[37]"It may not be amiss here to submit that the two and only drawbacks or obstacles that we have met to the immediate, prompt, and unanimous passage of an act of Congress in recognition of and adequate compensation for the patriotic services and successful military strategy of Miss Carroll in the late civil war are found first in an obstruction which President Lincoln encountered and which he referred to when he explained to Senator Wade that the Tennessee plan was devised by Miss Carroll, and military men were exceedingly jealous of all outside interference." (House Miss. Doc. 58). "The second obstacle which has stayed us is founded in a (to some men) seemingly insuperable objection, often demonstrated in words and acts by our legislators--a misfortune or disability (if it be one) over which Miss Carroll had no control whatever, namely, in the fact that she is a woman." [Footnote 37: Brief of claimant in Congressional case 93.] It would appear that the decision of the Court of Claims retransmitting the claim to Congress was considered by Miss Carroll's friends to be in her favor. Erastus Brooks writes her at this time: Dear Miss Carroll: Your "Reminiscences of Lincoln" (a work suggested by Mrs. Hussey) should, as far as possible, bring out the words and own thoughts of the man. The subject, the man, and the occasion are the points to be treated, and in this order, perhaps. Again, my old and dear friend, I am very glad and hope the award will meet all your expectations--mental, pecuniary, and of every kind. The hope of the award to yourself and friends must be as satisfactory as the judgment of the court. Yours, ERASTUS BROOKS. Miss Carroll showed this letter to Mrs. Hussey, who copied and immediately published it. Miss Carroll, who had always been on friendly terms with General Grant, spoke to him of her claim. They conversed together concerning her work. He assured her that he had not been aware of its extent, and advised her by all means to continue to push her claim. I have seen the draft of a letter, written by Miss Carroll at this time, to General Grant in which she alludes to the advice he had given her to push her claim before Congress. The letter is written in the friendliest spirit and in a tone of touching modesty. It should be here noted that there never was any antagonism between these two who had done such great work for the salvation of their country. Cassius M. Clay wrote to the editor of the New York _Sun_ the following letter, as published in that journal: WHITE HALL, KENTUCKY, _March 3, 1886_.