uch notes as are presented.

"I have thought so much about this, and am so much troubled about
it, that I would feel almost like giving up the ship rather than
to undertake the additional task which the bill as now reported
would impose upon me. Surely we are so near the end of our long
struggle that we ought not to assume a fresh load, and I assure
you that a mandatory provision requiring the secretary to receive
United States notes in payment of customs duties, without regard
to the time and circumstances, is simply a repeal of the resumption
act, and it had better be done openly and directly. Because we
have been so fortunate this far in the progress towards resumption
is no reason why we should assume an additional burden.

"Please state this to any others who you think would have any
respect for my opinions, as I do not wish to thrust them upon those
who would like to thwart them; and, if overruled in this, I trust
you will make this letter public, for I will not be responsible
for so serious a change in the whole plan of resumption. I said
to the committee on finance that if the discretion was conferred
upon me to receive United States notes for duties, I had no doubt
that I could do so on the 1st of October, but it was not then
supposed by anyone that such a provision would be mandatory.

"Very truly yours,
"John Sherman.
"Hon. T. W. Ferry, U. S. Senate."

While I was congratulating myself upon accomplishing an important
work for the people, I had aroused an animosity more bitter and
violent than any I ever encountered before or since. I was charged,
directly, by a correspondent of the "National Republican," published
in Washington, with corruption, and that I was interested in and
would make money through the syndicate. It was said that I "came
to the United States Senate several years ago a poor and perhaps
a honest man. To-day he pays taxes on a computed property of over
half a million, all made during his senatorial term, on a salary
of $6,000 a year and perquisites." My property at home and in
Washington was discussed by this letter, and the inference was
drawn that in some way, by corrupt methods, I had made what I
possessed. It is true that I found many ready defenders, but I
took no notice of these imputations, knowing that they were entirely
unfounded, for I never, directly or indirectly, derived any advantage
or profit from my public life, except the salary.

At one time it was alleg