Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, March 4, 1866

WASHINGTON, D. C. March 4, 1866.

MY DEAR UNCLE:— We are still not clear as to the chances of harmony with the President. He no doubt differs and has all along avowedly and openly differed with us on some important matters. At the time of his unfortunate talk on the 22nd he seemed to be surrounded and possessed by all manner of evil influences. He now seems to feel that he was misled and is really anxious to conciliate. If he signs [the] Civil Rights Bill and the Tennessee Resolution which will both pass soon, the chances are that a complete rupture will be avoided. Otherwise, otherwise. It is an interesting time to be here and I enjoy it very much now, the last three weeks more than ever before.

My ever hopeful temper is a good thing in these perplexing and exciting times.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 19-20