The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-10
GRANT IN PEACE.
BIZ GENERAL ADAM BADEAU.
NO. XIX.
Cabfnet-Maisfng.


House signing his last papers. until noon. Then
be made room for the man whom he doubtless
detested more than any other, who had done
more than any other to foil his plans and thwart
his wishes, and who now was to supplant MIN
and demolish whatever of policy Johnson had
been able to establish by obstinancy or clrcum-
stance or craft. At the Capitol another OF
Grants rivals Chief justice Chase, administered
the oath of that Office which he had himself SO
earnestly hoped and striven to attain.
And thus the highest honor that any American
can achieve was added to the military glories al
ready heaped on Grant He was very reserved.
and even restrained, colder in manner than ever
before. and evidently felt the gravity of his posi-
ton. the full dignity of his Office. l had never
Peen him so impressed but once before. In the
first days battle in the Wilderness he was almost
stern at times, and wore his gloves and sword.
Both unusual circumstances with him, and
they seemed to me to indicate his sense of the
novel and increased responsibilities for that was
his first battle as generaI-in chief of the armies
On the first day of his presidency there were no
trappings of Office to assume, but he bore him
self with distant and almost frigid demeanor
that marked how much he felt he was removed
from those who had hitherto been in some sort
his associates. That day there was geniaiity,
no familiar jest, hardly smile; but the man
who became the chief of Nation of fifty mill
ions, and stepped into the ranks of earth's
mightiest potentates, might well be grave
His personal staff attended him to the Capitol
and afterward to the White House. where their
military relations with him ceased He desired
them to meet him next morning in the Cabinet
chamber and then returned to his private resi-
dence, which his family did not vacate for sew
sral weeks He directed me, however to re-
main at the White House and receive any COM
munications for him during the day. In this
way it happened that his first correspondence as
President was with me- give it in full:
EXECUTIVE MANsIoN March 4, 1869
Dear General-Mr. George H. Stuart is one of
the committee the others being the Chief justice
and Senator Frelinghuysen, who desire to pre-
sent YOU in the name OF some igious society.
with Bible. They will wait you whenever
you say. except that the Chief justice must be
at the Supreme Court and Mr.. Stuart leaves here
TO morrow night. If you will send word to me
what time will suit you will let Mr.. Stuart
know Mr. Stuart proposes tomorrow morning.
before 10 O'Clock. or, If the court does not meet
till IL, before that time With great respect,
Your obedent servant. ADAM BADEAU.
40 the PRESIDENT OF the Cnlted STATES.
Ny note was returned to me, and on the back
of it Grant had pencled these words, the first he
wrote as Presidents
Tomorrow before 10 A. NJ, at my house, or
between 10 a. NJ. ard 3 Z. NJ, at the Executive
Mansion. U. S. c.
The meeting took place in the Cabinet room
and Chase presented the Bible expressing a
hope that its contents might enable Grant to fill
M.
have required full share of Christian senti-
ruent to enable him to perform his task
Immediately afterward Grant received his
staff for the last time and announced the dspo-
siton to be made of them. Three were nomin-
ally placed on the staff of Sherman, who sue
cssdei Grant as General-in chief. but they were
in reality to be on duty at the executive man
sion. Horace Porter was to act as private
secretary, with Bnbcock to assist him; Comstock
had some nominal duties from which he soon re-
quested to be relieved, and ordered to duty as
engineer; Dent remained as aide-de-camp with
ceremonial functions, and Parker was shortly
Aftsrward appointed Commissioner of Indian
Affairs. was assigned room at the executive
mansion where l was to finish my military his
tory, and to have some charge of Grants unof-
fetal letters for while; but when l saw the
President alone he informed me that he meant
to give me the mission to Belgium. He did not
wish. however. to appoint me at once, lest it
should provoke charge of favoritsm.
A few weeks before the Attn of March. as moth.
ing was said by Grant to either Rawiins or
WashburDe of their nature, both became i'll.
Rawlins went off to Connecticut, and from there
1t was reported 20 Grant that he was dying
Grant then sent for him and told him he was
to be Secretary of War, whereupon Rawlins at
once got very much better But Washburne
was i'll of the same disease, and to him Grant
offered the position of Secretary of the Interior
Rawlins. of course was satisfied with his prom
ised dignity, but Washburne would have pre-
ferred to be Secretary of the Treasury. This
position, however Grant designed for A. T.
Stewart, the well-known merchant Of New York
He thought that man who had managed his
own affairs so we'll must be successful with the
finances of the Nation. Stewart was, indeed
the first Of those designed Tor Cabinet positions
whom Grant informed of his intention. It was
necessary that the great business man should be
apprised in advance that he might make his ar
rangements in time.
When Washburne was positive that he could
not obtain the portfolio of the Treasury, he
asked for the State Department, but Grant was
unwilling to make the appointment. Wash
burne then declared that he would prefer to be
minister to France, and to this Grant consented
But Washburne again requested as personal
favor tina. he might hold the position of Secre.
tary of State for few days The consideration
this would give him afterward both at home and
Grant should not refuse Washburne indeed
had been devoted friend had made many Cd.
portunites for Grant in the days when Grant
needed them; had first suggested and afterwards
urged in Congress every one of Grants promo
tons that required legislative action, from
brigader general of volunteers to general of the
armies ard IL Grant was rndar ohlna.iAns