Diary of Gideon Welles: Tuesday, April 4, 1865

Very little intelligence received from the armies to-day. The President still at City Point, or its vicinity, holding interviews with the generals and having an eye to the close, which is near. In the mean time the Treasury is likely to suffer. The First Comptroller will not pass bill or requisition for pay. A draft for ten thousand dollars was presented to the Treasury which matured today, and the holder, Riggs, was referred to me to see if I could not make arrangement to pay under some other appropriation. I declined to move in the matter. The Kearsarge, destined for Europe, the Wyoming for Brazil, and other vessels are detained, and trouble wells up on every side.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 — December 31, 1866, p. 274

George D. Phillips to Howell Cobb, December 30, 1845

Clarksville [ga.], Decr. 30th, 1845.

Dear Sir: Enclosed you will receive a letter from our friend Col. Lumpkin to me apprising me he had collected a certain amot. of money which was held subject to my order. . . . Will you do me the kindness to speak to the Col. on the subject, or if you choose shew him his letter, which will refresh his recollection, and receive the amot., and likewise do me the farther favor to hand it to Thomas Ritchie with whom I am in arrears. No doubt you sometimes call on the venerable old gentleman whose grey head and tremulous hand is more formidable to the Whigs than an army with banners. This will give you some trouble perhaps, but we cannot live without troubling one another, and you do not know how much trouble I may have on your account yet. Be it however much or little I shall not make out my bill. I could send the statement of Maj. Walker if I thought it were necessary, but the Col. might think I questioned his honor, or some such thing; and I have a great disinclination to be called out in Cold Weather. I will however drop him a line. The President's Message has set all our mountain folks to thinking and talking. Every one understands, or thinks he understands, all about the Oregon question; and I heard a crowd on Christmas, not one of whom knew on which side of the Rocky Mountains Oregon was, swear they would support and fight for Polk all over the world, that he was right, and we would have Oregon and thrash the British into the bargain. As to the tariff, they despised it — they never liked it — and Polk had shewn it was not the poor man's friend. But about locking up the public money, they were not so sure he was right, — it had better circulate from hand to hand, as people could then get money for their work. After the Message had been elaborately [execrated?] by the meeting, my summing up was that our mountain population (save a few rabid Whigs) were sound to the core, and let peace or war betide they would do their duty. Bagatelle aside, this Oregon affair must prove a rough customer to us and England. I am no advocate of quarrels, much less protracted ones, and decidedly prefer a fight, though it results in a bloody nose, to the latter, and therefore feel anxious that the question should be settled; but I must be permitted to doubt if either England or the U. S. has pursued the most politic course, and think if negotiations could be resumed the controversy would be settled with scarcely a shade's variation from the terms previously offered and rejected. But how can the confab be reopened? Neither power will make the first advance; each to a great extent have taken their position, and pride prompts to its maintenance. That our old ally and best transatlantic friend in bye-gone days begins to look on us with green eyes there can be no doubt. Her conduct in relation to Texas, her notions of a balance of power, etc., prove it, and war with England will demonstrate it fully. We should therefore not precipitate a conflict, but with energy prepare for it by increasing our navy and fortifying the most assailable points. The opinion expressed by many distinguished men that England cannot war with us, is a strange delusion. With her stock of cotton on hand and the supplies she can get from Brazil, Egypt and the E. Indies, not one of her spindles would stop for two or three years; and as to her want of breadstuffs, she can feed her suffering thousands on the water and in Canada as cheaply as at home. Her press gangs are now superseded by the necessities of the people, and the difficulty would be to restrain enlistments. And has she ever had such a time to carry out those objects which she so anxiously desires, as the present? She is at peace with all Christendom, her population redundant, the Catholic fanatics of Ireland would forget repeal to join the crusade against slavery; and France, colonizing France, not at all relishing our declarations as to European powers interfering with the affairs of N. America, would stand aloof and feel no desire that the strife should cease until both were whipped.

But if Oregon is ours, although I regret it is not under instead of on the Pacific, we must have it unless we voluntarily yield a part; and I think the President has immortalised himself in taking the stand he has. I hope Congress will act on the subject with caution, prudence, and firmness. Let us ever be in the right and trust to our valor and the God of battles for the issue.

The winter has been excessively cold and has kept me at home, but shall leave in a few days for Ala. The vote on the adm. of Texas was nobly done. Write to Tom Rush to go to Congress. He has talents of a high order, and the people wish him to go, but he is disinclined. Do write to him at Nacogdoches.

SOURCE: Ulrich Bonnell Phillips, Editor, The Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1911, Volume 2: The Correspondence of Robert Toombs, Alexander H. Stephens, and Howell Cobb, p. 69-71

Diary of Gideon Welles: Saturday, October 10, 1863

Lord Lyons, who returned last night, called on me to-day with Admiral Milne and staff, accompanied by Secretary Seward. Admiral Milne has a pleasant face, more Scotch than English. He is tall, — six feet two, — strongly built, not fleshy yet not spare, — a good physique in every respect. While we were conversing, Mr. Seward interrupted to say he had referred the Spanish claim of maritime jurisdiction to the King of Belgium. I asked whether the King of Belgium was an authority on international law and impowered to decide questions of this character so as to make them binding on others. His decision might be conclusive against Spain if he should adhere to the marine league, but were he to decide otherwise, his decision would conclude no government but the United States. I did not believe Great Britain would yield to the dictum of the King of Belgium against tradition and usage and the established law of nations, if the United States did. She would therefore approach Spanish territory to within three miles, while we, by this submission, would be excluded for six miles by the decree if against us.

Seward was a little nonplused. Both Lord Lyons and Admiral Milne exchanged significant looks at this singular reference, which jeopardized our rights and secured us nothing.

Dining at Lord Lyons's this evening, Admiral Milne, who sat next me, stated that he is the first British admiral who has visited New York since the government was established, certainly the first in forty years. He said that it had been the policy of his government to avoid such visitations, chiefly from apprehensions in regard to their crews, their language and general appearance being the same as ours. There were doubtless other reasons which neither of us cared to introduce. He was exceedingly attentive and pleasant. Said he had tried to preserve harmony and good feeling, and to prevent, as far as possible, irritation and vexatious questions between us. Complimented the energy we had displayed, the forbearance exercised, the comparatively few vexatious and conflicting questions which had arisen under the extraordinary condition of affairs, the management of the extensive blockade, and the general administration of our naval matters, which he had admired and in his way sustained without making himself a party in our conflict.

There were some twenty or twenty-five guests, including the Prussian, Spanish, and Brazilian Ministers, the Secretary of State, the Attorney-General, and myself of the Cabinet. The whole was well-timed and judiciously got up for the occasion, and with a purpose. It is, I think, the harbinger of a better state of things, or rather of a change of policy by the English government.

Chase has gone to Ohio preparatory to the election, which takes place next Tuesday. Great interest is felt throughout the country in the result. Chase is understood to have special interest in this election.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864, p. 467-9

Reverend J. C. Fletcher to William Cullen Bryant, October 22, 1863

Rio De Janeiro, October 22d.

The two volumes of your poems, which I received from you last summer, I had the pleasure of putting into the hands of the Emperor of Brazil this morning. Your name and some of your works were already familiar to him, and for a long time he has had your likeness, and for some ten years the picture of your residence. He desires me to thank you for those volumes, and wishes you to know that he is ready to do all that is in his power for the advancement of human rights. He desires to see the day when Brazil (whose laws in regard to human rights, so far as the black man is concerned, have always been far in advance of yours) shall not have a single slave. He takes a deep interest in our struggle, and believes that the whole sentiment of Brazil, of planters as well as non-slaveholders, is against an institution which Portuguese cruelty and short-sightedness left as a heritage to Brazil, and which institution will perish in the mild process of law in a very few years, and, if the North is successful, in a much shorter period.

SOURCE: Parke Godwin, A Biography of William Cullen Bryant, Volume 1, p. 199

Diary of Salmon P. Chase: Friday, September 26, 1862

Received note from Gov. Seward, asking me to name Consul to Rio. Named James Munroe. Another note from Fred Seward asking me to call at State Department before going to Cabinet. Called, but Gov. Seward had already gone.

Went to Cabinet. Talk about colonization. I said nothing. All the others except Welles (Stanton not present) in favor of Treaties.

Several of the loyal Governors came to-day, and in the evening I called on them. Saw Yates at the National, and left card for Berry of N. H. Saw Kirkwood at Kirkwood House. Saw Soloman at Willard's and left cards for Andrew, Bradford, Sprague, Tod, Blair and Pierpont. At Gov. Yates' room saw Genl. McClernand, of Ills., who made a very favorable impression on me.

SOURCE: Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol. 2, p. 96

Special to New York Papers

(Herald’s Special.)

The House considered the amendments to the Tax bill.  Among others agreed to are the following:

Tennessee to have till the 1st of December to assume payment of her portion of the tax.

Breweries manufacturing less than five hundred bbls. per annum, to pay twenty-five dollars.

Licensed brokers to pay fifty dollars, the same commercial brokers, and land warrant brokers twenty-five dollars.

The Committee rose and the House adjourned.

(Tribune Correspondence.)

WASHINGTON, March 24. – The President today nominated the flowing the following Brigadier Generals:

Col. G. M. Dodge, of Iowa, who commanded a brigade under Col. Carr at Pea Ridge; Col. R. S. Canby of the 19th U. S. Infantry., now commanding the Department of New Mexico; S. Wessul, of the 6th U. S. Infantry.

W. H. Havens, of Ohio, has been appointed Consol at Manahan, Brazil.

Secretary Welles has addressed the following letter to Lieut. Worden, of the Monitor:

NAVY DEPARTMENT, March 15.

SIR: The naval action which took place on the 10th inst., between the Monitor and the Merrimac at Hampton Roads, when your vessel with two guns engaged a powerful armed steamer of at least eight guns, and after a four hours’ conflict, repelled her formidable antagonist, has excited general admiration and received the applause of the whole country.  The President directs me, while earnestly and deeply sympathizing with the in the injuries which you have sustained, but which it is believed are but temporary, to thank you and your command for the heroism you have displayed and the great service you have rendered.  The action of the 10th, and the performance, power and capabilities of the Monitor must effect a radical change in naval warfare.

Flag Officer Goldsborough, in your absence, will be furnished by the Department with a copy of this letter of thanks and instructed to cause it to be read to the officers and crew of the Monitor.

I am respectfully your obedient servant.

(Signed.)

GIDEON WELLES.

(Herald’s Dispatch.)

A rumor is current here this evening that Gen. Shields will be obliged to have his left arm amputated on account of the wound received at the battle near Winchester.  It is well authenticated but is not credited.

(Times’ Dispatch.)

The Journal, of Boston, and the Sunday Mercury and the Journal of Commerce, are suspended by order of the Secretary of War, and their editors and proprietors arrested and ordered to Washington to be tried by court martial for violating the fifty seventh article of war.

The statement that Gen. Blenker had been suspended from his command is pronounced untrue.  Neither is it true that the Senate Military Committee have reported against his confirmation.  He is opposed by some of his countrymen, but the Senate committee decided to give him a fair hearing.

Fewer bids were put in for constructing gunboats to-day than was anticipated by the Department.  The awards will not be made for several days.  The plan of each boat is highly approved by scientific men.  They are invulnerable and draw only four feet of water.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

Five Days Later From Europe

FT. DOENLSON NEWS IN ENGLAND.

How it was Received -- American Securities Higher -- Cotton Lower.

PORTLAND, March 19. – The steamship Anglo Saxon, Capt. John Graham, from Liverpool on the 6th, via Londonderry, arrived here this morning.  Her dates are five days later.

GREAT BRITAIN. – The importance of the Federal victory at Fort Donelson was generally recognized in England, causing an advance in American securities and a depression in cotton.

The London Times admits the success of the Federals and their importance, and says, “they have been gained in districts where the allegiance of the population was divided, but they have scarcely brought the Federal Government any nearer than before to a reconstruction of the Union.”

The London Morning Post hopes that both the Unionists and the secessionists will look upon the present state of affairs an affording ground for a compromise of their difficulties, and the conquest of the south is beyond the attainment of the North, on the one hand, and the complete establishment of their independence on the other, may be beyond the power of the South.

Cyrus W. Field had an interview with Earl Russell recently, in regard to connecting Europe and America by a cable from Iceland to Newfoundland.  The interview is understood to have been satisfactory and encouraging.  The annual meeting of the Atlantic Telegraph Company was to be held in London on the 19th of March, to receive the report of the Board of Directors.

Great excitement and violence attended the election of the member of Parliament for Longport, Ireland.  The military were called out and charged upon the rioters several times.  No lives were lost, but many persons were injured.

Sir Henry and Edward Mugridge, extensive iron manufactures in England, had failed.  Liabilities, £5,520,000.  It was feared their assets would turn out unsatisfactory.  The continuous fall in breadstuffs is alleged to have been the cause of their failure.

The Paris correspondents of the London newspapers give reports that many hundreds of arrests had taken place there.  All men suspected of having been chiefs of barricades in former insurrections have been imprisoned.  These measures had increased the uneasy feelings prevailing.  Bourse on the 5th flat and lower.  Rentes quoted 69 70c.

The emperor has sent a quarter of a million francs out of his own private purse to be distributed among the workmen at great industrial centers.

Brazil mails have reached England.  Buenos Ayers was quiet, and peace was expected to be fully restored by the end of February.  The probability of a war between England and America restricted operations in produce at Brazil. – Business in Coffee was limited, owing to extreme prices, which had advanced to 69½@71.

The following is a summary of the news taken out by the Glasgow:  There was no news of the City of Baltimore when the Glasgow left Liverpool.  She was a week overdue.

Mr. Layard stated in the House of Commons, in reply to enquiries, that an officer of the Sumter named Myers, accompanied by a Mr. Tompkins, of Cadiz, had landed at Tangiers from a French merchant vessel, and were arrested by the United States Consul, who requested the assistance of the Moorish troops for this purpose, but he (Layard) was not aware that any pressure had been put on the Moorish Government.  Myers and Thompson have since been released.

Lord Palmerston, in response to enquiries, said the Government originally intended sending a much larger force to Canada than that dispatched, and it was only in consequence of representations from the Colonial authorities that the number was reduced.  He believed the promptitutde, vigor, and power displayed by the Government had tended greatly to a peaceful solution of the difficulty with America.  The total number of the British army is 227,000, and of these over 24,000 are in the American possessions.  The House of Commons has adopted a resolution declaring that the colonies exercising the right of self-government ought to undertake the responsibility of providing for their own internal security.  Mr. Halliburton protested against the resolution as ill-timed.

The steamer Bermuda left Liverpool on the 1st inst. for Bermuda.  She had a large general cargo, including a considerable quantity of merchandise under the designation of hardware.  It is believed her cargo was destined for the Southern ports.

It was stated that Mr. Peabody had offered if the funds collected for the Prince Albert memorial should be devoted to a charitable institution, to give £100,000 towards it, or failing in this, that he had determined to spend the sum in building houses for the working classes of London.  Mr. Peabody quits England for a time with a fortune of £60,000 per annum.

It is reported that Smith O’Brein had challenged Sir Robert Peel, offering to meet him in France or Belgium.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 3

Our Consul To Brazil Resigned

A. [R.] McGrath, Consul to Brazil, has resigned, on the recent visit of the Sumter being permitted. His conduct is commended by Government.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 13, 1862, p. 2