On Saturday evening
I went with the President (whose health is suffering from excessive labor and
care) and Preston King down the Potomac and took a sail yesterday in the Bay,
returning last evening to Washington. Mr. Fox and Mr. Faxon accompanied us,
also Wright Rives, the President's private secretary, also Dr. Duval. It was a
small, pleasant, quiet party, intended to promote health and strength,
especially to the President, who permits himself to be overtaxed.
The great iron ram
Dunderberg was launched on Saturday. The papers give details of the vessel from
its inception to the launch, but much of it warped. Among other things it is
said the Navy Department entered upon the construction of this ship with great
reluctance. It was after deliberate consideration. If it had been stated that I
engaged in this work and made this contract with great caution and
circumspection it would have been true. At the time this decision was made and
the vessel commenced, a foreign war was feared. We had a large defensive force,
but not as many and formidable vessels as we should need in the event of a war
with a maritime power.
We had contracted
for the Dictator and the Puritan, turreted vessels, which, if completed, would
break up any attempted blockade of our harbors or coasts, but we could not
cruise with them. Admiral Smith urged that one of these vessels should be of
iron, the other of wood. The Assistant Secretary, Mr. Fox, was urgent and
persistent for the construction of four vessels. Mr. Lenthall was not partial
to the turreted form of vessel. I decided in favor of two, and but two, and the
Dictator and the Puritan were the results of that decision. I have since wished
that one of these vessels was of wood, as Admiral Smith proposed, and I have
rejoiced that I did not yield to the appeals for more. Probably those who urged
the construction of more are glad also.
The Dunderberg was a
different description of vessel. Mr. Webb had been importuned to build a large
vessel for the government and was urged as the best man for such a contract in
the country by numbers of the first men in New York and elsewhere. While glad
to have the indorsement of such men, I by no means entered into a contract to
oblige them or Mr. Webb, who, I have no doubt, procured the names by
solicitation. In view of what was being done by England and France, and of the
then condition of our affairs, I felt that we might need such a vessel. So
feeling, I came to the conclusion that Mr. Webb was the best builder with whom
I could contract, offered the best terms, and, under the circumstances, his plan,
though exceptionable, was perhaps the best, with some modifications. These he
made, reserving the turrets, to which Mr. Lenthall strongly objected, and which
he predicted Mr. Webb would wish to abandon before the ship was completed.
Events have verified his anticipations. These are some of the facts in regard
to the Dunderberg. I take no special pride in the vessel, and could I have the
money which she costs, I should prefer it to the vessel. Yet I feel assured I
did right in ordering her to be built. We could not, in the crowded condition
of the yards, attempt to build her in either of them.
In the violent
assaults of Winter Davis and others upon the Department, I was accused of not
having a navy of formidable vessels. I had vessels for the purposes then
wanted. Ships of a more expensive and formidable character, like the
Dunderberg, could not be built in a day. Now, when they are likely not to be
wanted, and when they are drawing near completion, the same class of persons
abuse me for what I have done towards the building up of a formidable navy. But
one must not expect to escape the abuse and unjust attacks of demagogues. I
certainly ought not to complain, for the country has nobly stood by me through
all the misrepresentation and detraction of the malicious and ungenerous who
have made it a point to assail me. Conscious that I have tried to do my duty, I
have borne with patience.
I called on the
President in relation to the Navy Agent in Washington, Brown, whose term
expires on the 27th inst. Last winter, it was understood between Mr. Lincoln
and myself that paymasters should hereafter perform the duty of Navy Agents,
and thus save the expense of that class of officers. But about the 4th of March
Vice-President Hamlin made a special appeal in behalf of Brown, and in view of
Hamlin's disappointments and retirement, the good Mr. Lincoln had not the
stamina to refuse him, or to say to him that it conflicted with a policy which
he had deliberately adopted. My relations with Hamlin were such that I could
not very well argue this point, and the President could modify or yield his own
opinions. He understood my embarrassment and addressed me a note, stating his
pledge inconsiderately made to Hamlin. I have submitted this note and the
circumstances to President Johnson. He concurs with me, and is also somewhat
embarrassed from delicacy, in consequence of his attitude towards Hamlin, whom
he superseded. I suggested that he might oblige Hamlin by giving some other
place to Brown or to any one else whom H. should name. This met his approval,
and he suggested that I should have a letter prepared to H. for him, the
President, to sign. I proposed speaking to Brown himself, stating the general
policy of appointing no Navy Agent, and that, by acquiescing, the President
would feel disposed to consider him and Hamlin favorably. He liked this, and I
accordingly stated the case to Brown soon after, who was a good deal flurried
and not prepared to decide whether he would resign or let his appointment run
out and another be appointed, but would inform me on Wednesday.
While with the
President, I remonstrated on his severe labors which are over-tasking his
system. The anterooms and halls above and below were at the time a good deal
crowded. He said he knew not what to do with these people; that a large
delegation from Maryland had just left him, having called in relation to
appointments in that State and here.
We had some
conversation in regard to the Baltimore officers and Maryland matters and
differences which there existed. The combination against the Blairs is fed and
stimulated from Maryland). I expressed myself very decidedly for the Blairs,
whom I had long known and who are true men. To which he fully responded and
made the remark that they were true to their friends always, quality ever to be
commended.
