Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-02-28

The Steamer Arizona from Aspinwall tn,
18th inst. brings 81 $4,000 in treasure from
California. No news from the Istbmus q
Central or South American States.
NEw YORK, Feb. 81
Washington specials have the following
kilograms from Annapolis announce an in
tention on the part of the Legislature to re-elec
MIR. Thomas as Senator Mr.. IeGranc
! lockwood, the n. Y. banker. had long inter
view with the President yesterday upon ma.
/ tional finances.
Rumor assigns him to the Treasury De.
/ partment, but it Is said by the friends of the
| President that he will make no cabinet
| changes until after the meeting of the nation
al democratic convention. 1t is said that the
| President will assign another commander 10
the new Atlantic District.
The general feeling Of republican members
appearto be that of opposition to Mr. Bing-
ham bill to admit Alabama, and as soon a.;
definite intelligence is received it is thought
that should the constitution prove to have
been defeated a new election will soon be or
dered.
Gen. Butler, Mr.. Stevens and Others an
nounce Themselves in favor Of Il new election.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON Cry, Feb. 81.
SR-Gen. Thomas has Just delivered to
me copy Of the enclosed order, which YOU
will please communicate to the House of
Representatives. Your obedient servant.
(Signed) EDWIN NJ STANTON.
Secretary of War
To Hon. Schuyler Colflx. Speaker of the
House Of Representatives.
Executive MANSION,
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb 81
SIR,-By yirtne of the power and authority
invested in me as President by the Constitu-
ton and laws of the United States. You are
hereby removed from office as Secretary of
War, and your functions as such will ter
inmate upon receipt of this communication.
You will transfer to Breyet Mai. Gen. Loren
70 Thomas, Adjutant General of the Army.
who has this day been authorized to act as
Secretary of War ad interim, all records.
books, papers, and other public property
now in your custody and charge
Respectfully Yours,
Signed ANDREW JOHNSON,
President.
To Hon Edwin NJ Stanton, Washington.
The President also sent to the Senate
brief message setting forth that he had per-
emptorily removed Edwin NJ. Stanton, and
appointed Gen Lorenzo Thomas, Secretary
Of War ad interim, with orders to take i'm
mediate charge Of the War Office
The Senate at once went into executive ses-
sion on the matter, and soon after commit
tee consisting of Senators Cameron, Chand-
Ter, rhayer and Cattell proceeded to the War
Office and informed Mr.. Stanton that pend
ing any action il was the desire of the Sen
ate that Mr. Stanton should retain the Office
and disregard any orders from the President
To the contrary.
The committee also waited upon Gen.
Grant and had an interview with him The
committee expressed themselves entirely sat
isfed with Gen. Grants position in the mat
ter.
WASHINGTON, Feb. %.
The President has sent to the Senate the
nomination Of Geo. B. Mcclellan as minis
ter to England. In connection with the re-
moyal Of Stanton, the President has taken
another extraordinary step. In the same
message to the Senate he also informs that
body that he has nominated Gen. Geo H.
Thomas to be Lieut.. Gen. by brevet. and
gives him still higher promotion, making lin
General by hrcvet
WASHINGTON. Feb. 20
The Retrenchment Committe have under
consideration to-day Senator Edmunis bill re-
gulating the tenure Of certain civil officers.
1t Is thought the Committee will amlp,i il in
several particulars.
Gen. Banks reconstructed bill on the
rights of natualized citizens is better liked
than the original bill was, and maybe passed
by the House, but there is not much
chance Of its becoming law.
WASHINGTON, Feb -.
The Senate resolution directing Mr.. Stan
ton not to turn over his ofice) was adopted
by the Senate by vote Of % to 6-Mr. Ed
munds being the only republican who voted
nay 1t was transmitted to the war depart
ment and Mr.. Stanton emphatically de-
clared that he was impregnable.
Then summoning the officer in command
of the military guard at the Department. he
ordered him to see that every door was locked,
except the one at the west end of the build
ing, and bring the keys to his room. No one
was to be permitted 10 enter the west door
except by his orders,
Among the members Of Congress who were
at the department after midnight were Gems,
Farnsworth and Pile. Gen. Schenck and
Hon. n. j. Judd remained with Mr. Stanton
until am, and Gen. Thayer passed the
night there.
At 10 O'Clock to-day Judge Carter Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court of the Dis
trict of Columbia visited the Department
Mr.. Stanton made affidavit that Gen Thomas
bod him, In, ,,-Ifab bf, bol
signed himself Secretary of War ad interim
in violation Of the 9th section of the Tenure
of Office act, and Judge Carter issued a
Bench warrant for the Gensral's arrest 1t
was decided not to have the arrest made until
this morning.
Mr.. Stanton spent the night in the De-
partment, accompanied by Senator Thayer.
lie had quite lQvee this morning as he dis
cussed the breakfast which had been sent to
him from his house.
Meanwhile T. s Marshnll Goodwin, ac-
compsnied by deputy Marshall Phillips went
at an early hnnr to the house of Adj. Gen.
Thomas. The General came into the hall
and the Marshall formally arrested him.
The General finished breakfast and the party
left on foot for the marshal's Office. As they
passed the telegraph Office, despatch was
sent to Mr.. Stanton, informing him Of the
arrest. Judge Carter was waiting at the of
flee: and he informed Gen Thomas that he
should require bail to the amount of $4,000
for his appearance at Court on Wednesday,
Feb. 9th.
Bail was furnished by Gen. R. Hull of this
city, and Elias \. Ellison of Georgetown, per-
sonal friends of Thomas
After Gen. Thomas was released from Gus
toGy to-day, he went to the War Office and
made peremptory demand on Mr.. Stanton to
turn over the Office at once to him, stating
that unless this was done he would resort to
military force to obtain possession Of the
Office Secretary Stanton in very decided
terms declined to comply, and gave him or
ders to leave the building at once, which was
complied with, although the General threat
ened that he would have possession before
night. =,
WASHINGTON Feb. %
Mr.. Stanton has issued an order stating
that he is Secretary of War and is to be obey
ed as such.
Sentries are posted around the Department
avenues and strict orders are given to admit
no one without permission of the Secretary
The Democrats and secesh sypathlzers
nil predict that Gen. Thomas will eject Mr..
! Stanton from the War Department; but
/ Gen. Grant remarked TO one of the Senators
who called upon him this afternoon, lien
Thomas has NOT even file of soldiers at hls