of the feeling created by the
nomination of Lincoln and the alleged rivalry of Chase, but the
statements made in the "History of Lincoln," by Nicolay and Hay,
and the "Biography of Chase," by Schuckers, clearly show that the
cause of the resignation arose long anterior to this event and
gradually produced a condition of affairs when either Mr. Lincoln
had to yield his power over appointments or Mr. Chase retire from
his office. No good would result from analyzing the events which
led to this resignation. The cause was perhaps best stated by Mr.
Lincoln in accepting it, as follows:

"Your resignation of the office of Secretary of the Treasury, sent
me yesterday, is accepted. Of all I have said in commendation of
your ability and fidelity I have nothing to unsay, and yet you and
I have reached a point of mutual embarrassment in our official
relation which it seems cannot be overcome or longer sustained
consistently with the public service."

The nomination of David Tod, of Ohio, as Secretary of the Treasury
to succeed Mr. Chase, was not well received in either House. If
the Members had known Tod as well as I did, they would have known
that he was not only a good story teller, but a sound, able,
conservative business man, fully competent to deal with the great
office for which he was nominated. His declination, however,
prevented a controversy which would have been injurious, whatever
might have been the result. An anecdote frequently told by him
may, perhaps, explain his nomination.

When he was elected Governor of Ohio, he went to Washington to see
Mr. Lincoln, to find out, as he said, what a Republican President
wanted a Democratic Governor of Ohio to do in aid of the Union
cause. He called at the White house, sent in his card, and was
informed that the President was engaged, but desired very much to
see Governor Tod, and invited him to call that evening at 7 o'clock.
Promptly on time Governor Tod called and was ushered into the room
where, for the first time, he saw Mr. Lincoln. Mutual salutation
had scarcely been exchanged before the announcement was made that
David K. Cartter was at the door. Mr. Lincoln asked the governor
if he had any objection to Cartter hearing their talk. The governor
said no, that Cartter was an old friend and law partner of his.
Soon after Governor Nye of Nevada was announced. The same inquiry
was made and answered, and Nye joined the party, and in the same
way Sam. Galloway, o