Jump to content

Hamilton Fish

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other people named Hamilton Fish, seeHamilton Fish (disambiguation).

Hamilton Fish
Studio black and whitephoto of Hamilton Fish showing head and shoulders with extended sideburns.
Photograph byMathew Brady
26thUnited States Secretary of State
In office
March 17, 1869 – March 12, 1877
PresidentUlysses S. Grant
Rutherford B. Hayes
Preceded byElihu B. Washburne
Succeeded byWilliam M. Evarts
United States Senator
fromNew York
In office
December 1, 1851 – March 3, 1857
Preceded byDaniel S. Dickinson
Succeeded byPreston King
16thGovernor of New York
In office
January 1, 1849 – December 31, 1850
LieutenantGeorge W. Patterson
Preceded byJohn Young
Succeeded byWashington Hunt
Lieutenant Governor of New York
In office
January 1, 1848 – December 31, 1848
GovernorJohn Young
Preceded byAlbert Lester(acting)
Succeeded byGeorge W. Patterson
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives
fromNew York's6thdistrict
In office
March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1845
Preceded byJames G. Clinton
Succeeded byWilliam Campbell
Personal details
Born(1808-08-03)August 3, 1808
New York City,New York,U.S.
DiedSeptember 7, 1893(1893-09-07)(aged 85)
Garrison, New York,U.S.
Political partyWhig(before 1857)
Republican(1857–1893)
SpouseJulia Kean
ChildrenSarah, Julia,Susan,Nicholas II,Hamilton II,Stuyvesantand Edith
EducationColumbia College(BA)
Signature

Hamilton Fish(August 3, 1808 – September 7, 1893) was an American politician and statesman who served as the 16thgovernor of New Yorkfrom 1849 to 1850, aUnited States senatorfrom New York from 1851 to 1857, and the 26thU.S. secretary of statefrom 1869 to 1877. Fish was the most trusted advisor to PresidentUlysses S. Grantand recognized as the pillar ofGrant's presidency.[1][2][3]He is considered one of the nation's most effective U.S. secretaries of state by scholars, known for his judiciousness and efforts towards reform and diplomatic moderation.[1][2][3]He settled the controversialAlabamaClaimswith theUnited Kingdom,developing the concept ofinternational arbitrationand avoided war withSpainoverCuban independenceby coolly handling the volatileVirginiusincident.[2]He also organized a peace conference and treaty between South American countries and Spain.[4]In 1875, Fish negotiated areciprocal trade treatyfor sugar production with the Kingdom of Hawai'i, initiating the process which ended in the1893 overthrowof theHouse of Kalākauaand statehood.[2]Fish worked withJames Milton Turnerto settle the Liberia-Grebo War in 1876.[5]

Fish came from prominence and wealth. HisDutch Americanfamily was long-established in New York City. He attendedColumbia Collegeand later passed the New York state bar. Initially working ascommissioner of deeds,he ran unsuccessfully forNew York State Assemblyas a Whig candidate in 1834. After marrying, he returned to politics and was elected to theU.S. House of Representativesin 1843. Fish ran for New York's lieutenant governor in 1846, falling to a DemocraticAnti-Rent Partycontender. When the office was vacated in 1847, Fish ran and was elected to the position. In 1848, he ran and was elected governor of New York, serving one term. In 1851, he was elected U.S. Senator for New York, serving one term. Fish gained valuable experience serving onCommittee on Foreign Relations.Fish was a moderate on the question of maintaining or dissolving slavery; he opposed theKansas–Nebraska Actand the expansion of slavery.

After traveling to Europe, Fish returned to the United States and supportedAbraham Lincoln,the Republican nominee for president in the1860 U.S. presidential election.During theAmerican Civil War,Fish raised money for the Union war effort and served on Lincoln's presidential commission that made successful arrangements for Union andConfederatetroop prisoner exchanges. Fish returned to his law practice after the Civil War, and was thought to have retired from political life. WhenUlysses S. Grantwas elected president in 1868, he appointed Fish as U.S. secretary of state in 1869. Fish took on the State Department with vigor, reorganized the office, and establishedcivil service reform.During his tenure, Fish had to contend with Cuban belligerency, the settlement of theAlabamaclaims, Canada–U.S. border disputes, and theVirginiusincident. Fish implemented the new concept of international arbitration, where disputes between countries were settled by negotiations, rather than military conflicts. Fish was involved in a political feud between U.S. senatorCharles Sumnerand President Grant in the latter's unsuccessful efforts toannex the Dominican Republic.Fish organized a naval expedition in an unsuccessful attempt to open trade withKoreain 1871. Leaving office and politics in 1877, Fish returned to private life and continued to serve on various historical associations. Fish died quietly of old age in his luxurious New York State home in 1893.

Fish has been praised by historians for his calm demeanor under pressure, honesty, loyalty, modesty, and talented statesmanship during his tenure under President Grant, briefly serving under President Hayes. The hallmark of his career was the Treaty of Washington, peacefully settling the Alabama Claims. Fish also ably handled theVirginusincident, keeping the United States out of war with Spain. Fish, while Secretary of State, lacked empathy for the plight of African Americans,[6]and opposed annexation of Latin American countries.[7]Fish has been traditionally viewed to be one of America's top ranked Secretaries of State by historians. Fish's male descendants would later serve in the U.S. House of Representatives for three generations.

Early life and education

[edit]

Fish was born on August 3, 1808, in what is the present-dayHamilton Fish HouseinGreenwich VillageinNew York City,toNicholas Fishand Elizabeth Stuyvesant, a daughter ofPeter Stuyvesantand direct descendant ofNew Amsterdam's Director-GeneralPeter Stuyvesant.He was named after his parents' friendAlexander Hamilton,aFounding Fatherand the nation's firstU.S. Secretary of the TreasuryunderGeorge Washington.[8]Nicholas Fish (1758–1833) was a leadingFederalistpolitician and notable figure of theAmerican Revolutionary War.Colonel Fish was active in theYorktown Campaign,which featured the final battles of theAmerican Revolutionary Warand led to the surrender ofLord Cornwallisand American independence.[8]Peter Stuyvesant was a prominent founder of New York, then a Dutch Colony, and his family owned much property in Manhattan.[9]

Fish received his primary education at M. Bancel, a private school.[10]In 1827, Fish graduated fromColumbia College,having obtained high honors.[10]At Columbia, Fish became fluent in French, a language that would later help him as U.S. Secretary of State.[11]After his graduation, Fish studied law for three years in the law office ofPeter A. Jay,served as president of thePhilolexian Society,and wasadmitted to the New York barin 1830, practicing briefly withWilliam Beach Lawrence.[10][11]Influenced politically by his father, Fish aligned himself to theWhig Party.[10]He served ascommissioner of deedsfor the city and county of New York from 1831[12]through 1833, and was an unsuccessful Whig candidate forNew York State Assemblyin 1834.[11]

On December 15, 1836, Fish married Julia Kean, a sister of Col.John Kean,both descendants ofWilliam Livingston,a New Yorker who went on to becomeNew Jersey's first governor.[13]The couple's lengthy married life was described as happy and Mrs. Fish was known for her "sagacity and judgement."[13]The couple had three sons and five daughters.[13]

Career

[edit]

New York political career

[edit]
Sketch of young Rep. Hamilton Fish showing head and shoulders with narrow trim beard.
U.S. Representative Fish depicted in an 1844 illustration

U.S. Congress

[edit]

For eight years after his defeat as a Representative in the New York State Assembly, Fish was reluctant to run for office.[14]However, Whig party leaders in 1842 convinced him to run for theHouse of Representatives.[14]In November, Fish was elected to the House of Representatives; having defeatedDemocratJohn McKeonand serving in the28th CongressfromNew York's 6th Districtbetween 1843 and 1845.[14]The Whigs at this time were in the minority in the House; however, Fish gained valued national experience serving on the Committee of Military Affairs.[14]Fish failed to win a re-election bid for a second term in the House.[10]

Lieutenant governor

[edit]
Fish's portrait asNew York governor

Fish was the Whig candidate forLieutenant Governor of New Yorkin 1846, butwas defeatedby DemocratAddison Gardinerwho had been endorsed by theAnti-Rent Party.[15]Leasing farmers in New York refused to pay rent to large land tract owners and sometimes resorted to violence and intimidation.[15]Fish had opposed the Anti-Rent Party for the use of illegal tactics not to pay rent.[15][10]Gardinerwas electedin May 1847 a judge of theNew York Court of Appealsand vacated the office of lieutenant governor.[15]Fish was then inNovember 1847elected to fill the vacancy, and was Lieutenant Governor in 1848.[15]Lieut. Gov. Fish had a favorable reputation for being "conciliatory" and for his "firmness" over the New York Senate.[16]

Governor

[edit]

InNovember 1848,he was electedGovernor of New York,defeatingJohn A. DixandReuben H. Walworth,and served from January 1, 1849, to December 31, 1850.[17]At 40 years of age, Fish was one of the youngest governors to be elected in New York history.[17]Fish advocated and signed into law free public education facilities throughout New York state.[17]He also advocated and signed into law the building of an asylum and school for theintellectually disabled.[17]During his tenure the canal system in the state of New York was increased.[10]In 1850, Fish recommended that the state legislature form a committee to collect and publish the Colonial Laws of New York.[17]None of the bills that Governor Fishvetoedwere overturned by the New York legislature.[17]In his annual messages Fish spoke out against the extension of slavery from land acquired from theMexican–American War,including California and New Mexico.[17][10]His anti-slavery messages gave Fish national attention and PresidentZachary Taylor,also a Whig, was going to nominate Fish to the Treasury Department in a cabinet shakeup.[10]However Taylor died in office before he could nominate Fish.[10]Despite his national popularity Fish was not renominated for Governor.[10]

U.S. Senator

[edit]
Studio portrait photo of Sen. Hamilton Fish seated position showing head and shoulders with top hat and cane held in right hand
Fish asU.S. Senator

After Fish retired from office as governor, he did not openly seek the nomination to be electedU.S. Senator.[18]However, Fish's supporters, theWilliam H. Seward-Thurlow WeedWhigs, in January 1851 nominated him as a candidate for U.S. Senator.[10]A deadlock ensued over his nomination because one New York legislature Whig Senator was upset about Fish not publicly supporting theCompromise of 1850.[18][19][10]Before the election Fish had only stated government should enforce the laws.[18]Although Fish did not favor the spread of slavery he was hesitant to support thefree soilmovement.[20]Finally, when two Democratic Senators who were against Fish's nomination were conspicuously absent, the Senate took action and voted.[21]On March 19, 1851, Fishwas electedaU.S. Senator from New Yorkand he took his seat on December 1, serving alongside future Secretary of StateWilliam H. Seward.[18]

In the U.S. Senate, he was a member of theU.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relationsuntil the end of his term on March 4, 1857.[22]Fish became friends with PresidentFranklin Pierce's Secretary of StateWilliam L. Marcyand Attorney GeneralCaleb Cushing.[22]He was aRepublicanfor the latter part of his term and was part of a moderately anti-slavery faction.[23]During the 1850s, the Republican Party replaced the Whig Party as the central party against the Democratic Party.[18]By 1856, Fish privately considered himself a Whig although he knew that the Whig Party was no longer viable politically. Fish was a quiet Senator, rather than an orator, who liked to keep to himself.[18]Fish often was in disagreement with Senator Sumner, who was firmly opposed to slavery and advocated equality for blacks.[18]His policy was to vote for legislation on the side of "justice, economy, and public virtue."[18]He strongly opposed therepealof theMissouri Compromise.[18]Fish often voted with theFree Soilfaction and was strongly against theKansas-Nebraska Bill.[24]In February 1855, merchants represented byMoses H. Grinnell,criticized Fish's bill on immigration and maritime commerce. Fish's bill was designed to protect Irish and German immigrants who were dying on merchant ships during oceanic passage to America. The merchants believed that Fish's bill was oppressive to commercial interests over human interests.[25]

During his tenure, the nation andCongresswere in tremendous political upheaval over slavery, that included violence, disorder, and disturbances of the peace.[18]In 1856, pro-slavery advocates invaded Kansas and used violent tactics against those who were anti-slavery.[18][26]In May 1856, Senator Charles Sumner was viciously attacked byPreston Brooksin the Senate Chamber.[26]At the expiration of his term, he traveled with his family to Europe and remained there until shortly before the opening of theAmerican Civil War,when he returned to begin actively campaigning for the election ofAbraham Lincoln.[18]While in France, Fish studied foreign policy with diplomats and distinguished Americans, and gained valuable experience that would eventually benefit his tenure asU.S. Secretary of State.[18]

American Civil War

[edit]
Painting of Winfield Scott.
Winfield Scottand Fish dined regularly in New York during the onset of theAmerican Civil War.

Fish had several important roles during the American Civil War. Fish's private secretary was involved in the attempt of the merchant shipStar of the Westto bring relief supplies toFort Sumterin Charleston harbor. During this period, Fish often met with GeneralWinfield Scott,commander-in-chief of theUS Army.Fish was dining with Scott in New York when a telegram reported that Confederates had fired onStar of the West.Fish said that this meant war; Scott replied "Don't utter that word, my friend. You don't know what a horrid thing war is."[27]

In 1861–1862, Fish participated in the Union Defense Committee of the State of New York, which cooperated withNew York Cityin raising and equippingUnion Armytroops, and disbursed more than $1 million for the relief of New York volunteers and their families. The committee included chairman John A. Dix,William M. Evarts,William E. Dodge,A.T. Stewart,John Jacob Astor,and other New York men. Fish was appointed chairman of the committee after Dix joined the Union Army.[27]

In 1862, President Lincoln appointed Fish and BishopEdward R. Amesas commissioners to visit Union prisoners inRichmond, Virginia.The Confederate government, however, would not allow them to enter the city. Instead, Fish and Rev. Ames started the prisoner exchange program which continued virtually unchanged throughout the war. After the war ended, Fish went back to private practice as a lawyer in New York.[27]

From 1860 to 1869, Fish was trustee ofThe Bank for Savings in the City of New-Yorkstepping down from that role when he became US Secretary of State.[28]

U.S. Secretary of State

[edit]
Further information:Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant

Fish was appointedSecretary of Stateby PresidentUlysses S. Grantand served between March 17, 1869, and March 12, 1877. He was President Grant's longest-servingCabinetofficer. Upon assuming office in 1869, Fish was initially underrated by some statesmen including former Secretaries of State William H. Seward andJohn Bigelow.Fish, however, immediately took on the responsibilities of his office with diligence, zeal, and intelligence.[29]Fish's tenure as Secretary of State was lengthy, almost eight years, and he had to contend with many foreign policy issues including the Cuban insurrection, theAlabamaClaims, and theFranco-Prussian War.[30]

DuringReconstruction,Fish was not known to sympathize with Grant's policy to eradicate theKu Klux Klan,racism in the Southern states, and promoteAfrican Americanequality. Fish complained of being bored at Grant's cabinet meetings when Grant's U.S. Attorney GeneralAmos T. Akermantold of atrocities of the Klan against black citizens.[6]

Alabama Claims

[edit]
Main article:Alabama Claims

Throughout Fish's tenure during Grant's first term in office, Fish periodically threatened to resign. After Fish's and Grant's high-water mark accomplishment of settling theAlabama Claims,Fish told Grant he would resign on August 1, 1871. Grant, however, needed Fish's professional advice and pleaded with Fish to remain in office. Grant told Fish he could not replace him. Fish remained in office, 13 years Grant's senior, even under ill health.[31]

When Fish assumed office he immediately began a series of reforms in theDepartment of State.[32]After appropriations were given to his office by Congress, Fish cataloged and organized 700 volumes of miscellaneous State Department documents and created theBureau of Indexes and Archives.[32][33]Fish introduced indexing of State Department files so subordinates could easily find documents.[32]Fish implemented civil service reform by having State Department applicants be required to pass an entry examination before being appointed consultant.[32]This policy was sometimes hampered, since President Grant could appoint any person to office without the person having to take an examination.[32]However, the policy of testing overall improved the staff at the State Department.[32]Fish's methods of organization included disciplined staff and prompt copying of dispatches.[33]

The method of record keeping, however, was cumbersome and had remained unchanged sinceJohn Quincy Adams' presidency.[33]Rather than world regions, countries were listed in alphabetical order; the correspondence was embedded in bounddiplomaticand consular category archives, rather than by subject matter.[33]Added to countries' information was a miscellaneous category filed chronologically.[33]This resulted in a tedious and time-consuming process to make briefings for Congress.[33]Diplomatic ministers, only 23 in 1877, were not kept informed of current world events that took place in other parts of the world.[33]

By 1869,Cubannationals were in open rebellion against their mother country Spain, due to the unpopularity of Spanish rule. American sentiment favored the Cuban rebels and President Grant appeared to be on the verge of acknowledging Cuban belligerency. Fish, who desired settlement over theAlabamaClaims, did not approve of recognizing the Cuban rebels, sinceQueen Victoriaand her government had recognized Confederate belligerency in 1861. Recognizing Cuban belligerency would have jeopardized settlement and arbitration with Great Britain.[34]In February 1870, SenatorJohn Shermanauthored a Senate resolution that would have recognized Cuban belligerency. Working behind the scenes Fish counseled Sherman that Cuban recognition would ultimately lead to war with Spain. The resolution went to the House of Representatives and was ready to pass, however, Fish worked out an agreement with President Grant to send a special message to Congress that urged not to acknowledge the Cuban rebels.[35]On June 13, 1870, the message written by Fish was sent to Congress by the President and Congress, after much debate, decided not to recognize Cuban belligerency. President Grant continued the policy of Cuban belligerent non recognition for the rest of his two administrations. This policy, however, was tested in 1873 with theVirginiusAffair.[36]

Annexation of Santo Domingo

[edit]
Main article:Annexation of Santo Domingo
Further information:Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant
PresidentUlysses S. Grantwas determined to annexSanto Domingo

After President Grant assumed office on March 4, 1869, one of his immediate foreign policy interests was the annexation of the Caribbean island nation of the Dominican Republic, at that time referred to as Santo Domingo, to the United States.[37]Grant believed the annexation of Santo Domingo would increase the United States' mineral resources and alleviate the effects of racism against African Americans in the South.[38]Hamilton Fish, though loyal to Grant, racially opposed annexation of Latin American countries, saying "the incorporation of those peopled by the Latin race would be but the beginnings of years of conflict and anarchy."[39]The divided island nation, run by mulatto leader PresidentBuenaventura Báez,had been troubled with civil strife.[40]Báez had controversially imprisoned an American citizen, Davis Hatch, for speaking out against the Báez government, susceptible to aHaitianmilitary take over.[41]

Fish told Grant that the U.S. Senate would not be ready to pass a Santo Domingo annexation treaty.[40]In April 1869, Fish gave Grant's private secretaryOrville Babcock"special agent" status to search the island.[40]Babcock, a military aide, who had served with merit in the Civil War, was a proponent of annexation, and racially open to annexing a Latin American mixed race country, by the United States. In September 1869, Babcock made a preliminary treaty that would annex Santo Domingo to the United States and give it the opportunity to apply for statehood.[40]In October 1869, Fish drew up a formal treaty that included: a $1,500,000 payment of the Dominican national debt;Samaná Baywould be leased to the United States for $150,000 yearly payment; Santo Domingo would eventually be given statehood.[42]

In a private conference with Grant, Fish agreed to support the Santo Domingo annexation if Grant sent Congress a non-belligerency statement not to get involved with the Cuban rebellion against Spain.[43]Charles Sumner,chairman of theSenate Foreign Relations Committee,was against the treaty, believing that Santo Domingo needed to remain independent, and that racism against U.S. black citizens in the South needed to be dealt with in the continental United States. Sumner believed that blacks on Santo Domingo did not share Anglo-American values.[44]On January 10, 1870, Grant submitted the Santo Domingo treaty to the United States Senate.[45]Fish believed senators would vote for annexation only if statehood was withdrawn; however, President Grant refused this option.[46][47]The Senate took its time deliberating, and finally rejected the treaty on June 30, 1870. Eighteen senators led by Charles Sumner defeated the treaty.[47]Grant, angered at Sumner's refusal to support the treaty, fired Sumner's friendJ. Lothrop Motley,Grant's ambassador to England, for disregarding Fish's instructions regarding theAlabamaClaims. Grant believed that Sumner had in January 1870 stated his support for the Santo Domingo treaty. Sumner was then deprived of his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 1871 by Grant's allies in the Senate.[48]

1870: Colombian inter-oceanic canal treaty

[edit]

President Grant and Secretary Fish were interested in establishing an inter-oceanic canal throughPanama.[30]Secretary Fish organized a treaty signing on January 26, 1870, inBogotabetween the United States andColombiathat established a Panama route for the inter-oceanic canal.[30]The Colombian Senate, however, amended the treaty so much that the strategic value of the inter-oceanic canal construction became ineffective. As a result, the United States Senate refused to ratify the treaty.[30]

1871: Treaty of Washington

[edit]
Further information:Alabama ClaimsandTreaty of Washington (1871)
Studio black and white portrait of American High Commissioners. Sec. Hamilton Fish seated in center.
An 1871 portrait,Brady,depicting the American High Commissioners meeting inWashington D.C.,with Fish as chairman
John Bulldwarfed by "Alabama Claim" inJoseph Swain's 1871Punch—or the London Charivaricartoon

During the previous administration of PresidentAndrew Johnson,Secretary of State Seward attempted to resolve theAlabamaClaims with the Johnson-Clarendon convention and treaty. TheAlabamaClaims had arisen out of the American Civil War, when Confederate raiding ships built in British ports (most notably theC.S.S.Alabama) had sunk a significant number of Union merchant ships. Sumner also stated the Civil War would have ended by 1863 if the British weren't complicit in allowingits blockade runnersto smuggle hundreds of thousands of weapons through theUnion blockadeto the Confederacy.[49][50]As such, Sumner demanded that Britain pay $2 billion or simply cede Canada to the United States for theAlabamaClaims.

The Johnson-Clarendon treaty, presented to Congress by President Ulysses S. Grant, was overwhelmingly defeated by the Senate and the claims remained unresolved.[51]Anglophobia led by Charles Sumner was at an all-time high when Fish became Secretary of State. In late 1870, an opportunity arrived to settle theAlabamaClaims under Prime MinisterWilliam Gladstone.Fish, who was determined to improve relations with Britain, along with President Grant and Senate supporters, had Charles Sumner removed by vote from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the door was open for renewed negotiations with Britain.[52]

On January 9, 1871, Fish met with British representativeSir John Rosein Washington and an agreement was made, after much negotiation, to establish a Joint Commission to settle theAlabamaClaims to be held in Washington under the direction of Hamilton Fish. At stake was the financing of America's debt with British bankers during the Civil War, and peace with Britain was required.[53]On February 14, 1871, both distinguished High Commissioners representing Britain, led by theEarl of Ripon,George Robinson,and the United States, led by Fish, met in Washington, D.C., and negotiations over settlement went remarkably well. Also representing Britain was Canadian Prime MinisterJohn A. Macdonald.After 37 meetings, on May 8, 1871, theTreaty of Washingtonwas signed at the State Department and became a "landmark of international conciliation". The Senate ratified the treaty on May 24, 1871.[54]On August 25, 1872, the settlement for theAlabamaclaims was made by an internationalarbitrationcommittee meeting in Geneva and the United States was awarded $15,500,000 (~$352 million in 2023) in gold only for damage done by the Confederate warships.[50]Under the treaty settlement over disputed Atlantic fisheries and theSan Juan Boundary(concerning theOregonboundary line) was made. The treaty was considered an "unprecedented accomplishment", having solved border disputes, reciprocal trade, and navigation issues. A friendly perpetual relationship between Great Britain and America was established, with Britain having expressed regret over theAlabamadamages.[55]

1871: South American détente and armistice

[edit]
Color caricature sketch of Sec. Hamilton Fish with extended beard in standing position holding top hat in hand.
Caricature of Hamilton Fish inVanity Fairin 1872

On April 11, 1871, a peace-trade conference, presided over by Hamilton Fish, was held in Washington D.C., between Spain and the South American republics ofPeru,Chile,Ecuador,andBolivia,which resulted in an armistice between the countries.[4]These countries had been in a "technical" state of war since 1866, and the United States in 1871 served as mediator under the direction of Hamilton Fish.[4]Representing Spain was Mauricio Lopez Roberts; Manuel Freyer represented both Peru and Bolivia; Joaquín Godoy represented Chile; and Antonio Flores represented Ecuador. President Grant gave Fish full powers to control negotiations at thedétentemeeting between the five countries. The signed armistice treaty consisted of seven articles; hostilities were to cease for a minimum of three years and the countries would allow commercial trade with neutral countries.[4]

1871: Korean expedition and conflict

[edit]
Main article:United States expedition to Korea
Black and white photo of U.S. Naval Officers on ship off the coast of Korea in 1871.
U.S. Navalofficers from the Asiatic Squadron on board the U.S.S.ColoradooffKoreain June 1871

In 1871,Koreawas known as the "Hermit Kingdom", a country determined to remain isolated from other nations, specifically from commerce and trade from Western nations, including the United States.[56]In 1866, U.S. relations with Korea were troubled when Christian missionaries were beheaded by the KoreanDaewongun,regent toKing Kojong,and the crew of theGeneral Sherman,a U.S. trading ship, were massacred.[56]Secretary Seward, under President Johnson, demanded redress for what was perceived as the outrageous actions of the Korean government.[56]U.S. Naval warshipswere ordered to the Orient,however, when Seward's term ended in 1869, he was unable to organize a naval expedition.[56]When Fish took office, he organized the Korean naval expedition and broadened the purposes.[56]In April 1871, Fish orderedFrederick F. Low,minister to China, to take the Asiatic Fleet and voyage to Seoul.[56]The purpose of the expedition was to seek retribution for the assaulted sailors and to open up a commercial treaty with the King of Korea.[56]Fish had told the fleet not to use force unless the honor of the U.S. flag was infringed by the Koreans.[56]

On May 8, 1871, Low and Rear AdmiralJohn Rodgers,commander of theAsiatic Squadron,voyaged to Korea with five warships, 85 guns, and 1,230 sailors and marines.[56]On May 16, the naval squadron reachedNagasaki Bay,and a week later lowered anchor near the mouth of theHan River.The Koreans sent unofficial representatives to stall for time and hope the American squadron would leave.[56]In June, the American fleet was performing a nautical survey and was fired upon by the Korean forts on theHan Riverleading toSeoul.The American fleet fired back, damaging the forts. The Americans demanded an apology on the grounds that the honor of the American flag had been violated.[56]On June 10, a U.S. military expedition was launched after the Koreans failed to apologize for the attack; the objective was to destroy the Korean forts onGanghwa Island.The U.S.S.Monocacypounded the forts with 9 inch guns while 546 sailors and 105 marines landed on the island and captured and destroyed the Korean forts.[56]The "Citadel" fortress, on a steep 115-foot hillside, put up the stiffest resistance to the American troops, who fought in hand-to-hand combat with the Korean Tiger Hunters. All of the Korean forts taken were destroyed and leveled on June 11. Three hundred fifty Korean Tiger Hunters were killed, compared with only one American officer and two American sailors.[56]Lieut.Hugh W. McKeewas the first U.S. Navy officer to die in battle in Korea.[56]

The Asiatic Squadron remained on the Han River for three weeks, but the Koreans would not open negotiations for a commercial treaty.[56]As the American squadron left, the Koreans believed that they had won a great victory over the Americans.[56]The attempt to open Korea up to trade was similar to how CommodoreMatthew Perryin 1854 had approached the opening of Japan. Korea, however, proved to be more isolated than Japan. In 1881, Commodore Robert W. Shufeldt, without using a naval fleet, went to a more conciliatory Korean government and made a commercial treaty. The U.S. was the first Western nation to establish formal trade with Korea.[56]

1873:Virginiusaffair

[edit]
Further information:Virginius Affair
Black and white sketch of people celebrating Virginius prisoner release.
A January 1874 illustration of celebrations in New York following release ofVirginiusprisoners, which Fish negotiated from Spanish authorities

During the 1870s,Cubawas in a state of rebellion against Spain. In the United States, Americans were divided on whether to militarily aid the rebel Cubans. Manyjingoistsbelieved the United States needed to fight for the Cuban rebels and pressured the Grant Administration to take action.[57]A privately owned ship, theVirginius,was used to run guns, ammunition, and vital supplies to the Cuban rebels. The captain of theVirginiuswas Joseph Fry, former officer of the Confederate and Federal Navies. On October 31, 1873, theVirginiuswas run down in neutral waters by the Spanish warship, the Tornado, off ofMorant Bay,Jamaica.[57]After being hit, theVirginiustook on water and was forced to surrender to the Spanish authorities. The 103 crew members consisted of Cuban rebel recruits and 52 American and British citizens.[57]The Spanish hauled down and trampled the American flag, and brought the prisoners to Santiago. A total of 53Virginiuscrew members were executed by the Spanish authorities.[57]The Spanish finally stopped the carnage as a British warship appeared with guns ready to fire on Santiago. The American Navy, at this time, although formidable worldwide, was in decline after the American Civil War.[57]

When news reached the United States of the executions, President Grant and Secretary Fish were forced to make an immediate response.[57]Many Americans demanded a full-scale war with Spain.[57]Fish found out that the registration was falsified under American ownership, however, the executions of Americans demanded action.[57]Fish coolly handled the situation, calling upon Spanish minister, AdmiralJosé Polo de Bernabéin Washington D.C., and holding a conference.[57]A settlement was made where Spain relinquished the severely damagedVirginiusto the U.S. Navy, while survivors were released that included 13 Americans.[57]The Spanish Captain who ordered the executions was censured, and Spain paid $80,000 reparations to American families whose family members were executed in Santiago.[57]The national honor of both Spain and the United States was preserved and it was chiefly due to the restraint and moderation of Fish and Bernabé that a satisfactory settlement of theVirginiusAffair was reached by the United States and Spain.[57]

1875: Hawaiian reciprocal trade treaty

[edit]

Fish also negotiated theReciprocity Treaty of 1875with theHawaiian Kingdomunder the reign of KingKalākaua.Hawaiian sugar was made duty-free, while the importation of manufactured goods and clothing was allowed into the island kingdom.[58]By opening Hawaii to free trade the process for annexation and eventual statehood into the United States had begun.

1876: Liberian-Grebo War

[edit]
Fish seated left ofGrantin Grant's Cabinet

The U.S. settled the Liberian-Grebo War in 1876 when Hamilton Fish dispatched theUSSAlaska,under President Grant's authority, toLiberia.Liberia was in practice an American colony. U.S. envoyJames Milton Turner,the first African American ambassador, requested a warship to protect American property in Liberia. Turner, bolstered by U.S. naval presence in harbor and support of the USSAlaskacaptain, negotiated the incorporation of Grebo people into Liberian society and the ousting of foreign traders from Liberia.[5]

1876: Republican convention

[edit]

As the 1876 Republican convention approached during the U.S. presidential election, President Grant, unknown to Fish, had written a letter to Republican leaders to nominate Fish for the Presidential ticket. The letter was never read at the convention and Fish was never nominated. President Grant believed that Fish was a good compromise choice between the rival factions ofJames G. BlaineandRoscoe Conkling.CartoonistThomas Nastdrew a caricature of Fish andRutherford B. Hayesas the Republican Party ticket. Fish, who was ready to retire to private life, did not desire to run for president and was content at returning to private life. Fish found out later that President Grant had written the letter to the convention.[59]

1877: Nicaragua inter-oceanic canal negotiations

[edit]

President Grant at the close of his second term, and Secretary Fish, remained interested in establishing an inter-oceanic canal treaty.[30]Fish and the State Department negotiated with a special envoy fromNicaraguain February 1877 for an inter-oceanic treaty.[30]Negotiations, however, failed as the status of the neutral zone could not be established.[30]

Later life and health

[edit]
Studio black and white portrait of Hamilton Fish in his elder years.
Elder statesman Hamilton Fish

After leaving the Grant Cabinet in 1877 and briefly serving under President Hayes, Fish retired from public office and returned to private life practicing law and managing his real estate in New York City. Fish was revered in the New York community and enjoyed spending time with his family.

Fish resided in Glen Clyffe, his estate nearGarrison, New York,inPutnam County, New York,in theHudson River Valley.His health remained good until around 1884, having suffered fromneuralgia.

Death, funeral, and burial

[edit]

On September 6, 1893, Fish had retired from the evening having played cards with his daughter. The following morning on September 7, Fish, at the age of 85, suddenly died. His death was attributed to advanced age.[60]

The gravesite of Hamilton Fish

On September 11, 1893, Fish was buried in Garrison atSt. Philip's Church in the HighlandsCemetery under waving trees on the hills along theHudson Rivershoreline. He was buried next to his wife and oldest daughter near the grave ofEdwards Pierrepont,President Grant'sU.S. Attorney General.Many notable persons attended Fish's funeral, andBishop Potterconducted services.Julia Grant,widowed wife of Grant, attended Fish's funeral.[61]

Historical reputation

[edit]
The Hamilton Fish Memorial at theCathedral of All SaintsinAlbany, New York

Charles Francis Adamsdescribed Fish as "a quiet and easy-going man; but, when aroused, by being, as he thought, 'put upon', he became very formidable. Neither was it possible to placate him." Fish's 20th Century biographer, A. Elwood Corning, stated that Fish was free from "petty jealousies and prejudices which so often drag the reputation of statesmen down to the level of politicians" and that Fish "used the language and practiced the manners of a gentleman." As an invaluable member of the Grant Administration, Fish commanded "men's confidence, and respect by his firmness, candor, and justice."[62]

A survey of scholars in the December 1981American Heritagemagazine ranked Fish third on a list of top ten Secretaries of State, noting his settlement of theAlabamaClaims in 1871, his settlement of theVirginiusIncident, and his role in the Hawaiian treaty ratified by the Senate in 1875.[2]

There is a memorial to Fish at theCathedral of All SaintsinAlbany, New York.TheHamilton Fish Newburgh-Beacon Bridge,which spans the Hudson River 50 miles north of New York City betweenDutchessandOrangecounties, is named after Fish.[63]A street inthe Bronx,New York, is named after Fish,[64]as isHamilton Fish ParkinManhattan.[65]

Fish was a long time member of the New YorkSociety of the Cincinnatiby right of his father's service as an officer in theContinental Army.Fish succeeded to his father's seat in the Society in 1834, following his father's death the previous year. In 1848, Fish became the Vice President General of the national society and, in 1854, he became its president general.[66]In 1855, Fish was elected president of the New York Society. Fish served as both president general of the national society and president of the New York Society until his death in 1893.[67]

Notable descendants

[edit]
Further information:Fish family

Three of Fish's direct descendants, all named Hamilton, served in theU.S. House of Representatives,representingNew York state.Hamilton Fish II,Fish's son, served one term as U.S. Representative from 1909 to 1911.[68]Fish II also served as assistant to his father at theU.S. State Department.

Hamilton Fish III,Fish's grandson, served as U.S. Representative from 1920 to 1945.[69]Hamilton Fish IV,Fish's great-grandson, served as U.S. Representative from 1969 to 1995.[70]Another sonStuyvesant Fishwas an important railroad executive.[71]Another son,Nicholas Fish II,was a U.S. diplomat, who was appointed second secretary of legation at Berlin in 1871, became secretary in 1874, and waschargé d'affairesatBernein 1877–1881, and minister toBelgiumin 1882–1886, after which he engaged in banking in New York City.[72]Hamilton Fish,Fish's grandson by Nicholas, was an 1895 graduate of Columbia College, saw service in theSpanish–American Waras one of the storiedRough Riders.He was the first member of that regiment to be killed in action, at theBattle of Las Guasimas,Cuba.[73]

His great nephewThomas KeanwasNew Jersey governorfrom 1982 until 1990 and chairman of the9/11 Commissionfollowing theSeptember 11, 2001 attacks.[74][75]

References

[edit]
  1. ^abCorning 1918,p. 58
  2. ^abcde(December 1981),The Ten Best Secretaries Of State....
  3. ^abFuller 1931,p. 398
  4. ^abcdUnited States Department of State (December 4, 1871),Foreign relations of the United States,pp. 775–777.
  5. ^abKremer 1991,pp. 82–87
  6. ^abChernow 2017,p. 709
  7. ^Calhoun 2017,pp. 205–206;McFeely 1981,pp. 297–298
  8. ^abCorning 1918,pp. 12–15
  9. ^Corning 1918,p. 16
  10. ^abcdefghijklmFuller 1931,p. 387
  11. ^abcCorning 1918,pp. 17–20
  12. ^Fish was Commissioner of Deeds from 1831
  13. ^abcCorning 1918,pp. 20–22
  14. ^abcdCorning 1918,pp. 23–25
  15. ^abcdeCorning 1918,pp. 25–29
  16. ^Corning 1918,pp. 30
  17. ^abcdefgCorning 1918,pp. 30–34
  18. ^abcdefghijklmCorning 1918,pp. 35–48
  19. ^Nevins 1957,p. 36
  20. ^Nevins 1957,p. 37
  21. ^Nevins 1957,p. 42
  22. ^abNevins 1957,p. 48
  23. ^Nevins 1957,p. 53
  24. ^Nevins 1957,pp. 45, 52
  25. ^"The Merchants Denouncing Hamilton Fish".The New York Times.February 19, 1855.
  26. ^abNevins 1957,p. 57
  27. ^abcCorning 1918,pp. 46–48
  28. ^"Big Crowd, Few Police".New York Herald.New York. November 6, 1895.
  29. ^Corning 1918,pp. 52–53
  30. ^abcdefg"Fish, Hamilton".Dictionary of American Biography.1931. p. 400.
  31. ^Chernow 2017,p. 723
  32. ^abcdefCorning 1918,pp. 53–54
  33. ^abcdefgHoogenboom 1988,p. 106
  34. ^Corning 1918,pp. 85–86
  35. ^Corning 1918,pp. 87–88
  36. ^Corning 1918,pp. 89–90
  37. ^McFeely 1981,pp. 332–333
  38. ^McFeely 1981,p. 337
  39. ^Calhoun 2017,pp. 205–206
  40. ^abcdMcFeely 1981,pp. 338–339
  41. ^McFeely 1981,p. 341
  42. ^Smith 2001,pp. 501–502
  43. ^McFeely 1981,p. 344
  44. ^McFeely 1981,pp. 340–341
  45. ^Smith 2001,p. 504
  46. ^McFeely 1981,p. 343
  47. ^abSmith 2001,p. 505
  48. ^Corning 1918,pp. 59–84
  49. ^John W. Dwinelle(1870).American Opinions on the "Alabama," and other political questions.pp. 37–39.
  50. ^ab"Alabama Claims, 1862-1872".GlobalSecurity.org.
  51. ^Smith 2001,pp. 463–464
  52. ^Smith 2001,pp. 508–509
  53. ^Smith 2001,pp. 510–511
  54. ^Smith 2001,pp. 512–514
  55. ^Smith 2001,pp. 512–515
  56. ^abcdefghijklmnopqNahne (April 1968),"Our Little War With The Heathen"
  57. ^abcdefghijklSchwarz, F. D. (October 1998)."1873 One Hundred And Twenty-Five Years Ago".American Heritage.
  58. ^Doenecke 1981,p. 177
  59. ^Corning 1918,p. 104
  60. ^Corning 1918,pp. 105–106
  61. ^"Hamilton Fish's Funeral"(PDF).The New York Times.September 12, 1893.RetrievedSeptember 25,2013.
  62. ^Corning 1918,pp. 106–108
  63. ^"The" Hamilton Fish "Newburgh-Beacon Bridge".New York State Bridge Authority.RetrievedJune 11,2016.
  64. ^McNamara, John (1991).History in Asphalt.Harrison, NY: Harbor Hill Books. p. 103. ISBN 0-941980-15-4.
  65. ^"New City Parks Named".New York Sun.December 28, 1897. p. 7.Archivedfrom the original on May 10, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 19,2021.
  66. ^Society of the Cincinnati (1928).Proceedings of the General Society of the Cincinnati.The Society. p. 164.
  67. ^Patterson, R.S. (1956).The Secretaries of State: Portraits and Biographical Sketches.Department of State publication. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 58.
  68. ^"Fish, Hamilton, (1849–1936)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  69. ^"Fish, Hamilton, (1888–1991)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  70. ^"Fish, Hamilton, Jr., (1926–1996)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  71. ^Stover, John F. (1979).The Management of the Illinois Central Railroad in the 20th Century.
  72. ^"Fischetti to Fishelson".Political Graveyard.
  73. ^Benz, Stephen (1998).The Bull Pulpit.
  74. ^governors.rutgers.eduhttps://web.archive.org/web/20100606172119/http://governors.rutgers.edu/THK-bioindex.htm.Archived fromthe originalon June 6, 2010.{{cite web}}:Missing or empty|title=(help)
  75. ^ "Founding Fathers of New Jersey".archives.gov.National Archives and Records Administration.November 6, 2015.RetrievedMarch 6,2022.

Sources

[edit]

Books

[edit]

Journals and newspapers

[edit]

American Heritage

[edit]

The New York Times

[edit]

Internet

[edit]

Archives

[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toHamilton Fish.
Wikisourcehas the text of a1911Encyclopædia Britannicaarticle aboutHamilton Fish.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of theU.S. House of Representatives
fromNew York's 6th congressional district
1843–1845 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of New York
1848 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Governor of New York
1849–1850 		Succeeded by
Preceded by United States Secretary of State
1869–1877 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Whignominee forGovernor of New York
1848 		Succeeded by
U.S. Senate
Preceded by U.S. Senator (Class 1) from New York
1851–1857
Served alongside:William H. Seward 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hamilton_Fish&oldid=1223977986"