The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-03-10
Articles of 1mpeachlnent.
HOUSE.
WAsn1Na,groN Feb. 29.

we'll, chairman of the Select committee,
articles Of impeachment against
the President of the United States, which
we're thereupon read by the clerk as fol.
lows:
articles exhibited By sbe House Of Rep
geseatatsues OF the United States IN the
nan,eo of themselves and azthe people Of
The Bnited States against Aadrelo John
SON, President OF the United States, as
maintenance and support OF their I'M
peacbnaent against ham for high crimes
and misdenseanors in office.
s ARTICLE 1 That said Andrew John
son, President of the United States, on
the 21st day Of February, in the year of
our Lord 1868, at Washington, in the
District of Columbia, unmindful of the
high duties of his Office, and of the re-
quirements of the Constitution that he
should take care that The laws faithfully
be executed, did unlaWfully and in vio-
lation of the Constitution and laws OF the
United States issue an order in writing
for the removal of Edwin M. Stanton
from the Office Of Secretary for the De.
partment of War, said Edwin M. Stanton
having been therefore duly appointed and
commissioned by and with the consent OF
the Senate of the United States as such
Issfdvnt 4gsssssT Of tie pUnNsd sf5es, On tn The
18th day of August, in the year of our
Lord 1867, and during the recess Of said
Senate, having discharged by his order
Edwin M. Stanton from said Office and
within twenty days after the first day of
the next meeting, on the 18th day OF
December, in the year of our Lord afore.
said, having reported to said Senate such
suspension, with the evidence and reasons
for his action in the case and the name of
the person designated to perform the du-
ties of such Office temporarily until the
next meeting of the Senate, and said
Senate thereasterwards, on The 18th day
of January, in the year Of our Lord 1868
having duly considered the evidence and
reasons reported by said Andrew johnson
for said suspension, did refuse to concur
in said suspension, whereby and by force
of the provisions Of al act entitled IAN
act regulating the tenure of certain civil
officers, passed Mardl I'd, 1867, said
Edwin M. Stanton did forthwith resume
the functions of his dice, whereof the
said Andrew johnson lad then and there
due notice and said Edwin M. Stanton
by reasons Of the promises on said 21st
day of February was hwfully entitled to
hold said Office Of Secretary Of the De-
partment oa War, whi.h said order for
the removal Of said Edwin NJ. Stanton is
in substance as followssthat is to say
EXECUTIVE MANSION, D
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 21, 1868.
SIR-By virtue Of the power and au-
thority vested in me as President, by the
Constitution and lawI of the United
States, you are hereby removed from the
Office of Secretary for The Department of
War. and your functions as such will ter
inmate upon receipt of this communica-
tion. You will transfer to Brevet Major
General Lorenzo Thomas, Adjutant Gen.
eral of the Army, who has this day been
authorized and empowered to act as Sec
retary of War, ad ins6rid5 all records,
books. papers and other public property
now in your custody and charge.
Respectfully yours,
a. .t ANnprm TOuNcnN
TO Hon. E. III. Stanton, Washington D. C.
Which order was unlawfully issued
with intent then and there to violate the
act entitled IAN act regulating the ten
ure of certain civil Offices" passed March
I'd, 1867, and contrary to the provisions
of the Constitution of the United States
the said Senate then and there being in
session, to relieve said Edwin NJ. Stanton
from the Office of the Departmentof Of War
thereby said Andrew johnson, President
of the United States, did then and there
commit, and was guilty Of misdemeanor
in Office.
ARTICLE 2, That on the said 21st day
of February, in the year of our Lord
1868, al Washington, in the District of
Columbia, said Andrew Johnson, Presi-
dent of the United States, unmindful of
the high duties Of his Office, of his oath
of Office, in violation of the Constitution
Of the United States, and contrary to the
provisions of an act entitled aAn act reg
ulating the tenure Of certain civil Offices" !"
passed March I'd, 1867, without the ad,
vice and consent of the Senate of the
United States, said Senate then and there
being in session, and without authority
Of law did appoint one Lorenzo Thomas
to be Secretary of War ad interim by is
suing to said Lorenzo Thomas "a letter of
authority in substance as follows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, D. G., Feb. 81, 1863. {
SIR-The Hon. Edwin NJ. Stanton hav-
ing been this day removed from Office as
Secretary for the Department Of War,
you are hereby authorized and empoW-
cred to act as Secretary Of War ad in
terim, and will Immediately enter upon
The discharge Of the duties pertaining to
that Office. Mr.. Stanton has been in
structed to transfer to you all the records
books, papers and other public property
now in his custody and charge. Respect
fully yours, ANDREW JOHNSON.
To Major General Lorenzo Thomas, Ad5u-i
tant General United States Army,
Washington, d. G.
Whereby said Andrew johnson, Presi-
dent Of the United States, did then and
there commit and was guilty Of a high
nisdemeanor in Office.
ARTICLE 3. That said Andrew john
son, President of the United States on
the 2lst day Of February, in the year of
our Lord 1868, at Washington, in the.
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