1-150-653 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'Out of the Question', 1872. The Butler, Mr Gladstone, considers giving notice to Britannia. She refuses to allow him to go until the Alabama Claim being pursued by America is settled. Gladstone, of course, was the Liberal Prime Minister at the time and the Alabama Claim dated back to the American Civil War. It had been prompted by the damage done to American commerce by the 'Alabama', a privateer fitted out in England. The main issue was whether England should have accepted responsibility for preventing the ship from leaving England. From Punch, or the London Charivari, May 4, 1872.