204 A SAGA OF THE SEAS 
English Parliament, and who has taken some interest in the affairs 
of your country. You will consider what I say, therefore, as in no 
degree expressing any opinion but my own. I have abstained from 
writing or speaking in public on the subject of the dispute. I 
could say something to the purpose probably if I thought men on 
your side were in a mood to listen and to think calmly. But after 
what has happened in connection with the convention I think 
we can only wait for some intimation from your side. 
There is a good opinion existing here with regard to your gov- 
ernment, and especially as regards your Secretary of State. I hope 
he may have the honor of assisting with a wise moderation to the 
settlement of the disputes on which so much has been said and 
written and so little done. .. . 
Believe me always sincerely your friend, 
John Bright. 
In answer to this, Field wrote: “I regret Mr. Sumner’s 
speech and his course about the Alabama claims more than I 
can express, and shall do all I can to counteract the effect of 
his actions, and you can help me, I think, very much, if you 
will take the trouble to write your views fully.” During the 
following winter, Field was in England on business of the 
telegraph companies. Upon his return he went to Washing- 
ton and talked with Senator Sumner. His effort now was to 
get an arbitrator or arbitrators appointed, whose decision 
about the claims should be binding. Sumner professed to be- 
lieve that it would be undignified for the United States to ac- 
cept arbitration. 
England later followed Field’s original suggestion to Bright 
and sent a special commission to America, with the Marquis 
of Ripon as spokesman. These High Commissioners of Her 
Britannic Majesty, as they were called, were entertained by 
Field; and the Marquis at a banquet toasted the health of his 
host and the “credit due to the little wire which tied the two 
nations so close together.” Another member of the commis- 
sion, Sir Stafford Northcote (later Lord Iddesleigh) also 
agreed that the cable was particularly important in the deli- 
