My Dear Sir:—It has been stated in public prints and otherwise, in a form designed to injure me, that since leaving the Treasury Department I have taken employment against the government as agent or attorney for cotton claims.
As you know that such statements are false, I desire that you will be kind enough to inform me in writing of the understanding that exists as to my relation to such cases.
Very truly yours,
WM. E. CHANDLER.
Treasury Department, January 28, 1868.
Dear Sir:—Your favor of the 25th instant is received. It was arranged between us, before you resigned your office of Assistant Secretary, that you were not to act as counsel or otherwise against the government in relation to cotton claims, either at this department or before the court of claims. The arrangement was entirely voluntary on your part, and was considered prudent and judicious in view of your connection with this class of claims in the department. I regarded it as a very honorable one as far as you were concerned, as it was unaccompanied by any retainer or employment of yourself as counsel for the government in such cases, and was without any assurance on my part, or, as I supposed, any expectation on yours, that you should be so employed.
The understanding has not been, so far as I am advised, directly or indirectly violated by you.
Very truly yours,
HUGH McCULLOCH, Secretary.