The explanation of his preposterous demand appeared subsequently in a memorandum which he prepared.

To avoid all possible future clashes with Great Britain, he would have her withdraw from the American continents and the Western Hemisphere.

Great Britain might discharge her financial obligations by transferring to the United States the whole of British America! And Sumner seems actually to have believed that he was promoting the cause of international good will by this tactless proposal.
For a time it was believed that Sumner spoke for the Administration, and public opinion in the United States was disposed to look upon his speech as a fair statement of American grievances and a just demand for compensation.

The British Government, too, in view of the action of the Senate and the indiscreet utterances of the new American Minister in London, John Lothrop Motley, believed that President Grant favored an aggressive policy.

Further negotiations were dropped.