New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-05
GRANT AND MOTLEY.
THE STORY OF A FAMOUS MISSION
BY GENERAL ADAM BADEAU.

lIlng Iltnu " nom ala not know. out WIZ was
good enough to call on and invite me to dinper;
and was charmed as every one was with the man
ner and conversation of the famous historian Cen
ersl Grant that time candidate for the Pres
| idency, and Motley had recently returned from
Vienna, after bis quarrel with johnson and Seward
He was an enthusiastic admrer of Grant and took
a lively interest in my history of the GereraPs
campaigns, the first volume of which had lately
appeared Durir the canvas he made an eloquent
speech for Grant, and sept a COPY to me at Gaens'
where was spending the autumn with the Cen
eral. We correspondent regularly after this and
Motley sent frequent messages through me to the
President elect, whom he did not meet until De-
cember. After the election he passed some months
in Washin gton. the guest of Samuel Hooper OF Bos-
ton. at whose house met him frequently. as well as
at that of Charles Sumner. with whom he was e1-
tremely intimate. During this period he read and
revised several manuscript chapters of my History
of Grant
At the time of the Inauguration IL was under
stood that be was candidate for the Austrian Mis-
sion. bnt afterward he pressed by Sumner for
the Mission TO England John Jay. OF New-fork,
was prominent rival. but Summers influence pre-
vailed 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 Immediately after it was made, and
allowed me to announce il to Motley. This was
great qualification to me, and of course Motley was
delighted. He at once. however. begged me to
remember that despite our intimacy and NV
known relations with General Grant he had never
mentioned the subject of his appointment to me;
nor had one Of his family 1 took care to say this
to the President, who was peculiarly sensitive on
such points He had never urged his own quaiih-
cations or claims for any promotion. and he liked
better the men who followed the same course with
himself
few days afterward got note from Motley
asking me to call on him. During the interview he
asked If would be willing to take the position OF
Assistant Secretary of Legation under him. He said
he thought me entitled to a much higher place aud
would not have dreamed of offering me this If 1t
had not been suggested to him, but that II would
| be great pleasure to have me accompany him.
| thanked him, but said the proposition Was entirely
unexpected aud could maze answer without
consulting the President | was at that time, as
have before stated on duty at the Executive
Mansion, in charge of portion of General Grants
unofficial correspondence and also engaged on my
History of his Campaigns. l weat direct to the
! President who said the suggestion had come from
himse.. lie had already told me that he meant
before long to appoint TO one or the smaller En-
ropean missions but he preferred not to do this at
+ once; and he had thought as was so warm
| friend of Motley il might be pleasant for me to 60
with him and learn something of diplomatic duty
| in advance, well as obtain an agreeable intro
| ducton to English society. At any rate | could
pass the summer in Europe and return whenev
| | chose and resume my place at the White House.
| / also told that though was now offered the
position Of Assistant Secretary | should be pro-
NOTED to that Of First Secretary as soon as | had
famauzed myself with the duties. Of this LAST
arrangement Mr Motley was not informed l &C
! cepted the appointments
,,tar. the new Minister sailed he submitted an
elaborate paper to the State Department which was
doubtless III part ira WI up by Mr.. Sumner. and
was proposed as the draft or basis of Motley's in
structions as envoy to England This document
was written in a spirit aud tone that would have
been hghlv offensive to Eugl l. and entirely
unacceptable to Mr.. Fish and to General Grant,
| both of whom had conceived the idea of a pacific
policy looking to an adjustment of our differences
! with England that might be agreeable TO both
nations Mr. Gladstone had just come ltO power
at the head Of liberal government, including such
/ friends OF the Union Bright. Forster and the
Duke of Argyll; aud the American Administration
thought It mi ght make terms with these without as
sumlng an offensive attitu lie. Tue memoir"
which Mr.MOtley presented was therefore rejected
At this Mr.. sumner was very indignant AS Chair
man OF the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs
he supposed himself entitled to dictate or at least
control the foreign policy of the Government, and
he would indeed be able to til wart or advance II IN
an unusual degree He hal been a life long init
aud personal friend of the Secretary OF state
and Mr. Fish inclined to strain a point TO meet
his views or at least to preserve kindly relations
with him. But Sumner Intoerant in temper,
arbitrary in Ill., ego tsticll and concerted in sent-
ment and domineerIng in manner. Ar. Fish, on
the other hand, was stubborn aud possessed a Will
as determined as summers he knew his rights. and
| though always ready to accord those OF his COM
peers or subOrdinates, eqnay resolute III mann
tanning his Nevertheless, for the sake OF old
friendship and because of the import ant political
and International interests at issue. be was far
from lntOlerant at this crisis General Grant
was less flexible He had been used to find
ing subordinates obedient and others deferential
and though Motley was not as yet at fault, Sum-
ner's course made Graut both surprised and
angry. In one conversation before Motley sailed
Sumner declared that il his wishes could not Oe
carried out he would tell Motley to resign. This
assam pon of right to dictate to the subordlnates
OF the state Department almost PROVOKED rupture
on the spot and was received in q manner that did
not encourage sumner 20 renew carry out the
threat. The deferred instructions TO Mr.. Motley
were sent to the Minister in New-YOrk just before
he sailed He hrst read them Oh the voyage.
was TO take the same steamer with Motley,
and few days before started asked the Presi-
dent II he had any particular personal njunctons
for Inc. | said should be known to come direct
from bis side, aud doubtless would be supposed to
reflect his views, and inquired If there was any
tone IN conversation whcn he would like me TO
assume tie replied at once Yes, particularly
wish you to say that ain xious for an harmonious
adjustment OF our differences with tngland do
" amt A thato and Wi
do my best to prevent one. The two nations ought
to be friends, and one object of my administration
is to secure such a friendship. particularly dc
not intend to dispute the right that England had
to acknowledge the beIligerency of the South Say
this IN conversation constantly. Make opportuni-
ties TO say that you know this is my position and
that authorize you To declare It." During the Voy-