The national Republican., 1867-12-18
GENERAL GRANTS LETTER.


General Grant sent in to-day, in compliance
with a resolution of the House Of Representa-
tivcs, adopted November 20, the cores spondence
In relation to the removal Of secfetary of War
Stanton, Major Generals Sheridan and Siciles,
the state Of affairs In the reeonstructed States,
and in relation to the Baltimore police difncul-
ties. III I'll 81
The correspondence covers something over
hundred pages manuscript, but has mostly been
given to the public already. Tho following is
the private letter from General Grant to the
President, respecting which so much has been
said, and the publication of which has been so
anxiously expected: ..l.
HEAparARrERs, ARsfEs OF THE U. s.,l
as Essst,sncy T. JoHSsS" fSrtsfde"f y he Unaed
Sir: itake the liberty of addressing you pri-
vately on the subject Of the conyersation we had
to the welfare of the country, should you carry
out the designs then expressed. -. .
l. On the subject q the displacement Of the
against his will without the consent of the Sem
ate 1t is but short time since the United States
asked for his removal, IL It was desiredi 1t Ger
tainly was the intention Of the legislative branch
Of the Government to place Cabinet Ministers
is pretty wen understood that, so far as Cabinet
Ministers affected by the tenure OF office BILL
II was intended especially to protect the sccre-
|
"ffRs' The meaning ne Of the law may be explained
the views OF loyal people will give to It the cf-
| feet intended by Its trainers.
sSSsS ri FS G
| let me ask you to consider the effect 1t would
| have upon the public. He Is unusually and de-
this aoyernScnt through hpHP it, trials, and feared
by those who would still be enemies Of the Gov
| ernment.
It fell to the lot of but few men to do as much
| against our armed enemy as General Sheridan
| did during the rebellion; and Il is within the
tries, to do what he has. His civil administra-
| tion has given equal satisfaction. He has had
difficulties to contend with which no other dis
| trict commander has encountered. Almost, II
| not quite, from the day he was appointed dis
trict commander to the present time the press
has given out that he was to be removed; that
the Administration was dissatisfied with him, &c.
This has emboldened the opponents to the laws
| Of Congress within his command to oppose him
| in every way In their power, and has rendered
necessary measures which otherwise may never
have been necessary.
In conclusion allow me to say, as friend de.
string 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 coun.
ment during the great re6ellion) will quietly
submit to see the very men OF all others whom
they haye expressed confidence in removed;
ing the Executive of the United States thus but
for the conversation on the subject alluded to ir
y.
know am right in this matter.
with great respect, your obedient servant,
U. S. GRANT, General.
Under date of January 25th, 1867, Is report
from Gen. sheridan, giving gloomy account o
the condition of Union men and freedmen in
various parts of the State, which he describes
as truly horrible. He says The Government
Is denounced. The freedmen are shot, and Union
men are prosecuted If they have the temerity to
express their opinions"
On this is General Grants endorsement as fol
lows:
HEADarARrERs ARMIES oP THE UNITED STATE,
WAsHINGTON, ID. C., Jan, %, ISL,
Respectfully forwarded TO the Secretary ol
War-Attention is invited to that portion Of the
within communication which refers to the con
dition OF Union men and freedmen in Texas
and to the powerlessness of the military in the
present state Of affairs to afford them protection
Even the moral effect of the presence of troops
soldiers on duty in Brownsville was fired on BY
citizens in Brownsville. In my opinion the
great number of murders OF Union men and
freedmen In Texas, not only as rule unpunished
but uninvestisated, constitute practically state
finsurrecton, and believing ii to be the pro
and duty OF every good Government to afford
protection to the lives, liberty, and property OF
of martial law In Texas to secure these ends.
The necessity OF governing any portion oi
your territory by martial laws Is to be deplored
resorted to, 1t should be limited in its author
ity, and should leave all local authorities and
civil tribunals free and unrestricted until they
proved Inelr lnemclency and unWillingness tC
perform their duties. Martial law would give
security, or comparatively so, to all classes o.
citizens, without regard to race, color, politi
cal opinion, and could be continued until society
was capable of protecting itself or until the Stati
is returned to Its full relation with the Union
/, The application of martial law to one OF thes,
states would be warning to all, and If neces
: sary, could be extended to others
, lSigned,l U. s. GRANT, General
note to the above by Gen. Grant says NJ
action was had by the civil authorities upon tn
foregoing recommendation"