Franklin County: I. H. McCauley to Simon Cameron,
January 5, 1861
Summary:
McCauley congratulates Cameron on his appointment to Lincoln's cabinet, condemns
Alexander K. McClure, and seeks an appointment under Cameron.
McCauley
Clerkship
Jan 1861
Chambersburg Penna
January 5" 1861
Hon Simon Cameron
The papers of the day inform us that the President Elect has tendered to you a position in his Cabinet, and that you have accepted. Permit me as one of your many friends in this County, to offer my congratulations. We are not only gratified because of your personal success, but because we hail the Act of the President as indicative of his policy in relation to Pennsylvania's great interests, With you in the Cabinet we will feel certain that all things possible will be done to foster and protect our suffering manufacturing and industrial interests.
The same papers which informed us of your appointment, stated that the Ajax of
Penna politics, Hon
A.K. McClure of this place had been "called" to
Springfield by the President. Public rumor, and his fellow members say that he
"asked permission" to go. Now the fact is we know not--but his object we do know for he cannot keep his own counsil.
We are convinced that his purpose is to oppose you. We think that he should
have
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had enough of that by this time,
but some persons are so much puffed up with their own ideas of their own
importance, that they cannot see themselves as others see them. The Col. thinks because he was Chairman of the last State
Committee, & the party were successful that all is owing to him and his Herculian
ascertions. Why the veriest simpleton that lived last Oct & Nov, must have been
convinced that Success would be ours had the indefatigable Chairman never lived.
Public Dinners and Gold Watches given by never so many expectants for Office,
will never elevate him any higher. We think here that he has reached the
top-most point on the ladder of Fame to which he was even destined to ascend.
The "Suspicions" of the "Valley Spirit" published in 1859 hang like a Mill Stone
around his neck--and the additional fact that after [unclear: indicting]
for one and a half of them, he has now had Noble Prosegrun's entered, can
never be gotten over by him.
We therefore rejoice over his defeat, for we cannot
think that President Lincoln will give any weight to his representations,
especially if he knows the man. He is supremely
selfish, and where he cannot rule, will ruin. In you he has found more than his match. You
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have your foot upon his neck--keep it there, and the number of your friends will
never decrease.
Mark my prediction. If the Republican & Peoples party of Pennsylvania should soon again loose its present proud & triumphant position, the result will be owing to the conduct of him & his "clique", more than to anything else.
And now General permit me to say a word personal to myself. You have the reputation of not forgetting your friends. I claim to have been one of them in this County. Tis true that I was not able to aid you much, and would have been greatly pleased to have seen you nominated. You will recollect that I was at your house in Harrisburg whilst our State Convention was in Session last Spring, and ready and willing to go to Chicago to serve you, but the Col. controlled matters so as to send his own partner Mr McLellan, who never once voted for you.
When in power I wish you to remember this concerning the Republic. I shall then
ask you for some good position in your own
Department--or your aid in obtaining one somewhere else. You will remember that
I was the Chief Clerk of the State Department of this State under Gov Pollock & to him I will then fully refer
you for Character & qualifications.
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I am one of those who never drink, gamble, frolick or swear, and who think
that duty to God and our Country can be performed together. I think myself
qualified for any position to which I may aspire, and always make it the object
of my life to do promptly and faithfully whatever I undertake.
I should like to get a Chief Clerkship in one of the Departments at Washington--or some other position that would yield me a couple of thousand dollars per year. One of the Assistant Collectorships or Deputy Naval Officer, at Philadelphia, would suit me, and as those are connected with the Treasury Department, perhaps when the times comes you will be able and disposed to aid me in obtaining one of them, or some other position such as I seek, I trust that you will do so, and whatever you may do will be gratefully remembered.
I am
Yours truly
I.H.McCauley
Hon Simon
Cameron
Washington City D. C.
