Caricature, Sumner Lion, public domain cartoon image

Charles Sumner puts his head in the gaping mouth of a lion while holding papers relating to the investigation that U.S. violated its neutral obligations by selling arms to France during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. In his pocket are papers relating to U.S. claims against Great Britain for violating its neutral obligations by outfitting privateers during the Civil War ("Alabama claims"). Carl Schurz looks on anxiously in the background.