The New York herald., 1869-06-17
Mr.. Motiey's Instrucii0ns-I.atest View,
OF the Alabama Difficulty.

OF the Alabama Difficulty.
We have had many reports and conjectures
on both sides of the water as to the character
and Drift of Mr.. Motley's instructions; hut
they all agree upon one point, to wit, that Mr..
Motley has gone over TO England to make, not
edSus 0eh2, but, If possible, treaty of
peace. Senator Sumner says that Mr. Motley
will assume a patriotic and, in the end, de-
cisive attitude on the subject of the Alabama
claims; while Secretary Fish, we are told,
chuckles over the fact that Mr. Sumner knows
nothing about the instructions given to the
Minister relative to this question. The friends
of Mr.. Fish claim that be has completely
checkmated the Senator, President Grant
sustaining the Secretary in opposition to the
views Of the Massachusetts, legislator as to the
verbiage and tone Of the Motley papers. We
have different accounts from different sources.
In a special despatch from Washington
on the subject we are informed that Mr..
Motley is instructed to explain the circum-
stances Gncluding, no doubt, all about Andy
Johnson, which is very kind) attending the
rejection of the Johnson Stanley treaty, with
out committing this government to any line of
policy; but at the same time Mr.. Motley is to
hold fast to the anchor OF the Senate in the
rejection Of that treaty. Moreover, our Minis
ter Is not authorized TO make any proposition
for the settlement Of the Alabama claims, but
he is to say that in view Of the irritation, as
tonishment and excitement in England in con-
sequence Of the rejection of the Johnsonan
treaty the present is not an auspcious time
for the reopening Of negotiations.
Behold this glorious example of American
magnanimity and evangelical diplomacy! The
Vicar Of Wakefeld's amiable boy Moses made
sad mistake at the fair in exchanging his
pony for gross of green spectacles; and Mr..
Reverdy Johnson, through Mr.. Stewards in
structions, with the advice and consent of
President Johnson, was as badly sold in ac-
cepting in exchange for his Alabama claims
Lord Stanley's gross Of green spectacles Mr..
Senator Sumner substantially pronounced the
bargain a swindle, and as a swindle il was
Indignantly rejected by the Senate. The
news goes to England, and in the midst
of the dining and wining of Mr. Reverdy
johnson as the model peace maker he
is struck dumb by the warlike clamor
around him of his English cousins. He
finds them suddenly changing their songs of
peace into the Indian war whoop; that they
are in the paint, beads, bears claws and
feathers of band of Conan ches. all on the
warpath; that British honor has been out
rageously insulted, and that, in short, "Britons
never never will be slaves" In view of this
fearful warlke uproar In the tight little
island our new Minister is instructed TO sup-
gest that the time is not propitious for re-
opening negotiations, and that the patient
Brother Jonathan can wait till the Gerry John
Bull shall have sufficiently cooled down to
listen to reason. Is not our Cabinet model
of dignity, decorum and self-possession Was
there ever anything like it before2
IL appears, indeed that the reopenng of
negotiations is to be left to the pleasure of
England, and that for the present she is to be
assured with the "glittering generality" of
our sincere desire TO have all matters of dis
pgte adjusted on terms honorable and satisfac-
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