Dennison and Speed
were not at the Cabinet council to-day. Not much was done. Stanton has got
back, and in some allusions to Sumner appeared to think him as absurd and
heretical as any of us. Of course, some one is cheated. Seward is preparing to
take a cruise, and will leave to-morrow for the West Indies in the steamer De
Soto. There has been much mystery in this premeditated excursion. I am amused
and yet half-disgusted with Seward's nonsense. He applied to me some weeks
since for a public naval vessel to proceed to Havana, and perhaps beyond.
Without inquiries, I take it for granted he goes on public business, or he
would not ask for a public vessel, for I told him that we had not one ready,
but would have one if necessary. When it was settled he should have a vessel,
he talked of a family excursion. Wanted relaxation, wanted Fred should go, said
he wanted to get away from the receptions, etc., of the New Year. There is not
a man in Washington who is more fond of these parades. Another time he whispers
to me that Congress will try to raise the devil, and their fiercest guns will
be directed to us. He prefers to be out of the way and let them spend their
wrath. Once or twice he has said to me that his intention is to visit Mexico.
To-day he took me aside and made some inquiries about St. Thomas, which during
the war I had said might be a desirable acquisition as a coaling station and
central point in the West Indies. His action and talk indicate anticipated
trouble and perhaps complications, the development or dénouement of which he
cares not to be here to witness. From his conversation to-day, it would seem he
expects no embarrassment from France. Without any distinct and explicit
committal on the "Reconstruction" question, he means, in Cabinet, to
be understood as with the President, and Sumner so understands. His man Raymond
went off at first with Stevens and the Radicals, but after having been harnessed
in that team, he has jumped out of the traces. Interest, patronage, Seward's
influence have caused this facing about and may compel him to act with the
Administration; but he is unreliable. I have so told the President, yet I am
glad to have him move in the right direction.
I submitted Semmes's
case again in Cabinet. Told the President he was here, and had some
conversation, general in its character, as to what should be done with him,
without any other indication than approval, but no suggestion.
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