The two governments--the two human, kindly groups--have retired: they don't touch, on this matter, now.
The lawyers will have the time of their lives, each smelling the blood of the other.
If more notes must come--as the English papers report over and over again every morning and every afternoon--the President might do much by writing a brief, human document to accompany the Appendices.

If it be done courteously, we can accuse them of stealing sheep and of dyeing the skins to conceal the theft-without provoking the slightest bad feeling; and, in the end, they'll pay another _Alabama_ award without complaint and frame the check and show it to future ambassadors as Sir Edward shows the _Alabama_ check to me sometimes.
And it'll be a lasting shame (and may bring other Great Wars) if lawyers are now permitted to tear the garments with which Peace ought to be clothed as soon as she can escape from her present rags and tatters.
Yours always heartily, W.H.P.
P.S.My dear House: Since I have--in weeks and months past--both telegraphed and written the Department (and I presume the President has seen what I've sent) about the feeling here, I've written this letter to you and not to the President nor Lansing.

I will not run the risk of seeming to complain--nor even of seeming to seem to complain.

But if you think it wise to send or show this letter to the President, I'm willing you should.

This job was botched: there's no doubt about that.