Washington, June 29, 1862.
Your very kind letter inviting me to visit you at Port Royal
was received yesterday, for which I am greatly indebted to you. At first, my
friend Mr. Fessenden, of Maine, and myself about determined to accept your
invitation, but my anxiety to see my home, where I have not been since last
October, has constrained me to forego the pleasure which I am sure a visit to
your fleet would afford me. Should you be in that vicinity in the autumn, I
hope I may be able to make the trip.
We hope to adjourn next week. I shall return to Iowa
thoroughly armed by your kind aid, prepared to kill all the deer, grouse, and
other game that I may be able to hit.
I have sent you the bill for the government of the Navy, as
it passed the Senate; also the grade bill as reported to the Senate. I am sorry
to say that I am the only member of the Naval Committee who really desires to
pass the bill to establish new grades, etc. By agreeing to two or three absurd
amendments, I finally succeeded in “badgering” it through the committee, and
got it reported to the Senate, with the understanding that every member of the
committee might vote as he pleased; hoping and believing that I can carry it by
dint of impudence and will.
SOURCE: William Salter, The Life of James W. Grimes,
p. 201-2
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