He had sent into the Senate the nomination of William A.Simmons for the important office of Collector of Boston.

This was due to the influence of General Butler.

Mr.Sumner, whose controversy with the President is well known, was then the senior Senator from Massachusetts.

The nomination had been made, of course, without consulting him, with whom Grant was not on friendly terms, and without consulting any of the members of the House of Representatives except Butler.

There was a very earnest opposition to this nomination.