The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-08-17
THE TREAsURY sEcRErARYsHrp.

THE TREASURY sECRETARYsHIP.
never saw Mr.. Lincoln manifest SO much
excitement as on the day following the resic-
nation Of Mr.. Chase as Secretary of the Treas
ury. This step, it will be remembered, took
the country entirely by surprise. 1t was known
that the finances were in a precarious condi-
tion, and much anxiety was felt, especially in
Washington, as to the successotship. Mr.
Lincoln, without consultation or advice, SO fan
as could ever learn, sent in to the Senate the
name of Ex-Governor Todd, of Ohio. the af
teTnoon Of the day Mr.. Chase resigned. This
nomination was not popular, and great relic
was experienced the next morning when It
was announced that Gov. Todd had declined
the position Mr.. Lincoln passed an anxious
night. He received the telegram from Gov
Todd declining the nomination in the evening
Retiring, he lay awake some hours canvass
ing in his mind the merits of various public
men. AT length he settled upon the Hon
VIM. p. Fessenden, and soon afterward fell
asleep. The next morning he went to his Of
flee and wrote the nomination. John Hay
the Assistant Private Secretary, had taken ii
from the President, on his way to the Senate,
when he encountered Senator Fessenden up
on the threshold of the door of the room. As
Chairman of the Finance Committee, he also
had passed an anxious night and called thus
early to consult with the President, and offer
some suggestions. After few moments con
versation Mr.. Lincoln turned to him with a
smile, and said: II am obliged to you Fessen-
den, but the fact is, / have just sent your own
name to the Senate for Secretary of the Treas
ury, Hay had just received the nomination
from my hand as you entered" Mr.. Fessen-
den was taken completely by surprise, and
very much agitated, protested his inability to
accent the position The state Of his health.
he said, if no other consideration, made it i'm
possible. Mr.. Lincoln would not accept the
refusal as final. He very justly felt that, with
Mr.. Fessenden's experience and known abili-
.ty at the head of the finance committee his
acceptance would 60 far towards re establish
ing feeling of security. Hesaid to him very
earnestly, "FessendeA,- the Lord has not de-
serted me thus far, and he is not going to now
you must acceptw They separated, the
senator in great anxiety of mind. ssli p 9i
Throughout the day Mr.. Lincoln urged ali
who called, to go and see Mr. Fessenden, and
press upon him the duty of accepting. Among
these was a delegation of New York bankers
whom had the honor OF introducing to the
President. In the name of the banking COM
munity, they expressed their satisfaction at the
nomination. This was especially gratifying to
to him, and, in the strongest manner, he en-
treated them to "see Mr.. Fessenden and as
sure him of their support"
MR.. LINCOLN ATD SECRETARY STANTON.
Entering the Presidents room about eleven
o'c.ock one evening, found him alone, seated
at the long office table, with large pile oi
military commissions before him, which he
was signing one by one. Sitting down beside
him, he remarked, II do not, as you see, pre-
tend to read over these documents. Isee thai
Stanton has signed them, SO l conclude the.
are all right" Pausing here, he read portioI
of one, beginning with the individual, - ----,
-is hereby appointed adjutant general
with the rank of captain, &C., e. M. Stanton
Secretary of War" "There," said he, append
ing his own signature in an opposite corner
"that fixes linn OUT
Thus he went ON chatting and writing, un
til he had finished the lot; then, rising from
his chair, he stretched himself and said, "Well
have got that job hatsked OUT now l viii 8
over to the War Department,and see If there i
any news" AT his request, / walked owe
with him, and l recollect thinking on tn
way how exposed he was to the danger of as
sassination by taking that walk alone so lat
at highland yet it was his common practic,
often so late as one and two O'Clock in th'
morningl M l6i