Lincoln Accepts Chase Resignation

On June 28, 1864, President Lincoln accepted Salmon Chase's resignation as Treasury Secretary. Secretary Chase had previously offered resignations as ploys to influence President Lincoln toward more radical policies, but was surprised when Lincoln accepted this third and final resignation letter.

Chase had been an effective Secretary, but also harbored presidential ambitions stemming from his defeat by Lincoln in the 1860 Republican nominating convention. Armed with abolitionist credentials, Chase maintained a large level of support from the radical wing of the Republican Party that believed Abraham Lincoln was too conciliatory in his policy of reconstruction toward the South.

Lincoln would eventually bring Chase back into the fold by subtly noting the open Supreme Court vacancy left by the death of Roger Taney in the summer of 1864. After the election of 1864, Lincoln would nominate Chase to fill Taney's spot on the court.