hand, the instruc-
tiOns to Mr.. Motley, which occupied
his time for more dian fortnights Il
When he had finished his work he
notified Gen. Grant, who at once
drove to the State Department in
company with his Acknowledgement, |
and Mr. Fish read the instructions |
aloud to the two gentlemen. They |
not only approved of all the posi- |
TiOYNe, oc.,vv1aI l,aaptsIx- a.,I
ally, but they ecDncurred entirely in |.
every expression and the language
employed. Not a line nor q word
was changed. In that form the in
on Rhe following Friday,
were submitted to the entire Cabinet
at its regular session, and was sub
jected to the most careful scrutiny.
Mr.. Fish was called upon to explain
certain matters, but 50 ably did Hede-
fend his course and so unObjectiOnablc
were the instructions that not prin-
niple nor a word was amended, and
before Mr.. Motley sailed these in
5tructiOns were placed in his hands
ust as Mr.. Fish had prepared them.
As to their contents, can only say
that they are not based upon the
speech or the opinions of Senator
The English Government
will be made TO understand that this
is not responsible for the
speeches of Senator Sumner, or any
body else; but this is not saying that
he Administration would disregard
he voice of the people rs made known
ly q uunlker of their direct Represen-
atives; but the State Department is
we'll informed of all the phases of the l.
Alabama matter from the beginning,
ust what points to press and what to
void, what ground has already been
developed and what untouched, and
III the intricacies Of this most intricate
ubject, while Congress and the people |
ire ignorant of it all. The negOtia-
ions, to be effective, must be
ecret, and time has developed [
hat nothing Is secret In Con- r
,reSs. So the administration Is better
to Judge Of the matter than
he public at large. The instructions J
o Mr.. Motley are not at all of 4 bel 2
igerent character. Our Minister
viii explain to the English govern
nent the relations. Of the Senate and
Executive in theS matter, Of making
nd ratifying treaties, and will en- +
IeaVOr to show that the Senate and q
Executive are in full accord, and he
limself is given to understand that
10 such treaty as that negotiated by
teverdy johnson and Earl Clarendon :
will be acceptable to either branch of
he treaty-naking power Thesain-
uuctions will do much toward aIIay-
lg the excitement and passion in
9th countries -engendered. on the
ne hand, by the speech of 8fr. Sum
er, and, ON the other, Iy the violent E
nd unfair tame OF the English press.