Year: 1869

The Version Of a Western COrrespOndent-very


Definite Orders Given Him-The sumner


Basis Ignored.


Yesterday we printed an article which gave the
views OF the President on the Alabama claims in
comparison with those Of Senator Sumner. That the
President does not entirely agree with the latter s
substantiated in this correspondence 20 the Cncin-
natl Commercial relative to Motleys instructions.
Says the writer-


claim no particular enterprise in the matter, for
some information has come into my hands in very
accidental manner, which | can use without COM
promising anybody and for the truth OF which VIII
answer. In the first place. Mr. Motley had full and
complete instructions when he sailed from New
York on the 18th ultt These instructions were not
of general character but were minute and una
bridged. They referred not only TO naturali-
ZatiOn and emigration, and all the matters in in
terest at present between the two countries, but
they wei particular ana specific on the subject of
the Alabama depredations. Instead Of these in
structons being prepared under the direction OF the
President the very reverse Is true. Secretary Fish
was asked by the President to prepare memoranda
of his (Fishs ideas respecting the Alabama subject,
or 10 submit rough draft of instructions TO him,
which he would lay before the Cabinet. This Mr.
Fish did He prepared at great leugth, in his own
hand, the instructions TO Mr. Motley which occupied
his time for more than a fortnight


When he had finished his work he notified Gene
raj Grant, who at once drove TO the state Depart
ment in company with his Attorney-General, and
MIR. Fish read the instructions aloud TO the two
gentlemen. They not only approved OF all the posi-
tons assumed, heartily and emphatcally, but they
concurred entirely in every expression aud the Ian
guage employed. Not a line nor word was
changed. In that form the instructions, on the fol-
lowing Friday were submitted to the entire Cabinet
at its regular session, and were subjected to the most
careful scrutiny. Mr.. Fish was called upon to eX-
plain certain matters, but so ably did he defend his
course and so unobjectionabe were the instructions
that not a principle nor a word was amended, and
before Mr.. Motley sailed these instructions were
placed in his hands just as Mr. Fish had prepared
them.


AS to their contents can only say that they are
not based upon the speeches the opinions of Sena-
tor Sumner. The English Government will be made
to understand that this Government is not RESPONSE
BILE for the speeches of Senator Sumner or ANYBODY
else but this is not saying that the administration
would disregard the voice OF the people as made
known by number of their direct representatiyes:
but the State Department is well informed OF all the
phases OF the Alabama matter from the beginning
just what points to press and what to avoid, what
what untouched, and all the intricacles OF this
most intricate subject while Congress and the
tions, to be effective, must De secret, and time
has developed that nothing is secret in Congress
So the administration is better prepared to judge of
the matter than the public at large. The instruc-
tions to Mr. Motley are not at all OF a belligerent
character. Our new Minister will explain to the
English Government the relations OF the Senate and
the Executive in the matter OF making and ratfying
treaties, and will endeavor to show that the Senate
and Executive are in full accord, and he himself is
given to understand that no such treaty as that
negotiated by Reverdy johnson and Earl Clarendon
will be acceptable to either branch of the treaty
making power. The instructions will do much
towards aaying the excitement and passion in both
countres-engendered, on the one hand, by the
OF MT. SUMNER on Jne Other by the Vl0-
lent and unfair tone of the English press.


While Mr.. Motley's course will have n soothing
effect on the public mind there will be nothing in the
attitude OF Government to lessen the selfrespect
of even such partsans as Senator Chandler or Mr..
Sumner. The Government will maintain its own
dignity and enforce respect from Others A firm,
respectful dignifed attitude will be taken and adj
hered to, but effort will be made to bully ntimi-
date the English Government into terms If any re-
suit reached it will be favorable to the UnitedStes
or that the public may rest assured When the
subject viii be brought to the attention Of the
English Government is uncertain. 1t will not
be precpitated, but if a favorable opportunity
presents ITSELF it will be taken advantage OF and
gotiatiOns will at no time be resisted by him. or
course the time necessary for such work is con-
siderable. We receive our news by cable, but the
Government cannot accent information which
reaches here in an unofficial form. 1t must wait for
mails, sometimes long delayed, and frequently so in
complete is the information which is received
officially that inquiries are necessary to be returned
time after time. The Government thus gets the
name of procrastnating the public business, when,
in truth, it is being expedited as rapidly as the mails
and the dignity Of English diplomacy render pos
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