US Presidency
1868

Stanton states in his letter of the 4th instant, which accompanies the published correspondence, that he has had no correspondence with the President since the 12th of August last; and he further says that since he resumed the duties of the office he has continued to discharge them without any personal or written communication with the President; and he adds, No orders have been issued from this Department in the name of the President with my knowledge, and I have received no orders from him. It thus seems that Mr. Stanton now discharges the duties of the War Department without any reference to the President and without using his name. My order to you had only reference to orders assumed to be issued by the direction of the President. It would appear from Mr. Stanton's letter that you have received no such orders from him. However, in your note to the President of the 30th ultimo, in which you acknowledge the receipt of the written order of the 29th, you say that you have been informed by Mr.