Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-12-27
Gen. Grants Record.

~ response u requtsitiOD from Con-
gress the President has at length parted
with the celebrated private letter address
e.i " him by General Grant concerning
the removal Of Stanton and Sheridan -
This letter IL all that the most radical Of
Grants admireys have claimed tes it, and
more. When be had written ID he had full
y ccmmi.tcd himself to RadicaIism "A he
could possibly have done BY the most fur.
NAL declaration of sllegiancc To the Re.
publican party. There can NO longer be
any wonder At the Presidents reluctance
to part with this particular communication.
though tho whelc press VI the country has
been clamOrOus for it fov months. GEN.
Grants letter 10 ~ follows:
[PRIvATE.
HEADovARTERs3A 3ARMIEs UNITED)
- STATES. WASHINGTON, d. CO
August II. 1867.
His Ercelleney Andrew Joh.son, Presi-
dent Of the Usited States = a
Sir.-I take tue liberty Of addressing
you privately on the subject Of The convsr.
"a sivn we had this morning. feeling a,
do the great danger tn the welfare Of the
country should you carry out tho designs
| then expressed.
First, on the subject Of the displace
ment Of tie Secretary df War: His re-
,noval cannot Ne effected against his will
without the consent Of the Senate. 1t
was but short time since the Senate was
in session. and why not then have asked
for his dismissal If It was desired I 1t Ger
tainly was the intention Of the legislative
branch Of the Governments to place cab.
met minister beyond the ever of the Ex-
ecutive removal, and it = pretty we'll un-
derstood that 60 far 40 cabinet ministers
are affected by the terms Of the tenure Of
Office bill, it was intended specially to pro.
hct tho Secretary Of War. whom the
country felt great confidence in. The
meaning Of the law may be explained away
by IN astuts 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 pub
lie. He is universally and deservedly be-
loved by the people who sustained this
government through it's trials, and feared
by those who would still he the enemies Of
the government. 1t fell to the lot Vi bot
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 to do what he has done HE civil ad-
ministration has given equal satisfaction.
He has had difficulties to contend with
which no other district commander has en-
countcred. Almost il not quite from the
day he was appointed district commander
to the present time, the press haa given out
that he was to bc removed. that the admin
istration was dissatisfied with him. This
has cmbOldcncd the opponents of the law,
Of Congress within his command to oppose
him in every way IN their power. and has
rendered necessary measures which other.
wise might never have been necessary. In
conclusion, allow me to say as friend de.
string peace and quiet, and the welfare o
the country, North aud South, that it is in
my opinion more than the loyal people o
the country-I mean those who supported
the government during the great rebellion
will quietly submit to, to see the man o.
all others they have expressed their conf
dence in removed. would not have tn
ken the liberty Of addressing he Executiv.
Of the United States hut for the converse
ton on the subject alluded to in thi, lette,
and from sense Of duty. feel that know
| am right in the matter.
With great respect.
Your Obedieut servant.
u. s. GRANT, General.
The following is the endorsement. dated
January 9th. leG7. in relation to matters
in Texas. particularly referring to the con
lition Of the Union men and freedmen il
different parts Uf the State, which he say,
is truly horrible. He says the government
is denounced, freedmen arc shot, and Un
ion men are prosecuted If they have tn,
temerity to express their opinion:
''R' spectfully forwarded to the Secrstary
Of War. Attention is invited to that por
tion Of the within communication which
refers to the condition Of the Union lner
aud freedmen in Texas, and to the power
lessness Of the military, in the prescn
state Of affairs. to afford them projection
Even the moral effect Of the presence o
troops is passing away, and few day
ago squad Of soldiers on duty was fired
on by citizens Of Brownsville. In my
tOpiniOn the great number of murders o
Union men and freedmen in Texas, which
not only as rule arc punished, but unin
vestigated, constitute practically state o
linsurrcction and believing it to be til,
province and duty Of every good govern
ment tn afford protection to the lives. lib
erty and property of its citizens. woult
recommend the declaration Of martial law
in Texas to secure these. The necessity
for governing any portion Of our territory
by martial law is to hc deplOred. If re
sorted to, it should be limited in its author
Iity, and should leave all loca! authorities
and civil tribunals free and unObstructc(
until they prove their ineficiency or unwill
ingncss tO perform their duties. Martha
law would give security. Or comparatively
so, to all classes of citizens, without re
gard to race. color or political opinions
and could be continued until society wal
capable Of protecting itself, or until th'
State is returned to its full relation will
the Union. The application Of martha
law to one Of these States would be warn
ing to all, and. if necessary. eau be extend
ed to others"
u. s. GRANT. General.