1869-October-13: Secretary Fish issued comprehensive instructions to Minister Bassett regarding the ongoing “unhappy strife” in Haiti.

1869-October-13: Secretary Fish issued comprehensive instructions to Minister Bassett regarding the ongoing “unhappy strife” in Haiti. Fish noted that while the conflict partook of the nature of a civil war, the United States officially withheld recognition of the insurgents’ “state of war” (belligerency). By continuing to recognize Salnave as the rightful ruler of the entire territory, Fish argued the U.S. was going to the furthest extent a neutral power could be asked to go. This policy was shaped in part by Fish’s desire to avoid the “undue haste” the U.S. had previously accused Great Britain of during the American Civil War.