The Pawnee left
to-day for Portsmouth. Edgar went in her, though with some reluctance.
Newton Case, of
Hartford, wishes me to get permission of the Secretary of War for him to visit
and correspond with Alexander H. Stephens, now in Fort Warren, who is preparing
a work which Case and others are to publish. Stanton declines extending any
facilities. Says Stephens can write and they can publish, but he won't help
them. I thought the refusal injudicious. The work will be forthcoming. Why be
discourteous and harsh to the prisoner? I have not a high regard for Stephens,
who has not erred in ignorance, but he has ability and I would let him tell his
story.
SOURCE: Gideon
Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and
Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 332
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