Rutherford B. Hayes to William Henry Smith, November 17, 1867

CINCINNATI, November 17, 1867.

DEAR S—:—I went to Columbus to get quarters and for nothing else. I did hear General Cox's whole mind, as I suppose, and I agree with him throughout. That does not include your ideas as to General D——. I do not hear that he is a candidate for the adjutant-generalship. The pressure idea is foolish enough.

Be serene! I'll talk it all up before jumping in.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

WILLIAM HENRY SMITH,
        Columbus, Ohio.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 49

Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, December 27, 1867

COLUMBUS, December 27, 1867.

MY DARLING:—Am here waiting for my traps and calamities—I should say our—which will be here this afternoon and I hope to get them all in the house tomorrow. The carpets and other things I wish to get ready to put down and put in; but really very little in that way can be done without you. I have an impression we shall feel very homelike here when we do settle.

Love to all. I shall come up [to Fremont] in time for dinner New Year's day, if not before.

Affectionately,

R.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 50

Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, January 11, 1868

COLUMBUS, OHIO, January 11, 1868.

DEAR UNCLE:—I suppose you are entitled to an advance copy of my inaugural. Here it is. It contains but three days [ideas]. First, a compliment to Governor Cox; second, advice against too much legislation; and third, it shows that I still stand by equal suffrage. It is the shortest ever delivered in Ohio.

Our new home is most agreeable. I can give you a pleasant room with an air-tight wood-stove and a bedroom opening into it, so much like your own that I am sure you would be safe in health and feel at home.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 50

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, January 13, 1868

COLUMBUS, OHIO, January 13, 1868.

I now send you another copy of the inaugural containing a fourth idea. I found our Democrats foolish. enough to be repealing Ohio's assent to the Fourteenth Amendment. So I put in some words on that head. — All well.

Yours,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 50

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to William Henry Smith, May 23, 1867

CINCINNATI, May 23, 1867.

DEAR SIR: Yours of 21st came to hand this morning. My chief personal objection to being a candidate for governor was removed when the Legislature squarely stood up to the suffrage issue. My supporters in the Second District are not as willing as I would wish to let me off. I am therefore waiting. Will General Schenck be a candidate? I do not wish to run against him.

Keep this letter to yourself and write me what you know of General Schenck's intentions.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

WILLIAM HENRY SMITH,
        Secretary Of State.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 42-3

William Henry Smith to Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes, between May 23 & 5, 1867

For several weeks prior to the adjournment of the General Assembly, the question of a candidate for governor was generally discussed, and it was the opinion of all of the best men that you were the only one who could carry us safely and triumphantly through the campaign. It was unanimously conceded that if you would consent to be a candidate you would be nominated without opposition, and so anxious were our Western Reserve friends to bring this about, they announced in nearly all their papers that you would receive their support. A few of your friends, and among them myself, deprecated this movement because we could not think of sparing you from Congress, and so through this influence, the thing was checked. However, these men have waited on us to produce the candidate, and they are becoming quite uneasy, especially as Washington schemers are involving the gubernatorial question with that of a candidate for President. Only in this way, on account of the uncertainty about yourself, has General Schenck's name been mentioned. Therefore I feel justified in stating that, if it is known that you will consent to be a candidate, General Schenck will not be.

I shall go down to Cincinnati Monday night or Tuesday morning. This question must be settled by the middle of next week, or we shall be inevitably lost.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 43

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to William Henry Smith, May 25, 1867

Confidential.

CINCINNATI, May 25, 1867.

DEAR SIR:—I intended to be out of town the first three days of next week, but will remain to meet you and talk over the aforesaid.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

WILLIAM HENRY SMITH,
        Columbus, Ohio.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 44

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, June 2, 1867

FREMONT, June 2, 1867.

MY DARLING:—I reached the depot here about six P. M. yesterday, the boys with Rock met me and had me up to the house in a "jiffy," as Mother used to say. Both the boys laughing and talking as tanned as Indians and jolly as porpoises. Birch chops and hauls dirt for the road and Webb rows boat and fishes on the river. School of course but secondary. Their talk was of chickens.

The flower garden has more plants in it, and will some day amount to something. Your verbenas (is that right?) will go into a star-shaped bed tomorrow. The rains have brought up the grass everywhere. It is a beautiful place. Birch calls me "Dad" with great complacency and lays his hand on my shoulder familiarly. Have had a pleasant day with the boys. Very happy little (or big) fellows they are, and very happy it is to be with them. Good night. Love to all.

Sincerely your

R.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 44

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, June 12, 1867

CINCINNATI, June 12, 1867.

DEAR UNCLE:—The papers in the different counties, ties, and the delegate elections are regarded here as settling my nomination. Cox is not getting much support and will, I presume, adhere to his withdrawal.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 44

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, June 20, 1867

CINCINNATTI, June 20, 1867.

DEAR UNCLE:—I shall probably go to Columbus about the middle of next week and get around to Fremont from there Friday or Saturday, and will leave with Buckland for Washington Sunday night or Monday morning. I want to suggest the propriety of taking Birch and Webb with me to Washington. I shall stay but a short time. The expense will be a hundred dollars or so, but as this is probably my last of public life, I would particularly like to take the boys. Do not speak of it to them unless you approve.

I do not regret the new step [candidacy for governor]. It gets me out of worries that I shall be glad to be rid of. All agreeable here. Love to the boys.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 45

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, July 2, 1867

WASHINGTON, July 2, 1867.

MY DARLING:—We got here at five this afternoon; had a good trip. The boys looked and behaved well. At first both a little subdued, but before we got here Webb recovered and was on good terms with the Members of Congress on board; in fact, I am afraid that in another day he would have pulled Senator Chandler's nose and punched Senator Howard in the stomach! Birch took to the guidebook and is up on geography, distances, places, etc., etc.

Affectionately,

R. B. HAYES.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 45

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, July 11, 1867

WASHINGTON, D. C., July 11, 1867.

DARLING:—The boys very happy and very good. Webb and Birch both crowd up to Mr. Stevens when he speaks. They had a chance to hear Bingham's best piece of declamation the other day. Birch, however, likes Stevens the most. Webb is very modest in the House. Birch is bolder. Birch learns everything. Webb is delighted with books he gets from the library.

I have some notion of returning by New York. The only objection is, it will add another week to absence from you. And you know how affectionately

I am ever your

R.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 45-6

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, July 14, 1867

WASHINGTON, D. C., July 14, 1867.

MY DARLING:—Nothing but good things to say about the boys. I asked Birch whether he wouldn't prefer going to New York and Niagara to going direct to Cincinnati. "No," says he, "you see I haven't seen Mama for a long time, not since April, and I want to see where she is living." It looks as if we could start home the last of this or the first of next week. Much love to you, dearest.

Affectionately ever,

R.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 46

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, July 25, 1867

WALNUT HILLS, July 25, 1867.

DEAR UNCLE:—We got home safely yesterday. Find Lucy and all well. I think I will return the two boys about the middle of next week, or last, not certain yet. If I come up, as I think I will, I can stay only a couple of days. Politics will be my business the rest of the time until election. I feel well about it, and expect to enjoy it.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 46

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to William M. Dickson, January 19 , 1867

WASHINGTON, January 19, 1867.

DEAR JUDGE:—I will hand your letter about Shields' confirmation to our Senators with favorable talk. As to the other, I get more letters on the other side, but have done nothing more than to refer them to our Senators. Do you watch the movements here? What do you think of them? Being myself on the radical side of all of them, I may have lost my sense and would like to hear a cool outsider talk.

Yours,

R. B. HAYES.

HON. W. M. DICKSON,
        Cincinnati.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 38

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, January 27 , 1867

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 27, 1867.

DEAR UNCLE:—Buck[land] and I are both a little shaky on the Randall Bill. I will bear watching quite as much as he will. I think we shall both light on your side of the question but our state of mind is, as you used to say, "between souse and suggerly."* I am confident, however, that the bill will not pass at this session.

I hear the boys are at home. I suppose they will (the two big ones) return to your house after this week's doings and that Lucy and Rud will return here soon. I leave it all to her.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

_______________

* Undoubtedly colloquial for "between south and southerly." Lexicographers have failed to record these forms.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 38

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to William Henry Smith, January 29 , 1867

Private and Confidential.

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 29, 1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—I am this morning in receipt of yours of the 26th as to the next Union nomination for governor. Since General Cox's declination one or two persons, in a merely casual way, have spoken to me on the subject. Your letter contains the first and only serious suggestion of the sort I have received from Ohio. I therefore do not wish to speak now decisively, or for the public. I will mention a few things which strike me at first blush, one or the other of which will perhaps end the matter.

Having been elected by the Union people of the Second District to an office which they knew I wanted, it would not be right to resign it without their approval. Again, I would not go into the State Convention unless it was quite certain that I would be supported by the delegates of Hamilton County. And, finally, I would not go into a contest with any other Union man of Hamilton County for the support of the delegation of that county. In short, nothing but the general desire and approval of the party and its public men in the county would justify me in consenting to leave the office to which I have just been elected.

I prefer you would for the present keep this to yourself, with the understanding that I will write you fully, frankly, and definitely when I am a little better informed in the premises.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

WILLIAM HENRY SMITH,
        Columbus.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 39

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, January 30 , 1867

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 30, 1867.

DEAR UNCLE:—The Randall Bill stands no chance at all. Hooper's Bill not much.

No change, is the present feeling in finance. Nothing will be done on impeachment, or Reconstruction at this session.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 39

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, February 2, 1867

WASHINGTON, D. C., February 2, 1867.

DEAR UNCLE:—I get letters about the governorship. It doesn't worry me any, but I am really puzzled what to say. This is the truth as I now see it: I don't particularly enjoy Congressional life. I have no ambition for Congressional reputation or influence—not a particle. I would like to be out of it creditably. If this nomination is pretty likely, it would get me out of the scrape, and after that I am out of political life decently. On the other hand, I ought not and will not resign my seat in Congress to be governor unless the people of my district approve it. You see the case.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.
        Private.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 39-40

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to William Henry Smith, February —, 1867

Private and Confidential.

WASHINGTON, D. C., February —1867.

MY DEAR SIR:—Since writing you early last week I have received a good many letters from Cincinnati and the drift of them all is to confirm me in the correctness of my offhand impressions. I wish, therefore, to have it known that I decline to allow my name to go before the Union State Convention. Of course I feel flattered by the favorable way in which I have been named, and greatly obliged to my friends for their partiality. I would very much enjoy, I am sure, to make the canvass, and I do not pretend to be indifferent to the honor. If I had no place such as the one I now occupy I should quite willingly take the chances of getting a nomination. But under the circumstances, as I said in my former letter, I ought not to resign without the approval of the people who sent me here; and there is, judging by my correspondence, no general desire that I should do so. I shall write no letter for publication and of course want my decision made known without any "flourish of trumpets" or the assignment of reasons.

This letter is marked "private" merely to indicate that I don't want it to be published.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

WILLIAM HENRY SMITH,
        Columbus.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 40