Soon after reaching the Department this a.m., I received a
note from Nicolay, the President's secretary, requesting me to attend a special
Cabinet-meeting at half-past ten. All the members were punctually there except
Seward.
The President desired that what he had to communicate should
not be the subject of conversation elsewhere, and proceeded to inform us that
on Wednesday evening, about six o'clock, Senator Preston King and F. W. Seward
came into his room, each bearing a communication. That which Mr. King presented
was the resignation of the Secretary of State, and Mr. F. W. Seward handed in
his own. Mr. King then informed the President that at a Republican caucus held
that day a pointed and positive opposition had shown itself against the
Secretary of State, which terminated in a unanimous expression, with one
exception, against him and a wish for his removal. The feeling finally shaped
itself into resolutions of a general character, and the appointment of a
committee of nine to bear them to the President, and to communicate to him the
sentiments of the Republican Senators. Mr. King, the former colleague and the
personal friend of Mr. Seward, being also from the same State, felt it to be a
duty to inform the Secretary at once of what had occurred. On receiving this
information, which was wholly a surprise, Mr. Seward immediately wrote, and by
Mr. King tendered his resignation. Mr. King suggested it would be well for the
committee to wait upon the President at an early moment, and, the Secretary
agreeing with him, Mr. King on Wednesday morning notified Judge Collamer, the
chairman, who sent word to the President that they would call at the Executive
Mansion at any hour after six that evening, and the President sent word he
would receive them at seven.
The committee came at the time specified, and the President
says the evening was spent in a pretty free and animated conversation. No
opposition was manifested towards any other member of the Cabinet than Mr. Seward.
Some not very friendly feelings were shown towards one or two others, but no
wish that any one should leave but the Secretary of State. Him they charged, if
not with infidelity, with indifference, with want of earnestness in the War,
with want of sympathy with the country in this great struggle, and with many
things objectionable, and especially with a too great ascendency and control of
the President and measures of administration. This, he said, was the point and
pith of their complaint.
The President says that in reply to the committee he stated
how this movement had shocked and grieved him; that the Cabinet he had selected
in view of impending difficulties and of all the responsibilities upon
himself; that he and the members had gone on harmoniously, whatever had been
their previous party feelings and associations; that there had never been
serious disagreements, though there had been differences; that in the
overwhelming troubles of the country, which had borne heavily upon him, he had
been sustained and consoled by the good feeling and the mutual and unselfish
confidence and zeal that pervaded the Cabinet.
He expressed a hope that there would be no combined movement
on the part of other members of the Cabinet to resist this assault, whatever
might be the termination. Said this movement was uncalled for, that there was
no such charge, admitting all that was said, as should break up or overthrow a
Cabinet, nor was it possible for him to go on with a total abandonment of old
friends.
Mr. Bates stated the difference between our system and that
of England, where a change of ministry involved a new election, dissolution of
Parliament, etc. Three or four of the members of the Cabinet said they had
heard of the resignation: Blair the day preceding; Stanton through the
President, on whom he had made a business call; Mr. Bates when coming to the
meeting.
The President requested that we should, with him, meet the
committee. This did not receive the approval of Mr. Chase, who said he had no
knowledge whatever of the movement, or the resignation, until since he had
entered the room. Mr. Bates knew of no good that would come of an interview. I
stated that I could see no harm in it, and if the President wished it, I
thought it a duty for us to attend. The proceeding was of an extraordinary
character. Mr. Blair thought it would be well for us to be present, and finally
all acquiesced. The President named half-past seven this evening.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864,
p. 194-6
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