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promptly in every way in which her action is needful; and I desire not to be remiss in any duty, but rather to anticipate than delay.
Any views imparted to Mr. Forbes would be received for the common good.
Same day, to
Hon. Salmon P. Chase,
Secretary of the Treasury:—
I have the honor to give notice, that Massachusetts assumes, and will pay, her quota of the direct national tax; and I inclose you a copy of the resolve of the General Court, giving me authority to that end.
Reference having been made, in the newspapers, to the letter written by
General Butler, reflecting upon the personal character of
Colonel Powell T. Wyman, of the Sixteenth Regiment, and the answer which the
Governor made to it, it would appear that
Colonel Wyman, on the 24th of January, wrote to the
Governor, as we find a letter written by the
Governor, Jan. 27, to
Colonel Wyman, from which we extract the essential part:—
Nothing contained in General Butler's letter lessens my estimation of your qualities as a soldier and a gentleman; nor, to my knowledge, is there any officer connected with my staff who entertains any other feeling towards you than such as was manifested continually during your intercourse with us, while organizing your regiment.
I have heard but one expression of sentiment with regard to the affair; and that has been of very cordial sympathy with you, under the infliction of so wanton, unprovoked, and unmerited an attack.
On the 30th of January, the
Governor was suddenly called to
Washington, and was absent about ten days. It was while in
Washington at this time that the troops raised by
General Butler in
Massachusetts were placed in the charge of the
Governor, and the irregular and illegal manner of raising regiments ended; and the Department of New England was discontinued.
In January and February, persons representing themselves recruiting officers for a Maryland regiment came to
Boston, and, by their misrepresentations of large pay and little service, induced some thirty or forty men to enlist, and go with them to
