private meeting at the rooms of John W. Forney in Washington, 1). C., Nov. 6, 1867, for conference on the political situation, where were present Senators Wade, Chandler, and Sumner, John W. and D. C. Forney. D. K. Cartter, General Rawlins, 0. E. Babcock, and others.
All present were in favor of nominating General Grant, except Sumner, who, while recognizing his merits as a soldier, and making no personal points against him, earnestly protected against his nomination.
He believed in the strenivil administrative patriotism, and predicted that such a programme, if carried out, would bring about its gradual disintegration.
D. C. Forney, the narrator, believes that General Grant's knowledge of what took place,—probably obtained through Babcock, —planted in his mind a permanent dislike of the senator, which was revealed some years later in the San Domingo controversy.
This account, which seems to be truthful, was, however, not given to the public till twenty-four years after the trans
Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and letters of Charles Sumner: volume 4, Chapter 54: PresidentGrant's cabinet.—A.T.Stewart's disability.—Mr.Fish, Secretary of State.—Motley, minister to England.—the Alabama claims.—the Johnson-Clarendon convention.— the senator's speech: its reception in this country and in England.—the British proclamation of belligerency.— national claims.—instructions to Motley.—consultations with Fish.—political address in the autumn.— lecture on caste.—1869. (search)
the support of the Republican nominations.
（Badean's Grant in Peace, pp. 210, 211.) Another fiction for which another writer is responsible is that Sumner expected to be the Republican candidate for President in 1868, and expressed surprise that his name was passed by. The Cabinet, made up as it was, underwent from necessity rapid and even immediate reconstruction.
The President was least fortunate in his personal surroundings.
He chose for his secretaries four of his staff officers (0. E. Babcock, Adam Badeau, Horace Porter, and F. T. Dent),
Also two more who rendered temporary service. who, holding commissions in the army and drawing salaries as army officers, were misplaced when assigned to civil duties.
They continued to display army titles in civil correspondence.
The Executive Mansion had never before, and has never since, assumed such a military aspect.
Another staff officer (John A. Rawlins) became Secretary of War.
The appointment of A. T. Stewart as Secretary of
