Samuel Kidder comments

Maybe not much of a Japan connection but..... When Lincoln was shot, Stanton immediately contacted friend and Ohio Congressman John Bingham to serve as only civilian prosecutor in the trial of Lincoln assassins. Bingham was later appointed by President Grant to be senior American diplomat to Japan (in those days the position was minister. The position was upgraded to ambassador in the early 20th century.). Bingham served 4 presidents: Grant, Hayes, Garfield and Arthur. Bingham is the longest serving American minister/ambassador to Japan, 1873-85. If you're interested you can check out my book about Bingham's significant service in Japan, Of One Blood All Nations.

Enjoyed this piece. Grant's visit was certainly a high point in Japan/U.S. bilateral relations. Also interesting to note that Grant appointed John Bingham, Ohio Congressman to be America's Chief of Mission in Japan. (in those days title was Minister, now Ambassador) Bingham served from 1873-1885, the longest term of any American ambassador. Bingham was a major political figure of his generation: confidante of Lincoln, a prosecutor of the Lincoln assassins, deliverer of the articles of impeachment to the Senate in the trial of President Andrew Johnson and most importantly, principal author of the important sections of the 14th Amendment. The later contribution has led American constitutional scholars to call Bingham a second Madison or America's Founding Son, title of Magliocca's biography of Bingham. Bingham is pretty obscure. He gets more ink in American history books for having appointed George Armstrong Custer to West Point than he does for all his other contributions.