The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-02-22


dent this morning made an absolute re-
moval of Mr.. Stanton as Secretary of
War, and appointed General Lorenzo
Thomas, the new adjutant- general of the
army, Secretary of War ad interim.
General Thomas has an Office in the War
Department, (which means, we suppose,
that as he is already in the building, Stan
ton can't keep him out, but must go out
himself.l
The President to-day nominated Gene
raj Mcclellan as Minister to England.
WALLACE.
SECOND DISPATCH.
WASHINGTON, February 21.-There has
been to-day more excitement, speculation,
Misrepresentation, and confusion of facts,
in consequence Of the removal of Mr..
Stanton from the Office Of Secretary of
War, than has been observed, probably,
heretofore in reference to any important
occurrence in the capital. The action of
the President became known generally
about 2 o'clock, and instantly the news
spread all over the capitol, and was shortly
after known in all parts of the city. The
first impression among the opponents of
the Administration was that the direction
of the Executive to General Thomas was
a military order, and that it was to be car
ried out, if executed at all, by resort to
military force. This impression yet pre-
walls to some extent, and it is stated that
the Senate was induced to 60 Immediately
into executive session in consequence of
the same erroneous idea Of the purpose of
the President.
All kinds of extravagant rumors are
afloat tonight of what has taken place
and of what is to be done. One report
says the Senate, which was in session un-
til about half-past 9 tonight, appointed a
committee to inform Stanton that he must
not give possession of the War Department
to Thomas. Another, that all military
officers in the District have been
ordered to report for duty tonight
to General Emory, commandant of this
military department.. Another just now
comes that General Lorenzo Thomas has
been arrested by order of General Grant.
These are specimens of the many rumors
anoat at II o'clock tonight.
The real facts are, that the Presidents
action in all that has been done to-day is
purely of civil character, and in nowise
partakes of the military. His purpose is
simply to remove one officer and appoint
another ad interim; and if the first refuse:
to obey the order, then, probably, to test
the matter by regular legal proceeding il
the civil courts, or, getting possession of the
office through his ad interim appointee, tx
compel Stanton to seek his remedy by 6
writ of quo ocarrdnto, or other procedure
that may be lawful, to bring the matter be
fore the courts. Thomas being in possession
ofan office in the building ofthe War Depar
ment, he is appointed Secretary ad interim
and an order is issued removing Stanton
and directing him to turn over to Thoma
the papers, property, &c. Thomas calls
about noon, upon Stanton, informs the lat
ter that he (Thomas) has been appoint
ed Secretary, &c., and has accepted. Mr.
Stanton inquiries, civilly: "Do you propos'
to take immediate possession, or shall I hav
time to remove my papers," Thoma
replies: 81 am now Secretary ad interim
and have possession. You can have suffi
Gent time to remove your papers," AM
so the interview ended. Afterwards tn
President notified the Senate, as a matte
of courtesy, of what he had done. Th
Senate went into executive session, and
after a protracted debate, adopted tn
following, and sent copy to the Presl
dent, which was read at 1890 tonight:
"IN EXECUTIVE SESSION,
uSESATE OF THE UNITED STATES,
February, q, 1868.
"Whereas the Senate have receives
and considered the communication OF tn
President stating that he had remoVe'
Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, AM
designated the Adjutant- General of tn
army to act as Secretary of War ad IN
terim therefore
"Resolved by the Senate Of the Unite
States, That under the Constitution AM
laws of the United States the Presiden
has no power to remove the Secretary
War and designate any other officer t
perform the duties of that office ad init
RIM
There is no truth in the report that &c
neral Thomas has been arrested.
The Much-salked-of Letter Of Gene
raj Sherman to the President.
The following is a copy of Genera
Sherman's letter to the President, so ofte
referred to within the past month in tn
newspapers:
WASHINGTON, January 18-Saturday.
81 neglected this morning to say that
had agreed to 60 down to Annapolis
spend Sunday with Admiral Porter
General Grant also has to leaV
for Richmond on Monday mornln
ct 6 o'clock. at conversatlo
with the General after our Interview,
then offered to go with him on Monda
morning to Mr.. Stanton, and to say tina
it was our joint opinion he should resig'
It was found impossible, by reason OF b
going to Richmond and my going to Anna
polls. The General proposed this course