Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Benjamin F. Potts, December 21, 1869

COLUMBUS, December 21, 1869.

DEAR GENERAL:—I have your letter of the 20th and am glad to know, what I believed before, that you would stand by the flag notwithstanding the attractions of Montana until the crisis of organization and the Fifteenth Amendment is passed. I am advised, I think authentically, that the Hamilton members have settled to give the pro tempore Speaker of the Senate to the Democrats, Clerk to the Republicans, and so alternate through the offices and committees. In the House, Speaker, Republican, Clerk, Democrat, etc., on down. [The prospect for the ratification of the] Fifteenth Amendment [is] hopeful. Russell's vacancy will be filled in time. There may be an effort to claim that no vacancy existed authorizing a special election, Russell not being a Senator until admitted and sworn. But West says it is all bosh. There was a vacancy, etc., etc. Congratulations and regards to Mrs. Governor Potts.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

GENERAL B. F. POTTS.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, pp. 78-9

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Benjamin F. Potts, November 8, 1869

COLUMBUS, OHIO, November 8, 1869.

DEAR GENERAL:—I congratulate you back again [—on your election to the state Senate]. Some enemy of yours reported that you would be badly beaten in any event. But I didn't believe it. I agree with you. Our lines didn't fall in the right years. The "off years," as Greeley calls them, are bad years to run for office.

The missionary story is out of whole cloth. I went to church like a good Christian on the Sunday I was reported to be ploughing with the Hamilton County Reform Members and didn't see one of them. Bishop Thompson preached a capital discourse on the text, "Be ye faithful to the end and I will give you a crown of life," or words to that effect. If you had heard it you wouldn't have thought of that infamous suspicion that I was imitating Sam Cary because I quoted scripture in my Thanksgiving proclamation. Hassaurek says the Reformers will be with us on the Fifteenth Amendment. I think so too. Lew Campbell, it is said, boasts that he will prevent the ratification in the Senate, but as both of the Reformers are perfectly sound I suppose it is safe.

Kind regards to Mrs. Potts.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

GENERAL B. F. POTTS,
        Carrollton, Ohio.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 69-70