is probable
that no special point would have been made upon his holding his
position as chairman of the state committee for a limited time,
but even that was not the thing, the real question being that,
whether he resigned or not, it was better that he and Arthur and
Sharpe should all give way to new men, to try definitely a new
policy in the conduct of the New York customhouse.

"I have no doubt, unless these gentlemen should make it impossible
by their conduct hereafter, that they will be treated with the
utmost consideration, and, for one, I have no hesitation in saying
that I hope General Arthur will be recognized in a most complimentary
way.

"Things are going on quietly here, but we miss you very much. Hope
you will have a pleasant time and return to us in fresh health and
vigor.

"Very truly yours,
"John Sherman.
"Hon. R. C. McCormick."

On the next day I wrote him a supplementary letter:

"Treasury Department, }
"Washington, D. C., September 7, 1877.}
"Dear Governor:--Your note of yesterday is received.

"The action of the President on the New York customhouse cases
turned upon the general question of change there, and not upon
Cornell's case. It happened in this way: General Sharpe, in a
very manly letter, withdrew his application for reappointment as
surveyor of the port. In considering the question of successor
the main point, as to whether the changes in the New York customhouse
rendered necessary a general change of the heads of the departments,
was very fully and very kindly considered, and, without any reference
to Cornell's matter, until it was thought, as a matter of public
policy, it was best to make change in these heads, with some details
about it which I will communicate to you when you return. When
that was seen to be the unanimous opinion, it was thought hardly
worth while to single out Mr. Cornell's case, and act upon it on
the question that affected him alone. If he was allowed to resign
from the committee, it would undoubtedly be upon an implied
supposition that he would be continued as naval officer. I think
even yet he ought to do as he proposed to Orton, but we could not
afford to have him do it with any such implied assent, and, therefore,
it was deemed better to make the formal announcement agreed upon.
You know how carefully such things are considered, and, after a
night's reflection, I am satisfied of the wisdom of the conclusion.

"I want to s