President Grant was not unaware of the proportions of the task that an adoring following had placed upon his shoulders as the new head of the nation still in the throes of internal political chaos. He fully realized the difficulties of working a miracle in the restoration of harmonious organization. The absence of political bias and of animosity toward those who differed with him was a great asset. In this he stood alone, a figure unique in its isolated superiority to other party leaders. Advice he did not seek. There was no one qualified to give him what he could supply so well from his own impartial point of view. While he appreciated the confidence, loyalty, and high honour of his overwhelming election to the Presidency, he was not blind to the undercurrent of suspicion swirling about his every act, or impervious to the hatred that prevailed toward him in certain sections, nor was he indifferent to the smouldering vengeance seeking its appeasement in his undoing in one fashion or another. So he kept his counsel, studied well each problem, picked the men to fit as best he could, and squared himself to meet the onslaught of legislative and executive sieges with the same direct, practical common sense that had been focussed on his military manœuvres. Of course, mistakes followed, for subtle intrigues and conspiracies could not always be handled by the direct open method. From the opening of his administration, international complications with England beclouded the horizon for a time, and war seemed altogether too imminent for peace of mind. The Secretary of State and the President were in accord as to the importance of an amicable settlement with Great Britain, if that could be accomplished without the sacrifice of American dignity or honour, and they were most anxious that the differences between the two governments over the depredations of rebel cruisers fitted out in British ports and the depletion of fisheries in North American waters be adjusted as speedily and thoroughly as possible. Remembering the advantages and pleasant relations ensuing as the result of the Webster-Ashburton conferences and the subsequent treaty, these two finally concluded that a set of commissioners from each nation should find the solution. The view was supported by Sir John Rose, Canadian Premier, serving as commissioner under a previous treaty between Canada and the United States, to effect a settlement of certain disputed points between the two countries.