Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-02-12
HEADcUABTERs ARMY L. s.,
Nyarh9,,sov, To- az 1870

'dnhAHB VIII oe+As 80 htvcs =
"T6 Hls EIeeLls.ey Andrs.g johnson, President cj
he United States:
"SIR On the 24th inst l requested you 10 give
me, in writing, the Instructions which you had pre-
viousy given me verbally, not TO obey any order
from Hon. Y. NJ. Stanton, Secretary Of War, unless
/ knew it Came from you. This written request
have received and the message has left no doubt in
my mind Of your intention TO prevent any possible
Misunderstanding thereon. / renew the request
that you will give me written instructions and un-
Oh they be received I will suspend all action on
your verbal ones. nm compelled 10 ask that these
Instructions be IN writing In consequence of many
gross misrepresentation affecting my personal
honor circulated through tho press for the last fort
night, purporting 20 have come from tho President
IN conversations which occurred either with the
President privately In his Office OF in the Cabinet
meeting What waf written admits Of a misunder-
standing, and in view Of the misrepresentation re-
forred " win bo we'll 10 state the facts In the case
Some time after l assumed ih- 4siics OF 5ecrs-
tary Of War ad iuts~'4t, the President aeked my
WE'VE as % fhe cnurea MI stanton would have 70
pursue IN case tho Senate should not IN bis
suspension, 20 obtain possession OF bis Office. Ny
replv was IN substance, that Mr.. Stanton would
have 10 appeal to the courts 10 reinstate him. Illus
trating my position by citing the grounds had
taken in the case Of the Baltimore Police Commits
eioners In that case l did not doubt the technical
right Of Gov Swami, who removed the old Com
missoners and appointed successors but, as the old
Commissioners reiuted % give up their positions,
however ] contended that no resource was left but
% appeal 20 the courts.
The Presidsnt was desirous Of keeping Mr..
stanton out Of office whether Dc sustained in
tho suspension Or not teld him had not looked
particularly into the tenure Of Office bill, but what
! had stated was from general principles and if
should change my mind in this particular case
would inform him Of the fact. Subsequently, on
reading the tenure Of Office bill closely, found
could not without violation Of the law, refuse 10
a
tor Mr.. Stanton roinstated by the Senate, even
though the President ordered 20 retain the posi-
ton, which he never did. Taking this view Of the
subject and learning that on Saturday the llth
inst, that the Senate had taken up the subject Of
Mr.. Stantons suspersion, after some conversstion
with Lieut.. Gen Sherman, and somo members Of
my star, in which stated that the law lelt mo no
discretion as 10 my action, and should MI Stanton
be renstated intended 20 vscate the Office, went
% the President for the sole purpose Of making this
decision known, and did make il so known In this
,fudllsd The promise made in our last preceding
conversation on the subject
Tho President however, instead of accepting
my view Of the requirements Of the tenure Of Office
bib oontended that he had suspended Mr. Stanton
under the authority gves by the constitution and
the same authority did not preclude him from re-
porting AZ act Of courtesy, his reasons for the
suspension, and stated that having been appointed
by the authority given by the constitution and not
by act Of Congress, could not be governed by such
act ! stated that the law was binding on me- con-
stitution or not until set aside by the proper tribu-
nal An hour was thus consumed, each reiteratng
hs views on the subject until IL getting late, The
President said be would see me again
Z" did not agree 20 call again on Monday nor at
any other definite time, nor was 1 sent for by the
President until the following Tuesday, from the
18th inst, 20 tho Cabinet meeting on the l4th inst
A doubt never entered my mind about the Presi-
dent fully understanding my position-namely, that
II the Senate refused 10 concur in the suspension Of
M Stanton, my powers ss Secretary Of War Ge
rltsrt'H would oesse and Mr.. StRntons right 10 re-
sumo st the functions OF his Office would, un-
der The saw, be indsputable and ac.ed according
ly. With Mr. Stanton ] had no communication
direct indiToC, on the subject Of his reinstate
ment during his suspension. / knew Il had been
recommended 20 the President 30 send the name Of
Gov. Coz, Of Ohio, for Secretary Of War; and thus
save embarrassment This proposition sincerely
hoped be would entertain isvonbly. Gen. Sher,
man. seeing the President st my particular request,
urged this on the 18th.
"On Tuesday Mr. Stanton re entered the Office Of
Secretary Of War. Gen. Comstook, who had car
red my official letter announcing Mr.. Stantons ro-
h'tsiement BY the Senate. and that had ceased TO
ss secretary Of War al interim, and who saw TIE
tFeAdent open and read the communication, brought
pAeA 70 me from the President that be wanted 70
80 ne That day al the Cabinet meeting, after !
- T1 AhoWn The fact that was no longer Secretary
a.. .- 1'.sra, st this meeting
- e,-te sel opening, ss though / we're member of
Is S"o;ne1 reminded him Of the notification RI
va! sl'en liu that was no longer Secretary Of
80 "a .,.s The President gave his version Of
-. 7, .-s.on Alaoed 70 already on this state
had sgreed to hold on 70 TIE ofiee Of Secretary Of
War anti displaced by the courts or rss5on SO As
. Pla'e tie President where he vopIs bsye bean
lad nSver accepted The oisce
Afer Nearing the President through / ,tatad
oli conversation substantially 81 giys1 5v "a in
this lstte1 viii add that my Conversation Hs},rs
the cabinet embraced other matters not ,,svt,ro1t
mere and are therefore lstt out. ] in no wi.e al.
va our communication. tbolrb ~ sof,o, ,bo .;-
'- ',.-',ion ga! Ia my statement said. anuiinv =
mo-, -. .oN' 'e'sauon on the subject the Pres8eBt
"a 5crr -vy 70 Understood me 10 cay, had prorse5
no such statement ''''''"'o'ueh' made
nave Tie honor to be, very respectr,uv
U. s. GRASr Gopcrs1rt