Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Guy M. Bryan, November 9, 1868

WASHINGTON, November 9, 1868.

DEAR GUY:—I came here last night chiefly to attend to your cause. The President has just given me an order for the pardon of yourself and brothers. I congratulate you all.

I concur fully with the sentiments of your letter. I hope you will all agree to one further amendment of the Constitution, viz., the basis of representation to be voters. This I deem very essential. Don't commit yourself against it until I can write you fully.

I return home tomorrow. All Cincinnati friends are well. Regards to your wife.

As ever,

R. B. HAYES.

GUY M. BRYAN,
        Texas.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 55-6

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, November 11, 1868

COLUMBUS, November 11, 1868.

DEAR UNCLE:—We are jogging along as usual a little more to do than heretofore. The Legislature meeting soon and various matters overlooked claiming attention.

I spent the election day [at Cincinnati] looking at Mr. Probasco's fine pictures, statuary, library, and house. The house is much the finest I ever was in. He has a few pictures of all peoples-English, German, French, Italian, Asiatic, etc. He prefers French art to any other.

We hope to spend Thanksgiving with you and shall do so if not prevented by something I don't now foresee. Grant's election was a happy thing. He seems to behave admirably. The effect South and everywhere seems good.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 56

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, December 19, 1868

COLUMBUS, December 19, 1868.

DEAR UNCLE:—Got home safe this morning. Had a good time. The most satisfactory part of the trip was several hours' quiet talk with General Grant. It was a most delightful talk. After he warms up he is just about such a man as Charley Boalt used to be quite as cheerful, chatty, and good-natured, and so sensible, clear-headed, and well-informed. I feel just as much at ease with him as I do with intimate friends like Hastings or Force more so than with Bushnell or even Buckland! This sounds strange, but I mention it because it will give you an idea how completely and wonderfully he remains unspoiled by his elevation. I think I will come up soon and give you some of his talk.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 56-7

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, January 18, 1869

COLUMBUS, January 18, 1869.

DEAR UNCLE:—I received yours enclosing draft for $551.68, proceeds of bond for which I am obliged.

We are all very well. The Legislature comes together in good feeling, and the past week has been an animated time, meeting friends, acquaintances, and strangers. Mr. Emmitt has placed two more statues in the rotunda which I suppose are really by Mead. They are about one-third life-size and very pretty.

The best book of the sort I have seen is "Personal Sketches of Grant" by Richardson, author of "Field, Dungeon, and Escape," which you have. I will bring it up when I come two or three weeks hence.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 57

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Guy M. Bryan, January 21, 1869

COLUMBUS, January 21, 1869.

MY DEAR GUY:—Your New Year's letter made me happy. Time is rapidly getting our political differences out of the way. We shall hardly be as wide apart again as we were ten years ago. Personally, we never were divided. Hereafter I hope we shall meet in as complete accord as need be for close friendship. I was at Gambier Monday to see the inauguration of a new president. The enclosed gives you a report of it. Altogether a good time. I spoke of you to numbers of old friends who have friendly recollections of auld lang syne. Hurd, Buttles, Jones, etc., always ask about you.

Excuse this. I am writing in the office with too many interruptions to write consecutively.

My regards to your wife and children. I hope to see you again soon.

As ever,

R.

GUY M. BRYAN,
        Texas.
Private.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 57-8

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to [--?--], February 15, 1869

COLUMBUS, February 15, 1869.

MY DEAR SIR:—I am in receipt of yours of the 13th. I have taken some pains to keep posted on the state of things at Washington and from different sources, as well informed, perhaps, as anybody, I get advices which lead me to think "pressure" a bad thing. I have so far kept away designedly, and think it would have been better if others had done so. If anything turns up changing the looks I'll act at once. You evidently think as I do about it. Grant's little speech has different versions and the words you quote are not probably "verbatim copy." However, I have no misgivings. There will be dissatisfactions, of course, but I think nothing serious.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

[Unidentified.]

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 58

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Congressman James A. Garfield, February 18, 1869

COLUMBUS, February 18, 1869.

MY DEAR SIR:—I received today the Globe containing the debate on the Butler resolution of censure.* I have felt like thanking you for your part in that debate ever since I read it, and I congratulate you very heartily upon it. It is absolutely necessary that on such occasions somebody should have the pluck to talk truth and sense, and it is a fortunate circumstance to have a man of position and ability to do it.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

JAMES A. GARFIELD.

_______________

* A resolution censuring the Vice-President pro tempore, Benjamin Wade, for ordering the electoral vote of Georgia to be counted in the joint convention of the two houses of Congress for counting the vote for President.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 58

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, March 7, 1869

COLUMBUS, March 7, 1869.

DEAR UNCLE:—We are all well. Political talk is just now all the talk. Grant's inaugural strikes me as capital. His Cabinet looks like a revolution, an experiment. If it succeeds, as I hope it will, all will applaud him for his courage and wisdom. Otherwise, otherwise. It is a Cabinet for work, for honesty, and for economy. It contains three radicals, Washburne, Creswell, and Howe; three conservative Republicans, Cox, Stewart, and Borie. It is outside of political circles— no man of political strength in the list, and is therefore untrammelled, owes nobody anything. It contains no Presidential aspirants, and may therefore be regarded as organized for harmony. No man being conspicuous, Grant's leadership and rule is beyond question. It seems to mean business and not political scheming. It is an attempt to put fitness and qualifications before what is called "claims" and "political services." If anybody could overthrow the spoils doctrine and practice, Grant is the man. It has been thought impossible hitherto, but I hope with some confidence that he will win.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 59

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to William Henry Smith, March 10, 1869

COLUMBUS, March 10, 1869.

MY DEAR SIR:—I sent two letters to Mr. Barrett this morning, one to General Cox, and one to General Grant.

Your letter indicates that you are in doubt of the future. I suppose there is some reason for it, but I confess I don't feel it. There is just now a wild hubbub at Washington and to some extent in the country, but I think I see the main points are all right and think that before a great while the present doubting will disappear. "Wait for the facts."

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

WILLIAM HENRY SMITH,
        Cincinnati, Ohio.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 59

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, March 24, 1869

COLUMBUS, March 24, 1869.

DEAR UNCLE:—I spent four days in Washington most pleasantly. There is still a lack of harmony on the Tenure of Office Law, but generally the prospect is good of a strong, successful, and popular Administration. On all essentials, Grant is more perfectly in accord with Republican ideas than was generally supposed was the case. The Cabinet is personally likely to be very popular. Economy and good sense seem to be in power.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 60

General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, February 1, 1876

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES,

St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 1, 1876.

Dear Brother: . . . Your letter endorsing Hayes is first-rate, and meets general approval. I agree with you that no one should be the President unless he was with us heart and soul in the Civil War; and Hayes fills the bill perfectly.

I should be delighted to have him nominated and elected.

The Democrats, in turning between the Democrats of the North and South, will probably commit a mistake that will reunite the Republicans.

I see the "Herald," in an elaborate and good article on saving money in the War Department estimates, criticizes the sending of officers abroad at public expense, instancing my case. Not one cent of my expenses was paid by the Government. I availed myself of the frigate Wabash to reach Gibraltar, whither she was bound in her course to the Mediterranean. I paid my mess-bill, which amounted to $130 (more than the price of passage over in a Cunarder).

If you happen to see one of those ------ reporters, you could say as much. I will not, because on searching they will find that not a cent was paid for my expenses abroad.

Yours affectionately,

W. T. SHERMAN.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, p. 347-8

J. C. Lee to Governor Rutherford B. Hayes, May 5, 1868

WASHINGTON, D. C., May 5, 1868.

TO GOVERNOR R. B. HAYES,
        Columbus, Ohio.

 
What do Ohio Republicans desire as to impeachment? Answer fully.

 

J. C. LEE,        

Care Judge Welker.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 52

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to J. C. Lee, May 6, 1868

COLUMBUS, May 6, 1868.

TO GENERAL J. C. LEE,
        Care of Judge Welker, M. C.
                Washington. 

Conviction. 

R. B. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 52

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, Saturday, May 23, 1868

FREMONT, OHIO, May 23, Saturday, 1868.

MY DARLING:— Came from Chicago this morning. Had a fine time.

All well here. Young Mrs. Wade came over with me—vexed of course with the doings of a few Ohio anti-Waders, but took it well. The Convention [National Republican] with that exception was a great success. Mrs. Lane sends her regards. She was full of praises of you; the old Senator, ditto.

Affectionately,

R. B. H.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 52-3

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to William Henry Smith, June 27, 1868

COLUMBUS, June 27, 1868.

DEAR SMITH:— In reply to yours of yesterday: The Youngstown address is now half written a dull affair, nothing fresh, original, or even passably good in it. I rely upon a rapid, spirited delivery to get it off on the audience and prefer not to let it get into any daily. But if it must be, your wishes will be complied with, but with the distinctly expressed wish that you don't call attention to it by praise or otherwise. It will be platitudinarily-tion stupid.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

WILLIAM HENRY SMITH,
        Chronicle Office, Cincinnati.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 53

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to William Henry Smith, July 2, 1868

COLUMBUS, July 2, 1868.

MY DEAR S——: —I hope I have not got myself in a scrape with you. I did not dream that your paper would not appear Saturday P. M. Your letter spoke of "selling it by the time I had comfortably concluded, etc., etc.," and so I gave it to all the other Cincinnati papers and I now have slips this morning from the Commercial, etc. But how will it do to print in your last edition Friday? There was no understanding with other papers. Their correspondents asked for it, and they copied it. Do just what you please with it. Mahoning is a great way off.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

WILLIAM HENRY SMITH,
        EDITOR, Chronicle.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 53

Diary of Governor Rutherford B. Hayes, July 9, 1868

Horatio Seymour nominated because: —

1. He was more distinctly and decidedly committed against the Greenback theory of Mr. Pendleton and the Western Democracy than any other man before that convention.

2. He was by his record more completely identified with the peace party than any man except Mr. Pendleton.

3. He is for a reconstruction of the South which will be agreeable to the Rebels, and opposes the reconstruction which gives safety and power to the loyal.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 53-4

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, July 14, 1868

COLUMBUS, July 14, 1868.

DEAR UNCLE:

Joel Bryan's wife, son, and daughter were here this morning. Had a pleasant time with them. The son, Guy, is a fine, excellent young man of twenty-six years sensible, intelligent, etc. The old friends are all prosperous. Negro business in that county works well—no fuss or trouble. The young man is a Democrat and was at New York [National Democratic Convention], but is free from bigotry and nonsense; takes cheerful and sensible views of things.

I go to Cincinnati tomorrow to stay a few days. Yes, hurrah for Seymour and Blair! The thing is a wet blanket here to our Democrats. The prospect has certainly improved for us.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 54

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Manning F. Force, July 25, 1868

COLUMBUS, July 25, 1868.

DEAR GENERAL:

You make me feel "wuss and wuss" but I can't make the trip. Her beauty and "incomparable” charms of all sorts I am sure are of the lasting kind. I can't say as to how she will "keep" in other respects. There is one thing (to the shame of our society be it spoken) which makes it probable that she will stay. She has no fortune to attract the flies.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

GENERAL M. F. FORCE,
        Cincinnati.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 54

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to William Henry Smith, October 27, 1868

Private and Confidential.

COLUMBUS, October 27, 1868.

MY DEAR S——: —The Chronicle contains an unlucky little sentence. Of course it is not to be corrected or alluded to, but the governor neither can nor ought "to prevent breaches of the peace." Yet there are people who expect it, and that makes the sentence unlucky. If there was an insurrection or mob which the civil authorities could not control, I could call out the military (if there was any?) but it is the business of the civil authorities to take care of "breaches of the peace." The governor has no civil authority. I write merely out of abundant caution.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

WILLIAM HENRY SMITH,
        Cincinnati.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 55