Ward Lamon, one of President Lincoln’s law partners, and his most
intimate friend in Washington, has this to relate:
“I am not aware that there was ever a serious discord or
misunderstanding between Mr. Lincoln and General Grant, except on a
single occasion. From the commencement of the struggle, Lincoln’s policy
was to break the backbone of the Confederacy by depriving it of its
principal means of subsistence.
“Cotton was its vital aliment; deprive it of this, and the rebellion
must necessarily collapse. The Hon. Elihu B. Washburne from the outset
was opposed to any contraband traffic with the Confederates.
“Lincoln had given permits and passes through the lines to two
persons--Mr. Joseph Mattox of Maryland and General Singleton of
Illinois--to enable them to bring cotton and other Southern products
from Virginia. Washburne heard of it, called immediately on Mr. Lincoln,
and, after remonstrating with him on the impropriety of such a demarche,
threatened to have General Grant countermand the permits if they were
not revoked.
“Naturally, both became excited. Lincoln declared that he did not
believe General Grant would take upon himself the responsibility of such
an act. ‘I will show you, sir; I will show you whether Grant will do it
or not,’ responded Mr. Washburne, as he abruptly withdrew.
“By the next boat, subsequent to this interview, the Congressman left
Washington for the headquarters of General Grant. He returned shortly
afterward to the city, and so likewise did Mattox and Singleton. Grant
had countermanded the permits.
“Under all the circumstances, it was, naturally, a source of exultation
to Mr. Washburne and his friends, and of corresponding surprise and
mortification to the President. The latter, however, said nothing
further than this:
“‘I wonder when General Grant changed his mind on this subject? He was
the first man, after the commencement of this War, to grant a permit for
the passage of cotton through the lines, and that to his own father.’
“The President, however, never showed any resentment toward General
Grant.
“In referring afterwards to the subject, the President said: ‘It made
me feel my insignificance keenly at the moment; but if my friends
Washburne, Henry Wilson and others derive pleasure from so unworthy a
victory over me, I leave them to its full enjoyment.’
“This ripple on the otherwise unruffled current of their intercourse did
not disturb the personal relations between Lincoln and Grant; but there
was little cordiality between the President and Messrs. Washburne and
Wilson afterwards.”