The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-28
IMPEACHMENT.
THE PRESIDENTS ANSWER
To the Senate Of the United States

To the Senate of the United States
Answer Of the president, in the Senate of the
United States. sitting es a court of impeachment
for the trial Of Andrew johnson, president of the
United States. So
The answer of the said Andrew johnson. presi-
dent of the United States, to the articles Of i'm
parchment exhibited against him by the House of
Representatives Of the United States.
Answer 70 Article l.-For answer to the first
article he says that Edwin N. Stanton was APP
pointed secretary for the department of war on
the 18th day OF January, A.. D.. 1862, by Abraham
Lincoln. then president Of the United States dur
ing the first term Of his presidency, and was com
missioned according to the Constitution and the
laws Of the United States, to hold the said Office
during the pleasure Of the president; that the
ofiice for secretary for the department. OF war,
created BY an act Of the first Congress in its first
eeesion, aud passed on the 9TH Of August A. D.
l7s9, and in and by that act, II was provided and
enacted that the said secretary for the department
OF war shall perform and execute such duties as
shall, from time to time, be enjoined on and in
frosted 10 him by the president of the United
States, agreeably to the Constitution. relative TO
the subjects within the scope Of said department
And, furthermore, that the said secretary shall
conduct the business OF said department in such
manner as the president Of the United States
shall, from time TO time, order and instruct.
And this respondent further answering saws
that. BY force OF the act aforesaid and by reason
OF bis appointment aforesaid, the said Stanton be-
came the principal officer In one of the executive
departments Of the government, it being the true
iutent Of the second section Of the second article
of the Constitution of the United States. accord.
ing 70 the true intent and meaning of that provi-
sion OF the Constitution of the United States. in
accordance with the settled and uniform practice
OF each and every president OF the United state..
The said Stanton then became, and so long as he
should continue to hold the Office of the secretary
OF the department Of war, must continue to be
one OF the advisers Of the president Of the United
states as well as the person intrusted 10 act and
represent the president in matters enjoined upon
HIM, or Entrusted TO him by the president touch
ing the department aforementioned, and for whose
conduct in such capacity, subordinate to the pre-
sident, the Presidents. according TO the Constiru
ton and laws Of the United States, made respon-
-eible. - - = -
And this respondent further answering, saws
that he succeeded TO the Office Of president of the
onltea states BY reason OF the death Of Abraham
Lincoln, then president OF the United States. on
the 18th day OF April, 1855. and that the said Ed
win N. Stanton was then holding said Office of
secretary for the department of war, under and
Dy reason OF the appointment and commission
aforesaid, and not having been removed from
said Office by this respondent, the said Edwin NJ.
stanton continued 10 hold the same under the ap-
poiutment end commission aforesaid at the pleas
Dre OF the president, until the time hereinafter
particularly mentioned, and at no time received
an appointment or commission as above detailed.
And this respondent, further answering. saws
that on and prior to the 5th day Of August. A. D.
1851 this respondent the president of the United
states responsible for the conduct of the seere-
fary Tor the department Of war, and having the
constitutional right to resort To-, aud rely upon.
the person holding that office, for advice con. |
corning the great public duties enioned on the |
president BY the Constitution and laws Of the |
United states, became satisfied be could not allow
80 sela tae -4tgcf q iseeSeiagY fox the
lent 10 resort 70 him for advice or be in fha ina
nent OF ne president, safely responsible FOR the /
'onouct OF the department of war az by Law ra-
luired. In accordance with orders and insfrne
,ons o. We president, there4pon by force of the
constitution and laws Of the United States which
ievolye on the president the power and dntv -
control the conduct Of the executive denar,rsst
y me government, and by reason OF the consritn.
aonsi GUY OF the president to take care that the
Nc isl'aIuily executed, this respondent did
'anton ought 70 no longer hold the said ofIiee 81
sc.esary Tor the department of war. This re-
pohusne' py virtue OF the power aud authority,
Ss ,se u nlm a. president Of the United States,
give effect TO such his decision ana dssa.a,s'
on old, on the 9TH day of August. !, n las7 "a
rees 70 the said Stanton note, of which ~ 81
owing Is true copy: o" 'ne ioi'
Str- Public considerations of a high cbsra.,sr
me 70 say That your resignation as seq
'tary Of war viii be accepted - SOU
10 which note the said Stanton made the fol.
wing reply: -'' ioi'
WAR DEPARTMENT. III
Washington, August s, 1861. \ J
sr-i our note of this date has been received
lung mat public considerations Of high char,
'ses eonsssan you to say that my resignation as
wy ~ ~ va. wiz De accepted. In reply.
high character, which alone have induced me-
continue at the head of the war department :
ns.rsin me not to resign the office of secrefarv
war before the next meeting Of Congress.
Very respectfully yours. O
~.. EDWN N. STANTON. y
ms respondent, as president of the U,;t.,, =
s'es, was OF opinion that, having reoa-d ~ :,
necessary omcIai relations snd duties ~ ~ =
y. Tor the department Of war to the pres'
ns;o, s.a uneo states according to the Con- ~
ara 20 tne responsibility Of the president Sas %
Sonouct OF the sad secretary and HAVING ~ s sr
~ we paramount executive authority of the r''