On the 16th of March, 1862, I received at my residence in this city a letter from the War Department enquiring if I would undertake to prevent the Confederate steamer "Merrimac" from coming out of the harbor of Norfolk, and urging my immediate attention, as the danger was most imminent and "there was no time to be lost." I answered by telegraph that I would go to Washington the next day. On the morning of the 17th of March I called at the War Department, where I saw for the first time Mr. Stanton, the Secretary of War. He requested me to accompany him to the executive mansion, where I was introduced to Mr. Lincoln, to whom I was then personally a stranger. The President asked me if I thought I could, with the aid of my steamships, do anything to prevent the "Merrimac" from getting out of Hampton Roads. I replied to him that it was my opinion that if the steamship "Vanderbilt" was there properly manned, the "Merrimac" would not venture to come out, or if she did, the chances were ten to one that the "Vanderbilt" would sink and destroy her. Mr. Lincoln asked me to name the sum of money for which I would undertake the service; I replied to him that nothing would induce me to become a speculator upon the necessities of the government, and that I would not mention a sum as the value of her charter, but that I would make a gift of her to the government for the service proposed. The President replied, "I accept her." I left him promising that the "Vanderbilt" should be at Fortress Monroe properly equipped and officered under my direction within three or four days at the farthest, and she was there within the time. The requisite instrument of transfer was subsequently executed by me and transmitted to the War Department.
The resolution of Congress of which you have informed me truly states that I have in no manner sought requital for the gift, and the recognition of it, which in the discharge of your official duty you have given me, was altogether unsolicited. I shall proudly preserve the splendid token of appreciation which you have transmitted to me, and it is my hope that those who come after me, as they read the inscriptions of the medal and are reminded of the event in their father's life which caused it to be struck, will inflexibly resolve that should our Government be again imperilled, no pecuniary sacrifice is too large to make in its behalf, and no inducement sufficiently great to attempt to profit by its necessities.
I am, Sir, your very obedient servant,
C. Vanderbilt.
April 16, 1865—March 4, 1869.
Andrew Johnson, President of the United States 1865. ℞. Peace.
PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON.
[Seventeenth President of the United States of America.]
ANDREW JOHNSON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1865. Undraped bust of President Johnson, facing the right PAQUET, F. (fecit).