New-York tribune., 1869-05-22
4 LETTER FROM TIE HON j. G. c.
KENNEDY.
To n. EDITOR Of The Tribune.

| To the Editor Of The Tribune.
| SIR: In view of n communication made a few days
since to the President by brThompson of Mississippi
formerly Secretary Of the Interior, am induced to
| avail myself Of the moment TO make an appeal to
you. The only injury ever done me which bore pro-
racted evil i'm its ran Orginatedin tho publication
in TIE TRIBUNE. during the Rebellion, Of my letter
written to Mr.. Thompson shortly before the war be-
gam 1t was not the tenor of that communication,
but the oft and long repeated Misrepresentation OF
its nature 10y others, which wrought the harm de-
signed For months prior to tho date Of that letter,
cooperating with others and Independently. / had
zealously abored, with the knowledge of Alr Thomp
son and while subordinate TO him. 20 avert the impend
| ing civil far as possible. and especially by
thorough dissemination OF Union documents throughout
the Border states and In doing this incurred tho bitter
OF many who had been friends but persisted In spite
Of persuasion, dcnunciaon. and threats Hindman Of
Arkansas attempted 10 interrupt this movement through
the OF the House Of Representatives. Win Judge
Campbell OF the Supreme Court, Mr. Thompson, and
others OF their esteemed excellence and weight nl-
plored that they wond not rcsn their official relations
with the Government. because thought them patriotic
at heart dreaded the general moral eject OF their
ample upon both North and South cOrrcsponded c1ten
slycy with men Of influence a the South, but always o
urge adhesion 10 the Government wrote 10 every
son In the Southern States who had been employed IN
taking tho census their pay for services must de-
pcud upon the preservation Of the peace which be
lleyed no act Of Mr.. Lincoln would IMPAIR for which
tho Southern press denounced me biicrl but the cen
sus ngents realize the truth Of what was told them
When the war became reality, while other officials were
enr.chiug their friends by fat contracts, my efforts
we're no less actively used 10 stimulate the Northern
people 10 sense Of their duty In s most vigorous pre-
secution 10 a speedy end and my letters were widely
circulated by the press. From civil employment sent
my son to encounter tho dangers Of tho field After
some service within the Rebel lines, as the confidential
agent Of Scott. who had applied 10 me for man 70
undertake hazardous duty, no went at my cost to the
extreme northeastern portion Of your state and there
organized the first cavalry company which volunteered
I'm that re gon and which formed part Of the 9th New
York Cavalry regiment with which he served TO the
close OF tho war. having enlisted private aud at
tanned 10 the rank Of breyet Northumberland The
members Of my family assiduousy devoted themselves
TO the care Of the hospital sick and wounded Myself
and wife, only few days since, met by Western
gentleman dong since eIM. C), who said ho had
promised soldier who credited his life 10 our
count II he met u.s. to lift his beaver and that he
was pleased with tho opportunity ont OF ofhsregard for his
friend respect for US 10 perform his promise rng
Incident the point During the early part Of the
war; provided four perpetual scholarships for the college
education, free OF charge, OF tho OF soldiers
orphaned by the Rebellion, so long as there may be
orphans TO make avail thereof During the war my house
was always open the officers OF the army and the hun
soldier never UauB vain appear IOOu UT ltAHbt
and and mine often and always Hospitality wei
coined at their quarters. when the Wheeling Convention
met, in May 1861, was Informed by telegram that
would be drawn upon for the money 10 pay expenses.
Mr. Lincoln expressed his approval land assisted Inc In
raising the / authorized officially 10 en-
courage that project by my personal attention, and
have lying my table Headquarters Department,
Washington Order dated 3Oh April i3Gl Issued to facl
itate my movements II then viewed a tempo
rary eGpedent well adapted 10 weaken the OF
the enemy. / have TO doubt that President
Lincoln aud every member Of his Cabinet reposed un-
limited confidence In me during the entire progress Of
the Rebellion while my relations with my immediate
superiors Messrs Smith and Usher, wero unlnteuup
tedy cordial in strong friendship they with
the survivor IL Is known TO tho members OF Mr. Lin
coins Cabinet Qhe appropriation having failed
that the intention Of the President 10 appoint
| to lucrative office, for which not appll.
can't and this nearly four years after the date OF tho
Thompson letter. but his death prevented. ! hold his
commission for another appointment, unsolicited. In
letter TO may mention that since my relations with
| the Government terminated, institution OF learning
at the North has conferred upon me- however unworthy,
the highest collegiate honors minor having been
| bestowed previously. / think 1t may therefore
| reasonably be conceded that have not been
| an entirely passive friend of my country
and those who had the best opportunity of apprec
| ating my acts and opinions realized no want OF conf
dence in my patriotism. have reason to know that You
personally entertained doubt this subject. That
with severe official duties TO perform, rendered douby
trying by the war; my extraofcial services were not
altogether useless unapprecated may recall TO your
| mind tho letter OF Cen sherman, "maRnanImous as
brave" respecting his great march, which appeared In
TIE TRIBUNE 1865 written TO me, wherein he states, as
reasonable probability" thaIhe would not have un
dertaken what done" IN the absence OF information
received me- and declares that the materials with
which supplied him. aud which, he said, enabled mo
to act with confidence which secured success, ana
therefore beg to do you all honor" Tho Hon. Robert
j. Walker has in terms stronger than modesty would
allow TO repeat, acknowledged my services In ena-
bling him, while agent IN Europe during the war; 10
sustain as did ably tho credit OF our Government
To such labors frequently devoted whole nights during
the war; and II they useful are not mentioned TO
command praise thanks are asked for what had
higher ends than the promotion Of party Interests and
avOrs solicited for what apparent duty
10 be unavoidable. only ask immunity from false