the cruise the three ships were about to begin was undertaken to serve several purposes. first, it carried mr. fox to russia as president andrew johnson's personal representative and as the bearer of a resolution of congress congratulating tsar alexander ii for his escape from the attack of a nihilist assassin. the united states also wished to express to the tsar its appreciation for russia's warm — albeit unofficial — support of the union cause during the civil war, especially of the russian fleet's friendly visit to union controlled waters during the conflict.