The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-06-17
DAILY ARGUS,
Thursday Evsnips, June II, 1889.
MINISTER MorLEY's INsTRUOTIONs.

Newspaper readers have probably beer
wesried with speculations on two question
in connection with Mr.. Motley's recent Ap
pearauce at the Court Of St. James; lst
Did Mr.. Motley take with him any speeiG
instructions as to the Alabama claims P
2ad. If be did, what are they2 Full anC
contradictory answers have been made t
these questions by that class Of newspape
correspondents who have the happy faculty Of
furnishing exciting aud interesting news let
ters without feeling the least inconvenience
from a lack o. facts to make them up, We
have been told time and pgain that Mr.. Motley
went out to England without any specific IN.
structions, except perhaps, that he should be
careful not TOO dins to heartily on roast beef
aud PLAN pudding. On the other hand we
hare been as confidently Informed that our
Minister took out with him very specific in.
structions, but their contents have differed
according to the guessing capacities Of the
various correspondents who could not com
pare notes before announcing their dlscov.
cries. The last press dispatches from Wash.
ington shed light on the subject as follows;
1t is not true, as announced in recent ca.
BILE dispatches, that an official communica.
ton from Minister Motley, intimatiug that
the American Administration concurs in the
various plans which led the Senate to reject
the Alabama treaty. Such was not tho ten.
or OF his Instructions concerning his inter.
course with Her Majesty, and it's not, there.
fore, considered probable that he would
make any such assertion. II is, however,
certain that he was instructed te explain the
circumstances connected with the rejection
Of the treaty without committing this Gov.
eminent to any line Of policy; but at the
same time standing by the rejection OF the
treaty. Mr.. Motley is not instructed to
III ,ke any proposition for the settlement Of
tue claims, but to say that in view Of the ir
rilation in England, owing to rejection Of
the treaty, the present is not al AuspIcIOus |
time TO propose or in other words tempo. |
rary postponement Of the question is dcsir
able, with a hope lhat when the excitement
shall ,ubside Her Majesy's Government will !
invite re.opening Of negotiations. Ho is |
not authorized TO announce the readiness Of |
our Government to make any proposition on
that subject, nor to demand payment Of
damages, national as well as individual, but
to assure Her Majesty's Government Of the
sincere desire Of ours to have all matters Of
dispute adjusted on terms honorable and sat.
iStsctory to both nations.
Another point in the instructions is in cf
feet that the mere proclamation declaring
rebels entitled TO beIigerent rights il not in
itself cause for demanding damages or sep.
ara'e grounds ofcomPIaiut Butthis taken
10 connection with subsequent acts, was uu.
friendly, aud showed sp,r,t oil hostility !
against tho United States during the late
war, and oil OF which require reparatou.-
The instructions which were prepared at the
Department Of State about ten days before
Minister Motley left this country having been
slightly modified at the instance of Prosi.
dent Grant himself they were carefully con.
sidered by the Cabinet, to which they we're
and we're soon after handed to
Mr.. Motley without further amendment, on.
y specific instructions to Mr.. Motley that
negytationg are with reference to natural.
izauou and consuls, and it is supposed that
before this time he has entered ypon that
duty.