The Shasta courier., 1868-01-25
The letter Marked Private.,,

Oar record of passing events and transac-
tions would be incomplete. says the Carson
Appeal. if we omitted giving place in our
columns to the following famous, and, hither.
to mysterious, letter of General Grant to the
President. 1t was kept from the public
by johnson, until Congress demanded and
obtained copy thereof and presented it to
the world. Ii is in itself platform
enough for the next Republican candidate for
the Presidency TO stand upon:
HEADQ's ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. l., 1867.
His Excellency, A. johnson, President of
the United States-Sir. | take the liberty
of addressing you privately on the subject
of the conversation we had this morning,
feeling, as / do, the great danger to the vel.
fare of the country should you carry out the
designs then expressed. First, on the sub
ject of the displacement of the Secretary of
War. His removal cannot be effected against
his will without the consent of the Senate
1t is but short time since the United States
Senate was in session, and why not then
have asked for his removal, if it was desired.
1t certainly was the intention of the Legisla
tive branch of the Government to place the
Cabinet Ministers beyond the power of the
Executive removal, and it is pretty well
understood that so far as the Cabinet Minis
ters are affected by the Tenure of Office bill,
it was intended especially to protect she Sec
retary of War, in whom the. country felt
great confidence. The meaning of the law
may be explained away by an astute lawyer
but common sense and the views ofthe loyal
people will give to it the effect intended by
its trainers. Second, on the subject of the
removal of the very able commander of the
Fifth Military District, let me ask you the
effect it would have upon the public. He is
universally and deservedly beloved by the
people who sustained this Government thro'
its trials, and Fl ared by those who would still
be enemies of the Government. ltfell to the
lot of but few men to do as much against an
armed enemy as General Sheridan did
during the rebellion, and it is within tho
scope of the ability of but few in this or any
other country to do what he has done. His
civil administration has given equal satisfac
ton. lie has had difficulties to contend
with which no other District Commander has
encountered. Almost. if not quite, from the
day he was appointed District Commander to
the present time the press has given out that
be was to be removed, that the Administra-
ton was dissatisfied with him, etc.
This has emboldened the opponents to the
laws Of Congress within his command TO OPP
pose him in every way in their power, and
has rendered necessary measures which
otherwise might never have been required.
In conclusion, allow me to say, as friend
desiring peace and quiet, the welfare of the
whole country, North and South, that it is
in my opinion moro than the loyal people of
this country / mean those who supported
the Government during the great rebellion)
will quietly submit to, to see the very men,
of all others, in whom they have expressed
confidence removed. / would not have taken
the liberty of addressing the Executive of
the United States thus but for the conversa-
ton 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 obedient servant,
U. S. GRANT, General.