Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-12-08


We print elsewhere a remarkable let
ter from Admiral Porter TO Hon. Gideon
Welles, Secretary of the Navy under Mr..
Lincoln, This letter was first made pub
lie by the New York World in its issue
of The ID inst. While it is an interesting
contribution to the history of the war, it
is portrait of Gen. Grant, the truthful
nessof which every man at all familiar
with the history of the man will at once
recognize. What will most surprise
our readers in The perusal of this docu-
ment, says the World, sis the striking
resemblance between the lineaments of
Gen. Grsnt's character as a soldier, seen
by one close at hand and competent to
observe and judge, and the lineaments of
his character as politician manifested
since his occupancy ofthe White House. /"
AS might naturally be supposed, the ap-
pearauce of this letter created considera-
bic commotion in Washington, and was
the principal tepic of conversation for
several days. Admiral Porter was the
most unhappy man when the letter ap
peared, to be found in that unhappy city,
and he confesses that on reading the letter
in the World, his first impulse was to
denounce it as forgery, as neither he nor
his private secretary remembered anything
about it. He is said 10 have sent to the
Navy Department to inquire if such a
letter was on Sic, and the Chief Clerk,
after brief examination, returned word
that there was no such letter. A further
search, however, was more successful,
and the Admiral was notified that the OH
ginal copy was on file. The Admiral
then posted off 10 the White House, and
expressed TO Grant his regret that such a
letter should have appeared, and denied
all recollection of the matter. He could
not understand why he had written the
letter. There must be some circumstance
which he could not now recall. But of
one thing he desired to impress Grant as
being very positive, and that was, that he
never had such an opinion of him as the
letter indicated. Porter says, Grant re-
ceived him very kindly, and indeed,
treated him with much more courtesy
than he had O right to expect UNI
Ger the circumstances. The Washing
ton correspondent of the Cincinnati Com
naerctat says: ''From Porter's account
of the interview, it was thought that the
President was only less unhappy than
Porter, and that the latter did not succeed
very well N his attempt 10 smoothe the
matter over. Considering that during the
past Two years Porter and Grant have
been the most devoted personal friends,
the letter is likely TO prove of more con
sequence than would at first appear. Du
ring the time that the statesman Borie
was in the Cabinet, Porter was in reality
Secretary of the Navy, at Grants per
sonal solicitation, and in all little disa
greements and embarrassment he sustained
Porter as against Borie, and it was mat
ter of notOriety that nothing could be
done in the Navy Department without
Porter's consent, and that Borie's consent
was not essential in anything. When
Robson came 10 ths arrangements were
changed, and he proposed to be Secretary
in fact, as well as in name PJneP and
pRobeson never got on well together.
There could not be two Secreta
ries, ard Robson held the com
mission. Grant took the middle ground,
and was greatly annoyed over the compli-
cations. At this time, in the very height
Of the unpleasantness, Farragut conve-
niently died, and the problem was solved.
Grant at once appointed Porter Admiral
OF the Navy, and the President was Ie
lieved of his embarrassment Robson
got rid of Porter in the Department.
Porter felt good over bis promotion, and
happiness overspread the scene. Porter
kept away from the Department, estab-
lished private Office in his residence, and
thenceforth be enjoyed his honors and his
prize-money, confident in the meantime
that the President would send his name
TO the Senate, and that he would be duly
confirmed. The effect of the appearance
of this letter under these circumstances
can be imagined. PoIteI's first step was
to fix matters with the President. The
President the same day dinei with
Robson. Grant was unhappy, Porter
was wretched, but Robson was in costa
cy. The result of the dinner is in doubt,
and Porter just new is in doubt as 70
whethe. the President will nominate him
TO the Senate, and that if he does, whe-
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