Answered a letter from J. P. Hale, Chairman of Naval
Committee, on the question of increasing the Marine Corps. In answering the
inquiries of Mr. Hale, it is important to so word my communication as to leave
the honorable gentleman some discretion, for he makes it a rule to oppose any
measure which the Department strongly recommends. Mr. Rice, Chairman of the
Naval Committee of the House, informs me of a conversation he had with Hale a
few days since, when he lectured Hale severely for his course. Told him that,
while professing to be a friend of the Administration, he exerted himself to
see if he could not in some way find fault with it, as though he could gain
popularity to himself personally while denouncing the Administration and
especially that branch of it with which he was more particularly identified.
Hale replied that he had the most implicit confidence in the integrity and
fidelity of Gideon Welles, but that he had no confidence in Mr. Fox or Admiral
Smith, etc., etc.
But little at the Cabinet. Neither Chase nor Blair attended.
Seward says our friends in the British Ministry are to be defeated. Told him I
regretted it, but that it was not an unmitigated evil. I had not the
apprehensions from it which he seemed to entertain. I certainly felt
disinclined to make concessions to retain them.
Called this evening on Admiral Dahlgren, who is inconsolable
for the loss of his son. Advised him to get abroad and mingle in the world, and
not yield to a blow that was irremediable.
Wise, who is Chief ad interim of the Ordnance Bureau,
is almost insane for the appointment of Chief, and, like too many, supposes the
way to promotion is by denouncing those who stand in his way, or whom he
supposes stand in his way. Mr. Everett writes to old Mr. Blair against
Dahlgren. Admiral Stringham and Worden called on me yesterday in behalf of Wise
and both opposed D. They were sent by Wise.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 —
December 31, 1866, p. 6-7
