The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-04

Fish expressing fear aud regret Mt Motley's bear
ing his social intercourse throwing obstacles
In tue way OF iu ure settlement Mr Fish informed
Mr. Sumner OF the purport OF The information, but
he ht regard this friendly expostulaton the
communication OF enemy, and said u only
repetition OF the "McCracken" letters Cnder the
circumstances Mr.. Fish iet unwilling to push iu-
curry which might seem to imply willingness to
censure aud thought II better 10 submit for while 10
misrepresentation at London rather than increase the
differences between Mr.. sumner and the adminstra-
ton.
RECALL.
1t was after tho events which have described and
before the formal recall OF Motley that the treaty tor
the annexation of st. Domingo was brought to Wash
ington and camo to Mr.. Summers knowledge On the
3lst OF December, 1862 the President went TO sum
ner's house TO talk with him tae subject II Is
we'll known that the former was cordially iayorng
tho movement and that be regarded the acquisition Of
the island important feature oil his foreign policy.
The President and others who present lett Mr.
Summers house that night the Impression that
the Senator had expressed MS approval OF tho measure
and the Intention TO support IT, II mol long, how
ever, before he TO be against it, Hostility 10
the measure soon changed into hostility TO the pro-
moters OF IT, Bitter and exasperating remarks upon
the President and his friends put to possibility
OF intercourse between General Grant and Mr. SUM-
ner, and undoubtedly accelerated the breach between
the latter and Mr. Fish On the 30th OF June, 1870.
the treaty-.ho eventual defeat. Of which had been
evident Tor months--was formally rejected. On the
LIST day OF July, 1870, Motley asked to resign He
refused thereupon removed, aud the Senate
approved tho nomination Of his successor without
serious opposition
IL would DO useless 10 enter into a controversy
whether the President may may not have beea IN.
nuenced Ia the hual determination OF the moment for
Motl rpsp NV hp feeiin ued
by summers personal hostility and personal abuse of
himself. He had already determined upon the removal
as tar back October, 1869 Motley longer
joyed the official confidence OF the Secretary OF State.
He was worse than useless IN London should the de-
sired resumption OF negotiations take place. He had
been retained in Office after a great breach OF duty
only at the request OF the Secretary OF State-a
quest made partly in tho hope of eventually gaining
Summers support the English policy, partly tho
des OF not Offending hun, and IN my judgment, In
no small degree from the high personal regard which
the Secretary had for Motley The Secretary also had
been anxious TO restore personal friendly
lations between the President ana Mr. Sumner. Now,
however, the hostile attitude OF the Senator to tho
President showed that he had made up his mind 10
have terms with the administration. Whatever in.
jury and scandal could como from public quarrel
hal already come, AMI, as tho recent death OF Lord
Clarendon seemed to open tho way Tor the possible
newa OF Negotiations Mr.. Fish Withdrew his oppo-
sition TO the change IN the London Mission.
NEGOTIATIONS REoPENED WASHINGTON
THIS took place in July, 1870, but Motley did not
leave the mission unit. the 9th DAY OF the following
December. On the oh OF January, 1871, the Senate
call upon the President Tor the
respecting M0ley's recall On the 9th Of tho same
January the coll was answered by transmitting to tho
Senate mass OF correspondence Tho day before it
appeared in print gentleman enjoying tho entire
confidence OF Lord Granville arrived In Washington
scm-oflcal mission 10 inquire whether basis could
not DO found for reopenng negotiations TO ADJUST tho
troublesome questions pending between the two gov
crnments. / expose no secret VIXEN say that this
was not the first time that nc had been IN Washing
ton since General Grants advent to the Presidency.
But is not well known that shortly after the
lection of the Johnson Clarendon treaty Mr. Fish had
indicated 10 him possible solution OF the pending
differences in almost tho identical manner in which 1t
finally resulted, and tina. from thence on conlden
tial correspondence had been maintained by Mr. Fish
with him. In few days alter his arrival had pro-
ceeded tar enough with his business to satisfy Mr..
Fish that there was fair opportunity to conclude
satisfactory treaty If there reasonable hope that
it would receive the assent OF tho Senate.
MIR. FISH coNsULTs MR.. SUMNER.
More than once Mr.. Fish, secretary, showed
himself disposed to give forco to tho word ''advcen
as we'll as tho word consent III the clause which
makes the Senate coordinate with the Executive in
the negotiation Of treaties 1t was, therefore, in ac-
with his conduct we'll his convictions when
he determined to ascertain the opinion OF the Com
mitee Foreign Relations before agreeing to enter
upon formal negotiations with Great Britain on
the proposed basis. Tho correspon donce about Mr.
Notley's retirement had just appeared, and Mr. Fish
had been informed OF and personal remarks by
Mr. Sumner In consequence OF IT. Indeed the style
OF Mr.. Summers criticism on Mr.. Fish during that
summer and autumn was no secret, and one leading
republican Senator far as to urge Mr. Fish not
let 1t make breach until could BIO avoided
Mr. Fish, therefore, thought proper, before seeking
interview with the Senator, TO ascertain whether
ne would be treated ciyilly Mr.. Patterson, of New
| Hampshire also member OF the committee, was TO
that end informed OF the purport OF tho semi-oical
| proposals, and requested to communicate with
| MI sumner. After consulting with him AIR. Patter-
| son ans cred thus
UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER, |
WASHINGTON, Jan. IL, 1871
My DEAR SECRErARY-I nave had long talk with
Mr.. sumner this morning and find him In better mood
IMAM l anticipated and he Will receive you Kindly
should you call him. have given him enough OF
| what you communicated to me last evening to make
him hungry Tor more. Mr.. sumner said he could
feel or say anything unkiudy Of you, as your
friendship had standing Of twenty years He Goes,
however. condcscend to feel little pity that
well inclined by nature should have allowed himself
to bavo drfted into support OF what he deems The
| Presidents bloody lawsuit with san Domingo, or
rather Hayli lie has not yet read your reply 10 Ri
Motley and will not Tor several days, and, therefore,
holds mis- Judgment Ia reserve ON thai issue. On tho
| whole, Mr.. sumner viii DO glad to you enter
| into tie question which you have IN hand.
| With great respect, am, your obodent servant
J. w. PATTERSON.
| INTERVIEW BETWEEN FISH AND SUMNER.
| This letter was received on January H. On tho
| morning OF the 10Th Mr. Fish went 10 Mr.. Summers
house lie cordially received by tho Senator, and
presented to him detail the whole ground OF tho
pending negotiations and tho proposals there madc.
Mr. Sumner said that they would require much relec-
ton, and that he not ready 10 give answer.
delay no promised to reply at early day
lie repeated To Mr. Fish what no had said Mr. Pat
erson that ho had yet read the Motley corrcspon
donco he accompanied his guest TO the door and
shook HIS hand warmly at parting.
SUMMERS REMARKABLE uLrIMATuM