Burlington, October 19, 1863.
Your favor of the 11th ult. reached my home about ten days after
I began my political canvass of this State, and I only returned three days ago.
Hence it is that it has been so long unanswered. I know so little of the
official etiquette of your profession, or of any other, for that matter, that I
am the last man in the world to advise you on the matter about which you ask my
opinion. I can, however, give you what I believe to be the best advice; to
follow the promptings of your own cool, good judgment. If you do, you will not
much err, I am convinced.
I wish I could do something for Rodgers, and, if the matter
is not disposed of for the year beyond recall, I will attempt it when I go to
Washington next month. There is no man for whom I have a higher regard, and I
know no one who would more adorn the position, or who deserves it more. Should
I write, the letter would probably be thrown aside, and the subject be
prejudged without a full hearing.
I think everybody is becoming convinced that your recall
from the South Atlantic Fleet was a hasty, ill-advised measure, and that the
clamor raised against you, and finding utterance in the Baltimore American, was
wholly groundless. Such, at any rate, is the sentiment of those with whom I
have conversed, and I think it is universal.
I shall go eastward in about four weeks. I do not expect
hereafter to have much connection with naval matters, nor do I intend to serve
any longer on the Naval Committee of the Senate.
SOURCE: William Salter, The Life of James W. Grimes,
p. 239
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