Adam Badeau, Grant in peace: from Appomattox to Mount McGregor, a personal memoir

Of course the President had the right to make what changes he pleased in the public service, but Grant thought that after what he had done to secure Garfield's election he should have been consulted in the disposition made of his personal friends, and he felt that the changes were intended to be offensive to him. But although greatly amazed he at first withheld any public expression of opinion. He telegraphed to me on the 24th of March in these words: ‘See the President at once with my letter. Ask him to withdraw your nomination, and if he cannot leave you in London, ask him to give you either Italy or Naval Office in this city. Show him this dispatch as my endorsement of you for either place.’ At the Executive Mansion I met Merritt, who had come on from New York to save himself from taking my place, and as we walked up the stairs—to the American salle des pas perdus—we laughed at each other, and each declared he did not wish for a change. The President and I were old acquaintances. He had been my guest more than once in Washington. He said he had supposed I would like the new arrangement, which was a nominal promotion so far as I was concerned; I was to have a pleasant and easy diplomatic post instead of a busy consular one; it was higher in rank and would leave leisure sufficient to prosecute my literary pursuits. He disclaimed any intention of disapproving my services or displeasing General Grant; but he gave me no reason to suppose he would change his plans.

When I reported the result of my interview to General Grant he telegraphed me again: ‘I advise you to decline Copenhagen and stick to London, unless you can get Naval Office or Italy, or some equally good place. Advise with Conkling and Platt. It would be better to come here without Government appointment than to take Copenhagen.’ My relatives and personal friends gave me different advice and thought I would do better to accept the mission to Denmark; but I considered myself bound to defer to General