One of them was William B. Washburn, and
the other Alexander H. Rice. Each of them had held the office
of Governor of the Commonwealth, and each of them had been
a very eminent member of the House of Representatives. But
I said that each belonged to what might be called a separate
faction or division in the Republican Party, and the appointment
of either would be distasteful to some of the supporters of
the other. I added that there was one man of whom I thought
very highly indeed, an intimate friend of mine, whose appointment
I thought would give pleasure to everybody in Massachusetts.
That was General Charles Devens, then Judge of the Supreme
Court, a very eminent advocate and orator, and one of the
most distinguished soldiers the State had sent into the war.
Mr. Morrill went back to the President with the message.
Early the next morning I received notice from the White
House that the President wished to see me. I complied with
his desire at once. Mr. Dawes had also been sent for and
was there. The President said he could offer General Devens
the Department of War, or perhaps the Navy.
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