nor, and upon conviction, fined three thousand
dollars, removed from office, and forever thereafter rendered incapable
of holding any position under the Government of the United States.
General Grant frankly informed the Senate that he had ascertained Mr.
Stewart's disability after the nomination, and suggested that "in view
of these provisions of law and the fact that Mr. Stewart has been
unanimously confirmed by the Senate, he be exempted, by joint
resolution of the two Houses of Congress, from the operation of this
law."

As soon as the President's message was read, Mr. Sherman of Ohio asked
"unanimous consent to introduce a bill repealing as much of the Act
of September 2, 1789, as prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from
being concerned in carrying on the business of trade or commerce; and
providing instead that in no case shall he act on any matter, claim,
or account in which he is personally interested." Mr. Sumner objected
to the introduction of the bill, suggesting that it ought to be "most
profoundly considered before it is acted upon by the Senate." These
proceedings were on Saturday, March 6th. On Monday Mr. Sherman did not
call up the bill, it having been ascertained in private conferences
that the Senate was unwilling to pass it. On Tuesday General Grant
withdrew the request, Mr. Stewart resigned, and Hon. George S. Boutwell
was nominated and confirmed as Secretary of the Treasury.

Mr. Boutwell was at that time fifty-one years of age. He had enjoyed
a large experience in public affairs. He had served seven years in
the Massachusetts Legislature, had been Bank Commissioner, Secretary
of the Board of Education, a member of the Constitutional Convention of
1853, and Governor of the Commonwealth. Under the National Government
he had been Commissioner of Internal Revenue, and six years a
representative in Congress. He was an industrious student, a strong
debater, possessed of great capacity for work, and had always
maintained a spotless reputation.

The surprises in connection with General Grant's cabinet were not yet
ended. A week after the inauguration Secretary Washburne resigned, and
a few days later was appointed Minister to France. He was succeeded
in the State Department by Mr. Hamilton Fish of New York. Mr. Fish was
a member of one of the old Knickerbocker families. He had inherited
wealth, was of the highest social rank, and enjoyed in a marked degree
the confidence and respect of h