NEGenWeb Project
Resource Center
OLLibrary
from this difficulty and yet I dont see how he can unless
Clark & Hall will refund the money which now seems
improbable.
I have been to see Mr
Niles and finally agreed to give him twenty per cent of all he can
obtain on My Wife's claim, except the land on which he is to
charge nothing. This is rather a bad bargain, but I believe
members of Congress form partnerships here with claims agents and
will give no attention to the business of a constituent unless it
first goes through one of these mills. Whether the toll is then
divided or not it is impossible to say, but I have no doubt it is.
They would probably not enter into such an arrangement with a
constituent because the danger of exposure would be much greater.
People in Washington City who never saw Kansas and care nothing
for her interests monopolize more of time, are treated with more
consideration and have more influence with our Senators than I
have, and it is not improbable other constituents are treated in
the same manner but to me it [is] peculiarly ungrateful
for these men all owe to me their elevation. . . .
Sunday January 19th 1862.
. . . . . . . .
Called to see Col. Sims of Kansas
formerly of Missouri. He told me [he] had overheard a
conversation between a Mr ------ reporter of the
Philadelphia Press and a Mrs Winslow who claims to be
the wife of Col. Winslow now in the service of the United States
on the Potomac, in which were discussed the prospects of the
rebellion, both are earnest secessionists and expressed their
confidence that Genl. McClellan is with them and other officers
were also named as ready to betray the cause of the Union at the
first favorable moment! The very walls of this accursed city
breathe treason! Yet our stupidly credulous President is pouring
out the treasure of the country in the full belief that he is
re-establishing the authority of the Government while the rebels
actually command both armies! My God! can human wickedness go
farther! Has God abandoned this country to the powers of hell!
What enormous unpardonable sin has brought upon us this
degradation, this utter depravity! I shall again see Col. Sims to
learn if any thing can be done to meet and defeat this foul plot
to utterly ruin the best government ever established by the wisdom
and courage of man.
Genl. Lane and family started to
Kansas The Genl. is a great
lion here and his room is always filled with visitors, at
this moment there is not a man in Washington more sought after.
The Genl. aims at the Presidency although some hints are thrown
out that his Southern expedition is designed to establish his
power permanently in the Indian Country or Texas. It would not
surprise me if ambitious military men would endeavor to break up
the Union to secure each a fragment wherein to fix himself in
power. Yet I hardly think the scheme can succeed. The people at
large nor the soldiers are not prepared for such gigantic
treachery and ingratitude. I think there is good reason to believe
that many of them dream of "Kingdoms, crowns and regal sway." I
can not understand on what other principle our armies are so large
and inefficient. May a terribly just retribution speedly overwhelm
the conspirators!
Wednesday January 22d 1862
Have been in my room most of the
day reading speeches on the charge of treason against Senator
Bright. It seems to me very clear even from Mr B's own
answers to questions addressed to him that he is more the enemy
than the friend of his country and is an unsafe man to be in the
councils of the nation. Just such men have brought upon us our
present calamities. And love of country and fidelity to its
government should be an indispensable qualification of a public
officer and even the private citizen who is deficient in these
virtues should be regarded with suspicion and aversion.
Col. Sims spent an hour or so with
me this evening. He says Mrs Winslow refered to Sunday
last is the Sister of Roger A. Prior late a Member of Congress
from Virginia. . . .
Thursday January 23rd 1862.
. . . . . . . .
Went to see Mr Niles,
(who it seems is a grandson of Hezekiah Niles who published
"Niles' Register" which I believe was the first newspaper I ever
saw,) to band him some memoranda of precedents in favor of
Mrs Guthrie's claim. Mr Niles thinks the
prospect of success favorable.
Thursday 30th January, 1862.
. . . . . . . .
Called to see Hon. M. F. Conway.
Mr Wilson of the Senate's
Committee on Military Affairs moved in the Senate to have
the Chair appoint a member to fill the place of Mr Lane
of Kansas and the motion was agreed to. I inferred from this that
Lane would not return to the Senate and went to see Mr
Conway to have him go to Mr Doolittle Chairman of the
Committee on Indian Affairs and request him to make the same
motion in reference to Genl. Lane's place in the Com on Indian
Affairs, and to ask the appointment of Genl. Pomeroy to succeed
Lane. Conway objected to having it done immediately as it was
uncertain about Lane's going into the army, and would be
displeased with this premature removal. My object was to
anticipate the movement by some one else and to secure the place
for Pomeroy in whom as a Senator I have great confidence. He is
industrious and faithful and we greatly need such a man on that
Committee; although Lane would suit me very well and may perhaps
have more influence but Pomeroy is more reliable and attentive to
business. However Conway said he would see Mr Doolittle
in the morning and have him keep the Committee as it is until Lane
is heard from and in the event of Lane's resigning to have Pomeroy
appointed. Lane is certainly acting very strangely if not
insanely. Constantly beset by an army of sycophants who pander to
his vanity and obey his behests he turns a cold shoulder to old
and real friends. No man that does this can long enjoy the
confidence and respect of any class of men for the sycophant loves
new idols, and the earnest man will not long be trifled with and
then the ungrateful man is deserted and prostrated. Pomeroy made a
good remark last night; he said "I will take care of my friends
and they and I can take care of my enemies."
Saturday 1st February, 1862.
. . . . . . . .
In my room most of the day
writing my pamphlet on the condition and prospects of the country.
If I can get it published soon I think it will be conceded to have
some merit. I have not yet fixed on a title. . . .
Sunday 2nd February, 1862.
Finished my pamphlet on the
condition and dangers of our government but will yet have to make
corrections and a more methodical arrangement of the topics.
Monday 3rd February, 1862.
Received my Indian Territory bill
which I had forgotten at home and for which I wrote to Mr
Newman. He sent it with a few lines to Genl. Pomeroy.
Dropped a note in the Post Office
for Mr Wattles requesting him to come and see me. He
also is trying to have the Indian Country covered by a territorial
Government and we agreed to compare our respective plans and
prepare a bill from the better features of each. . . . .
At home most of the day reading and
writing my pamphlet which I have entitled "On the difficulties
and dangers that beset the Nation" or rather I have spent a
part of the day in correcting it.
Tuesday 4th February 1862.
Mailed a letter I wrote yesterday
to James H. Lane urging him to return to the Senate. Genl. Lane
has a thirst for military fame because it is the kind that
administers most extravagantly to his insatiable love of honors. I
have great doubt of his real desire to command the expedition to
Texas. But by not having his wishes complied with he enjoys
the eclat of attempting to make a great sacrifice to save
the country; and of increasing public confidence in his military
talents, which are indeed of a very low order, except in these
very essential qualities of vigilance and discretion. Lane wishes
to keep himself perpetually in the public eye, and he is undecided
how to accomplish it. . . .
Wednesday 5th February, 1862.
Mr Augustus Wattles of
Kansas called to see me and I read to him my bill for the
establishment of a Territorial government for the Indian Country
south of Kansas. He appeared to be satisfied with its provisions
but took it to examine it more at his leisure. He also has a bill
prepared for the same purpose and will bring it tomorrow and we
are to compare the two together and determine which shall be
presented to the committee.
Mr Willis Gaylord called
to see me in relation to my claims for pay and mileage as
delegate, and I agreed to give him twenty per cent to attend to
the business for me rather than suffer the delay which I see is
purposely occasioned to get a fee for somebody. Mr G.
is a brother to Mrs Pomeroy and it seems is in
partnership with a Mr Edward Clark a fact I did not
know before; nor was I at all aware that he was engaged in the
business of presenting claims.
Saturday 8th February, 1862.
. . . . . . . .
To-day I learn that the war is
hereafter to be under the immediate direction of the President
through his Secretary of war without the intervention of the
highest officer in the army, (now McClellan) as has hitherto been
the practice. Of this course I heartily approve for I have long
doubted the loyalty and ability of McClellan, besides too much
deference has been paid to these professional military men, who
generally lack sound judgment so all important to success in all
the pursuits of life, and perhaps most of any in military
life.
The foreign news this evening is
that the French Emperor would declare his intention to interfere
in our civil war, to his Legislative Council on the 27th ultimo.
This I have long looked for but it is not only the French Monarch
but he will be backed by England and all the European governments
for there is evidently a combination among them which has for its
object the overthrow of this government because of its republican
form and institutions. It will be a war of political systems as
indeed it already is. The South seeking to consolidate its power
in the hands of the few and to assimilate its form of government
to those of Europe will naturally enlist their sympathies, as it
already has done, and very soon secure their alliances offensive
and defensive. If we are true to ourselves, however and exert but
a moity of the courage and self denial of our revolutionary
ancestors we will come forth from the terrible struggle a better
wiser and more powerful nation than before. God grant us these
high virtues in such perfection as the emergency demands!
Sunday 9th February, 1862
Called to see Hon. M. F. Conway
and talked with him nearly an hour about our National troubles.
Mr C. voted against the passage of the bill making U.
S. notes a legal tender and I cordially approve of this vote. But
Mr C. has some views in regard to our future policy
that I cannot endorse. He thinks if France, (as she now threatens)
breaks our blockade which I would regard as a declaration of
war and acknowledges the independence of the "Southern
Confederacy ["] as it is called that we should acquiesce.
I differ from him entirely in this regard for I believe if we
should have to raise an army of a million of men it is our duty,
and indeed our only hope of salvation, to do it and fight combined
Europe as I have no doubt we shall have to do, on our own soil,
and I have no doubt we can do it successfully and crush the
rebelion besides. . . . .
Monday 10th February, 1862
. . . . . . . .
Mr Wattles spent the
evening with me in comparing our respective plans for the
organization of the Indian Country south of Kansas for the
especial use of the Indians. I think his plan is crude and not
equal to the necessities of the object. Last summer at the extra
session of Congress I prepared a bill for this purpose, but Genl.
Lane whom I wanted to present it to the Senate was opposed to
organize a government over any territory for Indian settlement
exclusively. His wish was to destroy the Indian not to civilize
him. I think under a mild and simple government with laws executed
by themselves the Indians might under the fostering care of the
United States, become a united and homogeneous people, and in time
form a valuable State of the Union. Without a measure of this kind
they must soon become extinct. I am well pleased with the
attention Mr Wattles gives the matter, but his plans
seem ill-digested and ill-judged.
Tuesday, 11 February, 1862
Mr Wattles has been
here much of the day perfecting his territorial bill. But withal I
think it a bungling piece of work and have no idea Congress will
pass it in the form he has now got it. I have made a good many
suggestions which he adopted but still it does not please me. . .
.
Thursday 13th February, 1862
. . . . . . . .
Mr Wattles left on My
table a copy of the N. Y. Tribune containing an article against
erecting an exclusively Indian State south of Kansas, The article
was probably, written by Mrs Lucy B. Armstrong.
Mr Wattles wanted me to answer it and I accordingly
wrote the greater part of a reply, but feel to dull too finish
it.
Thursday 20th February, 1862.
. . . . . . . .
Handed Mr Augustus
Wattles my reply to "Yarahkonehta" in the N. Y. Tribune. The
writer is supposed to be Mrs Lucy B. Armstrong and
urges some plausible but erroneous reasons against the
organization of the Indian Territory south of Kansas. I have
endeavored to answer these objections. The article is not well
written and should have been carefully corrected.
Saturday 22nd February, 1862.
. . . . . . . .
Today was to have been a gala day
for the double purpose of celebrating the birth of Washington and
our recent victories over the rebels. The former is entitled to
all the honors which a grateful nation can bestow, but the
rejoicing over the latter is premature. Celebrations should only
be accorded to those events great or small in themselves which
have an important agency in producing a desired consumation, and
should therefore be reserved until the crowning act is performed.
We can all feel the inspiration and confidence these victories
should produce but our open manifestations of joy should be
restrained until the possibility of defeat and disaster shall
entirely disappear. We have now arrived at the critical point when
a little treachery may overturn the whole fabric of our hopes
founded on the brilliant events of the last few days. And I
greatly fear that treachery is even now doing its accursed work.
Else why should the immense army of the Potomac lie idle and
permit the rebels to withdraw their forces and use them against
our little armies in North Carolina and Tennessee? These armies
are performing the most signal service and if backed by our army
on the Potomac would soon end the war. This deliberate treachery,
(as I believe it to be) is exciting public criticism and
suspicion, and there seems to be a general inclination to demand a
forward movement of the armies of the Potomac; but may not
treachery be as successful in moving forward as in lying still?
and may it not be even more fatal to the interests of the country?
I confess I see no hope of safety but in the removal of McClellan
from the chief command of the army, and the appointment of a true
man in his place. Who this "true man" should be is a question of
most difficult solution, but any truly loyal man would be
preferable to this doubtful one. . . .
Thursday, 27th February, 1862.
. . . . . . . .
Hearing Genl. Lane had again
telegraphed to his friends here to make another effort to secure
to him the command of the army supposed to be destined for Texas.
These persistent efforts to secure a position never promised him
and in violation of army regulations without any good reason has
very much lessened the confidence and respect he had hitherto
enjoyed both here and in Kansas. There seems to me a species of
insanity in some of this man's eccentricities, He has treated me
both discourteously and ungratefully But I have borne these things
in silence but I feel that his protracted absence from his duties
as Senator is a serious wrong to Kansas. . . . I shall now try to
have his place on the Com. of Indian Affairs filled by the
appointment of Genl. Pomeroy. . . .
Sunday 2nd March, 1862.
Snow fell to the depth of 2 or 3
inches, and I have remained in the house all day reading very
little and talking less. In the evening however, I had quite an
animated conversation with Mrs Thompson a boarder, and
the sister-in-law of Genl. Waddy Thompson of South Carolina. She
professes strong Union sentiments and has some employment from the
Government, but defends the intolerence, virulence, and despotism
of the South. The views she entertains or expresses in regard to
the rights of northern men who become citizens of the South accord
with the true spirit of slavery, every where and are clearly in
conflict with the guaranties of the Constitution. She insists that
no anti-slavery man has a right to express opinions unfriendly to
the institution of slavery; that if any one entertains such
opinions he must suppress them or leave the slave States. This is
the evil spirit with which we are now at war and against which we
are sending our immense armies.
Thursday 6th March 1862.
. . . . . . . .
Spent an hour with Genl. Pomeroy.
He signed a recommendation for Moses B. Newman's appointment to an
Indian Agency in Kansas expecting to get for him the Delaware
Agency. Genl. Pomeroy also agreed to have the Pacific Railroad
bill altered so as to make Quindaro a point. He agreed to
introduce and have passed the bill
Mr Wattles and myself have been preparing to
establish a Territorial Government exclusively for Indians over
the present Indian Country South of Kansas. . . .
Friday 7th March 1862
. . . . . . . .
In the proceedings of Congress as
published in the Daily Globe is a short message from the President
conveying a resolution which he recommends Congress in substance
to pass. It is worth remembering that on the 10th of January of
this year I handed to Senator Pomeroy a Resolution which I
wished him to present to the Senate having in view the same object
now recommended by the President and my resolution differs only
from his in being more specific.
Saturday 8th March 1862
. . . . . . . .
Bo't two copies N. Y. Tribune
containing my article on the subject of the organization of a new
Indian Territory South of Kansas.
Sunday 9th March 1862
. . . . . . . .
Today I complete my forty eighth
year and enter upon my forty ninth. . . . It seems strange that a
man should live so long and accomplish so little. Yet my course
has not been a barren one. Few men have performed acts out of
which more important events have grown. The successful effort to
establish a government for Nebraska (now Kansas) originated with
me and under most discouraging circumstances, and out of this act
sprung the republican party and the wonderful events that have
followed in such quick succession. And though I get but little
credit for this now, history must and will do me justice.
I start upon the new year with
bright hopes and much confidence dashed only by the lowering
clouds that overhang the political horizon. I have painful
forebodings of disaster near at band. It is generally understood
that our great armies of the Potomac march against the traitors
tomorrow although a general battle may not take place for a day or
two after. I have all confidence in the courage of our men, in
their numbers and equipments, but I have no confidence in their
principal officers, such as McClellan, McDowell nor indeed in any
man from the military school at West Point. Far better would it be
for this country had that institution never existed. It is the
nucleus around
which will gather the enemies of free government and it
has and always will instil into the minds of its pupils sentiments
favorable to the establishment of independent hereditary orders in
the State. I regard this institution as more dangerous to the
liberties of this country than African slavery itself, and
henceforth I shall devote what time I can to its abolition.
To day I have prayed again and again
most earnestly for the success of our armies in the coming
battles. In God I trust and He alone can defeat the treachery
which I fear is meditated against us. He alone knows the hearts of
all men and can disappoint their wicked schemes. May He remember
us in this our day of terrible trial!
Mrs Thompson sisterinlaw
of Genl. Waddy Thompson of South Carolina told me to-day that a
Secession female friend of hers told her yesterday that the
"Confederates" (rebels) would be victorious in the great battles
so soon to be fought; that all Richmond is full of confidence in
the result. It seems this "Secession friend" gets letters
regularly from her sister in Richmond Virginia communicating
important information and no doubt receiving the same in return.
How this correspondence is kept up is a mystery although this
Secession friend said she received them through Fortress Monroe.
Mrs Thompson professes to be a Unionist.
Called to see Genl. James H. Lane
who has just returned with his family from Kansas.
Borrowed "Principles and Acts of the
Revolution" by Hezekiah Niles from his grandson Samuel V. Niles.
This book I have been long wanting to get and this is the first
copy I have seen.
Monday 10 March, 1862.
. . . . . . . .
It is now stated upon apparently
good authority that the rebels have abandoned and retreated from
all their strong holds about Washington while for the last two or
three days our hopes and fears have been excited to the highest
pitch by mighty preparations for a great battle and while this
very farce is being enacted the prompters in it must have well
known there would be no enemy to fight.
Tuesday 11th March, 1862.
. . . . . . . .
It is now ascertained that the
rebels have abandoned their reputed
© 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 for the NEGenWeb
Project by Pam Rietsch, Ted & Carole
Miller