Alden came to-day.
Said he was sent for by Porter in relation to the place made vacant by
Drayton's death. In many respects I like Alden, who is, however, a sycophant
and courtier, but the very steps taken by Porter must, for the present, exclude
him. Porter is Superintendent of the Naval Academy and reports to the
Navigation Bureau made vacant by Drayton's death. It will not do to have the
Chief of that Bureau subordinate to Porter or an instrument in his hands. I
apprehend that such would be the case were Alden selected. He is particularly
intimate with Porter and would defer greatly to him, — be, in fact, a mere instrument
to him. I shall, I think, take Jenkins for this place, though he is really,
from his industry, better adapted to and must ultimately have another Bureau,
either Yards and Docks or Equipment and Recruiting.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 362
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