Washington, February 9, 1862.
I was sorry to learn, a few days ago, that you felt some
chagrin at the fact that the resolution tendering to you and to the officers
under your command the thanks of Congress for your exploit at Port Royal had
not been acted upon. As I am alone responsible for everything in relation to
it, I will tell you exactly what the facts were.
The highest honor we can confer at present upon any naval
officer is a vote of thanks. To make such honors worth anything they must not
be too common or cheap. Knowing that several resolutions of similar import, but
for small affairs, were to be offered, I determined to forestall the action of
the Senate by setting the example of referring such resolutions to the
Committee on Naval Affairs, and thus get the control of them. Accordingly, I
introduced the resolutions of thanks to you, and suffered them to remain
quietly in the committee, smothering similar resolutions to others, until the
sentiment of the Senate on such subjects should become a little rectified. In
the mean time, the bill for retirement of old officers became a law, and since
then I have waited for the President's recommendation, which would also, if
acted upon, place you permanently on the active list. That came to us day
before yesterday, and yesterday we passed the resolutions of thanks by a
unanimous vote. There will be no difficulty whatever about its passage through
the House of Representatives. You will, I trust, perceive that so far from there
being the slightest disposition to ignore or slumber over the merits of your
case, I have acted solely with a view to subserve your individual interests,
and at the same time to advance the good of the service.
We are now all rejoicing over Foote's success in Tennessee.
We are much more hopeful than we have been, and I fancy that I can see the end
to the rebellion. The army is sore and a little dispirited at the naval
successes, while they achieve none. May God bless and prosper you in all your
efforts!
SOURCE: William Salter, The Life of James W. Grimes,
p. 168-9
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