Before and After the Treaty of Washington; The American Civil War and the War in the Transvaal (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 Excerpt: ...was understood to have no very clearly defined ideas on the subject; it was assumed that Mr. Fish was equally susceptible to direction. Mr. Motley, therefore, looked to Mr. Sumner for inspiration. In his memorandum he suggested that it was not advisable at present to attempt any renewal of negotiations. And then he fell back on the proclamation of May, 1861; proceeding to dilate on that wrong committed by Great Britain, --a wrong so deeply felt by the American people This sense of wrong had now been declared gravely, solemnly, without passion; and the sense of it was not to be expunged by a mere money payment to reimburse a few captures and conflagrations at sea. And here, for the present, he proposed to let the matter rest. A time might come when Great Britain would see her fault, and be disposed to confess it. Reparation of some sort would then naturally follow; but, meanwhile, it was not for the United States to press the matter further. Distinct indications of a divergence of opinion as to the course to be pursued were at once apparent. The President, acting as yet under the influence of Mr. Sumner, wished Mr. Motley to proceed forthwith to his post; Mr. Fish inclined to delay his going. Meanwhile the Secretary was at work on the new minister's letter of instructions; and in them he clearly did not draw his inspiration from the Motley memoir. On the contrary, referring to the fate of the Johnson-Clarendon convention in the Senate, he proceeded to say that, because of this action, the government of the United States did not abandon "the hope of an early, satisfactory and friendly settlement of the questions depending between the two governments." The suspension of negotiations, he added, would, the President hoped, be regarded by Her Majesty's ...