and my brother, Judge Hoar, was nominated
for Attorney-General. He had a high opinion of Mr. Boutwell
and had been very earnest, so far as he could properly do
so, in advocating his original nomination to Congress. In
the evening after the Cabinet had been announced Mr. William
B. Washburn, afterward Governor, called upon me at my room.
Mr. Washburn and I were not then intimate, although we afterward
became close friends. He said that he had been requested
by the delegation to tell me that they earnestly hoped to
Mr. Boutwell might have a place in the Cabinet, and that,
although they had great regard for Judge Hoar, they hoped
that some arrangement might still be made which would bring
about the selection of Mr. Boutwell. I told Mr. Washburn
that I was sure that the appointment of Judge Hoar would be
a surprise to him, as it was to me, and that I thought it
quite doubtful whether he would wish to leave his place on
the Bench for a seat in the Cabinet, but that I could not
speak for him or judge for him. I telegraphed at once to
Judge Hoar not to commit himself in any way until he reached
Washington and could see me. I met him at the depot, told
him of the communication of the Massachusetts delegation and
that, especially considering President Johnson's quarrel with
Congress, it seemed quite important that General Grant, who
had no experience whatever in political life, should have
some person among his counsellors who had the full confidence
of the leaders in Congress. The Judge strongly appreciated
that view. When he called upon President Grant his first
conversation consisted in urging upon him very strongly the
selection of Governor Boutwell. He supposed then that it
would be quite unlikely that the President would take two
men from the same State and supposed that selection would
require his own refusal of the offer of the office of Attorney-
General. President Grant said that he would think it over
and not decide the question that day. The next morning he
sent for the Judge and said: "Judge, I think I would like
to have you take the oath of office." He handed the Judge
his commission. The Judge looked at it and saw that it was
not signed. He said: "I think perhaps it would be better
if you were to sign it." Grant laughed and complied with
the suggestion. Judge Hoar's first official duty was to give
an opinion upon the question whether Mr. Stewart, who had
been nominated for Secretary of the T