Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1868-01-23
Correspondence Between Grant
and the President.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18th.

WASHINGTON, Dec. l1th.
The Speaker laid before the House
to-day q communication from Gen
eral Grant, inclosing correspond
ence relating to the removal o.
Stanton, as Secretary of War; an6
also to the removal Of Gems. Sheri.
dan and Sickles. Nearly all the
correspondence has heretofore been
published, but the following is the
private letter to the Presiden from
General Grant about which so much
curiosity has been expressed;
HEADouART UNITED STATES ARMIES, I
WAsHINGTON ID. g., Aug. II, 1857.
Andrew johnson, President U. s.;
SIR:-I take the liberty of adj
dressing you privately on the sub
ject of the conversation we had this
morning, feeling, as l do, the gen
eral danger to the welfare of the
country should you carry out the
designs then expressed.
First-On the subject of the dis
placement of Secretary Of War. His
removal can not be effected against
his will, without the consent of the
Senate. 1t is but q short time
since the United States Senate was
in session, and why not then have
asked for his removal, if it was de-
cided? 1t certainly was the inten-
ton of the Legislative branch of the
Government to place Cabinet Min
listers beyond the power of Execu-
tive removal, and it is pretty well
understood, SO far as Cabinet mem
bers are affected by the Tenure of
Office bill, that it was intended to
protect the Secretary of War, whom
the country felt great confidence in.
The meaning Of the law may be ex-
planned away by an astute lawyer,
but common sense and the views Of
the loyal people will give to it the
effect intended by its trainers.
Second-On the subject of the re-
moval of the very able commander
of the Fifth Military 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 this
Government throughout its trials,
by those who would still be enc
mics of the Government, 1t fell to
the lot Of but few men to do as
much against the enemy as Gener-
al Sheridan did during the rebellion,
and it is within the scope of the
ability Of but few in this or any 9th
er country to do what he has. His
civil administration has given equal
satisfaction. He has had difficult
ties to contend with which no 9th
er District Commander has encoun-
tered. Almost, if not quite, from
the day he was appointed District
Commander, to the present time, the
press has given out that he was to
be removed; that the administra-
ton was dissatisfied with him. This
has emboldened the opponents of
the laws of Congress within his
command to oppose him in every
way in their power, and has rem
dered necessary measures which
otherwise might never have been
necessary.
In conclusion, allow me to say as
a friend, desiring peace and quiet,
and the welfare of the whole coun-
try, North and South, that it is, in
my opinion, more than the loyal
people of this country [ l mean
those who supported the Govern
ment during the great rebellion, J
will quietly submit to, to see the
very man of all others whom they
have expressed their confidence in,
removed.
would not have taken the liber-
ty to address the Executive of the
United States thus, but for the con-
versation on the subject alluded to
in this letter, and from sense of
duty, feeling that / know am right
in this matter.
With great respect, your obedi-
ont servant,
u. S. GRANT, General.