The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-12-26


--e.4-- Removals. ..-s.sr
The ssPrivaies' Letter Protesting Against
the Suspension of Secretary Stanfon-
Gen. Sheridan IndOrsed, and aMartiai
Law for Texas RecommenAe1. ~ fen
WAsHrNGroH, Dec 1.-THE Speaker
laid before the House to-day q commu-
nication from Gen. Grant inclosing the
correspondence relating to the removal
of the Hon Edwin M. Stanton as Secre-
tary of War, and also the removal Of
Gems. Sheridan and Sickles. Nearly
all the correspondence has heretofore
been published, but the following is the
private letter to the President from Gen.
Grant about which SO much curiosity
has been expressed: s s
s. as [Private.l
- HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE U. s.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Aug. IL, 1861
To His Ercellency, ANDREW JOHNSON,
President Of the United States:
SIR: take the liberty of addressing
you privately on the subject of the con-
versation which we had this morning,
feeling, as do, the great danger to the
welfare of the couRtry should you carry
out the designs then expressed:
First: On the subject of the displace
ment of the Secretary Of War, his re-
moval cannot be effected against his
will without the consent of the Senate
It was but short time since the United
States Senate was in session, aud why
not then have asked for his removal if it
was desired? It certainly was the in
tention Of the Legislative branch of the
Government to place Cabinet Minister
beyond the power Of the Executive re
that, SO far as Cabinet Ministers are
affected by the terms of the Office
bill, it was intended specially to protect
the Secretary of War whom the country
felt great confidence in. The meaning
of the law may be explained away by an
astute lawyer, but common sense and
the views of loyal people will give to
it the effect intended by its trainers.
Second: On the subject of the removal
of the very able Commander of the Fifth
Military District. let me ask you to con-
slider the effect it would have upon the
public. He is universally and deserved
ly beloved by the people who sustained
this Government through its trials, and
feared by those who would still be enc
mics of the Government. 1t fell to the
lot Of but few men to do as much against
an armed enemy as Gen. Sheridan did
during the rebellion, and it is within the
scope of the ability of but few in this
or any other country 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 ap-
pointed District Commander to the
present time, the press has given out
that he was to be removed that the Ad
ministration was dissatisfied with him
This has emboldened the opponents of
the laws of Congress within his com
mand to oppose him in every way in
their power, and has rendered necessary
measures which otherwise might never
have been necessary. In conclusion,
allow me to say as friend, desiring
peace and quiet, the welfare of the whole
country North and South, that it is my
opinion. more than the loyal people of
this country { mean those who support
ed the Government during the great
Rebellion) will quietly submit to, 20 see
the very man of all others who they
have expressed their confidence in, re-
moved. I would not have taken the
liberty of addressing the Executive of
the United States thus, but Tor the con-
versation on the subject alluded to in
this letter, and from sense Of duty,
feeling that know am right in this
matter. With great respect, your obe-
dient servant, U. S. GRANT,
General.
Among the papers is letter to Gen.
Grant from Major Gen. Sheridan, dated
New Orleans, Jan. 25, 1867, in relation
to matters in Texas, particularly refer
ring 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 denounced,
freedmen are shot, and Union men are
prosecuted if they have the temerity to
express their opinion. This letter Cen
Grant, under date "H Headquarters, Army
of the United States, Jan. 20, 1867" in
dorses as follows:
Respectfully forwarded to the Secre-
tery of War. Attention is invited to
that portion of the within communica-
ton which refers to the condition of the |
Union men and freedmen in Texas, and
to the powcrlessness of the military, in |
the present state of affairs, to afford |
them protection. Even the moral effect |
of the presence of troops is passing
away, and few days ago squad Of
soldiers on duty was fred on by citizens
in Brownsville. In my opinion the
great number OF murders Of Union men |
and freedmen, in Texas, not only, as |
rule, unpunished, but uninvestigated,
practically, state OF insur-
rection; and, believing it to be the
province and duty of every good Gov
ernment to afford protection to the lives,
liberty, and property of her crtizens,
/ would recommend the declaration oS