Year: 1871

you, and subsequently returned to me,


with no expression of dissent as to any


of its views, but with the intimation on


your part in the wisdom, in which l
acquiesced, that it was thought best by


the President, in consequence of the


excitement existing in both countries


by reason of the rejection Of the con-


vention Of January |, 1869, to suspend


for time the discussion Of the differ
ences between the two countries.


From that day to this there has
been no question. In regard to this
memoir it has laid undisturbed among
my papers, and it has never been seen
or heard Of by any member Of the
British government, or by any person
whatever in this country. No one but
yourself and two other American friends
ever saw it, and not one line Of it has
ever been used by me either officially or
privately.


monthly their proceeds show that he
always acted in harmony with the ad-
ministration, and followed his instruc-
tons He was received from time to
time with fidelity and accuracy, and he
knows no reason why he was so re-
moved. Motley closes as follows:
here place on record as fact that |
have thus recorded in my last official
act a solemn protest against the out
RACES, and / believe it entirely without
precedent of my preemptory removal.
| shall only add that while maintain
ing during my brief mission, the honor
and rights ofthe country which l had the
privilege to represent, and have always
reported faithfully and earnestly, and
as | believe the sincere desire of the
British Government and the people to
receive cordial and kindly relations
between the two countries make fresh
efforts for the settlement of the past
grievances, and provide against their
future occurrence, there can be no
nobler ambition than to strive for such
a result, and a statesman WHO may
accomplish it will deserve well Of two
great nations.


Here follows Mr.. Motleys letter to
Lord Granville, informing him
of his recall, and that he had
been instructed to commit the archives
of the legation into the hands Of Mr..
Moran.


Then follows a letter from Mr.. Fish
to Mr.. Moran, in which Fish says: A
paper was received at the same time
with your latest dispatches, purporting
to be from the legation of the United
States in London, in the form Of an Of
fetal dispatch, numbered 81, and sign
ed Motley. He retains in this pa
per the form and style Of official
correspondence, although he had
ceased to hold any official
relations with this Government, he
processes to write from the Legation, no
longer in his charge, his paper entitled
"The End of the Mission" and which
extends over sixty.two pages Of manu-
script, OF which two are given to the
acknowledgment Of the receipt OF his
letters Of recall and the alleged causes
Of delay in their presentation, and less
than one page to the records Of taking
leave, and committing to your charge
the archives and other property Of the
Legation. Here, it might be sup
posed, having reached and recorded
the end of his mission, he would have
been found in the end of the paper, but
Mr. Motley proceeds through fifty odd
pages after recording the end of his
mission, he placed on record the state
ment of manner in which he has been
terminated. lie asks no permission,
but assumes as a right, to place his
statement on record, questioning to the
last end and denying the right Of his as
sumption, / nevertheless allow place
in the diplomatic records Of the country
to Mr.. Motley's history Of the end Of
his mission.


Mr.. Fish says lie cannot accept Mr..
Motley's statement that no shadow of
difference of opinion existed between
the President and his government and
himself as to our relations with Great
Britain, and goes on to showswherein
he did represent the Presidents views.
The memoir abounds with forcible ex-
pressions and strong epithets and terms
Of denunciation not appropriate to calm
discussion OF grave international dif-
ference Beyond this objection, the gen.
eral tone and style Of expression of the
paper appeared to the President objec-
tionable. In other respects Mr.. Mot
ley's memoir, if adopted, would have as
sumed the express views of the Presi-
dent upon the main questions at issue,
whereas the President thought it wise
and in the interest of peace and the fu-
ture amicable settlement Of those grave
questions 10 postpone any present ac-
tons or views upon the main issue be-
yond those subsequently expressed in
the instructions Of May ID, 1869, until
the passions which had been aroused
in England by the rejection Of the
treaty and by the leading speech made
upon it had subsided. 81, There was
nothing exceptionable in the manner in
which the views OF Motley were brought
to the notice Of the Government; he pre-
sented them in an acceptable form and
manner, free from obtrusiveness or for
wardness. His instructions were found
in different views Of the right and
duties involved in the question upon
which the two governments were to
Issue. 1t was not doubted when left to
us that We would cordially accept and
carry out the views Of the government
according to these Instructions


Mr. Fish nnotas Mntlnr's ;ns.rnn