Elijah Walton was an agent of the English government. In the 1660s, he approached William Radcliff of Stuart, Atlantis about putting an end to the depredations of Radcliff's cousin, Red Rodney Radcliffe. Radcliff, viewing his cousin as a stain of the family honor, readily agreed. Walton was able to secure an ally in the Netherlands. A small snag arose when Radcliff insisted that he lead the fleet against Avalon. Walton was hesitant, as his orders were that an Englishman must be in command. Radcliff persuaded Walton that the Atlantean was sufficiently English to lead.