The New York herald., 1878-01-12
Ez-Cengossnan Alley Of Massachusetts,, in
Defence Of The Deceased Senator.
BANCROFT DAVIS DENOUNCED
The Alabama Claims Speech and the Famous
Presidential Interview.
BosrON, Jan. 10, 1873.


dell Philips response Bancroft Davis lot.er lately
published in the HERALD comes another distinguished
to the front tho person OF exCongrcss-
man John B. Alley, OF this State. Mr. Alley was among
those prominent at Washington during the events
undor discussion, being not only member OF Con-
gress during tho last four years OF Lncons and first
four years oil Grants administration but also inti
mate personal friend OF both President Grant Sena.
tor Sumner For these and other reasons, which are
obvious tho and views OF Mr. Alley de-
serving OF considerable attention In connection with
this interesting controversy.
SUMNER UNJusrLy CRITICISED.
Mr.. Alley says that he has road Mr. Davis letter in
the AHmALD very carefully, and he deems very un-
Just 10 the memory OF Mr.. Sumner, aud he thinks II
Is due to the truth history that the matter should
be placed IN a different light from that in which It
has boon placed by Mr. Davis In referring to hrs
intimate relations with Mr.. sumner Mr. Alley OBJ
serves that believed him night In the ST. Domingo
matter but he did not approve OF his treatment Of
General Grant, and he told him so. He believed they
did not understand each other, and hence their
cordial dislike OF each other.
SUMMER AND TIE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
"Mr Sumner" says Mr.. Alley, ''talkcd graat deal
with me upon the matter Of tho Alabama claims and
of the treaty negotatod'by Reverdy Johnson called
the johnson Clarendon Treaty, a treaty which,
and was heartily dsapprcved by uargc majority oil the
leading statesmen Of this country few days provi-
Gus Tho delivery of Mr. Summers great speech upon
the Alabama claims matter happened 10 be In Wash.
ington, and he read 10 large portion OF that
speech. which delivered in session OF tho
Senate on the 18th April, 1862 On that day /
lett for Europe, and upon my arrival in
London l was called upon by Mr. Reverdy
Johnson, our Minister, and he told mo that he had
lew days before received telegram from Mr.. Bonnet
OF the NEW YORK HERALD, desiring to Know what tho
feeling in regard TO Summers great speech. He
said Il know nothing about 1t and can hear nothing
of il in this country do you know what IL means
told him that day before lett was In Washington
and Mr.. Sumner read to me large portion of speech
which he proposed to deliver in the Senate, and
presumed that that speech had been delivered. He
said 1t was very strange that nothing was known
about It in England and he asked INC what the points
of tho speech wore. l iod him that the
speech, of course, IN entire opposition to his
trsa,y. He greatly disturbed and was anxious to
hear further about Tho speech On the next day The
steamer arrived bringing the newspapers which con.
tanned tho speech In full, and the next morning
synopsis OF the speech was given simultaneously In
oil Of the leading newspapers Ia the Kingdom accom-
panied by explanatory editorials That synopsis, l
thought did great injustice to the Senator's speech
The synopsis and the editorials al very similar
and were evidently prepared by the same party show
Ing conclusvcy, IN the estimation Of those who no.
tced IT, as was stated at tho tinc, that tho govern
ment had been IN possession, probably by telegraph,
delivery, but suppresscd Its publication as long
possible, and then, for effect, had
synopsis prepared, with explanatory editorials,
which, by design, should appear sim taneously In
most oil the papers OF the Kingdom The publication
ol this synopsis and these editorial com mcnls created
the greatest excitement ana CONSERVATION oven on
the part Of the British public, the extreme ground
whicn appeared TO have been taken ia Mr.. Summers
speech from these published reports seemed indi-
that II the purpose Of the American govern
TO make claims which the British government
could not accede TO- The feeling was intense and
several London merchants called upon me to know
What thought effect would be; they anticipating
speedy war between the two countries sup
the general sentiment and feeling OF the peo-
PIE this country. / told them | had no doa
oi any such result that the feeling very strong
against ngland, ana II had been intensified, thought
by tho CONCESSIONS which Minister had the
British government; and while believed that our
government ana people substantially agreed with Mr.
sumncr as to tho practical effect of British hostility TO
interests yet nci her he nor they believed that
could obtain all that was justly due us; and while
Mr. Sumner thought, AS did many others oi our lead.
ing statesmen here hat In equity and Justice were
eptited to consequential damages, yot had nevcr In
tmatcd TO mo, IN convcrsaon, that VIC ouid prob
ably OBTAIN anything upon any such ground but was
the duty oil statesman, he thought TO set forth in
full all our just claims ana the luil extent OF In
jurics; but no was TOO wse q statesman to suppose for
n moment that We should bc allowed CONSEQUENTIAL
damages 10 any such extent as justice and equity do
manded l told these norch hants also That me
synopsis OF the speech which had been published was
not, 10 my apprehension, a,r statement OF the Sena
tors views ms understood them wocn listened 10
tho whole text OF tho speech. found, during tho
summer Of tnat year, wherever I met Engis hmcn
whether In England or upon Tho Continent, that tue
eciDg was Intense upon that question: ana u strong
fear was expressed that serious consequences would
grow out OF such extraordinary claims l had
doubt then and l have no doubt now--and 1
have heard the same opinion expressed by
many oil our leading statesmen who
vcrsant with tho whole history OF tno affair
that that speech OF summers alone made IL pos-
sibic to negotiate 30 favorable treaty us was
subsequently obtained; and know IRON converse.
tions with Mr. sumner that, In his opinion, OBJ
tanned all that he expected; while not all that
was due, II was all under the circumstances that
he hau mach hope of obtaining. Upon my arrival
home founa the spccch universally commended by
men of all purics. was informed by the late Uonry
llson and BY other Senators that the delivery Of
that spoecn IN the Senate created most pro- ound
sensation, and, when the Senator had concluded,
Mr.. Fesscndcn rose--wth wnom Mr.. Sumner
had Dccn at Variance for long time ana
they were not upon speaking ierms-and said
that he could. not allow the Senate 10
adjourn without expressing to tho distinguished SEN
ator IRON MASSACHUSETTS, his profound gratitude for the
speech watch hdd just bocn dcvered no regarded 1t
as thoroughly exhaustive Of the whole question, pre-
sonting 10 tho American people and ITO world The
fullest, cearest and most mastery exposition Ui tho
facts aud arguments upon our side vi tho that
could nave been given by any statesman fuct' ho
SAID, Il think that no man IN this country but tho
distinguished senator from Massachusetts could
nave made sucn a speech, and | pronounce
that delivered within The walls
oil this Capitol. speech which must enighten the
whole world relation to this controversy and pac
ing our government as between England US, upon
the most Improbable basis. Mr.. Fcssendcn suisse
quently expressed substantially Inc opinion
nc, and was told by senators thHt no warmly
congra tuiated by very large number OF Senator'S
upon both sides oil The chamber IN similar warm
terms 10 those employed by Mr. Fesscnden. OLiy
senator, learned, expressed the slightest dissent
from the speceh. Mr. sumner and Mr.. Fesscnden "A
from that moment became warm friends, and that
friendship continued until Senator Fcssendcns de-
cease"
DOMINGO QUARREL
Of the St. Domingo affair Mt. Alley says:--"I nm
acquaBtea whh all the acts connected Win tho
famous visit oi General Grant 10 Mr.. sumner, when
advocated tho i. Domingo treaty, having heard
from Mr.. sumner himself, and All tho othor &c Tie.
men who were present. a full statement OF all those
1acs and their statements were ali substan tally ia
accord. A short lime alter that iamous con nvcnton
Mr.. sumner told me that he ,0ud not c0nsccn
support that treaty, that II was swindo, aud must
Inevitably invoivc u IN war; nnd no good could come
or it. The delivery OF MT. summers wercm cm rcd
speech ia opposition TO the 81. Domingo treaty III tho
Senate Immediately occas oncd great Dissatisfaction