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and he has promised to have the naval inspectors examine the ‘
Cambridge’ to-morrow, and to see if he can take her. I put the matter upon all the public grounds I could urge, and upon the claim which our State has for consideration from what she has done and what she is doing; and I am sure
Mr. Welles feels personally friendly to our purpose.
The ‘
Pembroke’ I do not believe you can sell to either department, and think you had better put her freight charge, and make your plans for her future employment upon that supposition.
I have the promise, that the duplicate orders for our troops to be mustered into service in
Boston shall be immediately transmitted.
I received your telegram too late to have it done to-day.
I must leave
Washington to-morrow morning, and shall leave
Mr. Lowell in charge of the affairs of the ‘
Cambridge’ until he is superseded by some one else.
I trust he may receive express and direct authority, addressed to him personally from you, or by your order, which I think will facilitate his action and communication with the authorities.
Dr. Howe prefers he should go on with the business, as he understands and has begun it; and it requires a great deal of running about and personal hard work.
I think it will be done to your satisfaction.
The captain of the ‘
Cambridge’ thoughtlessly omitted to make any bargain for the transmission of the guns and shells from
Fortress Monroe, and that will make some trouble, but will be carefully looked after.
Senator Wilson will do all he can to forward the sale of the vessel; and he and
Dr. Howe will advise with
Mr. Lowell.
Faithfully your
Excellency's obedient servant,
The letters of
Mr. Boutwell and
Judge Hoar describe the duties with which they were charged by the
Governor.
They were to consult with the
President and his Cabinet and with
General Scott respecting the exigencies of the occasion, and keep up a communication with the authorities of the
State.
They had also charge of the provisions, clothing, and munitions of war, forwarded from the
State to the
Massachusetts soldiers.
Judge Hoar, who was in
Washington about the time when the proclamation of the
President was issued for regiments of three years volunteers, made, by direction of the
Governor, urgent efforts to induce the
Government to accept of all the regiments which
Massachusetts was prepared to furnish.
On the 8th of May, a proposition was made by him in writing, to the
Secretary of War, offering, on behalf of the
State, to “furnish six regiments ”