Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-12-19
LETTERS FROM GEN. GRANT.
The Removal Of stanton, sheridan
and Slcsles.

and Slcskles.
WAsHIHGrox, Dec. 17.-The Speaker
laid before the House to-day, & communi>
cation from Gen. Grant, inciosing CORES
pondence relative TO the removal of STAN
ton as Secretary of War, and also of the
removal of Gems. Sheridan and Sickles.
Nearly all the correspondence has already
been published, but the following is the
private letter to the President from Gen.
Grant about which 20 much curiosity has
been expressed: fsEI .fAuI4s
HEADQUARTERS ARMY UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, d. c., Aug. 16, 1867
His ErcelIency, AndreU johnson, President
of6e United States-SIR take the liberty
of addressing you privately on the subject
of the conversation We had this morning,
feeling as / do the great danger to the well
fare 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 viii without the consent OF the
Senate
1t was but short time since the United
States Senate was in session, and why not
then have asked for his removal IL it was
decided upon. 1t was certainly not the
intention Of the legislative branch of the
government to place Cabinet Minister
beyond the power Of Executive removal,
and il is pretty well understood, 80 far as
Cabinet Ministers are affected by the tenure
of Office bill, il was intended to protect the
Secretary of War, whom the country felt
great confidence in.
The meaning of the law may be explained
L.. - al
the views of loyal people viii give 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 deservedly beloved by
the people who sustained the government
throughout its trials, and feared by those
who would be enemies Of the government.
IL fell to the lot of but few men to do as
much against the enemy as Gen. Sheridan
did during the rebellion, and it is within
the scope of the ability of few men 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 that no other district COM
mander has encountered.
Most, if not quite from the day he was
appointed district commander to the
present time, the present has given out that
he was to be removed; that the Adminis>
tration was dissatisfied with him. This
has emboldened the opponents of the laws
of Congress within his command to OPP
pose him in every way in their power, and
has rendered necessary measures which
IL Hro,,
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, mean those
who supported the government during the
great rebellion, will quietly submit to see
the very men of all others who they have
expressed their confidence in removed.
would not have taken the liberty of
| addressing the Executive of the United
States but for the conversation on the SUBJ
| iect alluded to in this letter, and from a
sense of duty.
Feeling that l know am right in this
matter, with great respect, your obedient
servant, u. s. GRANT, General.
Among the papers is letter to General
Grant from Maj. Gen. Sheridan, dated New
| Orleans, January, 1867, in relation to mat
ters in Texas, particularly referring TO the
condition of Union men and freedmen in
different parts of the State, which he says
is horrible He says the government i;
denounced, freedmen are shot and Union
men persecuted if they have the temerity
to express their opinion.
This letter Gen. Grant, under the date
of Headquarters, Army of the United
States, January %, 1867, indorses as fol-
lows: Respectfully forwarded TO the Secre
tary of War. Attention is invited TO that
portion of the within communication
which refers to the conditions of the UnioI
and freedmen in Texas, and TO the power
Iessness of the military, in the presen
state of affairs, to afford them protection
Even the moral effect of the presence OF
troops is passing away, and a few days
since n squad of soldiers on duty was treC
on by citizens in Brownsville. In my
opinion the great number of murders O
Union men and freedmen in Texas no
| only 90 unpunished, but uninvestigated
constituting practically state of insurrec
ton, and believing it TO be the province
and duty Of every good government to al
ford protection to the lives, liberties an'
property of her citizens, l would recon
mend the declaration of martial law il
Texas to secure them.
The necessity for governing any portion
of our territory by martial law is to be de
plored. If resorted to it should be limite
in its authority, and should leave all tn
local authorities and civil tribunals fre
and unobstructed until they prove false {
their duties.
Martial law would give security, or com
paratively SO, to all classes of citizens
without regard to race, color, or politics
opinions and should be continued unit
society was capable of protecting itself, G
until the State will return to its full relf
ton to the Union. The application I
? | martial law 10 one Of these States woul
be a warning TO all, and, if necessar.
: can be extended to others.
? u, s. GRANT.