Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-12-21
General 6srnnt's Famous Lester fr
behalf of StautOn and si,erisaau.
7 'AsHIEaTON, Dee. IL

pressed
TPRIvATB
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED |
STATES, WASHINGTON, u. C., Aug. 1, 1867
His Excelency, Andrew johnson, President
of the United States-Sir Il take the lib
erty of addressing you privately on the sub
ject of the conversation we had this morn |
ing, feeling as do the great danger to the
welfare of the country should you carry out
the designs then expressed. First: On the
subject of the displacement of the Secretary
of War. His removal cannot be effected
against his will, without the consent of the
Senate. 1t is but short time since the
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 legis-
lativc branch of the government 20 place
Cabinet ministers beyond the power of Ex,
ecutivc removal, and it is pretty we'll under
stood that so far as Cabinet ministers arc
affected by the Tenure of Office bill, it was
intended especially to protect the Secretary
of War, in whom the country felt great con
tidence. The meaning of the law may be
explained away 10y 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 Mill
tary 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 enemies of the govern
Eent 1t fell to the lot of but few men to
do as much against an armed enemy as Gen
eral Sheridan did during the Rebellion; and
it is within the scope of but few in this or
any other country to do what he hae. His
civil administration has given equal satisfac-
ton. 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 pre-
sent time, the press has given out that he
was to be removed, and that the administra-
tion was dissatisfied with him. This has
emboldened the opponents to the laws of
| Congress within his command to oppose
them in every way in their power, and has
rendered necessary measures which other
wise may never have been necessary.
In conclusion, allow me to say, as q friend,
desiring peace and quiet, and the welfare of
the whole country, North and South, that
it is, in my opinion, more than the loyal
people of the country-1 mean those who
supported the government during the great
Rebellion--will quietly submit to, to see the
very man Of all Others who they have ex-
pressed confidence in, removed. / would
not have taken the liberty of addressing the
Executive Of the United States thus, but for
the conversation on the subject alluded to
in this letter, and from sense of duty, anG
feeling that know am right in this mat
ter.
With great respect, your obcdient servant,
(Signed) u. S. GRANT, General.
Among the papers is letter to Genera
Grant from Major General Sheridan, dated
New Orleans January 25, 1867, in relation
to matters in Texas, and particularly refer
ring to the condition of Union men and
freedmen in different parts of the State
which he says is truly horrible. He say!
the government is denounced, freedmen are
shot, and Union men are prosecuted, if they
have the tcmerity to express their opinions
This letter General Grant, under date o.
Headquarters Armies of the United States
January 30, 1867, indorsed as follows -
"Iespectfully forwarded to the Secretar!
Of war;
Attention is invited to that portion of til,
within communication which refers to tn
condition of Union men and freedmen il
Texas, and to the powerlessness of the mill
tary, in the present state of affairs, to aiforC
them protection. Even the moral effect o
tho presence of troops is passing away, anC
q few days ago squad of soldiers on Gut
was fired on by citizens in Brownsville. Ii
my opinion, the great number of murders o
Union men and freedmen in Texas, are no
only, as rule, unpunished, but uninvesti
tnI nd tn ll,a ptotn ~
insurrection, and believing it to be tn
province and duty of every good government
TO afford protection to the lives, liberty ant
property of her citizens, would rccomment
the declaration of martial law in Texas +
secure these ends. The necessity for &c
verning any portion OF our territory by mar
tial law is to be deplored
= II restored to, it should be limited in it
: authority aud should leave all local authori
ties and civil tribunals free and unrestricted
until they prove their inefficiency or un
Willingness to perform their duties. Martha
g law would give security, or comparativel
F, so, to all classes of citizens, without regar
1 to race, color, or political opinions, an
could be continued until society was capabl
i of protecting itself, or until the State
restored to its full relations with the Uniol
The application of martial law to one
these States would be a warning to all, ant
if necessary, can be extended to all.
(Signed) U. S. GRANT, General.
FRIGHTFUL RAILROAD MURDER.-One
, the most fearful accidents known in the al
nails of Vermont occurred last Wednesday
n Harlow Bridge, near North6eld, on the lii
/. Of the Vermont Central Railroad. III
bridge was burned on Saturday mornin
and during the week about 100 men ha'
), been engaged in rearing trestle.wo f
temporary use, on Wednesday about 20 III
y ehanics dined at Northfeld about II mil
Il from the bridge, aud Immediately afterwart
proceeded by train. composed of an engil
and one passenger car, to the bridge, up
heavy grade. The train moving backwal
), as they approached the bridge, the engine
% could not shut off steam readily, and on
u u succeeded in checking speed in time to sa'
!, the engine from going over the abutment..
y AS tue centre of the car struck the brink
II the precipice, it broke irto three pieces, Il
Z roof sliding forward and half the body fa
u ing seventy feet to the river bed. Abo
= twenty five men were spilled out in pile
!, y a shelving rock twenty five feet below Il
u track, tie rear part of the car falling upc
u them and the tender upon that. 1t was he
: that most of the deaths occurred. Abo
II 4 -