Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-04-08


t al length, the Presidents attorneys claiming
, that their client was not responsible for Gen.
Thomas declarations, and the Managers in
sisting that such declarations were compe-
tent evidence. The Senate decided to admit
the evidence by party vote, 80 to H.
Mr.. Burleigh was then called, and said on
f the evening of the 2lst of February he went
to see Gen. Thomas at his residence. Gen.
, Thomas told him he had been appointed
Secretary of War ad interim, and had gone
to the department and demanded possession.
Mr.. Stanton asked him if he would give him
time to remove his papers, and witness un-
derstoOd Mr.. Thomas to say he had already
issued his orders Secretary of War. He
also said he intended to take possession at
10 O'Clock. In reply to inquiry by the wit
ness, Thomas stated that he would use force
to obtain possession of it, were it refused
: him.
Mr.. Butler then said, " Have you had any
conversation, since the first one and since
, his appointment as Secretary of War 0d IN
term, wherein he has said anything about
using force in getting into the War Office,
or in any other way re-asserting his former
conversation, and if so, state what he said?
Witness replied that he had asked General
f Thomas last week why the performance
promised had not come off. He answered
that it was because he was arrested by the
Marshal early in the morning otherwise he
would have broken in the doors, &c.
Samuel Wilkinson then called. He
testified that he had known General Thomas
six or seven years and that he had a conversa-
ton with him on the afternoon of February
: DIST at the War Department, in which Gen.
Thomas said that he had demanded posses
sion of the War Office, and that Stanton had
asked if time would be allowed him to re-
move his papers, which he (Thomas) granted
lie expressed to witness his intention to de-
mand possession on the Monday following
and would, if necessary, call on the General
of the army for assistance, which he thought
could not be refused At Wizards Hotel
that evening he reiterated the same intention,
except that he would carry them into effect
next Monday lie seemed to mean what he
said
George W. Karscner was called. Had
known Gen. Thomas many years. Saw him
at a lcvce of the Presidents on the 9th inst.
Said to him General, the eyes OF Della
, ware are upon you. The people ask you to
! stand firm He replied that he intended
, to- and that in q short time he would - kick
, that fellow out" He did not say who it
was he intended to kick out. Witness un-
derstood him to refer to Mr.. Stanton
r The Court then adjourned.
The Court, Thursday, proceeded with
the testimony Thomas W. Terry, member
. of Congress from Michigan. was called and
testified ON the morning of the 22d OF
February, when Gen Thomas came to the
War Office, | was present paid attention
to what occurred and made memorandum
have that memorandum now. Stanton asked
Thomas if he intended to use force, and was
replied to by Thomas to the effect that he
(Thomas) did not care TO use force. but had
made up his mind as to what he should do.
Cen Emory, commander Of the post at
Z
1 saton with the President, in regard TO the
. moycmnts of troops in the Department OF
Washington. | told him the strength of each
fort there some conversation L
whether more troops should be brought here
+" and | made some recommendations according
ly something was said about an organiza-
= ton of the military Co. :" Maryland
said did not see the object of it | was sent
for by the President then, and about the 22d
of February received a note from Col Moore
e this note | read before the reconstruction
committee | called the President about
p midday. and | found him alone can t un-
dcrtake to state the conversation exactly
the President asked me if | recoilected the
! conversation | had with him when took
command of the Department | told him
did he asked Inc what changes had taken
r place, and told him no material change
and went on t. state the changes the Prcsi
l dent stated he did not refer to those changes
e but to some made within day or two
! assured him that no recent changes ha been
= made and told him that under a law of Con-
. grcss all orders are said now TO be issued
through Gen. Grant. The President asked
+ me wat order it was. and replied order No.
: l. Of series of 1867 At this time gentle
= man came in and | withdrew 10 the other
end of the room. Meantime messenger
> had given me a copy of the order, and when
5 the gentleman retired | showed the order to
the President who read and remarked
! :. This is not in conformity with the Constl-
tuition Of the United States, which makes
\, me commander in chief. or with the Ian
c guage Of your commission. | replied
: . That is the order You have approved tol
G the guidance Of the army" He said, - An
: | to understand that | cannot give an order
= except through the General of the army?
D | REPLIED that such was my opinion. ! tolt
r him there was considerable discussion as to
;, the meaning of the order, and that hac
c consulted lawyers and was advised that
4 should obey the order. The lawyer | con
suited with is Robert j. Walker | under
n stand that other officers had consulted witt
Reverdy johnson. The President said the
d object of the law evident, and there the
/ conversation ended and | withdrew
The original letter of General Grant wal
e offered, requesting the President to put IL
c writing the verbal order he gave the General
! and to disregard any orders from the W a
/ Department assumed to be issued by tn,
c President.
The next document produced was a letter
s from the President, dated February 10th
o 1868, addressed to General Grant, in reply
to the latter note, asking for a written copy
l. of his instructions.
, Mr.. Stanbcry said it appeared this was
|, letter purporting to be portion of the cor
W respondence between Gen. Grant, and tn
ls President He would ask the honorable
e managers if they intended to produce tn
whole of the correspondence?
) Mr.. Wilson rcplicd-The letter produce,
n was all they cared to offer
Mr.. Stanbery asked the object Of produc
'e ing this letter.
n Mr.. Wilson replied-The letter went t
r prove the Presidents intention to proven
10 Secretary Stanton from entering upon tn
discharge of his duties.
n Mr.. Stanbery then said that the manager
had read letter from the President in whic
ii reference made to certain explanator,
n documents, which, if not read as a part o
IN the communication, left the letter itself with
o. out point.
ne Mr.. Wilson said it was true that the Pres
vi ident referred to certain enclosures, bu
y insisted that these references had nothing t
)n do with it
ce The Chief Justice put the question
III whether the objection of the counsel for tn
SIS President was to be sustained or not.
a The vote was taken, resulting in ayes 20
sc nays %. So the objection was lost
Il Mr. Wilson next produced the order of TIL
ST President appointing Gen. Lorenzo Thoma
te Secretary of War ad interim.