Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, February 28, 1866

WASHINGTON, D. C., February 28, 1866.

DEAR UNCLE: — I don't know whether I have written to you since the veto* or not. Many of our good men still hope that we may retain the President, but it is a very faint hope, scarcely more than a wish that he may return "to the bosom of his family," as Lucy says. The general impression is, however, that Rebel influences are now ruling the White House and that the sooner Johnson is clear over, the better for us. Almost all are for going forward with business and measures in the usual and proper way without excitement or abuse.

We had a pleasant excursion on Saturday to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, which was in every way enjoyable. At the old capitol of Maryland and the academy, there was an abundance to see and the company was good. Lucy expects to leave this week.

Yours,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

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* Of "An Act to establish a Bureau for the Relief of Freedmen, Refugees, and Abandoned Lands."

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 18