Edward Bates, age 71, resigned as Attorney General after President Lincoln's reelction. On November 24, 1864 Bates sent in his resignation, which became effective at the end of the month. Scholars believe that Bates hoped to be appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, but Lincoln was looking for a younger Chief Justice and appointed fellow-Cabinet member Salmon P. Chase instead. (By Rebecca Solnit)
Source Citation
David Herbert Donald, Lincoln (New York: Touchstone, 1996), 536, 550-551.
Record Data
Date Certainty
Exact
Type
Lawmaking/Litigating
