Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-12-30
The Alsbam. claims.

The letter OF Hamilton Fish to Minister
Motley has been published, and is longer
than the Presidents message. Gale b
Cushing is said to have written the pom
derous document, which is a simple re-
hearsal of the dispute, an must have in
terested Clarendon hugely, and impaired
a great deal of useful information. The
gist of the Fish letter is in the conclu.
sion:
1t is the object of this raper, which
you are ct liberty to read to Lord Claren-
don, to state calmly and dispsssionately,
and with a more unreserved freedom
than might be used in one addressed
directly to the Queens government, what
this government seriously considers the
injuries it has suffered. 1t is not written
in the nature of claim, for the United
States now make no demands against her
Msjesty's government on account of the
injuries they feel that they have sustained.
Although the United States are anxious
for q settlement on a liberal and compre-
hensive basis, of all the questions which
interfere with the entire cordial relations
which they desire to exist between the
two governments, they do not now pro-
pose or desire to set any time for this set
tlement. On the contrary, they prefer
to leave that question, and also the more
important questions of the means and
method of removing the causes of COM
paint, of restoring the much desired re-
iations of perfect cordiality, and the pre-
venting Of the probability of like ques-
tions in the future, to the consideration
of her Msjesty's government. Thew will,
however, be ready, whenever her Msjes-
tvs government shall think the proper
time has arrived for renewed negotia-
tion, to entertain any proposition which
that government shall think proper to
present, and to apply 10 such PROPOSE
tions their earnest and sincere wishes
and endeavors for solution, honorable
and satisfactory to both csuntries.
l am, sir, your obedent servant.
HAMILTON FISH
Clarendon concludes his adroit epistle
thus:
Her ,Msjesty's Government regret no
less sincerely that the President
of the United States concurs with the
Senate in disapproving that treaty; but
their regret would in some degree be
if Mr.. Fish had been author
ized to indicate some other means of ad-
justing the questions between the two
countries, which, as long as they remain
open, cannot be favorable to q cordial
good understanding between thsm This,
however, Mr.. Fish has not been empow-
cred to do, but he expresses the readi-
ness of the President to consider any |
emsnsting from this country.
1t is obvious, however, and Mr.. Fish |
will probably on reflection admit |
that her Msjesty's government cannot
make any new proposition or run the risk |
of another unsuccessful negotiation until
they have information more clearly than
that which is contained in Mr.. Fish's dis
patch respecting the basis upon which
the government would be disposed to ne
gotia,e. Bat her Msiesty's government
fully agree with Mr.. Fish in considering |
that it would be desirable to turn the
difficulties which have arisen between the |
two governments TO good account by |
making the solution of them subservient
to the adoption, as between themselves In
the first instance, of such changes in rules !
of public law as may prevent the recur-
renee between nations that may occur in
them of similar difficulties hereafter.
You may assure Mr.. Fish that Her Ma
jesty's government will be ready to CO.
operate with the Government of the
United States for so sslutary result,
which would rebound to the mutual honor
Of both countries, and, if accepted by
other maritime nations, have al impor-
tant IL huenee toward maintaining the |
peace of the world. You will read this
dispatch to Mr.. Fish, and give him O
copy Of it if be should desire to have one.
sm, CLARENDON.
Eiward Thornton, Esq, ETC., etc.