Senator Wilson to-day and Mr. Rice yesterday called in
relation to the investigations which Olcott is prosecuting in Boston. They both
were moved to call by Smith brothers, who are beginning to feel uneasy. Their
attacks on others, if not their wrong acts, have provoked inquiries concerning
themselves. I remarked to each of the gentlemen that the Smiths had nothing to
apprehend if they had done no wrong.
Finished draft of letter in reply to three resolutions — one
of the Senate and two of the House — inquiring concerning the ironclads, Du
Pont's attack last April, etc. The documents to be sent are voluminous. Du Pont
instigated the inquiry, and will be very likely to regret it, not having seen
my report and accompanying papers. He evidently thought I would not publish the
detailed reports, which he had secured and prepared for a purpose, but I had
communicated them with my report. Spaulding, one of the Naval Committee,
allowed himself to be used in the intrigue, and, to his discredit, called for
the documents which I had sent in with report and which had been printed before
his resolution was offered, though he avers I had not presented them. Few of
the Members of Congress do their work thoroughly, or give matters examination,
and hence, like Spaulding, are often victimized. But Du Pont and his friend
Winter Davis, like all intriguers, overrode themselves in some of their
movements. For two years Du Pont was the petted man of the Department. He has
abilities and had courted and brought into his clique many of the best officers
of the Navy. These always were lauding him. Those who were not of his circle
were silent, and I had to form my opinions and conclusions from what I saw and
heard. Fox was very devoted to him and could never do too much for him. To no
man has he ever evinced more partiality. As a general thing, I have thought
Fox, considering his associations and prejudices formed in the service, has
been fair and just towards the officers, but DuPont asked for nothing that Fox
was not willing and urgent to have me grant, yet eventually D. turned upon him.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 —
December 31, 1866, p. 7-8
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