Fessenden, William Pitt (1806-1869) to James W. Grimes
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05603.01.01 Author/Creator: Fessenden, William Pitt (1806-1869) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 July 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.4 x 12.6 cm Order a Copy
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.
William P. Fesseden was the Secretary of the Treasury, and had previously served as a Senator from Maine and chairman of the Committee on Finance.
James W. Grimes was a Senator from Iowa.
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