"Gentlemen, on Friday evening I had great pleasure in hearing the debate in the House of Commons on the _Alabama_ claims. Before that, I confess to you, I felt exceedingly anxious about the relations between England and the United States; and on Thursday last, in sending a private telegram to Washington, I used these words: 'When you see the President, Mr. Seward, and Mr. Sumner, please say to them that I am perfectly convinced that the English government and people are very desirous of settling all questions in dispute between the United States and this country, and that with a little conciliation on both sides this desirable object can be accomplished.' Gentlemen, we are honored here to-night with the presence of several distinguished persons connected with the press in England and America, and I am going to give you as a toast 'The Press' of those countries; and I shall ask them, who so well know public opinion, to tell us frankly whether I was justified in sending such a message to Washington." Mr. Walker, of the _Daily News_, ended his speech with these words: "As to this matter of the _Alabama_ claims at present dividing the two countries, I think we are approximating to an understanding. One after another misapprehensions have been removed, and I cannot but think that, with the prevailing good disposition on both sides of the Atlantic, the matter will be more easily settled than we in England have been inclined to imagine." Colonel Anderson, of the New York _Herald_, closed his speech in this way: "About the message which Mr. Field sent to America the other day, I may say that some months ago I sent a similar one, for I had found that among a large class of people in England there was a disposition to settle all disputes with the United States. I am pleased to see in the press of both countries evidence of a kindly disposition, and I hope that nothing will ever occur to disturb the friendly relations now existing. I believe that I had the honor of sending the first message for the press through the Atlantic cable after it was opened for business. That was a message of peace announcing the end of the war in Germany. I may have to use the telegraph in England for many years, but I sincerely trust that no angry word will ever pass through the Atlantic cable." Mr. Smalley, of the New York _Tribune_, said: