cally, for the
remainder of the year, government securities were greatly affected
in price and value.

CHAPTER XXX.
POLICY OF THE HAYES ADMINISTRATION.
Reception at my Home in Mansfield--Given by Friends Irrespective
of Party--Introduced by My Old Friend and Partner, Henry C. Hedges
--I Reply by Giving a Resume of the Contests in South Carolina and
Louisiana to Decide Who Was Governor--Positions Taken by Presidents
Grant and Hayes in These Contests--My Plans to Secure the Resumption
of Specie Payments--Effects of a Depreciated Currency--Duties of
the Secretary of the Treasury--Two Modes of Resuming--My Mansfield
Speech Printed Throughout the Country and in England--Letters to
Stanley Matthews and General Robinson--Our Defeat in Ohio--An Extra
Session of Congress--Bills Introduced to Repeal the Act Providing
for the Resumption of Specie Payments--They All Fail of Passage--
Popular Subscription of Bonds All Paid For.

About the 10th of August I made my usual visit to my home at
Mansfield. Soon after my arrival I received the following invitation,
signed by a great number of my neighbors and friends, without
respect to party, expressing a desire to tender me a reception:

"Hon. John Sherman.

"Dear Sir:--The undersigned, your townsmen, and fellow-citizens of
Richland county, desire to give you some manifestation of the very
high regard in which we hold your public services. We are glad to
know that you are permitted to again be at your own home, and for
a week or two mingle with us in all the unrestrained freedom of
friends and townsmen.

"Financial and other public questions are, however, of importance
to us always, and especially now. We recognize your great ability
and long experience, and cannot but think that an expression of
your views on these questions will be very highly prized by the
people of Ohio, irrespective of party. We therefore desire, with
your sanction, on some day during the next week, to give you a
hearty welcome to your old home, and shall be glad to have you, on
the occasion, give your views on the public questions, now of such
vast importance to all. With our kindest regards, we are,

"Your friends, etc., etc."

I replied as follows:

"Mansfield, O., August 13, 1877.
"Gentlemen:--I received with much pleasure your kindly letter of
the 10th inst., signed by so many of my old friends and neighbors
of Mansfield, and assure you of my high appreciation of your generous
words of c