Captain Walker, of
the De Soto, called last evening. He has been actively engaged at Cape Haytien,
and should not have left with his vessel until the arrival of another. Seward
made a formal request that he should be recalled and reprimanded on the ex
parte statement of the consul, who himself was in error. I declined acceding to
Seward's strange request, and desired him to possess himself of all the facts.
Subsequently he wrote me approving Walker's course, and told me he should
require an explanation from Folsom, the consul.
I have detailed the
De Soto to take Seward to Cuba, and he obscurely hints that his ultimate
destination will be some point on the Mexican coast. Has mystical observations
and givings-out. I give them little credit, as he seems to be aware. After some
suggestions of a public nature, he subsides into matters private, intimating a
wish that it should be understood he goes for his health, for a relaxation,
wishes to escape the tumult and reception of New Year's Day, wants the
factionists in Congress should understand he cares little for them and has gone
off recreating at the only time they are leveling their guns at us.1
No very important
matters before the Cabinet. Seward had a long story about Mrs. Cazneau2
and St. Domingo. I judge from his own statement or manner of stating, and from
his omission to read Mrs. C.'s communication, that he has committed some
mistakes which he does not wish to become public.
1 Stanton contrived to have the President
surrounded most of the time by his detectives, or men connected with the
military service who are creatures of the War Department. Of course, much that
was said to the President in friendly confidence went directly to Stanton. In
this way a constant espionage was maintained on all that transpired at the
White House. Stanton, in all this time had his confidants among the Radicals —
opponents of the President in Congress, a circle to whom he betrayed the
measures and purposes of the President and with whom he concocted schemes to
defeat the measures and policy of the Administration. The President knew my
opinion and convictions of Stanton's operations and of Stanton himself. — G. W.
2 General William L. Cazneau was the special
agent of the United States in the Dominican Republic, and the negotiations for
the purchase of the Bay of Samaná were conducted through him.
