Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-12-18
COMMUNICATION FROM GEN. GRANT.
His Protest Against the Renewal of stan.
ton and Sheridan-The Letter Marked
I'D


ton and Sheridan-The Letter Marked
ssPrivate.,'
The Speaker laid before the House yesterday
q communication from General Grant, enclos.
ing the papers in accordance with q resol uion
passed on the 26th ult, calling for the CORES
pon dence with the President on the subject of
the removal Of Secretary Stanton and General
Sheridan and Sickles: also, any correspon-
dence ar orders in his Office showing the Coa-
dition OF the 3th military district prior to the
passage OF the military reconstr ctlon bill, and
any Recommendations that he may have made
thereon, and what steps, IL any, were taken by
civil authority in reference TO such recon-
men datIon; also. all correspondence In refer.
ence TO the dime culties in Baltimore touching
the police commissioners, and other matters
prior to the election OF 1866. and in reference
to proposed mission OF the General of the ar
mics to Mexico in 1856. s-t
The correspondence covered about two hun
dred pages Of foolscap, and was accompanied
with large number OF reports from subordi-
trict, showing the condition OF aSairs In that
section. Nearly all this correspondence has
been published, but among the most important
papers is the letter of General Grant 20 the
President marked ssprivate," and letter from
General Sheridan to General Grant in regard
TO matters in his district while in command.
The communication did not include the papers
In the case OF the removal OF General Sickies,
but it is expected that q supplementary COM
municatlon In regard TO the matter will be sent
to the House within few days.
We present below the letter marked spri-
Yats" and some further extracts:
PRIVATE
"HRADQuARTESs ARMIES OF THE UNITED
STATES, WAsHINGToS, ID. O.. August 1, lo67.
His FgcelIenc,, A. JohnsOf. ITegldsni ~ the
United States: SIR: 1 take the liberty Of ad.
dressing you privately on the subject of the
conversation we had this morning, feeling as
i do the great danger 10 the welfare of the
then expressed. FIRST, on the subject of the
displacement of the Secretary OF War. His re-
mOval cannot be effected against his WILL
without the consent of the Senate. II is but 4
short time since the United states Senate WAS
IN session, and why not then have asked for
bis removal, if ii was desired. II certainly
was the intention of the legislative branch OF
the Government to place the Cabinet Minis
ters beyond the power of Executive removal,
and it is pretty we'll understood that, so far as
CabiBet Ministers are effected by the tenure Of
office bill, it was intended specially to protect
the Secretary Of War, in whom the country
felt great confidence. The meaning OF the
law may be explained away by an astute
lawyer, but common sense aad the views OF
me Ieyal people will give II the effect intended
by It's trainers. Second, on the subject of the
removal OF the very able commander OF the 5th
military district, let me ask you to con slider the
effect It would have upon the public. He Is
universally ard deser vedly beloved by the
people, who sustain this Government through
Its trials, and feared by those who would still
be enemies OF the Government. IL fell 10 the
lot Of but few men to do as much against an
armed enemy as General Sheridan did during
the rebellion, and it is within the scope Of the
ability of but few IN this or any other coun-
try % do what he has done. His civil admin
lstrauon mas given ual satisfaction. He has
had dimculties TO contend with which nc other
district commander has encountered. Almost
II not quiis, from the day he was appointed
district com mnaDder TO the present time the
press has given cut that he was to be removed.
that the Administration was dissatisfied with
him, &c.
This has emboldened the opponents to the
W hie o.
pose hin In every way in their power and
has rendered necessary measures which other.
wise might never have been req uired.
sin conclusion, allow me to say, as friend
desiring peace and quiet, the welfare OF the
whole country, North and South, that il is in
my opinion more than the loyal people of this
,as GSS
e'iy submit TO, TO see the very men, OF an oth-
srs, IN whom tasy have expressed confidence
removed. lwou1d not have taken the liberty
OF addressing the Executive OF the United
States thus but for the con YER sation en- the su b.
Ject alluded TO in this letter, and from a sense
OF duty, feeling that know l am right in tbi,
matter
with great respecI, your obedient servant.
u. 5. GRANT, General
Among the papers il q letter 10 Gen Grant
from Major Gen. Sheridan, dated New OR.
leans, Jan 25, 1c67, in relation 20 matters in
Texas, and particularly referring to the con.
dItion OF Union men and freedmen I'm different
parts OF the State, which he saws ia truly nor.
rible. He says the Government is denounced
freedmen are shot, and Union men are ner,
secuted, II they have the temerity to express
their opinions, &c.
This letter Gen. Grant. under date :. Hesd.
quarters Army Of the United States, Jan 90
1867, endorses as follows:
Respectfully forwarded 10 the Secretary of
war. Attention - vited to that portion OF
me within communication which refers TO the
condition OF Union men and freedm men inTexas
ana 10 the poweriess ness OF the m Hilary in the
present state of affairs 10 afford them protec-
non. Even the moral effect Of the presence OF
troops ID passing away, and q few days ago q
squad OF soldiers on duty was fred on by Citi-
zens In brsWBsvHle. In my opinion the great
number OF murders Of Union men and freed.
men In Texas, not only as q rule unpunished
put unlnVesusaied, constitute practically q
state OF insurrec'ion; and, believing IL to be
the province and duty OF every good govern
ment 10 auofd protection TO the lives, liberty
and property OF its citizens, 1 Would recon-
mend the deciarauon of martial law IN Tera.
70 secure these ends. The necessity for gev-
ernlng any portion OF our territory by martial
law Is 10 De deplored. If resOrted 10, II should
De limited IN its authority, and should leave
all local authorities and civil tribunals tree
ana uhoostrueted until they prove thsir inefff-
ciency or unwiliingness to perform their du-
ties "
"Marial law would give security, or com.
paratiNely so, TO all classes OF citizens without
regard 70 race, color, or political opinions, and
coulo oe continued until society was capable
OF protecting itself, or until the State is re-
turneo 70 It's full relations with the Union
the application OF martial law 10 one of
THESE States would be q warning to all and il
necessary, could be extended to others
"U. ). GRANT. General