Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-01-15
THE STANTON AFFAIR.


ranging some papers, locked the door of the
private Office Of the Secretary of War, and,
taking the key with him. prsce ded TO the
Headquarters of the Army nearly opposite TO
the War Department About half rast ten
o'clock, Mr. Edwin NJ Stanton appeared at the
War Department, aud prooot ded Immediately
to the office usually occupied blythe s. cretary
Of War. Finding the door locked, he took a
seat in the ante room, where he was the recip.
lent OF many warm congratu' atoms from Sena
tors and members Of the House of Representa-
tives, who had assembled apparently to see
what would take place. a.:--s
Upon the arrival Of Mr. Stanton, Gen. Dent,
the Acting Adjutant General of Gen. Grant as
Secretary of War ad interim, hurried over to
the Headquarters ofsthe Army to inform Gen
Grant OF the fact, and to obtain the key to the
Secretary's Office. IN a few minutes he re-
turned, and placed the key in the hands of
Adjutant Gen. Townsend, who, In q SOFT OF
present arms" style, delivered it up to Secres
tary Stanton. i'3E. s4,iAt
( As soon as the reinstated Secretary was fair
of the Tennessee delegation in Congress waited
lations, and to ask him TO use his influence to
continue the operations of the Freedmens Bu-
reau in the States of Tennessee and Kentucky
after the 18th of February next, at which time,
By order Of the President, it ceases in those
States. Mr. Stanton replied, that SO long as he
had any power, be would use tito protect the
weak, and would do his best to have the re-
quest carried out. He further stated that it
would be few days before matters would coul-
mence to run right in his Office.
AS the Tennessee delegation were withdraw
ing, they were met by Gen. Grant in the hall.
After exchanging salutations with them and
Gen. Howard, who was present, and expressing
satisfaction at the action of the Senate in re-
storing MIR. Stanton, he walked towards the
Secretary's Office, when the latter appeared at
the door and shook the General warm y by the
hand. and both passed 10. i o.
1t 8 understood that Gen Grant and Mr..
Stanton were clossted together on Monday
evening" after the passage of the Senate reso'
luton. .s&ffsEM8tIC i, %U.Ja
During the interview between Gen Grant
and Mr.. Stanton, Gen. Deaf transferred his
desk to Gen. Pelouze, who had occupied it
during the latter part Of Mr.. Ssanton's former
administration OF the Department, and Gen.
Hardie gave up his position to Gen Shriver
At halt past two o'clock Mr.. Stanton was
locked up in his private room with several per
sons, whose names were not ascertained At q
few minutes past three o'clock an order was
issued by Mr. Stanton, informing the employees
of the War Department that he { Mr.. s. had
again taken possession of the portfolio Of the
War Office. At four O'Clock Mr.. Stanton left
the War Department. for his residence, giving,
Ia bis usual way, various orders to the messen.
gers who have usually attended upon his par
tleular Office rooms, showing thereby that lie
had quietly, settled down for continued stay
Isqis understood that Mr.. Stanton, during the
day. transacted no official business whatever,
except to draw his salary of $4,000 for the
time he was out of Office. 70. -,
This statement. which We take from the
afternoon papers, of the circumstances of the
re-occupation of the War Department by the
deposed Secretary, astonshed no one more than
President johnson, who was greatly surprised
at the surrender by Gen.. Grant of the trust,re
posed 10 him as Secretary Of War al INTERIM
In justification of the President, we are at ib-
erty to state the following additional circum-
stances, from which our readers will draw their
own conclusons Some time after theappoint-
ment of Gen. Grant as Secretary Of War ad
interim, he had a conversation with the Presi-
dent upon the subj.ct ofthe probability OF the
refusal of the Senate. to recognize the suspen-.
sion Of Mr. Stanton, hen Gen. Grant stated
that in. such event he might not wish to iden-t
tify himself with either party 10. the qcontro..
yersy, but added, iu effect: a. I shall 10 that
event! either hand you my resignation as Ac-
ting Secretary, Or let a mandamus be issued
against me to surrender the ofics.pq"- ~,..i
This conversation was renewed from time to
time, and, on last Saturday, when Senator.
Howard IS report from the Senate Committee
on Military Affairs in favor of Stanton, was I'm.
der. discussion, Gen. Grant was pointedy asked
by the Presidentif he had changed his mind
in reference to the course he would pursue if
the Senate should refuse to make Stanton's
final, when he reiterated the prom
ise previously made, that he would either hand
in his resignation as Secretary OF War I'D inter-
I'm early enough for the President to appoint
bis successor, or take any other action he might
deem requisite, or allow mandamus to be
served uponhim for the surrender of the Office
adding a promise TO the President, that he
should hear from him on the subject ON
Monday 4 hSLot -. !, = i ls -'~ 2'.d-4
Monday passed without the promised com
On Monday evening, after it was
known that the Senate hadNpassed Howsrd's
Of Stanton as Secretaryiof War, Gen. Grant was
present at the reception at the Executive Man
sion, where be greeted the President but mem
toned nothing Of any change 10 the determine
ton previously declared The President heard
nothing whatever from Gen. Grant upon the
subject until twelve clock Tuesday, two hours
after Mr. Stanton had taken possession of the
W al. Office, when the following communica-
ton was delivered to him by Major Comstock,
one of Gen Grant s staff officers: ..11-. r..
q y tsHQ'Rs ARMIES UNITED STATES,
II 5s2Ati '"WAsHINGToN, DC, Jan. IA, 49,
: His Exeellency Andrew johnson, President
Of the United States ~ ~ 1850.
80 !" SIR L have the honor to enclose herewith
copy of official notice received by me last even.
ing OF the action of the Senate of the. United
States in the case of the suspension Of Hon
e. NJ Stanton, Secretary Of War. According
to the provisions of section two of IAN act
regulating the tenure of certain civil Offices"
nv functions as Secretary of War 0G rnfc1Im