Busy and a little indisposed for a day or two. The President
returned from his visit to the army Saturday night. I met him yesterday when I
was riding out. He was feeling well and much gratified with news just received
from Corinth, which he stopped me to communicate.
There was an indisposition to press the subject of negro
emigration to Chiriqui at the meeting of the Cabinet, against the wishes and
remonstrances of the States of Central America. The President gave an
interesting account of his visit to Antietam, South Mountain, etc., the late
battle-fields.
Had a brief canvass for candidates for Navy chaplain. The
President wishes Coleman appointed. I suggested that these offices should be
distributed among the States, and he concurred.
A number of highly respectable persons in Maine memorialized
the President in behalf of George Henry Preble, recently dismissed, desiring
his restoration. Submitted the memorial, which had been inclosed to me by
Senator Fessenden with a request I would do so in a pretty earnest letter. The
President read it through, and said no one could be dismissed or punished
without bringing up a host of sympathizing friends to resist the unpleasant but
necessary action of the Government, and make the victim a martyr. Said he would
do nothing in this case unless I advised it.
Governor Andrew of Massachusetts called upon me this morning,
and we had a frank, free, and full interchange of views. He is impatient under
the dilatory military operations and the growing ascendency of the army in
civil affairs. Our views did not materially differ on the points discussed,
though he has been impressed by Stanton, who dislikes many army officers.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864,
p. 161-2
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