The conduct and course of Admiral Du Pont leaves no doubt on
my mind that he intends to occupy a position antagonistic to the Department.
Fox, who has been his special friend, is of the same opinion. He suggested to
me yesterday that the capture of the Fingal presented to me a good opportunity
to give Rodgers credit, and in turning the subject over, we both concluded that
the letter might be so framed as to detach him, and perhaps others whom the
Admiral has sought to attach to and make part of his clique. Fox caught the
points earnestly and brought me his ideas in the rough form of a letter. His
views were very good and I embodied them in a congratulatory commendation to
Rodgers on his services.
Rumors are rife concerning the army. If Hooker has
generalship in him, this is his opportunity. He can scarcely fail of a triumph.
The President in a single remark to-day betrayed doubts of Hooker, to whom he
is quite partial. “We cannot help beating them, if we have the man. How much
depends in military matters on one master mind! Hooker may commit the same
fault as McClellan and lose his chance. We shall soon see, but it appears to me
he can't help but win.”
A pretty full discussion of Vallandigham's case and of the
committee from Ohio which is here, ostensibly in his behalf, but really to make
factious party strength. Blair is for letting them return, — turning him loose,
— says he will damage his own friends. The President would have no objections
but for the effect it might have in relaxing army discipline, and disgusting
the patriotic sentiment and feeling of the country, which holds V. in
abhorrence.
Blair assures me that Seward and H. Seymour have an
understanding, are acting in concert. Says Stanton is beholden to Seward, who
sustains him. Both he denounces. They are opposed to putting McClellan in
position, fearing he will be a formidable Presidential candidate. Their conduct
is forcing him to be a candidate, when he has no inclination that way. The
tendency of things, B. thinks, is to make McClellan and Chase candidates, and
if so, he says, McC. will beat C. five to one. He tells me he visited McC. last
winter with a view of bringing him here to take Halleck's place. The President
was aware of his purpose. McC. assured him he had no Presidential aspirations;
his desire was to be restored to his old military position. When B. returned
from his successful mission to New York he found his plans frustrated, and the
President unwilling to give them further consideration. Satisfied that Seward,
whom he had made a confidant to some extent, had defeated his purpose, he
embraced the first favorable opportunity, when returning in Seward's carriage
on the night of the 3d of March from the Capitol, to charge Seward with not
having acted in good faith in the transaction. B. says Seward sunk down in the
corner of the carriage and made no reply.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30,
1864, p. 344-5
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