“Mr. Field proposes that the United States shall name three eminent persons, crowned heads, as arbitrators, from whom Great Britain shall select one, and his decision of the case shall be binding on both parties. Or that Great Britain shall name the arbitrators, and that the United States shall make the selection of the fated individuals. Mr. Field had a long conference yesterday with Mr. Sumner upon the subject. The latter does not favor the proposition. With all his respect for royalty, he does not think the United States will get a fair show from any of the crowned heads of Europe. He is opposed to all sorts of arbitration in this matter, because he considers it beneath the dignity of our government to submit to anything of the kind.”
Fourteen months later a treaty had been made and was before the Senate of the United States.
On the evening of May 23, 1871, Mr. Field gave a dinner to Her Britannic Majesty’s High Commissioners. The Marquis of Ripon said in his speech:
“It is sufficient for me to say that I believe—aye, I think that I may say that I know—that it is an honest treaty, that it has been the result of an honest endeavor to meet the just claims of both countries. I do not doubt that if this treaty had been written exclusively in London or exclusively in Washington it would have contained different provisions from those now found in it. The treaties which are not compromises, which represent only one side, can be dictated only under the shadow of a victorious army. These are not the treaties, these are not the conventions, that are made between free and equal people.”
Before the evening closed the Marquis of Ripon said that he wished to propose the health of the host of the evening, and then added:
“He trusted that both branches of the late commission had done their share ... but far greater credit was due to the little wire which tied the two nations so close together.”
He had written to Mr. Field two weeks before from Washington:
“I am delighted to hear that you are inclined to look with favor upon our work. I believe the treaty to be equally fair and honorable to both countries; and if it is to be confirmed by the Senate it will, I trust, lay the foundation of a firm and lasting friendship between the two nations.”
On May 18th Professor Goldwin Smith wrote:
“No doubt you rejoice, as I do, in the treaty. I suppose it is safe.”