The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-05
GRANT IN PEACE.
NO. XVII.
Grant and Motley.


Motley was brought about through me. Mr..
Motley made my acquaintance st Newport IN
1858. He was visiting friend whom did not
know, but who was good enough to cal! on me
and invite me to dinner; and was charmed, as
every one was with the manner ana converse
siou Of the famous historian. General Grant
was at that time candidate for the presidency,
and Motley had recently returned from vienna,
after his quarrel with Johnson and Seward. He
was an enthusiastic admirer of Grant, and took
a lively interest in my history Of the Generals
campaigns. the first volume of which had lately
appeared During the canvass he made an elo-
ouent speech for Grant, and sent copy to me at
Galena, where was spending the autumn with
the General. We correspondent regularly after
this, and Motley sent frequent messages through
me to the President-elect, whom be did not meet
uctil December. After the election he passed
some months in Washington, the guest Of Sam
uel Hooper, Of Boston, at whose house / me:
him frequently, as well as at that Of Charles
During this period he read and revised several
manuscript chapters of my history of Grant
At the time Of the inauguration it was under
stood that he was O candidate for the Austrian
mission. but, afterward he was pressed by
Sumner for the mission to England. John Jay,
of New York. was prominent rival, but Sum-
ners influence prevailed. and Motley received
the appointment to London. / had done my
best to speak we'll OF him to the President, and
General Grant informed me of his decision i'm
mediately after it was made, and allowed me to
~ ~.
Heation to me, and, Of course, Motley was de-
lighted. He at once, however. begged me to
remember that, despite our intimacy and my
known relations with General Grant, he had
never mentioned the subject of his appointment
to me- nor had one of his family. I took care
to say this to the President, who was peculiarly
sensitive on such points. He had never urged
his own qualifications or claims for any promo
tien, aud he liked better the men who followed
the same course with himself
A few days afterward Igot a note from Motley
asking me to call on him. During the interview
he asked If ! would be willing to take the posi-
ton OF assistant secretary of the legation
under him. He said he thought me entitled to
. much higher place, and would not have
dreamed Of Offering me this If it had not been
suggested to him, but that 1t would be great
pleasure to have me accompany him. thanked
him, but said that the proposition was entirely
unexpected, and could make no answer without
consulting the President was at that time, as
mansion in charge OF portion of General
Grants unofficial correspondence, and also en-
gaged on my history Of his campaigns
] went direct to the President,
who said the suggestion had come from
himself He had already told me that he meant
before long to appoint me to one of the smaller
European missions, but he preferred not to do
this at once: and he thought, as l was SO warm
. friend Of Motley, II might be pleasant for me
TO go with him and learn something of diplomat
lie duty in advance as well as obtain an agree
xbie introduction to English society. At any
rate, could pass the 81 MINER in Europe, and re-
turn whenever chose and resume my place at
the White House. I was also told that, though
was now offered the position Of assistant Sec
rotary, should be promoted to that of first
secretary as soon as had familarized myself
with the duties OF this last arrangement Mr..
Motley was not informed. I accepted the ap-
pointment.
, Before the new minister sailed he submitted
which was doubtless in part drawn up by Mr.
Sumner and was proposed as the draft or basis
1T Motley's instructions as envoy to England.
This document was written in a spirit and tone
that would have been highly offensive to Eng
land, and was entirely unacceptable to Mr. Fish
and to General Grant, both of whom had con-
ceived the idea Of pacific policy, looking to an
adjustment Of our differences with England that
might be agreeable to both nations. Mr.. Glad
stone had just come into power at the head OF a
Liberal government including such friends of
the Union as Bright, Forster and the Duke of
Argyll and tbs American administration thought
it might make terms with these without assum-
inc an offensive attitude. The memoir which
Mr. Motley presented was therefore rejected.
At this Mr. Sumner was very indignant. AS
chairman of the Senate committee on foreign
affairs, he supposed himself entitled to dictate,
or at least control the foreign policy of the gov
eminent and would, indeed. be able to thwart
OK advance 1t in an unusual degree. He had
been life long intimate and personal friend of
the Secretary Of State, and Mr. Fish was in
Glined to strain point to meet his views, or at
least to preserve kindly relations with him. But
Sumner was intolsrant in themper, arbitrary in
will, egotistical and conceited In sentiment and
Aomineering In manner. Mr. Fish, on the other
hand, was stubborn, and possessed will as de-
tsrminsd IS Summers He knew his rights,
and, though always ready to accord
those Of his compeers or subordinates,
was equslly resoiute in maintaining his
own. Nevertheless, for the sake of old
friendship and because ofthe important political
and international interests at issue, he was far
from ntolerant at this crisis. General Grant
was less infexible He had been used to finding
subordinates obedsent and others deferential;
and although Motley was not as yet at fault, Sum
ners course made Grant both surprised and
angry In one conversation before Motley sailed
Sumner declared that If his wishes could not be