 Blaine saw presiding over the cabinet as a chance to preside over the Washington social scene , as well , and soon ordered construction of a new , larger home near Dupont Circle . Although his foreign policy experience was minimal , Blaine quickly threw himself into his new duties . By 1881 , Blaine had completely abandoned his protectionist leanings and now used his position as Secretary of State to promote freer trade , especially within the western hemisphere . His reasons were twofold : firstly , Blaine 's old fear of British interference in the Americas was undiminished , and he saw increased trade with Latin America as the best way to keep Britain from dominating the region . Secondly , he believed that by encouraging exports , he could increase American prosperity , and by doing so position the Republican party as the author of that prosperity , ensuring continued electoral success . Garfield agreed with his Secretary of State 's vision and Blaine called for a Pan @-@ American conference in 1882 to mediate disputes among the Latin American nations and to serve as a forum for talks on increasing trade . At the same time , Blaine hoped to negotiate a peace in the War of the Pacific then being fought by Bolivia , Chile , and Peru . Blaine favored a resolution that would not result in Peru yielding any territory , but Chile , which had by 1881 occupied the Peruvian capital , rejected any negotiations that would gain them nothing . Blaine sought to expand American influence in other areas , calling for renegotiation of the Clayton – Bulwer Treaty to allow the United States to construct a canal through Panama without British involvement , as well as attempting to reduce British involvement in the strategically located Kingdom of Hawaii . His plans for the United States ' involvement in the world stretched even beyond the Western Hemisphere , as he sought commercial treaties with Korea and Madagascar . 
