Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-05-05
CONGRESS-
CASES OF GEN. BLAIR AND GEN sCHENcK.

CASES OF GEN. BLAIR AND GEN. sCHENCK.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, APRIL 20.
The SPEAKER laid before the House the following
message ON the President also dated the 26th April;
TO the House of Representatives.
In obedience resolution of your honorable body copy
which hereby returned have the honor to make the
following brief statement which is believed to contain the
information sought;
to and at the meeting present Congress Robert
c. Schenck of Ohio and Frank p Blair Jr, of Missouri
members elect thereto by and with the consent OF the Sen
held commissions from the Executive major generals
in the volunteer army Gen Sohenck rendered the resna
ton Of his said commission and took his seat In the House OF
the assembling thereof upon the distinct
verbal understanding with the Secretary Of War and the Ex
ecutve that he might any time during the session. at his
pleasure withdraw said resignation and return to the
field. Gen Blair by temporary agreement with Gen.
Sherman in command Of corps through the battles in front
of aud in the march to the relief OF Knoxville
which occurred in the latter days Of December last and OF
the assembling OF Congress When
he subsequently arrived here he sought and allowed by
the Secretary Of War and the Executive the conditions
and promise allowed and made to Gen. Schenck Gen.
Schenck has not applied withdraw his resignation but
when Gen. Grant made lieutenant general, producing
change Of commanders Gen Blair sought to be assign
cd 10 mand of corps This made known to Gems
Grant and Sherman and assened to by Them and the pac
ular corps for him designated This all arranged and
understood, remembered much a month ago
but the withdrawal of Gen. Bairs resignation and making
the order assigning him to the command of corps, not
contaminated at Il War Department until last week per
haps on the April As summary of the whole
it may be stated that Gen. Blair holds military commission
appointment other than herein stated and that Is be-
isved he is acting or general upon the assumed
validity Of the commission herein stated and not otherwise
There letters notes. kilograms ORDERS entries and
perhaps other documents in connection with this subject
which believed would throw additional light upon it,
but which will be cheerfuIy furnished if desired
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Mr. SCHENCK explained that he was elected to Con.
gress while engaged in the military service, and had con-
sdered for months whether he would take his seat
here not At last the time approached when it became
necessary that he should to decision He related
his conversation with the Secretary of War and the Pre
dent upon the subject These gentlemen said the matter
could be arranged that he could return to the mi ary
He said he had rendered his resignation the
9th Of December last accompanying 1t with request that
he be relieved from command he did not now claim 10
be- in any in the military service, his resignation
having been formally rendered and accepted.
The Presidents message referred to the Committee
on Elections.
Mr. SCHENCK, at subsequent period of the day. asked
leave to offer resolution calling upon the President to
furnish copies of ali letters notes. kilograms and other
documents referred to in the foregoing message.
Mr. DAWSON objected to the introduction of the re-
solution.
Mr. SCHENCK made few remarks to the effect that
he drew his pay up the 9th OF December major gene
rail- to the time his resignation took effect and that he
did not draw pay member of Congress until the 7h of
December, when he took his seat
Mr.. DAWSON withdrew his objection to the introduce
ton of the resolution
M. FERNANDO WOOD for the public good, renewed
the objection 1t was inopportune to offer it
Mr. SCHENCK. 1 call the member to order. ! have
the floor by consent Of the House.
Mr. F. WOOD. l objected to the introduction of the
resolution not to remarks OF the member. If he not
civil he will not be allowed to proceed.
The SPEAKER said Mr.. SCHENCK had obtained the
unanimous consent of the House to make statement
Mr. F. WOOD. ! hope he will proceed civly and cour-
Mr. SCHENCK resumed saying that lest there should
be some Misrepresentation and he unable to intro
duce The resolution he would say that there not from
him the scrap OF pen relative to any negotiation
ing return to the military service.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, MAY2.
The SPEAKER laid before the House special
sage from the President of the United States, commun
eating in compliance with resolution Of the House Of the
29h ultmo the following official papers in reference to
the casesof Gen. Blair and Gen. Schenck referred to
the said resolution The budget of papers here
ncated the President says constitutes all sought by the
resolution far is remembered or has been found
upon digent search"
Ereertipe Mansion,
Washington November q 1863
Hon. MONTGOMERY BLAIR:
MY DEAR SIR: Some days ago understood you to say
that your brother Gen Frank Blair desires to be guided
BY my wishes to whether he will occupy his
Congress remain in the field. My wish, then, is
pounded OF what believe will be best for the country aud
best him. And it is that he will here, put his
military commission in my hands, take his seat 90 into
caucus with friends abide the nominations help elect
the nominees and thus aid to organize House of Repre-
sentatves which will really support the Government in
the If the result shall be the election of himself
Speaker let him 10 that position; If not, let him
retake his commission and return the army For the
country this will heal dangerous schism. For him it
will relieve from dangerous position BY msunder-
standing think he is in danger of being permanently
separated from those with whom only he have
real sympathy-the sincere opponents of slavery 1t will
be mistake IL he shall allow the provocatons offered HIM
by insIncere time TO drive him from the house
his building He is young yet He has abundant
taentsquite enough to occupy all bis time without de-
voting any to temper He is rising in military skill and
usefulness. His recent appointment to the command Of
corps by competent Judge Gen. Sherman proves
this In that line he both the country and him
self proftably than he could a member Of Con-
gress upon the floor. The foregoing what would say
Il Frank Blair my brother instead of yours.
A. LINCOLN.
Headquarters Middle Department.
Eighth Army Corps,
Baltimore, (Md kopember 49, 1863
Hon f. NJ STANTON, Secretary of War.
SIR fnclosed forward to the President my resgna-