Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-12-27
Gen Grants Letter.


We give below the letter Of Gen. Grant
allsdsd 70 last week, a. follows:
HoR's ARxr or THE u. S. !
WAsuuaroN, D. c., Aug. IL, 1867.
To His Excellency, Andrew johnson,
President Of the United States:
Sra: I take the liberty Of addressing
you privately on the subject Of the con-
versation which We had this morning. feel
ing. ~ ! do, the great danger 10 the well
fare Of the ccantry should you carry out
the designs then expressed.
First: On the subject Of the displace-
msnt Of the Secretary of War. lis remov-
a cannot be effected against his will with
out The consent Of the Senate. 1t was but
abort time sinoe the United States Sem
ate vas in session, and why not then have
asked for his removal If it was desired |;
1t certainly was the intention of the leg
isla,ive branch Of the Government to place
Cabinet Minister beyond the power of
the Executive removal and it is pretty
we'll understood that, so far as Cabinet
Ministers are affected by the terms Of the
Once bill, it was intended specially to pro.
tect the Secretary Of War whom the coun-
try felt great confiencein. 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 eject 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 i. would have been upon
the public. He is universally and deserv-
eddy beloved by the people who sustained
this Government through its trials, and
feared by those who would still be enemies
of the Government. 1t fell 10 the lot Of
but few men to do as much against an
armed enemy as Gen. Sheridan did dur
ing the Rebellion, and il 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 salts
faction. 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 be was to be removed;
that the Administration was dissatisfied
with him. This has emboldened the op-
ponents Of the laws Of Congress within his
command 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 a 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 country
Il mean those who supported the Govern
ment during the Great Rebellion) will
q-.s~.,, submit 10, to see the very man OF
al others who they have expressed their
confidence in, removed. would not have
taken the liberty Of addressing the Exc
-utive Of the United States thus, but for
the eorversation on the subject alluded to
In silia iesteT, and from sense Of duty,
ifesing thst ! knoH J am right in this mat
ter With grosf respect, your obedient
sessans, q. s GaAar, General.
Accompanying lhe above was aisc other
papers, snd among ihenl q better 10 Gene
III Grant from General Sheridan. dated
New Oslsaas, .yaa. s5, 1867, ID relation h
matters n 1exas. paFsisaIasly referring to
the condition Of UIioa men aud freedmen
in different parts Of the State which be
says is truly horrible. He says the Gov
eminent il denounced. freedmen are sLot,
and Union men are prosecuted il they
have the temerity to express their opinion.
On the back Of this letter is an impor-
tant indorsement by Gen. Grant, dated
Jan. 20, 1867, As follows:
Respectfully forwarded to the Secre-
tsry Of War. Attention is invited 10 that
P<SHbAOu ~ sa10 Wttuau SOAut0utllCdttOu WHICH
refers to the condition Of the Union men
and Freedmen in Texas. and to the power
lessness Of the military, in the present
state Of affairs, to afford them protection.
Even the moral effect Of the presence Of
troops il passing away, and a few days ago
asquad of soldiers on duty was fred on
by the citizens in Brownsville. In my
opinion The great number Of murders of
Union men and freedmen, in Texas, not
only ~ = rude, unpublished, but uninvesti-
gated, constitute, practically, state of in
surrectioa, and. believing It to be the pro-
vince and duty Of every good Government
to afford protection to the lives, liberty and
property Of her citizens, would recon-
mend the declaration Of martial law in
Texas, to secure these. The necessity for
governing any PARTON of our territory by
martial law is 70 be deplored. If resorted