“‘That is what endears General Grant to all his friends,’ said my uncle; ‘the idea of his going personally to see the Solicitor, he the President, and only because he wishes to do a kindness.’
“‘I wish he had sent for the proud Solicitor to come here. This visit of the President will make him more over-bearing,’ said I. ‘I am disgusted at his most arbitrary conduct.’ ‘Wait,’ said my uncle, ‘let us hear first what he has to say to the President.’”
In a short time the President returned. He said: ‘Well, gentlemen, I cannot make out why the Solicitor did not dismiss the case, as he was ordered. He says he found that the Attorney General had not looked into the record carefully, and so he did not think the case should be dismissed.’
“‘But how could he have found out that the Attorney General had not looked into the case carefully only by riding from the office to the Supreme Court? He must have disobeyed the instructions of the Attorney General first, and then to justify his disobedience, trumps up the pretext that the case had not been examined,’ said uncle.
“‘The Attorney General did not tell him to look into the case and give his opinion. He was told that the case had been examined; that the pleadings and allegations were trivial; that the United States had no case, and the matter should be dismissed,’ I said.
“‘It is clear, that without authority he took upon himself to review and reverse the decision of the Attorney General,’ said my uncle.
“‘I don't understand his motive or object,’ the President said. ‘But I told him I presumed he could state his opinion in writing, and he said he would. Perhaps he will give a better reason for his action than he did verbally.’
“‘No, sir,’ uncle said, ‘he will give no better reason, as he has none to give. He has some spite against the Attorney General, and is laying in wait to catch something to hurt him. Fortunately, he can't use this case for any such purpose, for it is a very clear one, and the hands of the Attorney General are very clean.’
“‘Of course they are,’ the President said.
“‘And now, sir, what do you advise us to do?’ asked uncle.