The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-06-27
ENGLAND.
The Alabama Treaty-NIinister Motley Opens
the Ball-RumOrs to His Instructions.


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The Alabama Treaty-NIinister Motley Opens
the Bali-RumOrs as to His Instructions.
LONDON, June a. 1859.
little CLEAN OF light has been cast upon the dark
ness profound OF Motleys mission by the lamp OF
rumor "They say" that long and formal commu-
nicaton has been presented TO Lord Clarendon by
the American Minister, conveying the intelligence
which his ordship is supposed in diplomatic mysti-
hcaton never to have received before, that the
American Senate IN the exercise OF its constitutional
power, has rejected certain treaty or convention
signed by the British secretary OF state for Foreign
Affairs and Mr.. Reverdy Johnson, Minister OF the
United States at the Court OF st. James; and that
sucn communication was on saturday last submitted
by Lord Clarendon to the Cabinet Council assembled
IN Downing street.
"They say" further, that the communication in
forms Lord Clarendon that the rejection Of the aore.
said treaty, known as the Alabama Treaty, was
based upon the ground that 1t failed to so fully and
entirely meet and settle the questions at issue be-
tween the two countries as was desirable In the
interest OF both governments and that In this opinion
OF the Senate the administrator at Washington feels
bound 10 concur "They sayr also that Minister
Motley informs Lord Clarendon that he is instructed
TO express at the earliest moment the earnest desire
OF the American government for the speedy removal
OF all matters in difference between the two coun-
tries, by friendly treaty which shall do Justice to
all parties and leave no question open TO create
future misunderstanding occasion new compli-
cations. "Ihey sayn finally that Minister Motley
assur es Lord Stanley Of the readiness OF the govern
ment at Washington TO receive and consider with
the best OF feelings and the broadest nberaty any
proposition her Majesty's government may have TO
make for full settlement OF the International ques
finn iaSua hatr ttvnr frtao x.afIa
OF the claims OF individual citizens growing out OF
the action Of either government during the Southern
rebellion in the United States.
Although the inevitable 'theyr who say these
things OF the customary character and not gen.
orally reliable, there doubt in this instance OF
the substantial truth OF their statements. Facts
have leaked out through the honesty and
sincerity OF purpose Of o member Of the
Cabinet which are sufficient TO show that
Min lster Mouey's communication in regard
to the rejection Of the Clarendon Johnson
treaty has been laid before his associates by Lord
Clarendon and there is little reason to doubt that
the substance OF the ABOVE report OF its contents al
least Is correct. Many absurd conectures as TO Mr..
Moteys course have been ventured, not the least OF
which was that which supposed that he was in
strIcteG % give the Alabama question wide berth
anu not even 10 mention the SUBJECT, leaving the
knglishmen TO commence it, discussion, n they feel
50 disposed. or course OF the first OF the official
duties Of the new Minister was to communicate to
LOrd Clarendon the aCt OF the lection OF the treaty
and hence 1t was out Of his power 10 remain silent
on the Alabama question. II is difficult TO conceive
how he could nave made the communication In more
courteous anu Appropriate terms than this report
attributes TO nm. Certainly there Is nothing for
England TO fnd fault with In Its spirit while ne APP
pears 10 have made 1t distinctly understood, first
that the administration OF General Grant entirely ap
proves the Reasons gwen by The senate for the reec
Ton OF the convention, and secondly, that the settle
ment the present. administration Is ready TO agree
70 must enlclenuy cover and dispose OF the
grave International questions at issue between the
two countries, as wei as the claims OF individual
citizens for alleged damages durlg the war; But 1t
IL not probable that the tone OF this preliminary
step IN tie feupenng OF the Alabama controversy Is
all that Is contained IN the voluminous 'lnsiruc-
TONS furnished TO hr. Motley by secretary Fish,
and the reai question OF interest Is How are the
OvertuTes OF Lord Clarendon, snppOslng he makes
venture 10 guess upon this point affirm that Motley
Will refuse To entertain or to transmit Washington
any proposition that looks simply TO the pay ment OF
JOnn Doe and Richard kOe for the loss Of their ships
and cargoes through the action OF the Anglo-Con-
federate pirates built Ia England and manned and
equipped from England, on the ground that ne is
instructed TO reject at once any treaty for settlement
which does not make the governments themselves
the parties Ia interest and embrace all the matters
at issue be- ween them. IL WILL then be for the Eng
lish Cabinet 10 decide whether they will comply
Win the requirements Of dir. Motley, or suspend
altogether The negotiation for settlement OF their
differences with the United states and leave
the matters IN dispute between the two countries
open lor adjustment ~ a future time. There are.
on the other nand some 10 be found who insist that
the government at Washington have become con.
vlnced that they cannot consistently make the re
CogniOn OF rebel delinquency eau e OF Complaint
against Great Britain, and hence have resolved to
totally abandon that point. Such a policy would
surely be "a unpopular al home as II would be hu.
initiating abroad, ana beside IL the Reyerdy refine
would appear dignlned and respectable. The men
who argue In its favor are already surrounding Mr.
Motley with temptations OF more subtle and dan.
ger0us character thin the we-COvered tables spread
before tue amiaDle and festive Johnson IL IL TO be
hoped that their predictions Will prove as false as
1t will be well for Mr.. Motley 70 remember that there
IL worse tOadylsm than that which displays itself
at after-dinner speeches, and that the American
people woult find more excuses for hobnobblng
familiarity over ablecloth than for anti-repubca
fawning IN aristocratic drawing rooms. No one
would desire to see an American Minister walking
about with revolver on his hip and q bowie knife
down the back Of his coat spelling for
the time for the display OF nrn
and dignned republicanism. 1t would be simple
folly TO contend tnat the people OF the United Saes
are not incensed against England for her course TO.
wards their government In the days OF the rebe lion,
aud II seems only proper that the representative OF
the United states at the English Court should make
THIS fact understood, while at the same time evincnR
Ialr and honorable desire TO reconcile the diner.
ences between the two countries on any terms con.
sstent win tue honor and the rights OF his own
people IL Is to be hoped therefore that Mr. Moteyis
lnsrucuOns are SUCH as TO put stop TO any further
dllly-dallYng with question OF which the people
character to be longer trined with; and that I'm
carrying out those instructions the American Minis
ter VIII show himself TO be at once steadfast re.
publican and a courteous gentleman
Tne experience OF this Alabama controversy IN
its revival since senator summers speech has
shown the great error OF accepting certain ne Wa
papers as reliable exponents Of public opinion sim
ply because they happen 10 give utterance TO sent
argument The English journals take q few
lpuIpaN RoerceI read Al ~ IN the uplled