Hamilton Fish
26th United States Secretary of State
In office March 17, 1869 – March 12, 1877
Preceded by	Elihu B. Washburne
Succeeded by	William M. Evarts
16th Governor of New York
In office January 1, 1849 – December 31, 1850
Lieutenant	George Washington Patterson
Preceded by	John Young
Succeeded by	Washington Hunt
Personal details
Born	August 3, 1808(1808-08-03) New York City, New York
Died	September 7, 1893(1893-09-07) (aged 85) Garrison, New York
Political party	Whig, Republican
Spouse(s)	Julia Kean Fish
Alma mater	Columbia College of Columbia University
Profession	Politician, Lawyer
Religion	Episcopalian
Signature

Hamilton Fish (August 3, 1808 – September 7, 1893) was an American statesman who served as the 16th Governor of New York, United States Senator and United States Secretary of State. Fish has been considered one of the best Secretary of States in the United States history; known for his judiciousness and reform efforts during the Grant Administration. Sec. Fish skillfully settled the controversial Alabama Claims with Great Britain through his development of the concept of international arbitration. Sec. Fish kept the United States out of war with Spain over Cuban independence by coolly handling the volatile Virginius Incident. In 1875, Sec. Fish initiated the process for Hawaiian statehood, by having negotiated a reciprocal trade treaty for the island nation's abundant sugar supply. President Grant stated that Hamilton Fish, above all, was the person whom he most trusted for political advice.

Early life and career

Hamilton Fish was born at what is now known as the Stuyvesant–Fish House in Greenwich Village, New York City, to Nicholas Fish and Elizabeth Stuyvesant (a great-great-granddaughter of New Amsterdam's Peter Stuyvesant), and his parents named him after their friend Alexander Hamilton. Nicholas Fish (1758–1833) was a leading Federalist politician and notable figure of the American Revolutionary War. Col. Fish was active in the Yorktown Campaign that resulted in the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. Peter Stuyvesant was a prominent founder of New York, then a Dutch Colony, and his family owned much property in Manhattan.

Fish graduated from Columbia College of Columbia University in 1827 and was admitted to the New York bar in 1830, practicing briefly with William Beach Lawrence. At Columbia Fish became fluent in French, a language that would later help him as U.S. Secretary of State. He served as commissioner of deeds for the city and county of New York from 1832 through 1833, and was an unsuccessful Whig candidate for New York State Assembly in 1834.

Marriage and family

On December 15, 1836 Hamilton Fish married Julia Kean (a descendant of a New Yorker who was a New Jersey governor, William Livingston). The couples lengthy marriage life was described as happy and Mrs. Fish was known for her "sagacity and judgement". The couple would have three sons and five daughters, and multiple notable relatives. Fish's son, Nicholas, became Minister to Belgium in 1882, appointed by President Chester A. Arthur. Fish's other son, Hamilton, served as private secretary to his father, when Fish was appointed U.S. Secretary of State by President Ulysses S. Grant.

New York political career

U.S. Representative

U. S. Representative Hamilton Fish
Sketch by Fenderich - 1844

For 12 years after his defeat as a Representative in the New York State Assembly, Fish was reluctant to run for office. However, Whig party leaders in 1842 convinced him to run for the House of Representatives. In November, Fish was elected to the House of Representatives; having defeated Democrat John McKeon and serving in the 28th Congress from New York's 6th District between 1843 and 1845. The Whigs at this time were in the minority in the House, however, Rep. Fish gained valued national experience serving on the Committee of Military Affairs. After losing his bid for re-election, he returned to private practice as a lawyer.

Lieutenant Governor

Fish was the Whig candidate for Lieutenant Governor of New York in 1846, but was defeated by Democrat Addison Gardiner who had been endorsed by the Anti-Rent Party. Leasing farmers in New York refused to pay rent to large land tract owners and sometimes resorted to violence and intimidation. Fish had opposed the use of illegal tactics not to pay rent. Gardiner was elected in May 1847 a judge of the New York Court of Appeals and vacated the office of lieutenant governor. Fish was then in November 1847 elected to fill the vacancy, and was Lieutenant Governor in 1848. Lieut. Gov. Fish had a favorable reputation for being "conciliatory" and for his "firmness" over the New York Senate.

Governor

In November 1848, he was elected Governor of New York, defeating John A. Dix and Reuben H. Walworth, and served from January 1, 1849, to December 31, 1850. At 40 years of age, Fish was one of the youngest governors to be elected in New York history. Gov. Fish spoke out against the extension of slavery from land acquired from the Mexican American War. Gov. Fish advocated and signed into law free public education facilities throughout New York state. Gov. Fish advocated and signed into law the building of an asylum and school for the mentally retarded. In 1850, Gov. Fish recommended that the State legislature form a committee to collect and publish the Colonial Laws of New York. All the bills Gov. Fish vetoed were never overturned by the New York legislature.

U.S. Senator

U.S. Senator Hamilton Fish

After Gov. Fish had retired from office he did not openly seek the nomination to be elected U.S. Senator. However, Fish's supporters, in January, 1851, nominated him as a candidate for U.S. Senator. Though Fish was a popular governor a deadlock ensued over his nomination. There had been misgivings by certain state Senators in the New York legislature over Fish's views on slavery. Before the election Fish had declined to speak specifically on compromise legislation over slavery, but had only stated government should enforce the laws. Although Fish did not favor the spread of slavery he was hesitant to support the free soil movement. Finally, when two Democratic Senators who were against Fish's nomination were conspicuously absent, the Senate took action and voted. On March 19, 1851, Fish was elected a U.S. Senator from New York, and he took his seat on December 1.

In the United States Senate, he was a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations until the end of his term on March 4, 1857. Fish became friends with President Franklin Pierce's Secretary of State William L. Marcy and Attorney General Caleb Cushing. He was a Republican for the latter part of his term and was part of a moderately anti-slavery faction. During the 1850s the Republican Party replaced the Whig Party as the central party against the Democratic Party. By 1856, Sen. Fish privately considered himself a Whig although he knew that the Whig Party was no longer viable politically. Sen. Fish was a quiet Senator, rather then an orator, who liked to keep to himself. Sen. Fish often was in disagreement with Sen. Sumner, who was firmly opposed to slavery and advocated equality for blacks. His policy was to vote for legislation on the side of "justice, economy, and public virtue." He strongly opposed the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. Fish often voted with the Free Soil faction and was strongly against the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. In February 1855, merchants represented by Moses H. Grinnell, criticized Sen. Fish's bill on immigration and maritime commerce. Sen. 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 Sen. Fish's bill was oppressive to commercial interests over human interests.

During his tenure, the nation and Congress were in tremendous political upheaval over slavery, that included violence, disorder, and disturbances of the peace. In 1856, pro slavery advocates invaded Kansas and used violent tactics against those who were anti-slavery. In May 1856, Sen. Charles Sumner was viciously attacked by Preston Brooks in the Senate Chamber. At the expiration of his term, he traveled with his family to Europe and remained there until shortly before the opening of the American Civil War, when he returned to begin actively campaigning for the election of Abraham Lincoln. While in France, Fish studied foreign policy with diplomats and distinguished Americans; having gained valuable experience that would eventually benefit his tenor as Secretary of State.

American Civil War

Winfield Scott and Hamilton Fish dined regularly in New York during the onset of the American Civil War.

After Abraham Lincoln had been elected President in 1860, Fish spent time with Brev. Lieut. Gen. Winfield Scott, commander of the Federal Army. Fish's private secretary had aided the efforts of the Star of the West, an American merchant ship sent by President James Buchanan to bring relief supplies to Major John Anderson at Fort Sumtner. While Fish was dining with General Scott in New York a telegram was received that announced the Confederates had attacked the Star of the West in Charleston Bay. When Fish stated that this meant war, Scott replied "Don't utter that word, my friend. You don't know what a horrid thing WAR is."

In 1861 and 1862 Fish joined and participated on the Union Defense Committee of the State of New York, that from April 22, 1861, to April 30, 1862 co-operated with the New York City government in the raising and equipping troops, 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.

In 1862 Fish was appointed by President Lincoln on a commission to serve with Bishop Edward R. Ames to visit the Union Army prisoners being held in the Confederate States of America capital in Richmond, Virginia. The Confederate government, however, refused to allow the commission to enter the city. Instead, Fish and Rev. Ames were able to start a system of prisoner exchange that remained virtually unchanged throughout the American Civil War. After the War ended Fish went back to private practice as a lawyer in New York.

U.S. Secretary of State

Hamilton Fish was appointed Secretary of State by President Ulysses S. Grant and served between March 17, 1869 and March 12, 1877. He was President Grant's longest-serving Cabinet officer. Upon assuming office in 1869, Sec. Fish was initially underrated by some statesmen including former Sec. William H. Seward and John Bigelow. Sec. Fish, however, immediately took on the responsibilities of his office with diligence, zeal, and intelligence.

Reformed U.S. State Department 1869

When Sec. Fish assumed office he immediately began a series of reforms in the Department of State. After appropriations were given to his office by Congress, Sec. Fish cataloged and organized 700 volumes of miscellaneous State Department documents. Sec. Fish introduced indexing of State Department files so subordinates could easily find documents. Sec. Fish implemented Civil Service reform by having State Department applicants be required to pass an entry examination before being appointed consultant. This policy was sometimes hampered, since President Grant could appoint any person to office without the person having to take an examination. However, the policy of testing overall improved the staff at the State Department.

Cuban belligerency and rebellion 1869-1870

By 1869, Cuban nationals 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. Sec. Fish, who desired settlement over the Alabama Claims, did not approve of recognizing the Cuban rebels, since, Queen Victoria and her government had recognized Confederate belligerency in 1861. Recognizing Cuban belligerency would have jeopardized settlement and arbitration with Great Britain. In February 1870, Sen. John Sherman authored a Senate resolution that would have recognized Cuban belligerency. Working behind the scenes Sec. Fish counseled Sen. 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, Sec. Fish, worked out an agreement with President Grant to send a special message to Congress that urged not to acknowledge the Cuban rebels. On June 13, 1870 the message written by Sec. 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 the Virginius Affair.

Santo Domingo 1869-1870

Sen. Charles Sumner, Sec. Fish's former senatorial colleague, led opposition against the annexation of Santo Domingo.
Brady-Handy:1860-1875

After President Grant assumed office on March 4, 1869 one of his immediate foreign policy interests was the annexation of the African Island nation of Santo Domingo into the United States. President Grant believed the annexation of Santo Domingo would increase the United States mineral resources and alleviate the plight of racism against African Americans in the South. Sec. Hamilton Fish, though loyal to President Grant, did not desire annexation; the divided island nation run by African leader President Buenaventura Báez had been troubled with civil strife. Báez had imprisoned an American citizen Davis Hatch for speaking out against the Báez government. Sec. Fish told Grant that the Senate would not be ready to pass a Santo Domingo annexation treaty. In April, 1869 Sec. Fish gave Grant’s private secretary Orville Babcock “special agent” status to search the island. In September 1869, Babcock made a preliminary treaty that would annex Santo Domingo into the United States and given the opportunity to apply for statehood. In October 1869, Sec. Fish drew up a formal treaty that included: a $1,500,000 payment of the Dominican national debt; Samaná Bay would be leased to the United States for $150,000 yearly payment; Santo Domingo would eventually be given statehood.

In a private conference with President Grant, Sec. Fish agreed to support the Santo Domingo annexation if President Grant sent Congress a non-belligerency statement not to get involved with the Cuban rebellion in Spain. Sen. Charles Sumner, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was against supporting the treaty believing that Santo Domingo needed to remain independent and that racism against U.S. black citizens in the South needed to be taken care within the continental United States. Sen. Sumner believed that blacks on Santo Domingo did not share Anglo-American values. On January 10, 1870 Grant submitted the Santo Domingo treaty to the United States Senate. Sec. Fish believed Senators would vote for annexation only if statehood was withdrawn; however, President Grant refused this option. The Senate taking their time on deliberating, finally, rejected the treaty on June 30, 1870. Eighteen Senators led by Sen. Charles Sumner and defeated the treaty. Pres. Grant, angered at Sumner's refusal to support the treaty, fired Sumner's friend J. Lothrop Motley, Grant's ambassador to England, for disregarding Sec. Fish's instructions regarding the Alabama Claims. Grant believed Sen. Sumner had in January 1870 stated support for the Santo Domingo treaty. Sumner was then disposed of his chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations committee by Grant's friends in the Senate.

Treaty of Washington 1871

The American High Commissioners met in Washington D.C. Sec. Hamilton Fish served as chairman. Brady - 1871

During the previous administration under President Andrew Johnson, Sec. Seward attempted to resolve the Alabama Claims with the Johnson-Clarendon convention and treaty. The Alabama Claims had arisen out of the American Civil War, when Confederate cruiser ships built in British ports had damaged Union shipping. The Johnson-Clarendon treaty, presented to Congress by President Ulysses S. Grant, was overwhelmingly defeated by the Senate and the claims remained unresolved. Anti-British Anglo-phobia led by Sen. Charles Sumner was at an all time high when Fish became Secretary of State. Sumner had demanded Britain succeed Canada to the United States as payment for the Alabama Claims. In late 1870, an opportunity arrived to settle the Alabama Claims under Prime Minister William E. Gladstone. Fish, who was determined to improve relations with Britain, along with President Grant and Senate supporters, had Sen. Charles Sumner removed by vote from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the door was open for renewed negotiations with Britain.

Caricature of Hamilton Fish
Vanity Fair - 1872

On January 9, 1871, Sec. Fish met with British representative Sir John Rose in Washington and an agreement was made, under much negotiations, to establish a Joint Commission to settle the Alabama claims 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. On February 14, 1871 both distinguished High Commissioners representing Britain, led by the Earl of Ripon, George Robinson, and the United States, led by Sec. Fish, met in Washington D.C. and negotiations over settlement went remarkably well. Also representing Britain was Canadian Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald. After 37 meetings, on March 8, 1871 the Treaty of Washington was signed at the State Department and became a "landmark of international conciliation". The Senate ratified the treaty on May 24, 1871. On August 25, 1872, the settlement for the Alabama claims was made by an international arbitration committee meeting in Geneva and the United States was awarded $15,500,000 in gold for damaged done by the Confederate warships. Under the treaty settlement over disputed Atlantic fisheries and the San Juan Boundary (concerning the Oregon boundary 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 the Alabama damages.

South American détente and armistice 1871

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

Korean expedition and conflict 1871

U.S. Naval officers in the Asiatic Squadron on board the U.S.S. Colorado off Korea in June 1871.

In 1871, Korea was 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. In 1866, U.S. relations with Korea were troubled when Christian missionaries were beheaded by the Korean tacwongun, regent to King Kojong, and the crew of the General Sherman, a U.S. trading ship, were massacred. Secretary William H. Seward, under President Andrew Johnson demanded redress for what was perceived as the outrageous actions of the Korean government. U.S. Naval warships were ordered to the Orient, however, when Sec. Seward's term ended in 1869, he was unable to organize a naval expedition. When Sec. Fish took office he organized the Korean naval expedition and broaden the purposes. In April, 1870 Sec Fish ordered Frederick F. Low, minister to China, to take the Asiatic Fleet and voyage to Seoul. 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. Sec. Fish had told the fleet not to use force unless the honor of the U.S. Flag was infringed by the Koreans.

On May 8, 1871 Low and Rear Admiral John Rodgers, commander of the Asiatic Squadron, voyaged to Korea with five warships, eighty-five guns, and 1,230 sailors and marines. On May 16, the naval squadron reached Nagasaki Bay and a week later lowered anchor near the mouth of the Han. The Koreans sent unofficial representatives to stall for time and hope the American Squadron would leave. In June, the American fleet while doing nautical survey was fired upon by the Korean Forts on the Han River leading to Seoul. The American fleet fired back damaging the forts. An apology was demanded, since the honor of the American flag had been violated. On June 10, a U.S. military expedition was launched, after the Koreans failed to apologize for the attack; the objective to destroy the Korean forts on Kanghoa Island. The U.S.S. Monocacy pounded the forts with 9 inch guns while 546 sailors and 105 marines landed on the island ; captured and destroyed the Korean forts. The "Citadel" fortress, on a steep 115 foot hillside, posed the most difficulty in taking for the American troops, fighting in hand to hand combat with the Korean Tiger Hunters. All of the Korean forts taken, were destroyed and leveled on June 11. 350 Korean Tiger Hunters were killed; versus only one officer and two American sailors. Lieut. Hugh W. McKee was the first U. S. Navy officer to die in battle in Korea.

The Asiatic Squadron remained on the Han River for three weeks, however, the Koreans would not open negotiations for a commercial treaty. As the American Squadron left, the Koreans believed that they had won a great victory over the Americans. The attempt to open Korea up to trade was similar to how Admiral Matthew Perry in 1854 had successfully opened up Japan to Western trade. Korea, however, proved to be more isolated then Japan. Ten years later 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.

Virginius affair 1873

Celebration demonstrations in New York over the release of Virginius prisoners. Sec. Fish negotiated the release of the Virginius prisoners from Spanish authorities.
Morgan-January 1874

During the 1870s Cuba was in a state of rebellion against Spain. In the United States, Americans were divided on whether to militarily aid the rebel Cubans. Many jingoists believed the United States needed to fight for the Cuban rebels and pressured the Grant Administration to take action. A privately owned ship, the Virginius, was used to run guns, ammunition, and vital supplies to the Cuban rebels. The captain of the Virginius was Joseph Fry, former officer of the Confederate and Federal Navies. On October 31, 1873 the Virginius was run down in neutral waters by the Spanish warship, the Tornado, off of Morant Bay, Jamaica. After being hit, the Virginius took 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. The Spanish hauled down and trampled the American flag, and brought the prisoners to Santiago. A total of 53 Viginius crew members were executed by the Spanish authorities. 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 world wide, was in decline after the American Civil War.

When news reached the United States of the executions, President Grant and Sec. Fish were forced to make an immediate response. Many Americans demanded a full scale war with Spain. Sec. Fish found out that the registration was falsified under American ownership, however, the executions of Americans demanded action. Sec. Fish, coolly handled the situation, called upon Spanish minister, Adm. José Polo de Bernabé in Washington D.C. and held a conference. A settlement was made where Spain relinquished the severely damaged Virginius to the U.S. Navy, while survivors were released that included 13 Americans. 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. The national honor of both Spain and the United States was preserved and it was chiefly due to the restraint and moderation of Sec. Fish and Bernabé that a satisfactory settlement of the Virginius Affair was reached by the United States and Spain.

Hawaiian reciprocal trade treaty 1875

Sec. Fish also negotiated the reciprocity treaty of 1875 with the Kingdom of Hawaii. Hawaiian sugar was made duty free; while the importation of manufactured goods and clothing was allowed into the island kingdom. By opening Hawaii to free trade the process for eventual statehood into the United States had begun.

Liberian-Grebo civil war 1876

The U.S. settled the Liberian-Grebo civil war in 1876 when Sec. Hamilton Fish dispatched the USS Alaska, under President Grant's authority, to Liberia. Liberia was in practice an American colony. US envoy James 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 USS Alaska captain, negotiated the incorporation of Grebo people into Liberian society and the ousting of foreign traders from Liberia.

Republican convention 1876

As the 1876 Republican convention approached during the U.S. Presidential Election, President Grant, unknown to Sec. Fish, had written a letter to Republican leaders to nominate Sec. 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 of James G. Blaine and Roscoe Conkling. Cartoonist Thomas Nast drew a caricature of Fish and Rutherford B. Hayes as 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 President Grant had written the letter to the convention.

Later life, death, legacy

Hamilton Fish in his elder years.

After leaving the Grant Cabinet in 1877 and briefly serving under President Hayes, Sec. Fish returned to private life, practicing law and managing his real estate in New York City. Sec. Fish was revered in the New York community and enjoyed spending time with his family. Fish resided in Glen Clyffe, his estate near Garrison, New York, in Putnam County, New York, in the Hudson River Valley. His health remained good until around 1884, having suffered from neuralgia. 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 84, suddenly died. His death was attributed to old age. Fish was buried in Garrison at St. Philip's Church-in-the-Highlands Cemetery.

The Newburgh-Beacon Bridge on I-84 across the Hudson river is named after him.

The Hamilton Fish Park Pool on the corners of Pitt St. and E. Houston St. in New York City is named after him.

Notable relatives

• He had a son, a grandson and a great-grandson (all named Hamilton Fish) serve in the U.S. House of Representatives for New York:
  • Son Hamilton Fish II (1849–1936)
  • Grandson Hamilton Fish III (1888–1991)
  • Great-grandson Hamilton Fish IV (1926–1996)
• His great-great grandson Hamilton Fish V ran for Congress in 1988 and 1994 (to succeed his retiring father) but lost. With other investors, Hamilton Fish V purchased The Nation out of bankruptcy in 1977, and sold it in 1995, but remains connected to the foundation. He is also an adviser to George Soros.
• Another son Stuyvesant Fish was an important railroad executive.
• 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 was chargé d'affaires at Berne in 1877–1881, and minister to Belgium in 1882–1886, after which he engaged in banking in New York City.
• Nicholas's son Hamilton Fish, an 1895 graduate of Columbia College of Columbia University, saw service in The Spanish-American War as one of the storied Rough Riders. He was the first member of that regiment to be killed in action, at the Battle of Las Guasimas, Cuba.
• Nephew Stuyvesant Fish Morris, physician from New York.
• Grandnephew Hamilton F. Kean, US Senator from New Jersey.
• Great-grandnephew Thomas Kean, Governor of New Jersey.
• The infamous child killer, Albert Fish, stated he was a distant relative of Hamilton Fish in an interview with Dr. Fredric Wertham. According to Albert Fish, his birth name was Hamilton Fish, named after President Grant's Secretary of State in 1870. Albert Fish stated he changed his name from Hamilton to Albert, because he was teased as a child.

1. ^ ^{a b c d} American Heritage Editors (December, 1981), The Ten Best Secretaries Of State….
2. ^ Corning (1918), p. 58.
3. ^ ^{a b} Corning (1918), pp. 12-15.
4. ^ Corning (1918), p. 16.
5. ^ ^{a b} Corning (1918), pp. 17-20.
6. ^ ^{a b c d e} Corning (1918), pp. 20-22.
7. ^ ^{a b c d} Corning (1918), pp. 23-25.
8. ^ ^{a b c d e} Corning (1918), pp. 25-29
9. ^ Corning (1918), pp. 30.
10. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Corning (1918), pp. 30-34
11. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n} Corning (1918), pp. 35-48.
12. ^ Nevins (1957), p. 36
13. ^ Nevins (1957), p. 37
14. ^ Nevins (1957), p. 42
15. ^ ^{a b} Nevins (1957), p. 48
16. ^ Nevins (1957), p. 53
17. ^ Nevins (1957), pp. 45, 52
18. ^ New York Times (February 19, 1855), The Merchants Denouncing Hamilton Fish.
19. ^ ^{a b} Nevins (1957), p. 57
20. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j} Corning (1918), pp. 46-48."
21. ^ Corning (1918), pp. 52, 53
22. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Corning (1918), pp. 53, 54
23. ^ Corning (1918), p. 85, 86
24. ^ Coring (1918), pp. 87, 88
25. ^ Corning (1918), p. 89, 90
26. ^ McFeely (1981), p. 332, 333
27. ^ McFeely (1981), p. 337
28. ^ ^{a b c d} McFeely (1981), p. 338, 339.
29. ^ Mcfeely (1981), p. 341
30. ^ Smith (2001), p. 501, 502
31. ^ McFeely (1981), p. 344
32. ^ McFeely (1981), p. 340, 341.
33. ^ Smith (2001), p. 504
34. ^ Mcfeely (1981), p. 343
35. ^ ^{a b} Smith (2001), p. 505.
36. ^ Corning, Amos Elwood (1918). Hamilton Fish. pp. 59–84. 
37. ^ Smith (2001), pp. 463, 464.
38. ^ Smith (2001), pp. 508, 509
39. ^ Smith (2001), pp. 510, 511.
40. ^ Smith (2001), 512-514
41. ^ Smith (2001), 512-515
42. ^ ^{a b c d e} Foreign relations of the United States. United States Department of State. December 4, 1871. http://books.google.com/books?id=M10YAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA775&dq=Peace+Conference+Hamilton+Fish+1871&hl=en&ei=Hb1aToGrC8bhiAKA5p3DCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Peace%20Conference%20Hamilton%20Fish%201871&f=false. Retrieved 2011-08-28. 
43. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q} Nahne, Andrew C. (April 1968). "our Little War With The Heathen’". American Heritage 19 (3). http://www.americanheritage.com/content/%E2%80%9Cour-little-war-heathen%E2%80%99. Retrieved 2011-08-30. 
44. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l} Schwartz (October 1998), 1873 One Hundred And Twenty-five Years Ago, American Heritage Magazine, Vol. 49, Is. 6, Retrieved 08-22-2011.
45. ^ Doenecke (1981), p. 177
46. ^ Kremer 1991, pp. 82–87.
47. ^ Corning (1918), p. 104
48. ^ Corning (1918), pp. 105, 106.
49. ^ http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=F000139
50. ^ http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=F000142
51. ^ http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=F000141
52. ^ New York Times (April 3, 1988), METRO DATELINES; Hamilton Fish 3d Joins Race for House, Retrieved 09-13-2011
53. ^ John F. Stover, "The management of the Illinois Central Railroad in the 20th century." (pdf file)
54. ^ http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/fischman-fishburne.html#RBJ09S7PP
55. ^ Benz ((June 26, 1998) The Bull Pulpit
56. ^ New York Times (May 11, 1928), Dr. Stuyvesant F. Morris.
57. ^ Kean, Hamilton Fish, (1862 - 1941)
58. ^ Governor Thomas H. Kean Biography Retrieved 09-15-2011
59. ^ Bardsley (2011), Albert Fish, Retrieved 09-15-2011

Sources

Books

• Corning, A. Elwood (October, 1918). Hamilton Fish. New York, New York: The Lanmere Publishing Company. http://www.archive.org/stream/hamiltonfish00corn#page/n0/mode/2up. 
• McFeely, William S. (1981). Grant A Biography. New York, New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.. ISBN 0-393-32394-3. 
• Nevins, Allan (1957). Hamilton Fish: The Inner History of the Grant Administration. Volume: 1. New York, New York: F. Ungar Pub. Co.. 
• Smith, Jean Edward (2001). Grant. Rockefeller Center New York, New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks. ISBN 0-684-84927-5. 

Magazines, newspapers, and journals

• American Heritage Editors (December, 1981). "The Ten Best Secretaries Of State…". American Heritage 33 (1). http://www.americanheritage.com/content/ten-best-secretaries-state%E2%80%A6. Retrieved 08-22-2011. 
• "The Merchants Denouncing Hamilton Fish" (PDF). New York Times. February 19, 1855. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F20715FD3A58147B93CBA81789D85F418584F9. Retrieved 2011-08-24. 

United States Secretary of State Secretary of Foreign Affairs 1781–1789 R. Livingston • Jay Secretary of State 1789–present Jefferson • Randolph • Pickering • J. Marshall • Madison • Smith • Monroe • Adams • Clay • Van Buren • E. Livingston • McLane • Forsyth • Webster • Upshur • Calhoun • Buchanan • Clayton • Webster • Everett • Marcy • Cass • Black • Seward • Washburne • Fish • Evarts • Blaine • Frelinghuysen • Bayard • Blaine • Foster • Gresham • Olney • Sherman • Day • Hay • Root • Bacon • Knox • Bryan • Lansing • Colby • Hughes • Kellogg • Stimson • Hull • Stettinius • Byrnes • G Marshall • Acheson • Dulles • Herter • Rusk • Rogers • Kissinger • Vance • Muskie • Haig • Shultz • Baker • Eagleburger • Christopher • Albright • Powell • Rice • Clinton

United States Senators from New York Class 1 Schuyler • Burr • Schuyler • Hobart • North • Watson • Morris • Bailey • Armstrong • Mitchill • German • Sanford • Van Buren • Dudley • Tallmadge • Dickinson • Fish • P. King • Morgan • Fenton • Kernan • Platt • Miller • Hiscock • Murphy • Depew • O'Gorman • Calder • Copeland • Mead • Ives • Keating • Kennedy • Goodell • Buckley • Moynihan • H. Clinton • Gillibrand Class 3 R. King • Laurance • Armstrong • D. Clinton • Armstrong • Smith • R. King • Sanford • Marcy • Wright • Foster • Dix • Seward • Harris • Conkling • Lapham • Evarts • Hill • Platt • Root • Wadsworth • Wagner • Dulles • Lehman • Javits • D'Amato • Schumer

Governors and Lieutenant Governors of New York   Governors G. Clinton · Jay · G. Clinton · Lewis · Tompkins · Tayler · D. Clinton · Yates · D. Clinton · Pitcher · Van Buren · Throop · Marcy · Seward · Bouck · Wright · Young · Fish · Hunt · Seymour · Clark · King · Morgan · Seymour · Fenton · Hoffman · J. Adams Dix · Tilden · Robinson · Cornell · Cleveland · Hill · Flower · Morton · Black · T. Roosevelt · Odell · Higgins · Hughes · White · J. Alden Dix · Sulzer · Glynn · Whitman · Smith · Miller · Smith · F. Roosevelt · Lehman · Poletti · Dewey · Harriman · Rockefeller · Wilson · Carey · M. Cuomo · Pataki · Spitzer · Paterson · A. Cuomo   Lieutenant Governors Van Cortlandt • S. Van Rensselaer • J. Van Rensselaer • Broome • Tayler • Clinton • Tayler • Swift • Tayler • Root • Tallmadge • Pitcher • P. Livingston • Dayan • Throop • Stebbins • Oliver • E. Livingston • Tracy • Bradish • Dickinson • Gardiner • Lester • Fish • Patterson • Church • Raymond • Selden • Campbell • Floyd-Jones • Alvord • Woodford • Beach • Robinson • Dorsheimer • Hoskins • Hill • McCarthy • Jones • Sheehan • Saxton • Woodruff • Higgins • Bruce • Raines • Chanler • White • Cobb • Conway • Glynn • Wagner • Schoeneck • Walker • Wood • Lusk • Lunn • Lowman • Corning • Lehman • Bray • Poletti • Hanley • Wallace • Hanley • Moore • Wicks • Mahoney • DeLuca • Wilson • Anderson • Krupsak • Cuomo • DelBello • Anderson • Lundine • McCaughey • Donohue • Paterson • Bruno • Skelos • Smith • Espada • Ravitch • Smith • Ravitch • Duffy Italics indicate acting officeholders

Cabinet of President Ulysses S. Grant (1869–1877) Vice President Schuyler Colfax (1869–1873) • Henry Wilson (1873–1875) Secretary of State Elihu B. Washburne (1869) • Hamilton Fish (1869–1877) Secretary of the Treasury George S. Boutwell (1869–1873) • William A. Richardson (1873–1874) • Benjamin Bristow (1874–1876) • Lot M. Morrill (1876–1877) Secretary of War John A. Rawlins (1869) • William W. Belknap (1869–1876) • Alphonso Taft (1876) • J. Donald Cameron (1876–1877) Attorney General Ebenezer R. Hoar (1869–1870) • Amos T. Akerman (1870–1871) • George H. Williams (1871–1875) • Edwards Pierrepont (1875–1876) • Alphonso Taft (1876–1877) Postmaster General John Creswell (1869–1874) • James W. Marshall (1874) • Marshall Jewell (1874–1876) • James N. Tyner (1876–1877) Secretary of the Navy Adolph E. Borie (1869) • George M. Robeson (1869–1877) Secretary of the Interior Jacob D. Cox (1869–1870) • Columbus Delano (1870–1875) • Zachariah Chandler (1875–1877)