I spent yesterday with Fox, Faxon, Olcott, and a writer on
the papers seized. They are bad enough, showing depravity and wickedness, but
in many cases the names of persons are drawn in who are, I believe, guiltless
of wrong.
I am not exactly satisfied with Olcott. Coming on in the
cars with a criminal witness, he most indiscreetly talked in the sleeping-car
of Henderson, Brown, Koons, and others, and their remarks reached the Navy
Agent, who was also on board and called on me and stated the facts. Such a
conversation in a public car was improper, and the person is not a proper one
to have the liberty, character, and rights of others at his disposal. Fox,
however, in his ardent nature, gives Olcott full credence and support, and is
ready to follow his suggestions and suspicions to any extreme. I am reluctant
to violate great fundamental principles of right. Fox says Senators Fessenden
and Grimes beg that I will not hesitate.
I called on Judge Blair this morning and had half an hour's
conversation. He advises me to press on; says that there is no doubt I am
right, that all of these contractors are scoundrels; and thinks I have erred in
not at once laying hold of the Navy Agents everywhere and taking possession of
their papers. While I cannot think well of scarcely one of the Navy Agents, I
am disinclined to the harsh and unnecessary exercise of power, especially as
there is no explicit law or authority. Security to persons and papers has been
a maxim in my political creed, and I cannot relieve my mind from it, even when
compelled to take measures with bad men.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30,
1864, p. 540-1
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