New-York tribune., 1868-02-22
VoI. XXvH....No' 1884.
WASHINGTON.
.rcnrrARY srArroN REMOVED.

SECRETARY STATION REMOVED
rHE SENATE DENIES fHE PRESIDENTS > row EN- ~,
WARRANT F0I GEN. THoMAss O.nhS1, AhnhSa ,,,.,o
PEACHMENr AGAIN DEhASpE Ep-1EN. UioAnn vi NJ, .
TITUoH-GEN. sHERhANe LLllIn LII ~ In
PRE[DFST-OMNOUs ACCIDENT IN IhE
roIsrr-xR nARvEY's SUMTER DISPATCH
THR STATE DINNER
y, ,,1.saIss 20 SEiRrSE
WIsHINGIoN, Friday, Feb. p, 1868
y rre excitement has been witnessed here to-day
than At any previous time since the assassination OF
President Lincoln. Until after the hour OF noon'
,verything was as quiet and sleepy as usual Inc
ssnate was calmly debating the subject Of Recon-
,toton while the House was lazily engaged on pm
vate bills. resolution had Just been passed to de-
vote to-morrow's session to debate only, when Mr..
Johneon's coup d6tat was announced. At about
u o'clock the Presidents private Secretary
delivered TO the Senate message from MI
Johnson declaring that he bad removed hd
win NJ Stanton from the office OF Secre-
iary of War. and had placed Brevet Major-Ien'
Lnrenzo Thomas Adjntant General OF the
Army. in his stead until n successor shall
he appointed. Senator Conking was speaking
at the time. and the communication being
Of an executive character, they were not read IN
open session. The purport Of the message was soon
ascertained however, and an informal caucus of the
Republicans was held Immediately, and an Exeeu-
tive sossion was decided upon for the purpose OF M
mediate action committee. consisting OF senators
Cameron, Tlayer Cattcl, and COnness was appointed
TO visit Secretary Stanton and Gen. Grant IN the
mean time, and express to them the desire OF the
dominant party in Congress- This committee imme-
dately called upon Mr. Stanton reaching his Office at
about 2ocock Finding him in quiet possession OF the
Office they said that it the desire Of the Congress
Of the United States that he should remain firm and
unyeldng in the execution of his trust and against
the usurpaton of President johnson, but to continue
to obey the laws, and they would support him. Sec
retary Stanton replied that he had received Pres-
dent Johnson's order relieving him from duty but
that he could not recognize it, unless the Senate con-
cured This satisfied the Committee and after con-
yersaton with Secretary Stanton on private matters
they visited Gen. Grant They found the General
ia his office, and in sew words as pos
sible asked him what course he would take
should il become necessary for him to act lie
declined to express any opinion officially, but
the Committee understood that he could not and
would not recognize the Presidents order regarding
Stanton, should the Senate fail to agree with the
same. The Committee then returned TO the Senate
Chamber and reported that Secretary Stanton would
retain his office until the Senate should take action,
And that Cen Grant would recognize Congress as a
portion OF the Government, and not Andrew johnson
Yba had
ported, the Senate Immediately, at about o'clock,
went into Executive session. and began the consider
alton of the whole subject remaining in session until
81 o'clock.
The removal soon became generally known, aud
The whole Capitol was thrown into the greatest ex-
sitement The House from clock until 5, presented
q scene that has not been witnessed since the war
times when the news Of great victory or defeat TO
cur arms was announced. The current business was
generally suspended Members gathered in knots
about the floor and cloakTOOms excitediy discussing
the subject. All sorts of rumors were anoat
Prominent members sat down and wrote letters to
Secretary Stanton to stand firm and refuse to yield
while several Representatives left their places
and called on him in person. There was
direct telegrapbic communication between the
Capital and the War Office, by which
means Congress was kept informed of matters at the
latter point.
At about 81 o'clock communication was received
from Secretary Stanton transmitting the Presidents
order removing him. and it was read by Speaker Col
WAR DEPARTMENT, I
WAsHTNOrON CITY. Feb a. 1868.
Sm; Gen Thomas has just delivered TO me copy
of the incosed order, which you viii please cOhu-
ncate 10 the House of Representatives, Your oDedi-
ent servant EDWIN NJ. STANTON.
Secretary OF War.
To the Hon SCHUYLER CoLTAx, Speaker of the
House Of Representatives.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, ID. C., Feb. 2l, 1868
SIR: By virtue OF the power and authority vested
IL ne rs President by the Constitution and laws OF
the United States, you are hereby removed from
office as Secretary of War, and your functions as
such VIII terminate upon receipt OF tins c0mmu-
You Will transfer to Brevet Major Gen. Lorenzo
Thomas, Adjutant General of the Amy, who has
this day been authorized to act Secretary of War
ad interim all records books papers, aud other pub
l,c property now IN Your custody and charge. re
specifically yours. ANDREW JOHNSON. President.
To the Hon. Edwin NJ Stanton, Washington, ID. c.
This was the signal for the House to sit for reg
ular business tomorrow and on Mr. Buffers motion
the resolution devotihg tomorrow TO spcech-naking
only was rescnded after call of the Yeas and Nays
by the Democrats When the vote was about TO he
taken Mr. Pike of Maine rose and said: Every Nom
Der In favor impeachment, vote yea and those OPP
POSED no." Secretary Stantoh's communication,
meantime, was sento the Reconstruction Committee.
An attempt was made by the Democrats to adjourn,
and the Yeas and NAYS were called Private caucus