e was the leader and favorite.
So I thought it best that he should be consulted in the matter
of the selection of a Cabinet officer from New England and
that I should keep aloof.

But the day after President Hayes's inauguration, rather
late in the afternoon, Mr. Blaine came into the Senate Chamber
and told me with some appearance of excitement that he thought
the President wanted to see the Massachusetts Senators. I
did not, however, act upon that message, and did not go to
the White House that day. I was at my room in the evening
when Senator Morrill of Vermont came and told me that President
Hayes wished him to inquire of me what Massachusetts man I
desired to have appointed to a place in the Cabinet. I told
Mr. Morrill that there were two gentlemen of great capacity
and high character, either of whom would make an excellent
Cabinet officer. One of them was William B. Washburn, and
the other Alexander H. Rice. Each of them had held the office
of Governor of the Commonwealth, and each of them had been
a very eminent member of the House of Representatives. But
I said that each belonged to what might be called a separate
faction or division in the Republican Party, and the appointment
of either would be distasteful to some of the supporters of
the other. I added that there was one man of whom I thought
very highly indeed, an intimate friend of mine, whose appointment
I thought would give pleasure to everybody in Massachusetts.
That was General Charles Devens, then Judge of the Supreme
Court, a very eminent advocate and orator, and one of the
most distinguished soldiers the State had sent into the war.

Mr. Morrill went back to the President with the message.
Early the next morning I received notice from the White
House that the President wished to see me. I complied with
his desire at once. Mr. Dawes had also been sent for and
was there. The President said he could offer General Devens
the Department of War, or perhaps the Navy. Mr. Dawes thought
that he would not be willing to accept the latter. I told
the President that I thought he would; that General Devens
was a native of Charlestown. He had always taken a great
interest in the Navy. He had known a great many of the old
and famous naval officers, and some of his near relatives
had been in that service. But the President finally authorized
me to send a telegram to General Devens offering him the Department
of War. I sent the telegram and reques