Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889 to Henry Knox Craig

He is working for pay for retired soldiers. Comments on the Supreme Court decision in the McCardle case and President Andrew Johnson's impeachment. Expresses strong feelings about the Republican party and Reconstruction, criticizing the unfair treatment of rebels. "I don't wonder that you characterize so severely that little dodge by which the Supreme Court was ousted of its jurisdiction in the McArdle [McCardle] case…." Compares it to a scene from Tristram Shandy of "accomplishing a purpose and avoiding the responsibility." Discusses the Radical Republican tactic of disallowing votes from certain southern states in order to defeat the conservatives in the next election. "[T]he people of the North…will always yield easily to audacity and the very audacity of the Republican party tactic is their best warrant of success." Discusses Thaddeus Stevens's backing of the confiscation of Confederate property. "I would not be surprised if the confiscation of all 'rebel property' to pay our War Debt and indemnify 'loyal men' for their losses were made a 'plank' in the radical platform - and carry the Election! It would come within the scope of the radical claim of conquest …." Discusses the Johnny Clarke affair. Returns to the impeachment: "I trust that when the trial does take place the Presidents counsel will put Grant on the stand, and turn him inside out, and Stanton too - but I doubt if the court will permit it. It seems to me that result is a forgone conclusion, and the benefits to be derived from it will not be jeopardized by allowing anything in the course of proceedings that would neutralize them - There was doubtless well understood reason for stripping the Chief Justice of his judicial function, and reducing him to the position of chairman to a caucus, without a vote." Discusses possibility of a new post for himself, and his desire to stay put.