Fessenden, William Pitt, 1806-1869 to James W. Grimes

Online access and copy requests are not available for this item. You may request to be notified of when this becomes available digitally.

Notify me when this becomes available

GLC#
GLC05603.01.01-View header record
Type
Letters
Date
24 July 1864
Author/Creator
Fessenden, William Pitt, 1806-1869
Title
to James W. Grimes
Place Written
Washington, District of Columbia
Pagination
4 p. : Height: 20.4 cm, Width: 12.6 cm
Primary time period
Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877
Sub-Era
The American Civil War

Worries about the defense of Washington and discusses his new position as Secretary of the Treasury. The state of the treasury is bad, his task is very complicated, and his health makes the problem worse. Worries about the safety of Washington, the strategy of the Union army, and the actions of the politicians. "In my humble judgment, we are going to the Devil politically, at a pretty swift pace. Every body sees it except those who should see it most clearly, and yet we blunder on as stupidly, or more stupidly, than ever. Only worse blunders on the part of our adversaries will save us - and there is our chance." Fessenden had been appointed Secretary of the Treasury three weeks earlier.

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources