Immediately after
reaching the Department this morning I was told there was a suspension of action
in the case of the Navy Agency. Soon after, Mr. Brown called. I told him he had
not kept his promise of seeing me on Wednesday. He was, as Jack Downing says,
“a little stumped” but said he supposed it was of no use. He then informed me
that the President had been seen the night before, and had referred the case of
the Navy Agency to the Attorney-General and the Solicitor of the Department for
their written opinion on a legal point.
Mr. Bolles, the
Solicitor, came in soon after Brown left, and said he had been with the
President and Hamlin the previous evening, and that the President would in
writing call for the written opinion of himself and Ashton, Acting
Attorney-General. In a little time B. and A. came in. Ashton did not at first
rightly comprehend the case, but soon reached it, and a brief but clear opinion
was soon given and transmitted to the President. It will, I think, be
conclusive, and dispense with the farther services of ExVice-President Hamlin
for the present. Perhaps I judge him severely, but he seems to me a violent and
unscrupulous man, avaricious and reckless. Mr. Bridge, Chief of Provisions and
Clothing, says he has no doubt Hamlin is a partner of Brown in the Agency.
He, as well as they, is from Maine, and from his position has had opportunities
of forming correct opinions.
