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Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877)
GRANT, Ulysses S. (1822-1885). Autograph letter signed ("U. S. Grant"), as Presidential candidate, to A. T. Stewart, Washington, D. C., 4 May 1868. 3 pages, 8vo, small marginal puncture hole, not affecting text. Marked "Confidential."
Details
GRANT, Ulysses S. (1822-1885). Autograph letter signed ("U. S. Grant"), as Presidential candidate, to A. T. Stewart, Washington, D. C., 4 May 1868. 3 pages, 8vo, small marginal puncture hole, not affecting text. Marked "Confidential."
CANDIDATE GRANT MULLS OVER CABINET POSTS "IN CASE OF THE REMOVAL OF MR. JOHNSON"
A revealing confidential letter written at a turning point in Grant's career: while Johnson's contentious impeachment proceeds, Grant plays reluctant power broker, discussing possible cabinet nominees but carefully avoiding the issue of civil appointments. "In the matter of Sec. of the Treas. in case of the removal of Mr. Johnston [sic], I have heard but little said," Grant tells Stewart, "and have not thought myself who will make a good one. Mr. Ward, of whom you speak, Mr. Chandler might recommend, but beyond him I doubt whether any one else has ever thought seriously about such a selection. Mr. W. has been eminently successful in managing his private affairs, but I believe he is entirely inexperienced in public matters. I think Mr. Wade will be glad to see you and consult with you in case he should come into the Presidential chair, about this matter and other matters of appointment. For myself I want to keep as clear as I can from having anything to do with civil appointments now, but upon this matter I will talk with you when you visit the City. I shall be pleased to see both you and Judge Hilton here, and will be specially pleased if you will both stay with me during your visit."
Stewart--his eyes on a Cabinet post--courts Grant not just because the General was close to the leading Republicans in Congress, but because he was about to become the Republican presidential nominee. GOP delegates were meeting in Philadelphia at the same time that Johnson's impeachment trial was underway in the Senate. Indeed, both Grant and Stewart seem to think Johnson's removal a near certainty--thereby opening up a whole host of jobs to be filled. Senator Benjamin F. Wade was likely to "come into the Presidential chair," as Grant says, under the Presidential Succession Act of 1792, which in the absence of a Vice-president called for the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to succeed, followed by the Speaker of the House (that line of succession was altered by Congress in 1886, and then again by Constitutional Amendment, in 1947, to the current line of succession which gives the Speaker of the House precedence over the President Pro Tempore). Wade was a fervent abolitionist and a strong advocate of female suffrage. As one of the most radical of the "Radical Republicans" his presence as next in line frightened many moderate Senators into voting to acquit Johnson so as to keep Wade from taking power. The Republican delegates in Philadelphia by-passed Wade again as the Vice-presidential nominee, tapping instead Speaker Schuyler Colfax. As for Alexander Stewart, he got his Cabinet nomination as Treasury Secretary once Grant became President, but the New York department store magnate was forced to relinquish the post because of a conflict of interest. Provenance: Sang Collection, Sotheby's 27 March 1985, lot 171).
CANDIDATE GRANT MULLS OVER CABINET POSTS "IN CASE OF THE REMOVAL OF MR. JOHNSON"
A revealing confidential letter written at a turning point in Grant's career: while Johnson's contentious impeachment proceeds, Grant plays reluctant power broker, discussing possible cabinet nominees but carefully avoiding the issue of civil appointments. "In the matter of Sec. of the Treas. in case of the removal of Mr. Johnston [sic], I have heard but little said," Grant tells Stewart, "and have not thought myself who will make a good one. Mr. Ward, of whom you speak, Mr. Chandler might recommend, but beyond him I doubt whether any one else has ever thought seriously about such a selection. Mr. W. has been eminently successful in managing his private affairs, but I believe he is entirely inexperienced in public matters. I think Mr. Wade will be glad to see you and consult with you in case he should come into the Presidential chair, about this matter and other matters of appointment. For myself I want to keep as clear as I can from having anything to do with civil appointments now, but upon this matter I will talk with you when you visit the City. I shall be pleased to see both you and Judge Hilton here, and will be specially pleased if you will both stay with me during your visit."
Stewart--his eyes on a Cabinet post--courts Grant not just because the General was close to the leading Republicans in Congress, but because he was about to become the Republican presidential nominee. GOP delegates were meeting in Philadelphia at the same time that Johnson's impeachment trial was underway in the Senate. Indeed, both Grant and Stewart seem to think Johnson's removal a near certainty--thereby opening up a whole host of jobs to be filled. Senator Benjamin F. Wade was likely to "come into the Presidential chair," as Grant says, under the Presidential Succession Act of 1792, which in the absence of a Vice-president called for the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to succeed, followed by the Speaker of the House (that line of succession was altered by Congress in 1886, and then again by Constitutional Amendment, in 1947, to the current line of succession which gives the Speaker of the House precedence over the President Pro Tempore). Wade was a fervent abolitionist and a strong advocate of female suffrage. As one of the most radical of the "Radical Republicans" his presence as next in line frightened many moderate Senators into voting to acquit Johnson so as to keep Wade from taking power. The Republican delegates in Philadelphia by-passed Wade again as the Vice-presidential nominee, tapping instead Speaker Schuyler Colfax. As for Alexander Stewart, he got his Cabinet nomination as Treasury Secretary once Grant became President, but the New York department store magnate was forced to relinquish the post because of a conflict of interest. Provenance: Sang Collection, Sotheby's 27 March 1985, lot 171).