Volume II Part 3 (1/2)

I fully concur in the above, and hope that Mrs. Griffing will receive a conspicuous place in the Freedman's Bureau. She is the best qualified of any person within my knowledge; her whole heart is in the work.

B. F. WADE, SOLOMON FOOT, IRA HARRIS, E. D. MORGAN, W. P. FESSENDEN.

I most fully concur.

J. V. DRIGGS, T. W. FERRY.

I fully concur in all that is said within in behalf of Mrs.

Griffing, and earnestly commend her to the favor sought.

GEO. W. JULIAN.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON, _July 9, 1869_.

Mrs. Griffing has for several years devoted herself with great industry, intelligence, and success to the freed people in the District of Columbia, and in this service she has accomplished more good than any other one individual within my acquaintance.

When the War Department was in my charge, she rendered very efficient aid of a humane character to relieve the wants and sufferings of dest.i.tute freed people, and was untiring in her benevolent exertions. Property for distribution was often placed in her hands, or under her directions, and she was uniformly trustworthy and skillful in its management and administration. In my judgment, she is ent.i.tled to the most full confidence and trust.

EDWIN M. STANTON.

JEFFERSON, OHIO, _Nov. 12, 1869_.

MY DEAR MRS. GRIFFING:--On my return from Was.h.i.+ngton I found your kind letter of the 28th, ult. I regret much that I did not meet with you at Was.h.i.+ngton. I know your merits. I know that no person in America has done so much for the cause of humanity for the last four years as you have. Your disinterested labors have saved hundreds of poor human beings not only the greatest dest.i.tution and misery, but from actual starvation and death. I also know that in doing this you have not only devoted your whole time, but all the property you have. And I know, too, that your labors are just as necessary now as they ever have been. Others know all this as well as I do. Secretary Stanton can vouch for it all, and I can not doubt that Congress will not only pay you for what you have done, but give you a position where this necessary work may be done by you effectually. This is the very thing that ought to be done at once. Since the Bureau has been abolished it will be impossible to get along with the great influx of imbecility and dest.i.tution which gathers and centers in Was.h.i.+ngton every winter, without some one being appointed to see to it, and certainly everybody knows that there is no one so competent for this work as yourself. To this end I will do whatever I can, but you know that I am now out of place, and have no influence at Court, but whatever I can do to effect so desirable an object will be done.

Truly yours, B. F. WADE.

SENATE CHAMBER, _April 2_.

DEAR MADAM:--I have your note of the 31st, and am very sorry to hear that there is so much distress in the city. I shall endeavor to bring the charter up as soon as I have an opportunity; but while this trial is pending,[30] it is improbable that any legislative business will be done. I am as anxious as you are to secure its adoption.

Yours truly, CHARLES SUMNER.

MRS. J. S. GRIFFING, Was.h.i.+ngton.

BOSTON, _27th July, 1869_.

DEAR MADAM:--The statement or memorial which you placed in my hands was never printed. It is, probably, now on the files of the Senate. I wish I could help your effort with the Secretary of War. You must persevere. If Gen. Rawlins understands the case, he will do all that you desire. Accept my best wishes, and believe me, faithfully yours,

CHARLES SUMNER.

Will Mrs. Griffing let Mr. Sumner know what inst.i.tution or person should disburse the money appropriated?

SENATE CHAMBER, Tuesday.

LETTERS ON THE FREEDMAN'S RELIEF a.s.sOCIATION.