Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-04-10
STANTON A SPY.
How Cabinet Secrets were Betrayed
In Andrew JOhnsOn's Time.

| now CADtnet HecFete were bcIrhy Ell
In Andrew JOhnsOn's Time.
Ex-Secretary Welles' paper in the
April number Of the Galaxy, contains
this revelation:
On Sunday, the 10th of April, after
the assassination Of President Lincoln,
there was meeting of President john
son and the Cabinet, at 10 clock in the
morning at the rooms of the Secretary
of the Treasury. The meeting was a
protracted one. Mr.. Stanton came late
and brought with him mass of papers
Many and important matters were ad-
verted to, and among them the subject
of reconstruction.
Thei6riginal draft, he said, had been
divided, and the re-establishment of a
State government as directed by Mr..
Lincoln was made applicable to North
Carolina, while Virginia, with her loyal
Governor and government, was to take
necessary measures for the election of
State officers by the people of the whole
State Mr.. Stanton had not, however,
copies for the members Of the Cabinet
at this meeting
| was invited to the War Department
that evening, Sunday, the 10th, on some
matter of business, by Secretary Stan
ton, and after that was disposed of | sat
by the FIRE conversing with him. when
Senator Sumner, Representatives Dawes
and Gooch, and several other gentlemen
in pretty rapid succession entered the
room. Messrs. 'Colfax and Covode were
OF the number. After brief general
conversation, the Secretary of War took
from his desk the cabinet papers in rela-
ton to the government of the rebel
States, which, without Introductory re-
mark or comment, he proceeded to read.
AS these were cabinet papers not yet ma
tured, and had been scarcely discuss
ed-copies of which had not yet been
furnished the members-my surprise
was great, and it became question
in my own mind whether | was
not an intruder. Yet had been invited
there by Mr.. Stanton, ostensibly on bust
ness. could not doubt, however, that
the other gentlemen came with an un-
derstanding of the object which had
called them together, but such was not
my case. After reading the Virginia
plan, for division of the document had
been made, and before concluding that
which related to North Carolina, Mr..
Sumner interrupted the reading and re-
quested Mr. Stanton to stop until he
could understand whether any provision
was made for enfranchising the colored
man. Unless, said he, the black man is
given the right to vote, his freedom is a
mockery. Mr.. Stanton said there were
differences among our friends on that
subject, and it would be unwse, in his
Judgment, to press it at this stage Of
the proceedings. Mr.. Sumner declared
that he would not proceed step unless
the black man had his rights. He CON
sidered the black mans right to vote the
essence-the great essential, He had let
ters in his pocket from some distinguish
ed foreigners, whom he named, setting
forth the subject clearly and emphati-
cally Mr.. Stanton deprecated the agi |
tation ofthe subject, just at this time, as
unfortunate. availed myself Of the in
terruption caused by the discussion to
bid the gentlemen good evening and |
withdraw. This evidence, on this Sun
day evening, that cabinet measures,
while yet in embryo and under discus
sion, were subjected to outside criti-
cism and consultation, confirmed an
opinion that | had long entertained, that
cabinet measures were communicated |
to outside parties, and gave me pain and
regret.