Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-11
The MotIev Correspondouce

Inc motley Correspondence was puDllsneu yes
terday. aud, in spite of the interest generally
felt in its subject, proves to be remarkably dry
reading. Mr.. Motley in his dispatch dated Dec.
-, 1870, after acknowledging the receipt of the
letter containing his recall, and announcing the
formal close of his mission, proceeds at great
length to defend his conduct in his diplomatic
relations, and to express his sense of indigua-
ton at what he claims to be the unprecedented
and unjustifabe treatment be has experienced
at the hands Of the administration. Mr. Fish,
in dispatch of about the same length to Mr..
Moran, at present in charge of the English mis-
SION, gives his version Of the reasons which led
to Mr.. Motley's recall. Their respective state
ments may be briefly summarized as follows
Mr.. Motley says that up to the 25th of June
last he supposed himself to enjoy the confidence
of the government as thoroughly as any minis
ter could. At that time he read in the tele-
graphic intelligence of London journal that
the president had signi1ed his intention of re-
moving him from his post. He did not be-
lieve that there was any foundation for this re-
port, and beard nothing more Of it until he re-
ceived dispatch from Mr.. Fish, dated July LIST,
1870, saying very briefly that the president de-
sired to make a change in the mission to En-.
gland, and wished to give him the opportunity
ofresigning in case be felt inclined to do so. On
the same day be received telegram asking him
to answer the previous letter by telegraph,
which he did, decliling the offer to resign, and
at the same time by letter giving more fully his
reasons, which were in brief that he was con-
scious OF no failure in duty, and, while he did
not wish to embarrass the administration, he
thought it due to himself not to resign while no
reason for his doing so was given except the
wish of the president. Before this letter was re-
ceiFed 10 Washington, in fact Immediately upon
the receipt Of his telegram, which preceded it,
Mr.. Motley's successor was nominated and con-
frmcd By the senate
Mr.. Motley proceeds to nanate the circum-
stances attending the only occasion on which |
bis official conduct was dsapproyed or criticised
by the secretary of state. After his appoint
ment, and while awaiting his instructions, he
had prepared memoir relating to the Alabama
claims. which, at the suggestion of friends, was
submitted to Mr.. Fish, and after time re-
turned by him with no expression of dissent
from its views, but with an intimation that the
president thought it best TO suspend for a lin
tied time the discussion of the differences be-
tween the two nations, in consequence of the ex-
element then existing in both countries In
this opinion Mr.. Motley acquiesced On his de-
parture from the United States he was furnished
with instructions, which, at his first interview
with Lord Clarendon, formed the basis of his
official communication. Mr. Motley says he
was not authorized TO read these instructions to
lord Clarendon, much less to furnish him with
copy, but, being allowed in his discretion to
communicate certain views, he proceeded to
render the substance Of these instructions with
as much accuracy as to order of topics, tone of
thought and general phraseology as was posi-
bic in familiar conversation. A full record of
this conversation was made and transmitted to
Mr.. Fish, drawing from him an answer courte-
Gus and generally commendatory, but contain
ing this sentence:
''In the course Of the conversation however
it seems that the presidents view Of the right of
every power where civil conflict has arisen with
in another state to define its own relations and
those of its citizens, was not conveyed in precise
conformity to that view as desire to present il
TO you, and as il would doubtless have been COP
Teyed by you had your communication been
made in writing"
AhS VI luc luSltuEEOub referred &c
as not correctly represented, is this:
"Ihe president recognizes the right Of every
power, when a civil conflict has arisen within
another state and has obtained a sufficient com
pleXity of magnitude and completeness, to de-
hne It's own relations aud those of its citizens
and subjects toward parties TO the conflict so far
az ther rghtf and interests were necessarily
affected by the conflict. Thar the necessity and
proprieiy Of the original concession of beiliger-
eney by Great Britain at the time it was made
was contested and not ADMITTED is certainly nm
questionable; but the president regards that
concession as part Of the case only.
so far as il shows the beginning and an
linus Of that course Of conduct which resulted
SO dlsastrously to the United States it is impor.
fant, in that il ioreshadowed subsequent eyenfs
Other powers were contemporaneous with En-
gland in similar concessions, but il was in I'm
gland only that concession was supplemented
BY acts causing direct damage to the United
States. The president was careful 10 make tbi,
discrimination, b cause he was anxious as mucf
as possible, 10 simplify the case and bring int
view these subsequent acts which are SO impor
tant to determine the question between the TIVE
countries"
Mr.. Motley's version, as given in his record o
the conversation with Lord Clarendon, was thu
expressed;
The president recognized the right Of a soy
eftlSn power 20 issue a proclamation of neu
tIaAty ottween the insurgent portion Of a na
tion aha lawful government, wbeu such an IL
enffschon should have gained no necessary MAJ
nltuoe ol consistency and extent Of organize
powers and the probability Of justification b
success, nui that such measures must be take
With the full sense Of the grave RESPONSIBILITIES
Incurred The famous proclamation NJ ue5
traiity Of tue 1911 Of May, 1881, was not c0r
siderea Jus 40 tble by the government. but II,
president wished i to be used when our cas-
should once more be presented only as shown
nc alinus, and as being the fountain head ,
he disasters which have been caused 10 II