Certain persons in
Boston have an innate conviction that they can improve the administration of
the Navy Department. They are never united among themselves as to how this is
to be effected, but all are fond of criticism. They always claim that they
expected this thing would fail or that would succeed after the event occurred.
I must do them the justice to say, however, that with all their grumbling and
faultfinding they have generally given me a fair support. In special cases,
where I have been lectured, I have invariably found there was an axe to grind,
a purpose to be accomplished. Some one, or more, important personage has had
suggestions to make, and for a consideration — never omitting that — would
consent to help along the work of putting down the Rebellion. These have been
the captious ones.
A man by the name of
Weld has written a long letter to Governor Andrew. He wants the Governor to aid
the Navy Department by writing to the President to form a Naval Board in
Massachusetts, with authority to build vessels, fast steamers, such as
Massachusetts can build, steamers which will capture or destroy the Alabama,
and allow the Massachusetts Board to commission the officers. If there is no
appropriation, says good Mr. Weld, take the necessary funds from the Secret
Service money. Mr. Weld informs Governor Andrew he is ready to be employed.
Governor Andrew indorses over the letter. He also indorses Mr. Weld, who is, he
says, one of the most eminent shipbuilders in Massachusetts, and he (Governor
A.) is ready to cooperate with Mr. Weld in his patriotic suggestions, etc.,
etc., etc. This is Boston all over. I have had it from the beginning and
periodically. The Welds, etc., from the commencement of hostilities, have
prompted and promised almost anything, only requiring the Government to give
them power and foot the bills.
I had to-day a very
full and interesting account of the campaign and fall of Vicksburg from General
F. P. Blair, who has done good service in the field and in politics also. He
was a fearless pioneer in the great cause of the Union and breasted the storm
in stormy Missouri with a bold front. Of the factions and feuds in St. Louis I
pretend to no accurate knowledge, and am no partisan of or for either. Frank is
as bold in words as in deeds, fearless in his utterances as in his fights; is
uncalculating, — impolitic, it would be said, — rash, without doubt, but
sincere and patriotic to the core. I detect in his conversation to-day a
determination to free himself from personal and local complications, and if
possible to reconcile differences. It is honorable on his part, but I apprehend
he has materials to deal with that he cannot master.
G. W. Blunt came to
see me. Ridicules Barney and all the government officials in New York but
Wakeman. Says old General Wool made himself ridiculous in the mob difficulties.
Calls him a weak old man. If weak, it is from age, for there is no one more
patriotic. At eighty he was not the proper man to quell an outbreak. Blunt and
others are sore over the removal of General Harvey Brown. He is earnest to have
the draft go forward, but says it will be followed by incendiarism. It may be
so. Blunt is ardent, impulsive, earnest, and one-sided.
SOURCE: Gideon
Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and
Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864, p. 404-6
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