Diary of Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes: January 10, 1866

Wilson, Chairman Judiciary [Committee], called up Kelley's bill, providing for universal suffrage (colored) in [the] District of Columbia. Several speeches [were] made. Judge Schofield, of Pennsylvania, made a shrewd and pithy speech. Judge Kelley delivered an offhand brilliant speech. Elocution and rhetoric have evidently been pet studies with him. A very effective, fine thing.

Evening. Caucus decided against the bill of Kelley, preferring qualified to universal suffrage. Universal suffrage is sound in principle. The radical element is right. I was pleased, however, that the despotism of the committees and the older members was rebuked. The Suffrage Bill ought not to have been pressed in advance of other and far more important business. The rights of the majority as against committees and leaders have gained. Much confusion and some feeling. Mr. Stevens quite angry; said he would vote against qualified suffrage; preferred no bill at all! The signs of harmony are more hopeful.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 12-13

Important Decision

It seems, from the following letter, that the Secretary of the Interior has reversed his decision in regard to Swamp Lands.  The Government, if we understand the correspondence, will now issue land scrip in lieu of swamp lands donated to the State, but sold by the Government, previous to the selection.  As the number of acres of swamp or overflowed land thus sold by the general Government is large, this decision of the Secretary is a very important matter in our State:

WASHINGTON CITY, May 10th, 1862.

C. DUNHAM, ESQ., EDITOR HAWK EYE,

Burlington, Iowa.

SIR: Enclosed I send you a letter from Hon. J. M. Edmunds, Commissioner of General Land Office in reference to swamp lands in the State of Iowa.

This reversal of the original decision of the Secretary of the Interior, made after hearing arguments of Senator Harlan and Representative Wilson, will give to the state of Iowa, many thousands of dollars, and a large amount of land scrip in lieu of lands selected in Iowa as swampy, previously sold.

Yours very respectfully,

JAS. A. BEARD.

GENERAL LAND OFFICE, May 7, 1862.

Hon. JAMES HARLAND, U. S. Senate:

SIR – Referring to the case of report No. 13, 392 for $9,006 92-100 of Iowa indemnity on account of swamp lands, I have the honor to advise you that since the rendition of the recent decision of the Secretary of the Interior, I have been instructed to regard it as fixing form of affidavit and terms as facts in future cases, and not as affecting the past; and in this view I have certified said report and submitted it, this date, for final approval of the Secretary, so that It may be sent to the Treasury to the end that it may be followed by a draft.

With great respect your obd’t serv’t,

J. M. EDMUNDS, Commissioner.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 2

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, June 5, 1863

We remained in line of battle all night. Our brigade lay in bivouac all day. The Governor of the State of Iowa made a speech to the Iowa Brigade. Adjutant General Baker and Congressman Wilson of Iowa spoke also. The Sixteenth Iowa went out on picket. Skirmishing has been going on all day, and our men are digging rifle-pits.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 120

Washington Correspondence

WASHINGTON, April 1, 1862.

ED. HAWK-EYE – Dear Sir: Our great army has a multitude of representatives at the hotels and “all quiet on the Potomac” is what I see; at home I only hear it.

There is a desperate effort to prop up the fortunes of Gen. McClellan, yet all agree if he does not gain a great battle, and soon, he must doff his plume and give way to Banks or somebody who defies mud and dares to lead and to die.

This city is to be free, thank God.  The Emancipation bill will pass despite the [money] used to defeat it from Baltimore and the District.  Senator Sumner’s speech was very fine as an historic statement.  He gained good attention for full two hours, and part of the speech I have no doubt, will be read with delight in Iowa.

The Iowa employees so far as I have seen them are a credit to the State, and are gradually being promoted in the Departments.

Mrs. Senator Harlan has just returned from a visit to Port Royal.  Hers was truly a mission of mercy, and at the proper time she will make public facts and theories in regard to the Carolina negroes and what can be done and what ought to be.  In her view it is a great missionary work, and can only be prosecuted by government aid in part, and the banishment of sundry official negro haters who seems to hold the power wherever there is a military occupation by the Union troops.

Senator Harlan is one of the busiest men in Washington.  Ash chairman of the Public Land Committee he is hard at work.  There is a promise of his doing some large work for the State; yet I must not particularize.  The facts will justify a large expectation and time will give more details.

Mr. Grimes has certainly a high rank here as Senator.  The commercial men of New York name him as a Secretary of the Navy, in the event of a place being made by Secretary Welles retirement.  Any one who reads the Globe cannot help seeing that the Governor knows all about this District, and that he must be the worker on the Naval Committee – not to mention the many jobs he spoils by a question, or by a very short telling, insinuating speech.

Who is this man Wilson? asks a member of the House.  I never heard of him before, but he did make a “big speech,” killing a bad Railroad bill.  He was enough for two or three of the most adroit of the old members.

I can say only for our Representative that he got Sorghum exempted from the Tax bill; that he is acting as one of the working men on the Judiciary Committee, and will get a bill for an United States Court, placing Iowa in the center of the District, embracing Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Minnesota.  Who will consent to be Judge? – on the supreme bench for life.  Have we any man who would take the place?

In the House I noticed how instinctively our Democracy voted against the tax on dogs – but it carried; but they went in for a high tax on pianos, melodeons, &c.  Don’t they love music?

I saw Le Grand Byington, a seeker for a seat in Vandever’s place, hand in glove with the traitor Vallandigham.  It will be a fine thing for him to get mileage and perchance a seat, back by 4,000 traitors votes!  Wilson will make a big fight against him, I guess.

Yours,

_______

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 1

The Censorship

Mr. Wilson of Iowa has made a report from the Judiciary committee, upon the censorship of the press.  It speaks of the Censor as almost entirely destitute of all the requirements for the discharge of his delicate duties, ignorant of public affairs, and frequently going even beyond his instructions, which went too far in that they empowered him to deal with dispatches relating to civil as well as military matters.

Mr. Wilson has given a history of the censorship from the dark days of April, when it was the Secretary of the Treasury’s prerogative, to the time of its transference through the Secretary of War to the Secretary of State, and after the assumption of the Present Secretary of war, to that of the War Department again.  He shows how, under Seward’s regime, it was perverted from its original intent; how stock jobbing dispatch – one from Bull Run Russell – got over the wires, while their use was debarred to correspondents of loyal journals, as in the case of the Trent affair decision; and now an extract from the President’s Message was telegraphed to the New York Herald, while dispatches touching the message to other journals were suppressed.  The report recommends the passage of a resolution indicating the sense of congress that the supervisorship be strictly confined to such intelligence concerning projected naval or military movements as is likely to give aid and comfort to the enemy, unless the Government require to take exclusive possession of the wires, then to act strictly under the authority of law.  The Committee express surprise that the order modifying Stanton’s first order was not signed by Stanton instead of Sanford, and find no fault with the present censorship since confined, so far as known to the Committee on Military Matters.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 1

Senator James F. Wilson to C. Dunham, editor of the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, March 12, 1862

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Washington City, D. C., March 12, 1862

C. DUNHAM, Esq., Ed. Hawk-Eye.

Dear Sir, – I shall in the course of the present session of Congress, have placed at my disposal a lot of Cotton and Tobacco seen for distribution.  I wish to furnish these to persons who will plant and cultivate them; and thank such persons throughout the First congressional District, to inform me at an early day, so that I may supply them.

Papers throughout the District will conter a favor by inserting, this in their favor by inserting this in their columns.

Very truly yours,

JAMES F. WILSON.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 1

Washington Correspondence

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 1862

FRIEND DUNHAM:  You may have noticed in the Senate proceedings yesterday, the introduction of a resolution by Senator Grimes inquiring of the Secretary of War whether any contract for the construction of a railroad under authority of the War Department had been made, etc.  The resolution refers to a matter of interest, and I will state some facts concerning it.  The road is to connect Danville, Kentucky, with Knoxville Tennessee, and will be 180 miles in length.  A contract for its construction has been made with a Mr. Stone, (Amasa I think his Christian name is,) of Cleveland, Ohio, formerly contractor on the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad, which road I am informed he left with a somewhat suspected reputation.  He is said, and by many members of Congress believed, to have already forwarded twenty miles of iron in furtherance of his contract.  The road, it is admitted by those favorable to the project here from Kentucky, in private talk, (for the whole thing is substantially private yet,) cannot and is not to be done short of a year, when it is certainly to be hoped that it will not be needed for military purposes.  And yet, the question arises for what other purpose can the War Department undertake its construction?  Also is there authority under any existing law for the Department to undertake the construction of the road at all?  Again, the cost, $15,000,000, is calculated to provoke criticism, under present circumstances.  In connection with the affair, yesterday, in the House, Frank Blair reported from the Military Committee a bill to organize an engineer force to consist of a number not exceeding a stated amount, 100 I think, from each brigade, making in all a force of about 13,000 men.  Mr. Wilson (of Iowa) desired that it might be put over to Friday, for examination.  The purpose is to appoint a Brigadier of Engineers, who is to command this force.  In other words, the Brigadier will be a Superintendent of construction, and the 13,000 soldiers will build the road under his management.  Now, would you believe it?  This man Stone, the contractor, has been nominated to the Senate as a Brigadier.  But, an inkling of the affair getting out, the Senate refused his confirmation – or, at least, put the case over for inquiry, and I doubt now he will ultimately be rejected, even if the scheme, itself, after it gets an airing should go on.

You may also have noticed, in yesterday’s proceedings in the House, perhaps with some surprise, as things go, but doubtless with quite as much pleasure, that that body passed an act creating an additional article of war, forbidding officers in the service from returning fugitive slaves.  This was the first triumph, of any account in the House, of that popular sentiment to which such an act is agreeable.  The bill was reported, and passed, in response to the resolution some time ago introduced by our member, Mr. Wilson, and referred to committee with instructions.  To Mr. Wilson belongs the credit of inaugurating and designating the terms of the act.  It can easily pass the Senate, and doubtless will.  These facts are given to me on authority that I cannot doubt.

The Judiciary Committee is not happily constituted, as times are, I think; and so, I believe are the mass of the loyal men of the North convinced.  All the various confiscation bills presented in the House have been referred to that committee.  The matter has been fully considered by it, and the committee will soon report the bills to the House, with a recommendation that they do not pass.  However, Messrs. Bingham and Wilson make a minority report, recommending the passage of Mr. Bingham’s bill. – That bill is quite similar to the bill of Senator Trumbull, now under discussion in that body, with a probability of its passing during the week.

IOWA.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 1

No More Negro Catching

To Hon. Jas. F. Wilson, of this State, belongs the credit of introducing the resolution which instructed the military committee of the House to report the bill just passed, prohibiting army officers making it their business to return fugitive slaves to their masters.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 2

From Washington

Special to the Chicago Tribune.

WASHINGTON, March 13.

Leonard F. Ross, Col. of the 17^th Illinois, and Capt. Ricketts, of the 1^st U. S. artillery, (the latter of whom was imprisoned some time at Richmond,) have been nominated Brigadier Generals.

A sub-committee of the conduct of the war committee visit Manassas to-day, to investigate the actual condition of that place, with a view to discover the enemy’s strength and defenses at the time when our Generals were still hesitating.

It is ascertained that a citizen of Massachusetts made the first advance on the rebel strongholds on Sunday morning.  Roving beyond our lines, he gradually neared Centerville, and seeing no enemy, he boldly marched within the entrenchments and contemplated with surprise the wooden guns with black mouths mounted there.  He pushed on to Manassas, and “occupied” both places until Monday, when he turned them over to the four corps d’armee.  His testimony has been taken by the conduct of the war committee.

Garrett Davis made almost a disunion speech in the Senate yesterday, on the bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, saying that Kentucky should be a “La Vendee” before she would submit to see slavery touched even in the cotton States by unconstitutional legislation or any other.  Mr. Hale, of N. H., continued the debate.

Mr. Wilson, of Iowa, from the House judiciary committee, reported a bill reorganizing the Supreme Court, as an amendment to the Senate bill.  The eighth circuit consists of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin; the ninth of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas.

Negroes are flocking in from Virginia by the hundreds.  It is estimated that at least one-tenth of the servile population of this section are freed by the retreat of the rebels.  All entertain the notion that their freedom follows the advance of our armies.  One gang of twenty-five arrived this morning.

All who were at Centreville agree that there was only a shadow of an army there.  No heavy guns were ever mounted except wooden ones.  The entrenchments on their flank and rear were feeble.  The railroad to Manassas is of poor construction.  Trees are cut down so as to disclose the plains of Manassas.  Part of the huts were burned; part were standing.  Among the spoils remaining were thousands of hides.  A deserter says that a regular mail from Washington via Alexandria, came twice or thrice weekly.

The House to-day discussed the first and second sections of the tax bill, the question whether any mode of collection through State machinery was practicable.  No vote was taken, but the inclination of the House seemed to favor collection by the United States.

Senator Grimes, of Iowa, made a vigorous and eloquent speech on the resolution giving thanks to Flag Officer Foote.  He was listened to with marked attention, and enforced congratulations from Senators of all shades of opinion.  He gave the Western navy its due – showed by documentary evidence that the credit of the plan of attack on Forts Henry and Donelson belonged to Capt. Foote, and that he would have taken Nashville the week before Buell did; and thus saved valuable stores, if he had been permitted by Gen. Halleck.  Mr. Grimes, enlarged upon the value of a navy to a free people, and incidentally alluded to the Monitor and the Merrimac fight as showing the value of iron-clad vessels, whose construction he (Grimes) had urged since he took his seat in the Senate.  He had also paid a handsome tribute to Lieut. Worden and Capt. Ericson.

The bill organizing the Territory of Arizona attaches the Wilmot Proviso to that and to all other Territories hereafter organized.  Ashley’s Territorial bill was defeated yesterday by the absence of Republicans.  Wilkinson will introduce the same bill from the Senate Territorial Committee, and it will probably come down to the House.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, March 15, 1862, p. 1

Important Decision

It seems, from the following letter, that the Secretary of the Interior has reversed his decision in regard to Swamp Lands.  The Government, if we understand the correspondence will now issue land scrip in lieu of swamp lands donated to the state, but sold by the Government, previous to the selection.  As the number of acres of swamp or overflowed lands thus sold by the general Government is large, this decision of the Secretary is a very important matter to our state.

WASHINGTON CITY, May 10^th, 1862.

C. DUNHAM, ESQ., EDITOR HAWK EYE,

Burlington, Iowa.

SIR:  Enclosed I send you a letter from Hon. J. M. Edmunds, Commissioner of General Land office, in reference to swamp lands in the State of Iowa.

This reversal of the original decision of the Secretary of the Interior, made after hearing arguments of Senator Harlan and Representative Wilson, will give to the State of Iowa, many thousands of dollars, and a large amount of land scrip in lieu of lands selected in Iowa as swampy, previously sold.

Yours very respectfully,

JAS. A. BEARD

GENERAL LAND OFFICE, May 7^th, 1862

Hon. JAMES HARLAN, U. S. Senate.

SIR – Referring to the case of Report No. 13,392 for $9,006 92-100 of Iowa indemnity on account of swamp lands, I have the honor to advise you that since the rendition of the recent decision of the Secretary of the Interior, I have been instructed to regard it as fixing form of affidavit and terms as to facts in future cases, and not as affecting the past, and in this view I have certified said report and submitted it, under this date, for the final approval of the Secretary, so that it may be sent to the Treasury to the end that it may be followed by a draft.

With great respect, your obd’t serv’t,

J. M. EDMUNDS, Commissioner.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 2

Bill to Disfranchise the Rebels

A letter from Washington to the Chicago Tribune says:

One of the most important measures introduced at this session of Congress is the disfranchising bill proposed by Mr. Wilson of Iowa, which provides that no person shall hereafter be eligible to office who has taken up arms against the United States, after having taken an oath to support the Constitution. The bill is intended to apply to all former Senators, Representatives, Federal and State officers, who have joined in the rebellion. The Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of all the States, prescribe an oath of fidelity to the former instrument, and hence every rebel who has held an office is perjured before God and man. The oath of such a person on assuming another office under the United States Constitution would be a mockery and blasphemy. Yet I venture to say that the Democrats will oppose the bill with as much firmness as though it were a proposition to take a part of the tax burden from the shoulders of loyal citizens and put it on the traitors. Col. Voorhees, Wood, and most of the Democratic leaders here, long for the day when they can grasp the hands of Davis, Slidell and Wigfall in the Senate Chamber, and hold sweet communion with Pryor Keitt, Braksdale and Hindman in the House. Mr. Wilson’s bill cuts off all these luxuries, and hence they will be sure to oppose it.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 14, 1862, p. 2

James F. Wilson

JAMES F. WILSON was born at Newark, Ohio, October 19, 1828. His education was obtained in the common schools and he learned the trade of harness making in his youth. He soon decided to study law and was admitted to the bar in 1851. In 1853 he became a resident of Iowa, and locating at Fairfield opened a law office. In 1856 he was a delegate to the convention which organized the Republican party. In 1857 he was a member of the convention which framed the present Constitution of the State. Although one of the youngest members he took an active part in the work. In October of that year he was elected to the House of the Seventh General Assembly and was chairman of the committee on ways and means. In I860 he was a member of the State Senate and after serving through a regular and extra session was elected Representative in Congress to fill a vacancy in the First District. He was three times reflected, serving through the war and reconstruction periods until March, 1871. When Grant was inaugurated President in 1869 he tendered Mr. Wilson a place in his cabinet as Secretary of State which was declined. In the impeachment trial of President Johnson. Mr. Wilson was one of the managers on part of the House. He had originally opposed impeachment and as a member of the judiciary committee had made a minority report in which he gave an able review of the most important cases of impeachment in the British Parliament and Senate of the United States. His report forms a valuable treatise on the subject. He was the author of the joint resolution for amendment of the Constitution of the United States in 1864, abolishing slavery, and made one of the greatest speeches of his life on that subject. In January, 1882, Mr. Wilson was elected to the United States Senate for six years and was reelected, serving until March, 1895. Mr. Wilson died at his home in Fairfield in April, 1895.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Gue, History of Iowa, Volume IV: Iowa Biography, p. 290