The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-02-14
HEADQUARTERS Amy oY rHE y. T.,
WlsutSarou ID q Jan ~ lsCS

WLsHiSGroH, u. Y, jan. ~, leos.)
Hs Ere,iisney Lrdrsr Johnson, P,ssident Of hs
Urtfsd States.
sn, On the 9th inst.4 requested you TO give
me 10 writing the instructions which you had pre-
yiously given me verbally not TO obey any order
from Hon. 4. NJ. Stanton, Secretary OF War. un
less knew that II csmo from yourself To this
doubt in my mind OF your intentioni to prevent
any possible Misunderstanding. therefore ! renew
the request that you will give me written instru,.
tons, and until they are received viii sn.pena 20
ask these Instructions In writing In consequence OF
the many gross misrepresentation affecting my
personal honor circulated through the press Tor
the last fortnight, purporting TO come from the
President, Of conversations which occurred either
with the President privately In his Office, or In
Cabinet meeting. What is written admits OF no
Misunderstanding. in view OF the mlsrepresenm.
tons referred TO Il will be we'll 10 state the facts In
Some time aiter assumed the duties Of secre.
tary Of War nj INTERIM, the President asked my
views ~ to tho course Mr. stanton would nave 20
suspension TO obtain possession OF his ONCE. NY
reply was In the substance that Mr. stanton would
have 10 appeal To the courts 10 reinstate him: H.
s.ssss ny S'.s sas hs SnS Sofs s oe.
Commissioners. In that case did not doubt tne
technical right Of Gov. Swami 70 remove the old
and to apgSnd tSe5 :,
ever contended that no resourse was len but 10
appeal 10 the courts. Finding that the President
was desirous OF keeping MT. stanton out OF ONCE,
stated that had not looked particularly Into the
tenure OF Office bill. but that what had stated
was 9 general principle. aad II ! should change
my mind In thl. particular case would lnioLm ha
tenure OF office bill closely found that could
not without violation OF the law, refuse to vacato
the oflco OF Secretary Of War tho moment Mi.
Stanton was renstated by the Senate, even though
Al u,ss nod al ma IN
TsiIng this view Of the subject, and learning on
saturday, the lth Inst. that the Senate had taken
up the subject Of snntons suspension, ane, s sOms
members Of my stan. IN which stated that the
law len mo ne discretion - " my action should
Mr. Stanton be reinstated. and that intended 70
the sole purpose Of making this decision known.
In doing this hiniled the promise made In our
last proceeding Conversation on the subject.
The President, however. instead OF scceptnig
my view Of the requirements or the Tenure OF
Ofice bill. contended that he had suspended Mr.
Stanton under tho authority given by the con.
stitution. and that the same authority did not
preclude hlm from reporting, as an act OF courtesy,
his reasons for the suspension TO the Senate that
having been appointed under the authority given
by the Constitution and not under any act ol
Congress, could not be governed by tho oct. 1
stated that the law was binding on me. Con.
stitutI0nal or not, until set aside by the proper
tribunal. An hour or moro vas consumed, each
reierating his views on this subject, unsl getting
late tho President 'aid he would see me again.
did not agree to call again on Monday. nor ~
any other definite time nor was sent for by the
President until the following Tuesday.
From the nth TO the Cabinet meeting on the
i4th inst doubt never entered my mind about
the Presidents fully understanding nv position,
namely that if tho senate refused to concur IN
the suspension OF Mr.. Stanton my powers ~ Bee
rotary OF War, cd inierim, would cease, ana Mr
Stantop's right to resume nj once the functions OF
t.... ma. In I'm ind IiHnn ntnh a.
and acted accordingly with Mr.. Stanton. had
no communication, direct or Indirect on the sub
iect OF his reinstatement during his suspension.
knew II had been recommended TO the PTesiaent
tn send In the name OF Gov. Cox or Ohio Tor Sec-
rstary OF War, and thus save all embarrassment.
O proposition that since really hoped he would
entertain favorably Gen. Sherman seeing the
President at my particular request to urge this
ON Tuesday, tho day Mr. stanton re.entsfed
the offce OF the Secretary War. General Com'tock,
who had carried my Official letter announcing
Senate, & / had ceased to bs Secretary OF War ID
int,rtm, and who saw the President open and read
the communication, brought back TO mo from the
President Q message that he wanted 70 see me
that day at tho Cabinet meeting, after had made
known the fact that Was no longer Secretary OF
War od Interim
At this meeting, atsr opening II as though ]
were q member Of his Cabinet, when reminded OF
the notification already given that va: no longer
Secretary Of War od interim, the President gave .
version Of tho conversation alluded to already
In this statement II was asserted that In both
oonversations i had agreed to hold on 70
the otnco Of Secretary Of War until displaced
by the courts, or resign 90 as to place the
President where no would have been had
never accepted ths Office. After hearing the
President through. stated our conversation iub.
INV conversation before the Cabinet embraced
other matters not pertinent here, and 10 thereIore
leit out ] In no wise admitted ths correetne., OF