Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

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

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.042 Author/Creator: Hunt, Henry Jackson (1819-1889) Place Written: Eastport, Maine Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 April 1868 Pagination: 4 p. ; 24.7 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy

Writes about Captain Wilson, noting that he was an honest man who became involved in dishonest dealings regarding expenditures, etc. Cites his attempts to organize Wilson's ill-managed accounts "in the interest of those who have in good faith trusted Uncle Sam through him." Discusses the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson, mentioning Charles Sumner, an impeachment advocate. "I have not doubted a conviction, law or no law, evidence or no evidence and Mr Sumners [proposal?] just received here, to limit the 'findings' to the facts set forth , and not to pronounce on the charge 'high crimes and misdemeanors' - but to direct the Chief justice to pronounce the verdict of 'guilty' on the facts proven seems to place it beyond a doubt that the whole matter has been 'cut and dried.'" Wonders if he should press Senate president Benjamin Wade for an investiagtion of charges made by Ulysses S. Grant and Lorenzo Thomas. Discusses the possibility of being dispatched to the Gulf of Mexico. Signs at the top of page one as "H.J.H."

Among various other military posts, Hunt served as Chief of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War. Craig was Chief of Ordnance 1851-1861.

Eastport Me. April 29. 1868.
Dear General,
I received your letter of the 16 last week but did not write by last boat as I was very busily engaged and Mary was writing.
I have had much to do in looking over and trying to "straighten out" Captain Wilsons accounts and papers. It is a tedious, up hill business but is necessary if any in the interest of those who have in good faith trusted Uncle Sam through him.
He has not been honest, that is certain but his dishonesty was not of a large character, And I do not think that he felt himself inextricably involved until within a few days of his leaving and then I think he was shaky in the brain. It seems to me that he was what you would have called an honest well meaning sergeant who finding himself placed in a position above his capacity and original condition, drifted into difficulty without any idea of the danger he ran getting himself involved by [illegible] expenditures [2] and 'tricking' himself out of them, as the whole system of our public accounts is apt to induce men of loose principles to do - their responsibilities not being to their immediate superiors on the ground.
But his trouble seems to have arisen from an over amount of labor and responsibilities in several departments, and an idea that with six or eight thousand dollar to expend there was no end to so much money, so he would do are they, then another at the port charging the expenditures to repairs & buildings until he was stopped short by funding he had overrun his authority - then he has not mind enough to clear it up. - I do not think he had any idea whatever of going a week before he left, and he has left accounts which he neglected to enter on his return. And which it will bother his creditors (public) to recover but the most of which they ought to recover. It was my discovery that there, were outstanding accounts which had never been paid, the voucher for which was sent [inserted: by him] for payment to the District quartermaster. - And not paid for want of authority, the estimates having been [illegible]; And by pressure on him & them in consequence - that brought matters to a crisis. - I was not rectified nor informed that [3] his accounts were in arrears, and his excess of purchases were made whilst I was about on Court Martial duty - It is the old story - one cant serve two masters - and "running" the staff department under the immediate direction of staff chiefs at a distance much pay - I cant say I am sorry for the government if they will not give commission except to [struck: [promoters]] [inserted: men] from the ranks (the system under which he was appointed) why this result is a natural consequence - but then it keeps me busy, worried, and annoys me.
We are all doing very well, except Mary who is a little out of sorts with a head ache- A little [believe?] I [struck: tho] think. Conway went [illegible] his velocipede much. He is on the go all the time, inspects the port with me every morning at six o'clock and is on the go all the rest of the day - It is still wintry weather i.e. the mornings try to be spring-like but in the afternoon the wind comes from the south and that is one cold wind. We still have much cold weather before us, as the season is as backward as it was last year, but still our long winter is drawing to a close and all the children enjoy it, down to Julia who loves dearly to be out of doors. She has got to running about now and is freed of toddling about and showing off her graces. Dolly runs about a great deal And Conway has taken to climbing all the trees here - [4] 30' I suppose you are now seeing the end of the impeachment business- I have not doubted a conviction, law or no law evidence or no evidence and Mr Sumners proposal just received here to limit the 'findings' to the facts set forth and not to pronounce on the charge "high crimes and misdemeanors" - but to direct the chief justice to pronounce the verdict of 'guilty' on the facts [illegible] seems to place it beyond doubt that the whole matter has been "cut and dried." [illegible]
I doubt in case Mr Johnson is removed whether it would be worth while for me to press Mr [inserted: Precidas] Wade for an investigation of the charge made by Genl Grant and as to Thomas I dont know that it would make much add except to let the chairmen of the two military committees know the character of his letter a memorial. There is no haste in the matter however. Thomas has not made much character even if he has lost none by his "ad-interim" adventures -
I am glad to hear [inserted: from Beele] that, so far as [inserted: Genl] D[illegible] knows, there is no intention of moving troops this spring. I am much afraid that our regiment is destined for the Gulf to relieve the 5º sooner or later - Well "there is no great loss but there is some small gain," says the old proverb. This is a delyhtful cool summer climate but I think the winters on the Gulf are infinitely preferable. And I don't know that a change even to Fortey would possess some redeeming advantage - good quarters, splendid sea bathing, summer & winter a large enough garrison to make it pleasant fine fishing and sailing. And the advantage of a near rendeveu to Cuba with its abundance of tropical fruits &c. You see I am disposed to look at the favorable side of the question - I hope however we will be fixed for the summer and will have you with us [back to top of p.1] for a time at least. All well this morning. I must hurry to muster. Love to all etc. etc.
[illegible]
H. J. H.

Hunt, Henry Jackson, 1819-1889
Craig, Henry Knox, 1791-1869
Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874
Wade, B. F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1800-1878
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
Thomas, Lorenzo, 1804-1875

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources