Breakfasted alone. After breakfast went to Department,
putting carelessly in my pocket a roll of papers, consisting, in part, of some
sheets of an Account of McClellan's Course till the junction of the Army of the
Potomac with that of Virginia, and of others containing the first draft of my
journal of the 10th., and in part of the 11th. On reaching the Treasury, I was
a little alarmed on missing a roll; and still more annoyed when, on sending
Thomas and Mr. Plant to look along the street and at the house, nothing could
be found of it. What if it should fall into the hands of somebody who will make
public what is not designed for publication, but simply in memoriam?
Fortunately the roll was picked up in the street and brought
to me.
Little of interest occurred at the Department to-day. Expenses
are enormous, increasing instead of diminishing; and the ill succesess in the
field have so affected Government Stocks that it is impossible to obtain money
except on temporary deposit, and these deposits very little exceed.
We are forced, therefore, to rely on the increased issue of
U. S. Notes, which hurts almost as much as it helps; for the omission of
Congress to take any measures to restrict bank-note circulation, makes the
issue of these notes a stimulant to its increase so that the augmentation of
the currency proceeds by a double action and prices rise proportionably. It is
a bad state of things, but neither the President, his counsellors nor his
commanding general seem to care. They rush on from expense to expense and from
defeat to defeat, heedless of the abyss of bankruptcy and ruin which yawns
before us — so easily shunned yet seemingly so sure to engulf us. May God open
the eyes of those who control, before it is too late!
Went over to the War Department about two. Found that no
important intelligence of rebel movements had been received. The Secretary
informed me that he had heard from Genl. H. that the President is going
out to see Genl. McClellan; and commented with some severity, on his
humiliating submissiveness to that officer. It is, indeed humiliating; but
prompted, I believe, by a sincere desire to serve the country, and a fear that,
should he supersede McClellan by any other commander, no advantage would be
gained in leadership, but much harm in the disaffection of officers and troops.
The truth is, I think, that the President with the most honest intentions in
the world, and a naturally clear judgment and a true, unselfish patriotism, has
yielded so much to Border State and negrophobic counsels that he now finds it
difficult to arrest his own descent towards the most fatal concessions. He has
already separated himself from the great body of the party which elected him;
distrusts most those who most represent its spirit; and waits — For What?
Before I left the Department, the Secretary kindly promised
me a Paymastership for W. D. Bickham; which will, when given, be a great
satisfaction to a very worthy friend. We talked also of Port Royal and matters
there. I advised the removal of Brannan, who is hostile to the plans of the
Department and the measures of Seaton. He said he would be ordered to the
North; but did not seem inclined to talk much about it.
Speaking of the number of rebels, he said he thought it
could not exceed 100,000 men; but that his judgment was founded upon
possibilities of supplies and transportation — not on reports.
Called at President's, and spoke to him of leave of absence
to Cameron. He referred me to Seward, to whom I went, and was informed that
leave was sent by last steamer. We talked on many things — Barney's
appointments, conduct of the war, etc, etc, — Engaged to go together tomorrow,
and urge expedition to Cn. — He said some one had proposed that the President
should issue a Proclamation, on the invasion of Pennsylvania, freeing all of
the Apprentices of that State, or with some similar object. I thought the jest
ill-timed.
Judge Adams (6th. Auditor), Mr. Burnan (of Kentucky
Legislature, now a refugee from his home) and Mr. Case, (formerly of Patriot, la.,
now of Portland, Me.) dined with me. The Kentucky Slaveholders were more
against Slavery than the Northern Conservatives. Strange, yet not strange!
In the evening, Maj. D. Taylor, Mr. O'Harra, and Mr. Cooke
called. — later Mr. Cummings. General talk and not very profitable. Cooke and
O'Harra want introduction to Genl. Mitchell for Pitt, Cooke and O'Harra, who
want to buy cotton at Port Royal. — Col. Kane called and left note about
McDowell. — Mr. Cummings talked about “Bulletin” — about the removal of
one of the Editors from Custom House — about support to himself for Assembly — about
distribution of stamps etc. — I got tired.
SOURCE: Diary and correspondence of Salmon P. Chase, in
the Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year
1902, Vol. 2, p. 76-8
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