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Hunt, Henry Jackson (1819-1889) to dear General

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.034 Author/Creator: Hunt, Henry Jackson (1819-1889) Place Written: Eastport, Maine Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 August 1867 Pagination: 3 p. ; 20.4 x 25.4 cm. Order a Copy

Signs with the letter "H." Addressee is likely Hunt's father-in-law, Henry K. Craig. Hunt.discusses President Andrew Johnson's attempt to force the resignation of Secretary of War Edwin McMasters Stanton. Refers to newspaper editorials discussing Stanton's successor. "So S. [Stanton] is at last kicked out - and what a precious scene of buttering and licking each other is presented by him and his successor." Writes that Johnson "would be sure to select the worst possible man" for the position. Declares that the Republican party always turns to Ulysses S. Grant. Discusses various letters/reports released in a squabble between Butler and Grant, noting that "It really does seem as if some of the rascality of the past as well as present may be brought out through the quarrels of the rogues." Mentions a letter to which he has received no response. Says the "more I am surprised at Grant's independence…and the less do I think of his honesty…he is either excessively weak - a piece of putty in the hands of those about him. Or that he lacks common fairness and common honesty: the latter he lacks any how." Letter was originally with others in an envelope labeled "Private Letters from Eastport to General Craig &c."

Grant served briefly as an ad-interim Secretary of War after Stanton.

Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889
Craig, Henry Knox, 1791-1869
Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885

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