Year: 1869

the Times,


NEW YORK, April 10.


Lord Stanley, in a recent speech at
Glasgow, said in reference to the Ala
bana treaty, Notwithstanding the fail
ure of the late negotiations l do not
think can bring myself to take a
gloomy view of these relations. For
nv part 1 have very great faith in the
good sense Of the American people.
do not think they can wish to increase
their difficulties by getting into any
fresh quarrels. Whatever happens we
have secured the main point. We
have satisfied our own cOnscences,
and We have put our country unmis-
takably in the right. will only add
that to my mind questions affect the
external relations OF the country; ques-
tions which, in their ultimate results,
NAV involve the issues of war or peace
are incOmpGrably greater than any
others with which politicians in our
daV have to deal with. We may quar-
rel among ourselves and make 1t up
again, probably with not much damage
on the one hand If not with much gain
on the other. But whatever may be our
feelings or position in reference to new
internal disputes, it ia the duty of all
of US, as regards the outside world, to
see our country shows united front,
Certainly if any diplomatic difficulty
should arise, should feel 1t my duty,
so far as l conscientiously could, to en-
deavor to strengthen the hands of who
ever might be tho foreign minister of
the day.


The London Times in an article on
the appointment of Mr.. Motley as Min
lister to England, says this country has
gone to the extreme OF concession IN
the matter of the Alabama claims. 1t
has agreed to refer everything except
its own honor to arbitration, and TO
the Judgment of a mixed commission;
it has agreed to give Americans who
profess TO have been wrOnRed every op-
portunity to assert their claims by pro-
viding that the commission shall hold
its sitIings at Washington, except the
absolute submission to every demand
the Americans may choose to make.
There is nothing further that could
be conceded. The convention in
all which this is stipulated, has
been the work of their own Minis
ter and Secretary of State, and has re-
ceiyed the assent OF their own Presi-
dent. If they now set 1t aside, our duty
will simply be to abstain altogether
from any further OVertures, and let
any proposal for renewal of negotia-
tiOns proceed from the American Gov
ernment. AS for that downright de-
mand for payment, which our Phila-
delphia correspondent describes as
being advocated in the United States,
this country would of course know
how to treat it. But we have not the
smallest belief that President Grants
Government contemplates course of
action SO unfriendly and offensive.


1t is likely, assuming the present
Alabama Convention, to be set aside,
MIR. Motley will he instructed to open
negotiations for any other, differing
somewhat in machinery, but embody-
ing similar principles. Should this be
the case our Government will be ready
to give the proposals a fair considera-
desire Of the Americans to keep the
question still unsettled; the British
Nation having fully anticipated its
good disposition, will not feel bound,
however, TO initiate fresh negotiations,
in any cases we shall welcome Mr..
Motley not only as an old friend, but
AS one who has the confidence OF real
ly powerful executive, and of the most
powerful political party in the United
States.