Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-05-22
MOTLEY.
Final Instructions TO the New
Minister to England.
The Course to be Followed on
the Alabama Claims
Question.

Correspondence of the New York Times
| WASHINGTON, May 17-Mr. Motley
our new Minister to England, arrives al
the BreVoort House, New York, tonight
He sails for Europe on Wednesday next
A special messenger from the State De,
partment will carry him his instructions
before that day. The precise character
Of these instructions is q matter of much
speculation here, although it is hardly
one of donbt. Mr.. Motley's senti-
ments on the Alabama question are
known to be in accordance with the
recent speech Of Senator Summer, and
many indications have been developed
within the last two or three days which
go TO show that the President and the
Secretary of State very nearly coincide
| with the Massachusetts, Senator. The
Indications at present are that the settle
| ment Of this question will not be immedi-
ately attempted, unless the English
government should refuse to listen to
the advice of the leading London pa
pers and initiate negotiations. A
foreign war is one of the last things
which President Grant would desire, but,
at the same time, the settlement of a
question of the magnitude Of the Ala
bama difficulty on any other than terms
satisfactory and honorable to the United
States as nation, is one of the last
things he would adopt or sanction. A
firm, temperate policy will be pur-
sued, and no undue haste at solution Of
the question will be used while the press
ent angry tone and feeling in England
lasts. One thing is certain, that Minister
Motley will not the first thing endeavor
to bring about an understanding on the
subject. His first effort WILL be to nego,
tate the naturalization treaty, the proto-
col to which was passed on by the Sen.
ate during the first session Of the forty.
first Congress. Then, again, he will have
to use his diplomatic ability to effect the
negotiation Of a consular treaty, similar
to the treaties the United States has
with almost every other country in Eu,
rope except Great Britain, and which,
for several years past, she has steadily
refused to make. The Alabama claims
will, it is expected, come up incidentally
in the discussion of these measures. 4
The opinion prevails here in congress.
iOnal circles that the Alabama question
will give rise to a long, if not an able
and interesting, debate in Congress next
session, and that it will form the staple
of the speeches which are made st every
session of Congress on some important
topic or other for circulation in pamphlet
form in congressional districts. A lead
ing member Of Congress gave this as his
opinion to night. The mass of cores
pondence on the subject, which was or
dered to be printed a short time before |
will be printed during the |
months, and will be the text for |
speeches of the character
indicated. IL the question is settled be-
fore the end oflS70 it will be considered /
that good progress has been made by |
Mr.. Motley.
The comments Of the London press on /
Mr.. Summers speech sre source ofmuch /
to that gentleman. At first |
they were quite respectable and dignited, |
bat they increase in bitterness as they |
come, and now the London editors are
endeavoring to show that he has no in-
huence whatever in the country. Said /
Mr. Sumner this evening: 81 expect in
few days that they will say / am the
leader Of the FeniAns."
Some prominent BaltimOreans are con-
8idering the propriety of giving Ex-
Minister Reverdy johnson a dinner on
his return, which is looked for about the
9Th Of June. One of the principal OBJ |
ections to it is, that Mr.. johnson has
had too many dinners already. |