one attempt to invade Canada having ended in total defeat and another mired in the great swamps of northwestern Ohio, the United States was pathetically anxious to talk peace. The Tsar Alexander of Russia offered to mediate but Madison acted before he even knew of Britain's answer to this offer. He appointed his Secretary of Treasury Albert Gallatin and Federalist James Bayard to go to St. Petersburg to negotiate peace. John Quincy Adams, U.S. Minister to Russia, was to meet them there and aid in the talks. Henry Clay and Jonathan Russell were added to the list once Britain agreed to bargain directly. Furthermore, this team of five was sent abroad with orders to come to peaceful terms with Britain. Once Gallatin and Bayard reached England, Gallatin communicated effectively with Madison. He advised Madison and his government not to insist on the impressment issue. Only Gallatin and Bayard were fully aware of the atmosphere in Britain following the fall of Napoleon. Madison simply had to rely on their judgement. Gallatin knew that dropping the issue would force Britain to talk peace eventually. Therefore, Madison altered his original stance in order to seek peace without any stipulations on impressment. Now the peace commissioners had instructions and could proceed with the discussions. Because these men could notify their government and wait for responses, they were given time to develop future strategies and act as mere messengers when, in fact, they had vast bargaining power. It is said that the British commission was inferior to the American both in its clarity of its instructions and in the ability of its members. Madison's decision to delegate this negotiating authority to competent men allowed the U.S. and Britain to come to a rather quick peace. Adams, Gallatin, and the others were able to communicate with Madison and then with the British officials. They could, in a sense, feel the British out and then repor...