Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-10-23
sewArd's sisspprehsnsion OF his
ROWcrH.

Mr.. Seward entered upon his duties
with the impression undoubtedly, which
Mr.. Adams seems to have imbibed, that
he was 10 be de .fdcfO President, and, as
the premier Of the British Government,
TO " direct the affairs OF the nation in
the name Of another. " The conse-
quences were that confusion and de-
rangement prevailed to some extent at
the commencement by reason OF the
mental activity, assumptions, and med.
dlesome intrusions Of the Secretary OF
State in the duties and affairs Of others,
which were, II not disorgsnizing, certain
ly not good administration. Confidence
and mutual frankness on public affairs
and matters pertaining to the Govern
menL particularly on what related tc
present and threatened disturbances, ex-
listed among all the members except Mr..
Seward, who had, or affected, a certain
mysterious knowledge which he was not
prepared TO impart. This was accepted
as a probable necessity by his associ-
ates, for he had been in a position TO as
certain facts which il was intimated he
could not perhaps well disclose. 1t
carly became apparent, however, that
the Secretary Of State had ideas and no
tions Of his own position and that OF his
colleagues, as we'll as Of the character
and attitude of the President that others
could not recognize. Secretiveness,
subtitle expedients, aud mysterious man
agement, which limited the knowledge
of certain important transactions TO the
State Department, but OF which the
President was in some degree, and from
time to time partially informed, were
theinitiative Albany method OF executive
government. For several weeks after the
Inauguration no stated Cabinet meetings
were held, though the members were
frequently assembled in council
sometimes only part; but whenever
convened, il was by a special notice
from the Secretary of State. This ir-
regular practice was after some weeks
corrected, and stated meetings on Tues
days and Fridays we're ordered, against
the remonstrances of Secretary Seward,
who thought stated meetings caused an
unnecessary interruption Of business,
and that often only part OF the mem
bers, such as we're specially interested
in the subjects under consideration, need
be called to meet him and the President
1t IS mentioned in the Memorial Ad'
dress that g. Mr.. Seward himself came
into the State Department with nc ac-
quaintance with the forms of busi-
ness other than that obtained incident.
ally through his service in the Senate
This was soon obvious to the
whole council, who we're much annoyed
for time in consequence, and until in
a measure corrected, by this want of
proper system and that correct admin
istraton which is essential to intelli-
gent unity in the government. Under
evident misapprehenson of his powers
and duties, and of what belonged to
others, the Secretary Of State undertook
too much, found himself embarrassed
by promises and assurances inconsid
erately given; and with no clear and
well-de6ned policy, but with faith in cx
pedients, on which, rather than substan-
tial principles, he relied, there were for
a brief period some singular proceedings.
President Lincoln bore with these things
patiently, though the omens abroad
were pertentous. us.-FrOm Gideon WetteS'
reply 10 adams, in the November GALAXY.