the two Governments to create a Joint Commission I was to be nominated one of the Commissioners on the part of the United States, I had the honor to be confidentially informed and consulted during the preparatory steps. I well remember that, from the beginning, you required official assurance that the British Government would make expression of regret for what had taken place in regard to the Alabama and other cruisers, declining to pass the preliminary notes with Sir Edward Thornton until this, among other things, was distinctly under stood.