Boston, September 3, 1861
I Persuaded Hale to insert a leading article about Russell in the Advertiser, which I send to Henry. The folly of our press in assaulting so savagely an agency so formidable as Russell has troubled me, and I’m glad to see that McClellan is wiser and spares a few civil words where they can be so useful. In fact I think McClellan is showing a tact and power of managing men which reminds me of Seward. For already, even at this distance, I see that he has moulded Russell, Wilson and Sumner like wax in his fingers. This is very important and I expect before this reaches you McClellan’s finger will have been seen and wondered at in the columns of the Times. . . .
