The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1867-12-27
Letter from General Grant to the
10 .- procidanf

Letter from General Grant to the
President.
The following is private letter
written by Gen Grant to the Presi
dent on the subject of the removal of
Gen. Sheridan, Hon. Edwin Stanton,
Secretary Of War, and q great deal |
Of curiosity has been expressed
in regard to it, as it was thought it |
would throw light upon the political
status of the General. 1t was laid
before the House with other papers,
recently:
t PRIVATE.
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THEl
UNITED STATES, WASHINGTON,
August IL, 1867,
TITS Ezcellency. Andreso Johnson, Pres
ident of the United States:
SIR:-Itake the liberty of address
ing you privately on the subject OF
the conversation we had this morn
ing, feeling, as l do, the general dan
ger to the welfare of the country
should you carry out the designs then
expressed.
First-On the subject of the dis
placement of the Secretary of War.
His removal can not be effected
against his will, without the consent
of the Senate. IL was but a short
time since the United States Senate
was in session, and why not then have
asked for his removal, if it was de-
cidedl 1t certainly was the inten-
tion of the Legislative bra of the
Government to place Cal Min
listers beyond the power of Executive
removal, and it Is pretty well under
stood, so far as Cabinet members are
affected by the Tenure of Office bill,
that it was intended to protect the
lSecratary- ofNusy-~l.<>... tsss-sesssefy
felt great confidence in. The mean
ing of the law may be explained away
by an astute lawyer, but common
sense and the views of the loyal peo-
pie will give to it the effect intended
by its Trainer.
Seeond-On the subject of the re-
moval of the very able commander of
the Fifth Military District, let me ask
you to consider the effect it would
have upon the public. He is univrsal-
ly and deservedly beloved by the
people who sustained this Govern
ment throughout its trials, and feared
by those who would still be enemies
of the Government. Itfell to the lot
of but few men to do as much against
the 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 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 en-
countered. 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; that the administration was
dissatisfied with him. This has en-
boldened the opponents of the laws of
Congress within his command to Op-
pose him in every way in their pow
er, and has rendered necessary meas
ures which otherwise might never
haye been necessary.
In conclusion, allow me to say as a
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 this country { 1 mean those who
supported the Government during
the great rebellion, will quietly sub
NIT TO, to see the very man of all
others whom they have expressed
their confidence in, removed.
/ would not have taken the liberty
to address the Executive of the
United States thus, but for the con-
versation On the subject alluded to in
this letter, and from a sense of duty,
feeling that am right in this matter.
With great respect, your obedient
servant,
[Signed U. S. GRANT.
Among the papers is o letter to
Gen. Grant from Major General
Sheridan, dated New Orleans, Janu-
ary 25th, 1867, in relation to matters
in Texas, particularly referring to the
condition of Union men and freedmen
in the different parts Of the State,
which he says is horrible. He says
the Government is denounced, freed
men shot, and Union men prosecuted
if they have the temerity to express
their opinion.
On his letter, Gen. Grant, under
date "Headquarters Armies of the
United States, January 80, 1867"
indorses as follows: "Respectfully
forwarded to the Secretary of War,
and attention is invited to that pOr-
ton of the within communication
which refers to the condition of the
Union men and freedmen In Texas,
and to the powerlessness of the mil
itary 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
a squad of soldiers on duty, was fired
into by citizens in Brownsville. In
my opinion the great number of mur-
aers OF Union men and freedmen in
Texas, not only as a rule unpunished,
but uninvestigated, constitute prac-
tically "a state of insurrection, and
believing it to be the province and
duty Of every good Government to
afford protection to :he lives, liberty
and property of her citizens, would
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
be deplored, and If resorted to should
be limited in its authority; should
leave all local authorities and civil
tribunals free and unobstructed until
they prove their inefflciency or un-
Willingness to perform their duties.
Martial law would give security, or
comparatively SO, to all classes of
citizens, withoutregard to race, color
or political opinions, and could be
continued until society was capable
of protecting itself, or until the State
lis returned to its full relations with
the Union. The application of mar