Adam Badeau, Grant in peace: from Appomattox to Mount McGregor, a personal memoir

When the assassination of Garfield culminated in his death Grant met Arthur at the funeral; the whilom Custom House Collector was now the Head of the Nation, and preceded the ex-President in the procession that followed Garfield's remains. Almost immediately afterward they were traveling together by train on some occasion before Arthur had taken any step of importance in his new situation. Grant told me repeatedly that Arthur especially asked his advice and assistance in the composition of his Cabinet, and it was at Grant's suggestion that Frelinghuysen was selected as Secretary of State. General Grant also strongly urged Governor Morgan for Secretary of the Treasury, and that nomination was made. But Morgan declined the appointment, and then Grant suggested the name of John Jacob Astor. I was at the General's house on the evening of October 25, 1881, conversing about the situation after the family had gone to bed, and I mentioned the return of Mr. Astor, who had come over in the same ship with me from England a week or two before. Grant at once said that Astor would be an excellent man for the Treasury, especially in the crisis created by Morgan's refusal to serve. I urged him to present his views promptly, and that night he sent this dispatch to the President:

Astor has returned from Europe. Might not he accept temporarily?

A day or two afterward he told Mr. Astor of his action; that gentleman was greatly surprised, and while expressing his gratification at General Grant's good opinion, declared that he had no desire to enter the Cabinet. The recommendation, however, was not taken, and Folger was eventually appointed Secretary of the Treasury, a selection which at the time was entirely acceptable to General Grant; although afterward Folger became so hostile as to order Grant's picture taken down from his room in the Treasury. Just here it