The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-18
HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON. Dec. II.

WASHINGTON, Dec. IL.
Scnerm Grants Famous Letter i'm Behalf of
stanton and sheridan.
The Speaker laid before the House to-day commu-
ncaon from General Grant sclosing the correspond
stanton as Secretary of War; and also the removal Of
Generals sheridan and SickCs. Nearly all the corre
spoudence has heretofore been published but the fol-
lowing is the private letter Of General Grant to the
dresluen5' about which so much curiosity has been
W whEApQuARrEEs AR1IEs or TIE UNITED STATES,
Andrew johnson, President Of the United States
Sr:-l take the liberty Of addressing you privately
tiecg suuecg 9 Vhe conversation we had his morning,
Ieeng as do the great danger to the welfare OF the
country should you carry out the designs then ex-
Ihe Secretary OF War; His removal cannot be effected
against his will, without the consent of the Senate.
rs put snort tine since tne united states senate
was IN session and why not then have asked for his
removal If it was desired?
1t certainly was the sentiment OF the legislative
branch of the government to place Cabinet ministers
beyond the power Of Executive removal, and it is
pretty well understood that far Cabinet minis
iers are affected by the Tenure of once bill it was in
tended especially to protect the Secretary Of War; in
whom the country felt great confidence. The mean
ing oil the law may be explained away by an astute
lawyer, but common and the views Of loyal peo-
pie will give to it the effect intended by its trainers.
able commander of the Fifth Military District let me
ask you to consider the effect it would have upon the
public. He is universally and descrvedly beloved by
the people who sustained this government through its
trials and feared by those who would still be the
nemies OF the government, It fell to the lot of but
few men to do as much against armed enemy as
General Sheridan did during the Rcbelon; and It is
within the scope of but few in this or anv other cOun-
try to do what he has His civil administration has
given equal satisfaction. He has had difficulties to
contend with which no other district commander has
encountered
Almost, if not quite from the day he was appointed
District Commander to the present time, the press
has given out that he was to be removed, and that
the administration dissatisfied with him. This
has emboldened the opponents to the laws of Con-
Eress within his command to oppose them in every
way in their power, and has rendered necessary
sures which otherwise may never have been neces-
sary.
In conclusion, allow to say, q friend, desiring
peace and quiet, and the welfare of the whole coun-
try North and South, that it is in my opinion, more
than the loyal people of the country-l mean those
who supported the government during the great lie.
bellion-w quietly submit to, to see the very man of
all others who they have expressed confidence in
removed would not have taken the liberty Of ad-
dressing the Exesutiye of the United States thus but
for the conversation the subject alluded to in this
letter, and from sense of duty, and feeling that
know am right in this matter.
WIN great respect, your obedient servant,
(Signed) Z. S. GRANT, General.
Among the papers is a letter to General Grant from
Major-General Sheridan dated New Orleans, January
25 1867, in relation to matters in Texas, and partCu
larly referring to the condition of Union men and
freedmen in different parts of the State, which he says
is truly horrible He says the government is de-
nounced freedmen are shot, and Union men are per-
opinions. This letter General Grant, under date Of
Headquarters Armies of the United States, January
80 1867, indorscd rs follows
'Respectfully forwarded to the Secretary of War;"
Attention is invited to that portion OF the within
communication which refers to the condition of Union
men and freedmen in Texas, and to the poweressness
of the military, in the present state of affairs to afford
them protection. Even the moral effect OF the pre-
Rence of troops is passing away, and few days ago
squad of soldiers duty was fired on by citizens in
Brownsville In my opinion, the great number of
murders of Union men and freedmen in Texas, are
not only, as aru'e unpunished but uninvestgated and
constitute practically state of nsurrection, and be-
heving it to be the province and duty of every good
government to afford protection to the lives, liberty
and property of her citizens would recommend the
declaration of martial law in Texas to secure these
territory by martaiiaw is to be depioTed.
TeSOrteQ itHshOuld limited
and should leave all local authorities and civil ribu
mails free and unrestricted until they prove their n-
efficiency on unwilllngness to perform their duties.
Martial law would give security, comparatively so,
or political opinions, and could be continued until
State Is restored TO its fu relations with the Union
The application Of martial law to one of these States
would be warning to all, and, if necessary can be
(Signed) o. s. GRANT, General.
Report of'the Senate Finance Committee.
The Senate Committee on Finance, in the report
made to-day, remark it should be the effort of Con-
gress not merely to declare and obey the existing law,
but to adopt comprehensive policy that will preserve
the public faith restore confidence to the people and
stability to our business interests and yet will appeal
TO the of justice of the people if 1t is unhappy
drawn into the arena OF party politics. Financial
matters ought not to be in any sense partisan, but
they may become so unless Congress can adopt a
policy meeting all the requisites named Ihe contest
on these most delicate and difficult questions may be
transferred to the hustngs, wneS the neat OF party
strife may lead to dangerous results. , ,
The committee examine at length the provisions OF
then taking Sup the question as to whether the $40
bonds are redeemable in any other money than the
coin Of the United States, say the duties on imported
goods and interest the public debt are by law eX-
cepted from the legal tender clause. ms implies
that the principle of the debt is not excepted. The
construction drawn from the payment OF previous
loans in gold is answered by the fact that the act un-
der which these bonds were issued expressly declares
that note shall be lawful money as well as gold, and
eha be receivable in payment OF the public deDt. ,
The argument that a construction was put upon the
law by the agents of the United States is answered by
The fact that this was not mutual construction, re-
cognlzed by both parties part of the contract Dut
WAS rather an opinion based upon a suppJston OF
state OF facts which, when the hve years expired, did
not actually exist 1t is clear that if the bonds are
payable, when due, in legal tenders they are redeema
bic after five years from the date, IN the same kind
money The word payable" imports duty or obi
cation which must be performed az the time stipulated
The ''redeemabe" implies discretionary power
which may may not be exercised. But the sam'
kind of money in the same mode rendered VIII redeem
note or pay note. The committee have deemed L
their duty TO present the argument in favor OF redeem
ing the bonds in legal tender notes. Tor 1t cannot D
concealed that this construction has been adopted DN
many who discaim all purpose to eyade the pu0li
enpagements still the admitted fact remains tina
these bonds were generally taken upon the suppOsl
fon that they would be paid in coin, that this was ex
pressy declared by the authorized agents OF the 90
Vernment in negotiating the loan.
That such declaration must have Deen known D.
Congress and was not negatiYed; that 1t was sane
toDed by three successive Secretaries OF the treasury
that upon the faith of it the bonds have been connu
alIy HIGHER in market value than the notes. aud tina
anubc sentiment both in this country and in Eu
rope would regard 1t as breach OF public faith
public credit is so sensitive quality hat time canno
restore it when impaired II is better far to torego
doubtful privilege if in the judgment oI lmparal neI
we have no right to exercise il; but the doubt shQul
be promptly removed The discussion OF the questiO
manifeetly mpars the public credit, and until II
settled no new loan can be negotiated,
The public mind becomes accustomed 10 the ldea Q
rnnudiation and the widest schemes of paper money