Middletown transcript., 1868-02-29

General Lorenzo Thomas Secretary of War,
nd tnterfm--Mr. Stanton Refuses to Vacate
--Gen. Thomas Demands Possession and Is
Arrested az the Instance of MIR. stanton--
Against MIR. Stanton. who remains i'm the
War Department and Surrounds 1T by
Military Guard.
There was considerable excitement in
Washington on Friday last, caused by the
removal of Mr.. Stanton from the War
Department, and the appointment of Ad-
jutant General Lorenzo Thomas, as Secre-
tary of War od interim. At the same
time General George II. Thomas was
nominated Lieutenant General and Gen.
eral by brevet. Mr.. Stanton notified the
Speaker of the House of the facts. The
newly appointed Secretary, General Lo-
renzo Thomas, called upon Mr.. Stanton
and informed him that he had accepted the
appointment.
The Washington correspondent of the
Baltimore Sun, under date of Sunday last,
writes The War Office excitement famed
out afresh in the city at an early hour on
Saturday morning, having been kept up
all Friday night in Secretary Stanton's of
fee in the War Department, building.
The events of Friday closed with the an
nouncement of the action of the Senate, in
executive session, refusing to confirm the
Presidents appointment of Gen, Lorenzo
Thomas as Secretary of War ad interim
and removal of Mr.. Stanton from Office,
and also of the refusal of Mr.. Stanton to
turn over the Office to General Thomas, as
directed by the President, and of his re-
manning at the War Office for the night
A number of members of Congress visited
him during Friday evening, and remained
preparing for the steps to be taken on Sat-
urday in resisting the orders of the Presi-
dent. Generals Pile. of Missouri, and
Farnsworth, of Illinois, and Samuel Hoop
.er, of Massachusetts, remained until after
midnight Messrs. Schenek and Judd, of
the House, remained until 3 A. NJ. and
Senator Thayer, of Nebraska, spent the en-
tire night with the Secretary. The two
latter took few hours rest toward morn
ing, each occupying a lounge Early in
the morning the Secretary was again Wis
tied by many of his friends, and held
quite a levee, while partaking of his
breakfast, which had been sent him from
his house.
. After breakfast yesterday morning the
city became intensely excited by the arrest
of General Lorenzo Thomas on warrant
from Judge Cartier, Chief Justice of the
& District Supreme Court, founded upon the
tenure of civil Office law and the affidavit
of Mr.. Stanton, which had been prepared
during Friday night. At 7 o'clock Gen.
Pile delivered to the Marshal of the Dis
trict, d.. s. Gooding, the warrant, duly
Signed by Judge Cartier, attcsted by the
clerk, and addressed to the Marshal
The warrant issued by Judge Cartier
for the arrest of General Thomas was
placed in the hands of Marshal Goodine
at seven A. NJ. Saturday. The marshal
accompanied by his deputy, Mr.. Philips
and Mr.. Morgan Chandler, proceeded tc
General Thomas residence. The general
was just taking breakfast at the time o
the arrival of the officers, but upon being
informed by Marshal Gooding of the OBJ
iect of their visit he left the meal unfn
ished and accompanied them to the Cit,
Hall. Although the arrest and the pre-.
hminaries thereto had been conducted a.
quietly as possible, the news was soon nois
ed abroad, and there were number o
persons at the City Hall waiting to see tn,
result.
General Thomas was conducted to thu
saarshars Office, where Chief Justice Cart
ter was waiting his arrival, and was re
quired to give bail in the sum of FIVE thou
sand dollars to appear at 10 o'clock OF
Wednesday morning. He requested per
mission to visit the 0resident, which wa
granted, and he thereupon proceeded, un
der escort Of Marshal Gooding and Mr.
Philips, to the White House. He had
hasty conference with the President, whom
he informed Of the ssate of affairs, an,
then returned to the City Hall. It wa
about IL A. NJ. when the required bal
was furnished by Mr.. George r. Hall
carriage maker, of this city, and M.E. A
Eliason, tanner, of Georgetown, and Gen
eral Thomas was again in enjoyment {
his personal freedom.
After his release ON bail, General Thoma
again went to the Presidents House an
subsequently, at about 11.30 o'clock, ha
an interview with Mr.. Stanton.
General Thomas presented himself at I'll
door and told Mr.. Stanton he would lik
to see him. Mr.. Stanton requested hil
to proceed with anything he had to say.
General Thomas remarked that he ha
come 10. discharge the duties of Secretar
of War ad interim, having been ordere
to do 20 by the President of the Unite
States.
Mr.. StantoA replied, that be could d
no such thing, and ordered him to h
room to perform his duties as Adjutal
General.
General Thomas replied that he ha
been ordered by the President to act 4