e pursuit of truth
and justice. His transfer to the Senate at the age of fifty-eight and
his appointment upon the judiciary and foreign relations committees,
presented a new opportunity to exhibit his deep and fruitful interest
in public affairs, and, as the friend of Senators Collamer of Vermont
and Sumner of Massachusetts, he was destined to have an influential
share in the vital legislation of the war period.

Harris took little interest in the distribution of patronage, or in
questions of party politics that quicken local strife, but he insisted
upon a fair recognition of his friends, and to adjust their
differences Seward arranged an evening conference to which the
President was invited. At this meeting the discussion took a broad
range. The secretary of state had prepared a list covering the
important offices in New York, but before he could present it,
Lincoln, with the ready intuitions of a shrewd politician, remarked
that he reserved to himself the privilege of appointing Hiram Barney
collector of the port of New York. This announcement did not surprise
Seward, for, at the conclusion of Weed's visit to Springfield in the
preceding December, Lincoln reminded the journalist that he had said
nothing about appointments. "Some gentlemen who have been quite
nervous about the object of your visit here," said the President-elect,
"would be surprised, if not incredulous, were I to tell them that
during the two days we have passed together you have made no
application, suggestion, or allusion to political appointments."

To this the shrewd manager, willing to wait until Seward's appointment
and confirmation as secretary of state had placed him in a position to
direct rather than to beg patronage, replied that nothing of that
nature had been upon his mind, since he was much more concerned about
the welfare of the country. "This," said Lincoln, "is undoubtedly a
proper view of the question, and yet so much were you misunderstood
that I have received telegrams from prominent Republicans warning me
against your efforts to forestall important appointments in your
State. Other gentlemen who have visited me since the election have
expressed similar apprehensions." The President, thus cunningly
leading up to what was on his mind, said further that it was
particularly pleasant to him to reflect that he was coming into office
unembarrassed by promises. "I have not," said he, "promised an office
to any man, nor have I, but in a s