another man only to have him rejected would do great
harm, and the confirmation cannot, by any means, be taken for
granted. I believe it is possible to select some well-known man,
who has carefully studied the subject of revenue collection, and
could bring to the task executive skill, experience, and sound
business and political sagacity, and that such a nomination could
be confirmed. I assume, of course, that any movement of this sort
would be based upon the previous removal of the present incumbent,
for good cause--of which I have been hearing rumors for some time.

"Pray let me renew more formally the invitation to dine with me,
on the evening of the 10th of April, at seven o'clock, at the Union
League Club, to meet Mr. Bayard Taylor just before his departure
for Berlin. I sincerely hope you can arrange your movements after
the Chester visit so as to make it possible.

"Very truly yours,
"Whitelaw Reid.
"Hon. John Sherman, Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C."

The President would not make other appointments during the session
of the Senate, as the implication would arise that the rejections
were based upon opposition to the persons named, and he, therefore,
postponed any action until the close of the session.

After the close of the session, on the 11th of July, 1878, the
President gave temporary commissions to Edwin A. Merritt as collector
to succeed C. A. Arthur, and Silas W. Burt to succeed Cornell as
naval officer, and these gentlemen entered upon the duties of their
respective offices.

On the following December it became necessary to send their
nominations to the Senate. I had definitely made up my mind that
if the Senate again rejected them I would resign. I would not hold
an office when my political friends forced me to act through
unfriendly subordinates. I wrote a letter to Senator Allison as
follows:

"Washington, D. C., January 31, 1879.
"My Dear Sir:--I would not bother you with this personal matter,
but that I feel the deepest interest in the confirmation of General
Merritt, which I know will be beneficial to us as a party, and
still more so to the public service. Personally I have the deepest
interest in it because I have been unjustly assailed in regard to
it in the most offensive manner. I feel free to appeal to you and
Windom, representing as you do western states, and being old friends
and acquaintances, to take into consideration this personal aspect
of the case.