versally regarded as a man of marked ability
and honest in his convictions. In the election for Members of
Congress in 1854, he supported what were known as the anti-Nebraska
candidates, and, no doubt, contributed to their election. When he
was nominated for governor, I was naturally brought into friendly
relations with him, and these, as time advanced, were cordial and
intimate. Our correspondence was frequent, mostly of a personal
character, and our intimacy continued while he lived. When he was
Secretary of the Treasury I was frequently consulted by him, and
had, as I believe, his entire confidence. I have a great number
of letters from him written during that period.

In September, 1864, Mr. Chase was my guest at Mansfield for a day
or two. He was evidently restless and uneasy as to his future.
I spoke to him about the position of chief justice, recently made
vacant by the death of Taney. He said it was a position of eminence
that ought to satisfy the ambition of anyone, but for which few
men were fitted. Early in October I received a letter from him
which shows he was actively engaged in the canvass, and that the
common belief that he did not desire the election of Mr. Lincoln
was without foundation. He wrote as follows:

"Louisville, October 2, 1864.
"My Dear Sir:--Some days since I informed the secretary of the
state central committee that I would, as far as possible, fill the
appointments which ill-health had obliged Gov. Tod to decline.
Seeing afterwards, however, that he had determined to meet them
himself, I acceded to requests from other quarters to given them
what help I could. The first intimation I had that he would fail
in any of them was your letter, put into my hands just as I was
leaving Cincinnati for New Albany last Friday. It was then too
late to recall my own appointments, and, of course, I cannot be at
Mansfield. I should be glad to be there; but regret the impossibility
of it the less since I should not meet you. I am really glad you
are going to Logansport. The election of Gov. Morton is of vast
importance to our cause. And, then, Colfax, I feel most anxious
for him. I hope you can go to his district. I wanted to go myself;
but was urged to other parts of Indiana, and was left no chance to
reach it till this week; which must be given to Ohio in aid of
Stevenson and Bundy, except that I speak here to-morrow (Monday),
and Tuesday night in Covington.

"There has been a very