Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-02-14
NUMBER THIRTY-THREE.

al embarrassment in which Mr. Stantons re-in-
statement would place you, that [ urged the ap-
polntment of Gov. Cox, believing that it would be
agreeable to you, and also to Mr. Stanton, and sat
isfed that 1t was the good of the country and not
the office the latter desired.
On the 18th ult., in the presence Of General
Sherman, | stated to you that thought Mr.
Stanton would resign, but did not say | would
advise him to do So On the 18th | did agree
with Gen. Sherman to go and advise him to that
course, and on the 10th had an interview alone
with Mr.. Stanton, which led me to the conclu-
sion that any advice to him of this kind would
be useless, and 50 informed Gen sherman Be
fore | consented to advise Mr.. Stanton to resign
| understood from him, in a conversation on the
subject Immediately after his reinstatement, that
1t was his opinion, that the act of Congress en-
titled g An Act Temporarily to Supply Vacan-
cies in the Executive Department in Certain
Cases. approved Feb. %, 1863, was repealed
| by subsequent legislation, which materially IL
fuenced my action. Previous to this time
had no doubt that the law Of 1868 was still in
force, and notwithstanding my action, a fuller
examination Of the law leaves question in nv
mind whether it is or is not repealed This be-
ing the case | could not now advise his resigna-
ton lest the same danger apprehended from his
first removal might follow
The course you would have it understood !
agreed TO pursue was in violation Of law, and
that without orders from you, while the course |
did pursue, and which never doubted you full |
ly understood, was in accordance with law. and |
not in disobedience to any orders from nv su-
perior And now, Mr. President, when my hon /
or as a soldier and integrity as a man have been
50 violently assaiied, pardon me for saying that
can but regard this whole matter from begin
ming to end as an attempt to involve me in the
L. 4 L
sumo the responsibility in, order thus to destroy
my character before the country. | am, in a
measure, confirmed in this conclusion by your
recent orders directing me to disobey orders from
the Secretary Of War, my superior and your
subordinate, without having countermanded his
authority. With assurance, Mr.. President that
nothing less than vindication of my personal
honor and character could have induced this
correspondence on my part,
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your obedent servant,
L. 5. GRANT, General.
The country will say of Mr. johnson, as
the spectators in the Roman Amphitheatres
used to, when gladiator received an obvious
ieath-blow in a fight, habef he has it.
This square, straightforward, obviously truth
ful statement by Gen Grant Of his action,
and the patriotic motives thereto, If a knock
iown blow for Andy, who lad better now let
zen. Grant alone
The effect Of the correspondence in the
House il thus described:
Its effect on the House was decidedly fresh
mi entertaining. The Democrats were CON-
,letely nonplussed at its character, and were
alternately delighted and chagrined a. they list
ned to the President letter and then to Grants
nasterly rejoinder. The reading Of Gen. Grants
etter was several times interrupted by involun-
airy applause. "