Year: 1869

WASHINGTON, April l3.


Senator Summer made his long eX-
peeted report upon the Alabama trea-
ty in executive session to-day, accom-
panied with a speech which occupied
two hours in delivery. The Senators
gave very earnest attention not only
to the speech but to the whole subject
in hand. There was a very general
feeling that the matter should be treat
ed as one of utmost gravity, as posi-
bly, involving war at some future day
unless managed with the greatest wis
dom.


Senator Summers greatest objection
to the treaty was that it did not rise to
the dignity of the question involved.
1t only proposed a settlement Of the
claims Of private individuals of each
nation; while a proper treaty upon
the subject should consider the in
suit and injury to our national sOver-
eighty. No mere payment for ships
destroyed could settle the natter
American commerce had been driven
from the sea. Dangers from English
pirates and consequent increased rates
of insurance had changed trade from
American bottoms to English or those
of neutral nations.


Our shipyards had been idle and
trade in all its branches had felt the
effect of England's action. The loss
to the shippinginteres alone was over
one hundred millions. A hope of re
cOgnitiOn had encouraged the rebels,
prolonged the contest and cost in
treasure and life was the debt of Eng
land.


The Senator then discussed the sub
ject of belligerent rights at length.
He held that the first great wrong of
England was in her haste to recognize
the rebels, both on land and sea; that
the only claim she could set up to
recognizing belIigereney on account of
our own course was the sharp point
that we had blockaded the rebel ports
instead of closing them by prOclama-
ton, and argued with great force
against thispOsitiOn, and drew the con-
clusiOn from all his arguments that
England had not a shadow of excuse
for her course and he expressed the
hope that the Senate would reject it
unanimously.


Scott, Casserly, Chandler, Thurman,
Fessenden, Howard, WarneTand Davis
made brief remarks, most of them be-
ing of the nature of compliment to
Summer, or assent to his views. All
were agreed as to the grave nature of
the question.


Chandler made a waTlike demon
stration. He did not believe there was
room enough on this continent for
for any nation which had insulted our
own. He had long believed struggle
over Canada would soon come and he
now believed it would come in his day.


Senator Warner made short speech
attracting a good deal of attention. He
said the Senator should act in the
matter not in haste, not in excite
ment, nor with flourish of tTumpets,
but cOolly, deliberately, sOlemly, and
that mastery statesman, the Senator
from Massachusetts, reaching the
consequences of England's action,
should know how impossible it was to
state the damages to the United States
and civilization in an account current
to be balanced by dollars.


He would not allow her to atone
for this great wrong by the payment
of little paltry gold. If she could
afford to go down to history as an
alder of a rebellion in the interest Of
human slavery, we could afford to lose
the few millions which she might
agree to give US in settlement. He
would have us maintain our great
vantage ground, as a guarantee of fu-
ture Justice and peace. He thought
that, despite England's aid to the re-
belliOn, we achieve the gratest tFi-
umph for liberty and Christian civil
ization to be found in the annals of
the races, and could afford to be con-
tent.


In truth, there could be no settle
ment of this question made. 1t never
was possible we might forgive Great
Britain for the wrong done us, and
she might apologize, but she could
never pay for it in gold. Instead Of
advising and cOnsenting to this trea-
ty, he would advise the President to
withdraw all propositions for settle
ment. In such action there would be
a suggestion of national dignity, and
strength and reserved rights, which
could not fail to exercise healthy in
fiuence on the mind af the British ma
ton, and of the world.


AS soon as Mr.. Sumner closed, Mr..
Chandler moved to open the door and
debate the treaty at length. In this
he was supported by Morton and 9TH
ers. The Senate, however, decided by
large majority not to do this, but
deemed Mr.. Summers speech Of so
much national moment and interest
as to remove the injunction Of secrecy
so as it was concerned, and allow him
to send it to the press. This he has
done by mail, through the associated
press, tonight.