LEVEE OF AN AMERICAN SECRETARY.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1720, 3 September 1862, Page 10

LEVEE OF AN AMERICAN SECRETARY.

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To-day was the first day that it was generally understood by the people that any one could get to see the new Secretary of war without an introduction, or having to wait in the lobby a week or two, as suited the convenience of some petulant doorkeeper, or, as a military man would say, the outer pickets. Mr. Stanton occupies the room formerly used by the previous administrations, at the head of the stairs in the second story. The adjoining room is used by Mr. Watson, Assistant-Secre-tary. In this room Mr. Stanton receives the crowd; in the centre is a table at which his amanuensis, Mr. Moor, sits, and in the corner is Mr. Watson, at his desk. The clock strikes 10, the awaiting crowd rushes in as the doors swing open, and, being among them, we soon find ourselves in the presence of the Secretary. Now one stands in front ot him, and with a smiling countenance, he reaches out his hand and t’kes a hearty grip with a gray-haired man. “ Well, Sir, what is your wish?” “My name is ; my son fought at Springfield, and was wounded in the arm ; he was on Fremont’s staff, but is now without a commission ; I want one for him that he may again try bis other arm here on the Potomac or in Missouri.” “ You shall have it, Sir, ’ replied Mr. Stanton, and turning to his secretary, he ordered him to note the case. “Return home, he added, “the papers will besentyou ;”and asihe man attempted to thank him, he stepped to one side to two ladies who had just come in. “ Madam, what can Ido for you. “ Want a clerkship for my son ; his father was killed at the battle of Belmont.” Turning again he noted the case, took the address, told the lady to send a sample of her boy’s writing, and he would care for him. Ihe other was connected with a Minnesota regiment over the river, and had some complaint about the treatment she had received in camp from some of the officers. “Madam, you must go to the head-quarters of General M’Clelldn.” “ I have been there, Sir, and they would not read my papers or listen to my case.” Then give them to me, and I’ll see why.” A small, bright-eyed boy alone, was trying to work his way through the crowd, and the Secretary turned to him and asked what he wanted. “ I want my father got out, Sir; he was taken at Bull Run, and has not come home with the rest.” He gave hie name and regiment, it was noted, and the Secretary, lifting him up, kissed him upon the forehead, and said,— ’’ Your father should be proud of such a noble boy, and 111 see that he is released ** A man with a half military dress says he has been wronged by the Examining Board, and has been deprived of the command of his regiment (a Philadelphia cavalry regiment). “Sorry, Sir, if it is not all right; I cannot go back to investigate the acts of my predecessor.’ Ihe colonel insisted that his case was a plain one, if he could be heard. “ Well,’’said the Secretary, “ if you wiU get the officers to reconsider it, I will then listen to it.’ An individual has some new invention for fire-arms ; “ Go to the Ordnance Department and get them to investigate it, aud if they will recommend it, I will he glad to see it adopted.” A colonel with a green uniform on has some passes he wants to read. “ Are you an army officer ?” “Yes, Sir,” “ Then you cannot be beard until to-raorrow ; come and see me then.” A large and well-dressed man wanted a word in private. “What about?” Some little matter about a contract be bad for horses. 11 Cannot interfere. Sir, go to General Meigs. If there is anything wrong bo will rectify it.” Another succeeds in getting him off to the side of the room, and the conversation is inaudible until the Secreiary replied, “ No Sir, on no account will 1 interfere in any contract, while I am here, for anything from a thimble up. There are men appointed to attend to that department, and I shall hold them to a strict accountability for every action.” Two soldiers wanted, to be paid for the time they were in confinement at Richmond, having just been released, and presented a furlough they had received a week ago, and also an order for their pay for time and rations. “ Why do you not take this to Major Beckwith, and have him attend to it?” “We did, Sir; and he says he has no order that will cover our case, and for want of ‘ forms’ we are afraid we will be kept here until our time is up, and we want to go home and see the folks before going it again.” Turning to his secretary, ' he ordered him to write to Major Beckwith, and order him to report forthwith in writing why these men were not paid up, instead of being kept waiting. It was done ; he signed it himself, and said, “ Here, take that to him, and bring an answer.” A Western man, who said he hailed from the Reserve in Ohio, had about a dozen quires of paper written over two or three times, which he said was an “Essay on Cheese.” The Secreiary laughed. “You must go to the Commissary General; he has charge ol the feeding of the army.” “ I have been at first one and another all summer, and somehow or other 1 do not get any further ahead, and that is why I want you to investigate itand he commenced to unroll his papers. “ Indeed, Sir, I do not know how cheese would agree with the soldiers.” “ Thar’s just why I want you to read these papers and examine these certificates, * Hut I have no time, Sir.” All hands commenced laughing, but the Ohio man stuck it out bravely. “ I assure you there is not a soldier in the army who does not like crackers and cheese, and I can make it for three cents a pound.” “ Now, I tell you what you had better do —go to Senator Wilson and get him to put it in his Bill; it will then pass ihe Senate and become an army regulation to give out cheese rations. “Well, could you not endorse it, and then it would be sure to be passed?” “No, I cannot endorse it, because I know nothing about it.” “ Oh, well, I will leave these papers,” and he made for the table. “ I will never read them, if you do, until the war is over.” With a look of despair Ohio made for the door, inquiring of every one he met if they knew where Senator Wilson lived? Judge Wilkins, of Piitsburg, here came in, received a hearty shake of the hand, and a number of congralulatioas passed between them. The doorkeeper of the little room announced the President, and off the secretary went to see him. He soon returned, however. In carne Major Beckwith, with the note sent by the returned prisoners. “ Why are those men kept waiting?” “Because I have no order for their special case.” “ Mr. Wilson, issue an order that will cover all the prisoners that may be released in future, and allow them full pay for every day they are confined in rebel prisons. Major, I have just learnt there arc over 150 now waiting for their pay ; every man must be paid to-day, and speed them on to their homes.” A tall man wants a commission in the regular army. “Have you been in any battle yet, Sir ?” “I was in the Mexican war.” “Thai won’t do, that is too far back.” “I was at Great Bethel.” “That is better, I will examine your record myself and inform you if you are appointed.’* A stout, healthy young man wanted a commission or clerkship. “ Have you been in any battle?” “ No, Sir.” “ Then it will be of no use to apply, for I shall make all my appointments from the list of heroes; those who fight the country’s battles must be cared for first,”

Another wanted an appointment as quartermaster. “Thereare my recommendations, Sir, and I would be glad if you can read them.’’ “ 1 cannot do it now, I have not the time ; but I will examine them.” “Very well,” replied the would-be quartermaster; “just read them. If you have any better man, according to those papers, let him have the office; in that case I don’t want it.”

A gentleman stepped up who appeared to be an intimate friend of the Secretary. “Ah !” said the secretary, “ 1 am glad to see you ; I Lave not seen you since we met at Wheeling a few years ago.” lie replied that lie had been engaged upon the North-West Boundary question, and would like to have some conversation about it. “ Ah!” said the Secretary, “ I will appoint a to sec vou, and have the whole matter talked over, for I wish to know all about it.” A man in citizen’s clothes wanted an appointment it! the army. “Well,” said the secretary of War. “what are your claims?” “ I was an aide-de-camp Of Colonel Geary at the fight of Bolivar, and I am recommended for the appointment by the President,’’

“ All right,” said Mr. Stanton, “ I will attend to your case,” Individual insisted upon having a promise, inasmuch as he “ had got the indorsement of the President.” “ The President, Sir, is a very excellent man, and would bo glad if he had an appointment for every man who applied, which unfortunately for his goodnature, is not the case.’’ “Well, Sir, I am from St. Louis; I am « Union man, and I must go home, I suppose.” “Well, if I can do anything for you, 1 will write to you there.” A. soldier, in the uniform of a sergeant, handed in a recommendation for a first lieutenancy in an artillery corps. “ Well,” said the Secretary, “ have you ever smelt powder in battle?” “Not exactly, Sir, but I have always been ready. I was in the Mexican war.” ‘‘Can’t help the Mexican war,” said Mr. Stanton; “that is too far back. Have you been in any engagement in this war?” “ No, Sir ; all I want is a chance to get in one. You can appoint me, and if you don’t liue it I won’t charge a cent extra pay, if 1 can only get the commission.’’ The Secretary laughed, said his case would be considered, and he would be informed if the appointment was made. Another gentleman, who also appeared to be a friend of the secretary, came in. Said lie, *' I want to see you.” “ Come here to my room, and I will fix an hour when you can come, aud we will talk over matters. They disappeard for a few moments, and as they returned, ex-Senator Crittenden greeted him. He congratulated Mr. Stanton on the country receiving his services, for which Mr. Stanton thanked him, and said he hoped to be an instrument of aid to his country, but he should look to him and others for counsel in guiding his steps. “Anytime, Mr. Crittenden, day or night, any hour, I shall be glad to see you. You are always welcome; come and see me.” A young min wants a clerkship. “ Sorry, Sir, there are no vacancies for the position you wish, and I ha»e had over 30 applications already for it. 1 can do nothing for you ” An officer who was on Sickles’s staff wanted an older or some means whereby ho could get his pay. He said that he had been in service several months, and could draw no pay, Dis inconvenient, no doubt, to be without money,” replied Mr. Stanton, “ and I will immediately order that your case he attended to.” And so it went on for five hours, in which he saw and heard all who came, pleasantly; and none went away but were pleased with their entertainment, and most of them had their hearts made glad. Over 200 were listened to in this short time.