There are
comparatively few persons here in attendance on the President or Departments.
The Philadelphia Convention has drawn off most of them for the time, but only
to come back in crowds when the convention adjourns.
Informed the
President that I proposed to detail Rear Admiral Stribling for lighthouse duty.
He said he had no objections. Should be glad to have Lee disposed of. Told him
I had made him president of the board to examine volunteer officers under the
late Act of Congress.
The Lees and old Mr.
Blair are behaving badly. I do not blame Mr. B. so much, for he is old and
affectionate, yet he should have some consideration for others. It would, and
ought to, injure him, his children, Lee, and myself, were I to assign Lee to
the Lighthouse Board here in Washington. After having the best post during the
War, with high pecuniary reward and very little danger, he should not now, with
his ample fortune, derived from that post, think to sit down for the remainder
of his days in the easy post of lighthouse duty on full pay. But he is very mercenary.
SOURCE: Gideon
Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and
Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 578
No comments:
Post a Comment