nguished citizen of New York),
came to this country on a secret mission early in January, 1871.
President Grant's message had made a profound impression in London, the
Franco-Prussian war had not yet ended, and Her Majesty's Ministers had
reason to fear trouble with the Russian Government. Sir John's duty
was to ascertain in an informal way the feeling of the American
Government in regard to pending controversies between the two
countries. He showed himself as clever in diplomacy as he was in
finance, and important results followed in an incredibly short space
of time. An understanding was reached, which on the surface expressed
itself in a seemingly casual letter from Sir Edward Thornton to
Secretary Fish of the 26th of January, 1871, communicating certain
instructions from Lord Granville in regard to a better adjustment of
the fishery question and all other matters affecting the relations of
the United States to the British North-American possessions. To settle
this question Sir Edward was authorized by his Government to propose
the creation of a Joint High Commission, the members to be named by
each Government, which should meet in Washington and discuss the
question of the fisheries and the relations of the United States to her
Majesty's possessions in North America.

Mr. Fish replied in a tone which indicated that Sir Edward was really
serious in his proposition to organize so imposing a tribunal to
discuss the fishery question. He informed Sir Edward that "in the
opinion of the President the removal of differences which arose during
the rebellion in the United States, and which have existed since then,
growing out of the acts committed by several vessels, which have given
rise to the claims generally known as the _Alabama_ Claims, will also
be essential to the restoration of cordial and amicable relations
between the two Governments." Sir Edward waited just long enough to
hear from Lord Granville by cable, and on the day after the receipt of
Mr. Fish's note assented in writing to his suggestions, adding a
request that "all other claims of the citizens of either country,
arising out of the acts committed during the recent civil war in the
United States, might be taken into consideration by the Commission."
To this Mr. Fish readily assented in turn.

The question which for six years had been treated with easy
indifference if not with contempt by the British Foreign Office had in
a day become exigent and urge