"WASHINGTON, 1512 H Street, _29th March_. "_My dear Mr. Field,_--I cannot tell you how grieved I have been at the difficulty which has arisen respecting the Washington Treaty. "I do not think that anything would have induced me to accept the appointment which brought me here but the pride I felt in taking a part, however humble, in the execution of a treaty which I thought the glory of the age and which seemed to me so full of promise to all civilized nations. "I cannot think with patience of all our hopes being dashed to the ground by what Bright truly describes as a 'passionate speech,' followed by a claim utterly extravagant, from which the party making it never expected to get a farthing. "I confess that I should not have been afraid to go to arbitration upon it, but I see the difficulty which any government would have in justifying themselves to their people in leaving it to any five persons to say whether a fine of two hundred millions should be inflicted on them. "You have done your part excellently, but why do not others raise their voices against this tremendous folly which is not unlikely, sooner or later, to lead us into war? "I fully believe that both governments are very anxious to accommodate matters, but I confess that I do not see how that accommodation is to be brought about without a concession, which it is very difficult for a government to make on the eve of a Presidential election. "Believe me "Very sincerely yours, "RUSSELL GURNEY." "GRAMERCY PARK, "NEW YORK, _2d April, 1872_. "_My dear Mr. Bright,_--I arrived on 25th March, after a very rough passage of sixteen days.... "Since my return I have devoted much of my time to ascertain the real sentiment of the people of this country in regard to the Washington Treaty, and as far as I can judge, after seeing many persons of different political parties, it appears to be almost unanimous that our government has made a great mistake in including these indirect claims in the 'case.' I am convinced that the best people in England and America desire to have this question settled in a fair and honorable manner. In fact, many say to me that they have got tired of hearing about the indirect claims.... "With great respect and kind regards to your family, "I remain, my dear Mr. Bright, "Very truly your friend, "CYRUS W. FIELD." It was while he was in London, in December, 1872, that Mr. Junius Morgan said to him that he had just received a letter from Mr. John Taylor Johnston about the Cesnola collection, then in London, and he asked him, if he had the time to do so, to examine it and give him his opinion. Mr. Field went at once to see it, and he was much impressed with its value. Of this time General Cesnola writes: