[November 19, 1864.]
My Dear Friend
—Your welcome note found me in bed, where I had been for some days. It came
with healing on its wings, for I was in that condition that nothing could serve
me better than the voice of a friend; and no friend more effectually than you.
I am better now and again at work, but with feeble and broken health, that can
only be restored by absolute rest from all labor and care. This I long for, and
hope soon to have. — Our cause is now, I hope, beyond all danger, and when
Grant goes into Richmond my task is ended. To you and others it will remain to
secure the fruits of victory, and see that they do not turn to ashes. — In
respect to affairs here, nothing of any consequence is on foot.
Your experience has taught you that newspaper reports are lies,
invented by knaves for fools to feed on. This is especially true in respect of
cabinet changes and the chief-justiceship. Changes in the cabinet will of
course take place, but they will be made in time and manner that no one will be
looking for.
In regard to the chief-justiceship, I learn from outside
sources that Swayne is the most active and Blair the most confident of the
candidates. My belief is that you will be offered the appointment, if it has
not already been done. . . .
Yours truly,
EDWIN M. STANTON.
SOURCES: Jacob William Schuckers, The Life and Public Services of Salmon Portland Chase, p. 512-3; Frank
Abial Flower, Edwin McMasters Stanton:
the autocrat of rebellion, emancipation, and Reconstruction, p. 211-2
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