SIXTH REPORT OF THE HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION.

WEDNESDAY, Octo. 1, 1862.
Seward came to Department and we talked over foreign relations, particularly as connected with cotton. Showed him my reply to his note of yesterday. Ile thought it would not answer, as his assurances, coupled with Butler's and Grant's Orders, committed us too far. I said I would modify it. After he left, altered my reply and sent it.
Examined Regulations concerning trade with blockaded ports, and War Orders.

THURSDAY, Octo. 2, 1862.
Seward came to my house with letter to Stuart, vindicating the course of the Treasury Department concerning Trade Orders and Regulations. I approved the whole; but suggested that as the regulations embraced the coal .order substantially, and as Great Britain took exception to that as particularly intended for her, he might say that, to prove the absence of such intention and as a proof of the entire absence of any wish to vex trade, the coal order would be rescinded.

FRIDAY, Octo. 3.
The President still absent at McClellan's Army. I expect little good from this visit.

SATURDAY, Octo. 4.
Mr Harrington left this morning for New-York. He is instructed to hasten increase of issue of Postage Currency to$100,000 per day. Expects to go to Boston in" Miami."

SUNDAY, Octo. 5.
At home to favor foot. Much better in the afternoon, and rode over to Insane Asylum to see Hooker. Was glad to find him much improved. He said we had plenty of good officers, and that all the courage, ability and genius we needed could be found among our Volunteer Colonels. He then said that an aide of McClellan's had been down to see him with an inquiry as to how soon he would be able to take the field, and expressing his confidence with hints of important command of army moving from Washington. He expressed the belief that no decisive victory would be achieved so long as McClellan had command.
Before starting on this visit, John A. Stevens, jr., called wishing me to see Col. Hamilton about Texas; a and I asked him to bring him to dinner. Accordingly both came. Secretary Stanton also, by accident, and Mr. Montgomery, by Katie's invitation. After dinner, Col. Hamilton spoke fully of Texas - described his escape and hiding in the woods - said that many hundred loyal Texans were now concealed in Texas as refugees - declared that the War was a war of the oligarchy upon the people - that Slavery was the basis of the oligarchy, but that the perpetuation of slavery was not more their object, than the despotic power of the class over the mass. I entered fully into his feelings; and promised to go with him to the President's tomorrow.
After he went, Gov. Morton came in and spoke very earnestly of the condition of matters in Indiana. Apprehends State defeat on the 14th., and loss of all the Congressional Districts except Julian's, Colfax's, and perhaps Shank's. Wants Indiana Regiments in the State furloughed so that they can vote. Thinks Buell utterly unfit for command of the great army under him - is slow, opposed to the Proclamation, and has bad influence every way. Wishes me to go with him to President's about the regiments, which I promised to do tomorrow.

OCTO. 6—Monday.
Maj. Garrard called to speak about North Carolina and Genl. Foster. Foster has now 3d. N. Y. Cay., and of Infantry, 17., 24 and 25 Mass, 9 N. J., 2 Md., and 5 R. I:, supported by Albemarle and Pamlico Fleet, say ten gunboats. Foster wants reinforcements, several regiments of Infantry and another Regiment of Cavalry. Maj. Gar- rard desires that if another regiment of Cavalry is sent, Col. Mix should be made Brigadier.
Genl. Keyes and Maj. Bannister, with Genl. Garfield and Maj. Garrard, formed our breakfast party. Genl. Keyes spoke of the disposition in the army (McClellan, etc.) to disfavor. Republican officers. Genl. Garfield mentioned the case of a young Republican officer ordered to Kansas in 1856, who was told by his Colonel that he would not allow him to remain in the Regiment if he remained Republican. Genl. Keyes spoke of the chaplain at West Point as the most perfect specimen of a Northern man with Southern principles he ever knew, and said that when the new Regiments were organizing under Jeff Davis, as Secretary of War to Pierce, eleven out of fifteen officers were appointed from the South, and when he remarked upon it he was challenged to select the eleven better men.
Went to Department, and with Gov. Morton to see the President about furlong to enable Indiana soldiers in camp to vote; which he promised. Left the Governor with the President. Saw Col. Hamilton and arranged interview for him. Met Wadsworth and Cochrane. Asked Cochrane to breakfast.
Genl. Cochrane breakfasted with me, and after breakfast conversed freely about McClellan. He said McClellan would like to retire from active command if he could do so without disgrace, which could be accomplished and a more active General secured by restoring him to chief command, where he would now act in unison with myself. I explained frankly my relations to McClellan - my original admiration and confidence - my disappointment in his inactivity and irresolution - my loss of confidence and conviction that another General should replace him - my constant endeavor to support him by supplies and reinforcements, notwithstanding my distrust, when the President determined to keep him in command - my present belief that I had not judged incorrectly, but my entire willingness, also, to receive any correction which facts would warrant; and my absolute freedom from personal ill will, and my entire readi- ness to do anything which would insure the earliest possible suppression of the rebellion. He said that Col. Key had often expressed his regret that McClellan had not conferred with me and acted in concert with me. I replied that I thought, if he had, the rebellion would be ended now; but that I feared concert between us impossible, our views, dispositions, and principles harmonizing so little. He said he would talk with McClellan and write me. I answered that I should be glad to hear from him, and was quite willing he should report to McClellan what I had said.
At Cabinet, the President spoke of his visit to the Army at Sharpsburgh, and the battle fields of Antietam and South Mountain. He said be was fully satisfied that we had not over 60,000 men engaged; and he described the position of the enemy and our own—the enemy's being much the best, his wings and centre communicating easily by the Sharps-burgh road parallel with the stream. He expressed no opinion as to Generalship, nor of results.
Seward asked what news of the Expedition to Charleston? Secretary Weller [said] the necessary iron-clads could not be ready in less than a month. I was much disappointed by this statement, remembering that ten days of a month were up; and said at once that I hoped then we should not wait for the Navy but at once organize a land force sufficient to take the city from James Island. Mr. Stanton agreed in the importance of this, and proposed to order Mitchell's and Garfield's Brigades from the West - send Garfield at once to South Carolina with these Brigades and two more Regiments - and let Mitchell go to work immediately. He said also that he proposed at once to organize an Expedition to open the Mississippi, and give the command of it to McClernand. The President seemed much pleased with both movements - but Halleck remained to be consulted. Would he oppose the President and Stanton? I thought not.
I left the Cabinet with more hope than I have felt for months.
At the President's, I met W. H. Aspinwall and invited him to come and dine with me; which he did. In conversation, I enquired what he thought of the idea of selling some $50,000,000 of Five-twenties at about the market rate? He thought it should be clone but doubted whether more than 97 1/2 could be obtained. I said I hoped to get 99 or 99 1/2. He then spoke of his visit to McClellan and seemed greatly to desire my cooperation with him. He mentioned that Burnside had heard that I blamed him for having Porter restored to command; but thinks I would not if I understood all the circumstances.

FRIDAY, Octo. 10, 1862.
Went to Cabinet, taking Mr. Whittlesey to Department. Found the President reading telegrams from Kentucky. McCook's division engaged with Bragg's Army on the 8th, and hard pressed, but was reinforced and the enemy repulsed. All the corps up at night and in position. Slight engagement with enemy's rear guard yesterday, but main body retreated to Harrodsburg. This from Buell at Perryville yesterday morning. Stager P. Cleveland telegraphs another great battle yesterday, and no mistake about victory this time. This came this morning at ten. So we hope the best.
Nothing of much importance was discussed except Norfolk. I favored opening the port. Nothing was decided. Asked Stanton what he had done about McClernand's Army for clearing the Mississippi, and he replied "Nothing." Seward said he thought something had been done, and the President that something had been agreed on. It turned out that orders for the organization of the expedition had been given but that nothing of importance was yet done.
Home. Signed official letters and Warrants - Directed Regulations of Trade with open ports to be sent to Secretary of War.
In the evening, Genl. Hunter, Maj. Halpin, Mr. Cowan, Judge and Mr. Maxwell of N. J., Genl. McDowell, Maj. D. Taylor and others called. Before dinner, Bannister came about Col. A. J. Hamilton, of Texas, going to Ohio. Urged him to have him go if possible.
Directed 10,000 Postage Currency sent to Cincinnati.

SATURDAY, Octo. 11.
Surprised to read this morning that Stuart's Cavalry have taken Chambersburg, Penna. What next?
Recd. letter from John Cochrane, saying that McClellan appreciates my support while not approving his command, and would gladly cooperate with and see me; and that there is no substantial difference between us on the Slavery question. - Also received letter from Aspinwall about Five-twenty Loan, which he advises - He thinks 98 may be obtained - equivalent to, say, 75 in gold. - Also a letter from Cisco sending a $10 U. S. Note, purloined from National Bank Note Company and falsely filled and sealed. - Wrote Cisco about detective, and enclosed Aspinwall's note and asked his opinion. - Sundry other letters received and answered. --- Needham (Ky) called. I accepted Williams' declination as Assessor Louisville District, and agreed to appoint Needham in his place - - - he to resign Collectorship.
Genl. Hunter, Maj. Halpin, Mr. Jay and Gent. Garfield (still our guest) at dinner. Maj. Halpin mentioned that McClellan had telegraphed Head Quarters that not one of the rebels who have invaded Pennsylvania shall return to Virginia. Hope it may be so, faintly. Too many bills of the same sort protested for the credit of the drawer.
After dinner talked a good deal with Genl. Hunter, who is very well read. Asked him his opinion of Halleck. He said, " He has ability and knowledge, but does not make an earnest study of the War - does not labor to get clear ideas of positions, conditions and possibilities, so as to seize and press advantages or remedy evils." I then asked what he thought of the President? "A man irresolute but of honest intentions—born a poor white in a slave State and, of course among aristocrats - kind in spirit and not envious, but anxious for approval, especially of those to whom he has been accustomed to look up - hence solicitous of support of the Slaveholders in the Border States, and unwilling to offend them - without the large mind necessary to grasp great questions - uncertain of himself, and in many things ready to lean too much on others." What of Stanton? "Know little of him. Have seen him but once, and was then so treated that I never desired to see him again. Think from facts which have come to my knowledge that he is not sincere. He wears two faces; but has energy and ability, though not steady power." The conversation then turned on Douglas, whose ardent friend and constant supporter Hunter was—also on other persons and things. I found him well read and extremely intelligent.
Genl. Hunter tells me he desires to retire from the Army, and have some position in New York which will enable him to resume his special vocation as a writer for the Press. He says he has written lately some leaders for the "Republican ", and has aided the Proprietor of " Wilkes' Spirit of the Times."

SUNDAY, Octo. 12.
At home all day, nursing inflamed foot   -  reading and conversing with Katie and friends.

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