22 174
“IWAS MUCH GRATIFIEDTO SEETHATTHE
PRESIDENT HAS BEEN EXONERATED”
12
●
FARRAGUT, DAVID G. Autograph Letter Signed, “D.G. Farragut,” to Secretary of
the Navy Gideon Welles, explaining that he intends to visit England and possibly Greece
and Constantinople, describing the reception of the King of Greece and other dignitaries
aboard his ship, planning a trip to Scotland, and expressing gratification that the President
has been exonerated. 4
1
/
4
pages, 8vo, written on two folded sheets, embossed personal sta-
tionery; minor scattered bleedthrough, folds.
[Near Belgium] and Southampton [UK], 22-24 June 1868
[400/600]
22 June: “Having changed my plans from information just rec’d from the Pilots that there is
not sufficient depth of water for the Franklin in the Ports of Holland, I have determined to . . .
run over to England . . . .
“
I have just had the most delightful visit from the King of Greece, all the Court, & Foreign
Ministers at Brussels. . . .”
24 June: “. . . I was much gratified to see that the President has been exonerated from all his
difficulties, & that the Govt is once more moving along without the bitterness of Partyship & I
think that he will have no more such contests as those he has just gone through. I feel greatly
indebted to him for his kindness . . . .”
In the summer of 1867, Admiral Farragut was given command of the European Squadron,
which he led aboard a 39-gun steam frigate—the USS
Franklin
. On May 26, 1868, the
presidential impeachment trial ended and Andrew Johnson was acquitted.