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

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.040 Author/Creator: Hunt, Henry Jackson (1819-1889) Place Written: Eastport, Maine Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 April 1868 Pagination: 8 p. : envelope ; 20.2 x 25 cm. Order a Copy

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.

Craig served as Chief of Ordnance 1851-1861. An orphaned native of Detroit, Hunt graduated from West Point in 1839. He took a prominent part in the first campaign of Bull Run, then became chief of artillery of the Washington defenses in charge of training the artillery reserve of the Army of the Potomac. He remained chief of artillery until June 1864, when Grant put him in charge of al siege operations on the Petersburg front. Hunt was brevetted major general of volunteers for his services at Gettysburg. During Reconstruction he was stationed for much of the time in the South, where he earned a reputation for fairness and moderation.

Eastport April 21868
Dear General:
We have not heard from you for some days and I have postponed writing expecting that I would get your opinion on the letter I wrote to Gent Schenck about the retired pay, as well perhaps as upon the bill I advocated. I do hope that the effect of the retired officer will accomplish an amendment in the form either such as I proposed to him or the full salary , which would not be bad in the case of absence pay
Of all subjects for retrenchment in the bill that ---- regard is the worst- and I was of the
opinion that he was dispersed to be liberal on that point, but then what can you expect now-a-days from politicians?
I don't wonder that you characterize so severely that little dodge G which the Supreme Court was outer of its jurisdiction in the ?McArdle case. The explanations of the two members (S and Willson)- who ---- the two --- and made them--- severely responsible each for his part and
--- are as I read them in full int eh Globe very ingenious. And perhaps from their point of view satisfactory , but the ---- party is in a bad way- I never expected to rec. such a practical application of Sterne's farmers description of accomplishing a purpose and --- the responsibility but really it brought the whole theory ludicrous to --- I have not read it since * was a boy and forget if it is in ?Tristram ---
-- or the . Do you remember when
<Signature>

Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889
Craig, Henry Knox, 1791-1869

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