They were not to be satisfied, many of them, with my simple removal, but named who my successor should be.

McClernand, Fremont, Hunter and McClellan were all mentioned in this connection.

I took no steps to answer these complaints, but continued to do my duty, as I understood it, to the best of my ability.

Every one has his superstitions.

One of mine is that in positions of great responsibility every one should do his duty to the best of his ability where assigned by competent authority, without application or the use of influence to change his position.