Called yesterday to see Admiral Dahlgren. While there the
President and Secretary of War came in with a telegram from General Butler,
announcing that his son, Colonel Dahlgren, was alive and well with a force of
about one hundred at King and Queen. Of course we were all gratified. The
President was much affected.
To-day I have, or rather Fox, who has special charge of the
matter, had, word from Olcott, the employé of the War Department, stating he
had found evidence of enormous frauds by Scofield, Savage, and Raymond, and
wanted the whole of them arrested, or he had them arrested. Wished a guard
detailed to seize Savage's store, etc. When Fox brought me the papers, I said
to him that the whole subject had been committed to him, and I could not
undertake, with my other duties, to enter upon the details of frauds by these
contractors. Besides I doubted the rightfulness of seizing men and their papers
and valuables on mere suspicion. Advised him to consult legal gentlemen at the
War Department, Olcott being a detective assigned by the Secretary of War.
A long letter from Chase in relation to permits and trade
regulations, explaining his position, and showing not only some sensitiveness
but a little irritation. His letter is based on a reply to two communications
made by me on the 18th ult. in regard to the Ann Hamilton and the Princeton. I
think him wrong in his conclusions as regards these vessels, and also mistaken
as to the course and position of others. In the matter of the embargo first,
and subsequently in that of communication and traffic in the Rebel regions, he
took ground with me, but failed me and slid in with the others when action
became necessary. I disliked the scheme of trade regulations, but it was
concluded to have them, on the permits of the Treasury, War, and Navy
Departments. Soon he deputed the subject of clearances to others, and Stanton
deputed authority to grant permits to his officers, and abuse and
demoralization followed.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30,
1864, p. 536-7
No comments:
Post a Comment