As he [Scott] threw down the glove and I took it up, I presume war is declared. Be it so. I have one strong point, that I do not care one iota for my present position.1 I enclose a card just received from A. Lincoln. It shows too much deference to be seen outside.2 At one time during the autumn of 1861, Secretary Cameron made quite an abolition speech to some newly arrived regiment. Next day Mr. Stanton urged me to arrest him for inciting insubordination. He often advocated the propriety of my seizing the government and taking affairs into my own hands.3 Mr. Stanton's card came up, and as soon as possible I went down to see him. He told me that he had been appointed Secretary of War, and that his name had been sent to the Senate for confirmation, and that he had called to confer with me as to his acceptance. . . . If I wished him to accept he would do so, but only on my account; that he had come to know my wishes and determine accordingly. I told him that I hoped he would accept the position. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Soon after Mr. Stanton became Secretary of War it became clear that, without any reason known to me, our relations had completely changed. Instead of using his new position to assist me he threw every obstacle in my way, and did all in his power to create difficulty and distrust between the President and myself. I soon found it impossible to gain access to him.4 I am becoming daily more disgusted with this administration — perfectly sick of it.5 I was obliged to attend a meeting of the Cabinet at 8 P. M., and was bored and annoyed. There are some of the greatest geese in the Cabinet I have ever seen — enough to tax the patience of Job.6 I presume the Scott war will culminate this week. Whatever it may be I will try to do my duty to the army and to the country with God's help, and a single eye to the right. I hope that I may succeed. I appreciate all the difficulties in my path; the impatience of the people, the venality and bad faith of the politicians, the gross neglect that has occurred
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things else he was constitutionally tardy in all his movements.
Was there ever such dog-day madness?
A. M. Thayer and Co. 1892.
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