Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-01-10
GEN, GRANT ON STANTON AND
SHERIDAN.

The following is the celebrated private
letter written by General Grant, which is
now published for the first time:
HEADo' RS OF THE ARMIES OF II. S.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Aug. !, 1867
His EXcELLESCY ANDREW JOHNSON, Presl-
dent of the United States.
SIR: / take the liberty Of addressing you
privately on the subject of the conversation
we had this morning, feeling as DO, the
great danger to the welfare of the country
should you carry out the designs then ex-
pressed. First on the subject OF the dls-
placement of the Secretary of War lis
removal cannot be effected against hls VIII
without the consent of the Senate. 1t Is
hut short time since the United States
Senate was in session, and why not then
have asked for his removal If it was deslredf
It certainly was the intention Of the leglsla-
tive branch Of the Government to place
Cabinet ministers beyond the power of Exc
cutive removal, and it is pretty well under
stood that, so far as Cabinet ministers are
affected by the Tenure Of Office Bill, 1t was
intended especially to protectth the Secretary OF
War whom the country felt great confidence
in. The meaning Of the law NAV be ex-
planned away BY an astute lawyer, but com,
mon sense and the views of loyal people VIII
give it the effect intended by its trainers
Ga the subject of the removal Of the very
able commander of the Fifth military DIS
trict, let me ask you TO consider the effect II
would have upon the public. He Is unlyer-
sally and deseryedly beloved by the people
who sustained this Government through ITS
e lie END enemies arof ST tRc R R9Se h9 you'd sf
1t fell to the lot of but few men to do as
much against an armed enemy as General
Sheridan did during the rebellion, and 1t is
within the scope of the ability of but few in
this or any other country to do what he has
done. His civil administration has given
equal satisfaction; he has had difficulties to
contend with which no other district com
mander has ever encountered. Almost, if
not quite from the day he was appointed
district commander to the present time, the
press has given out that he was to be re-
moved; that the administration was dissatis-
fed with him. This has emboldened the
opponents to the laws of Congress to oppose
him in every way in their power, and has
rendered necessary measures which other
wise may never have been necessary. In
conclusion allow me to say as a friend de-
string peace and quiet and the welfare of the
whole country, North and South, that it is
IN my opinion more than the loyal people,
Il mean those who supported the Govern
ment during the great rebellion viii quietly
submit to to see the very man of all others
whom they have expressed confidence in re-
moved. / would not have taken the liberty
Of addressing the Executive of the United
States, but for the conversation on the sub
ject alluded TO in this letter, and from a
sense ofduty, feeling that know am right
In the matter.
With eatrespcct, your obedient servant,
Z. 5. GRANT.
Among the papers is a letter from Gen.
Sheridan to Gen Grant dated New Orleans,
January 25, 1867, in relation to matters in
Texas, and particularly referring to the con
dition Of the freedmen and the Union men in
the remote parts of the State, which he says
was truly horrible He says the Govern
ment is denounced, the freedmen are shot,
and Union men are prosecuted if they at
tempt to express their opinion This letter
Gen. Grant, under date January %, 1867,
endorsed as follows;
Respectfully forwarded TO the Secretary
of War. whose attention is invited to that
norton of the within communication which
refers 70 tho condition Of MON mon aud
Freedmen in Texas and to the powerlessness
Of the military, in the present state ofatiairs
to afford them protection. Even the moral
effect of the presence Of troops is passing
away, and few days ago a squad of soldiers
on duty was fred on by citizens in Browns
vile. In my opinion the great number of
murders of Union men and freedmen IN
Texas, which not only, as a rule, 90 unpun-
ished, but uninvestigated, constitute practi
ealy a state Of insurrection and believing it
to be the province and duty OF every good
government to afford protection to the life,
liberty and property of her citizens, ! would
recommend the declaration Of martial law in
Texas to secure these ends. The necessity
for governing any portion Of our territory by
martial law is to be deplOrcd. If resorted
20 il should be limited in its authority, and
should leave all local authorities and civil
tribunals free and unobstructed until they
prove their inefficiency or anWillingness to
perform their duties. Martial law would
give security, or comparatively so, to all
classes of citizens without regard to race.
color, or political opinions, aud capable Of
protecting itself. or until the State is return
ed to its full relations with the Union. The
application Of martial Law to one Of these
States would be warning to all, and if
necessary should be extended TO others.
(Signed) u. S. GRANT, Genl.
NoTE BY GEN GRANT No action was had
by the civil authorities upon the foregoing
recommendation.