The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-08-27


Washington, Dec II, 1876.
To Gen. W. s. Hancock, Jefferson Barracks,
NO.:
MY Dear General Lest your peace of mind
may be disturbed by foolish reports banded in
newspapers about your being ordered from
New York, / will tell you that there is not
word of truth in it. Neither the President
nor the Secretary of War has ever mentioned
to me such purpose, and know that have
never said word or written syllable to that
effect. see in the Republican (of st. Louis)
that not only was the order made but that 1
destroyed it, and tore out the leaves of the
record book containing the copy. The whole
thing was and is an invention by somebo dy
who wanted to create sensation. The same
is true about John Sherman intriguing to be
President of the Senate that he might be
President ad interim. He has told me that he
never heard the subject preached, and that he
would not accept the place as he prefers to be
what he is now, chairman of the Senate Com
mittee on Finance. l hope you find your fam
lily in good health and spirits, and hope you
will spend with them peaceful and happy
week of the holidays This letter may be SUI
perhuous, but the emphatic repetitions of
wild rumor in the st. Louis Republican sug-
gested to me the propriety of my correcting an
impression if made you. No sero us
changes in command are being contemplated,
give you earliest notice. There are men of
mischievous intent who would gladly SOW
disSensions between us OF the army.
Truly your FRIEND
(SignedD w. T. SHERMAN.
WASHINGTON, Jan 2, 1877.
Gen. W. S. Hancock, Neao York:
Dear General did not receive your most
interesting letter of Dec. 2Sth from Carondelet,
No., until yesterday. l am very glad to have
your views an estenso upon subject OF such
vital importance. Our standard opinions are
mostly formed on the practice of our predeces-
sors, but great change was made after the
civil war by amendments of the Constitution
giving to the freed slaves certain civil rights
and empowering Congress to make law necessa-
ry to enforce these rights. This power is new
and absolute and Congress has enacted laws
with which we are not yet familiar and accus-
toned (see pages 34S, $40 and $40 Revised
Statutes section 1889, edition o. 1884. AS
matter of fact dislike to have our army used
in these civil conflicts, but the President has
lawful right to use the army and navy and
has exercised the right as he bel ieves law
fully and rightfully and duty has been
and is tosustain him with zeal and sincerity
AS to the Presidential election we are in no
manner required to take the least action, but
to recognize him as President whom the law
fully appointed officers declare to be such per-
son. l hope and pray that Congress will
agree on some method before the day and
hour arrives, but in case of failure to elect by
or before the 4th of march there will be a
l.
Preside in'which case the Presi lent of the
Senate becomes president pro tempore and
now election will shave to be held under the
law of 1892. (See title Ill, chapter l, pages
81, % and % Revised Statutes.) 1t is well we
should compare notes and agree before the
crisis is on us, but surely hope we may pass
this ordeal safely and peaceably. will be
pleased to hear from You at any time.
[Signedl w. T. SHERMAN.
New YORK, Jan. 2, 1877.
Gen. W. Z. Sherman, Washington, d. c.:
General-An anonymous communication to
the Secretary of War dated Louisville, KY,
Dec. 16, 1876, reached my headquarters on the
9th of that month from the Adjutant General
of the Army. 1t represents that Sin the con-
templated uprising. of Of the people to enforce
depot at Jeffersonville is to be seized and is
expected to arm and cloth the Indiana army of
Democrats"
The endorsement on this communication
made at your headquarters dated Dec 26, 1876,
is as follows:
General W. S. Hancock, commanding division of
the Atlantic, who may draw company from Gen.
Ruger, commanding the department. Of the South
protect it against any danger"
The terms of endorsement are simply an ex-
ercse OF discretion on my part which leads me
to write you before taking action In my
Judgment there is no danger of the kind the
kind at Jacksonville Depot, to justify the
movement OF troops to that place. Such move
ment, it seems to me, would involve unneces-
sary expense and would create or increase ap-
prehension for which there is no real founda-
ton. There are no arms or ammunition at
Jeffersonville Depot, and if such force as is
referred to could be raised for rebellious pur-
poses, it is not likely that it would begin by
Selling depot of army uniforms, and there
fore II there are grounds for action of the gov
eminent see no danger in delay which will
result from this presentation of the subject to
you. IT, however, if your better Judgment a
company should be sent there it shlal be
promptly done as soon as you notify me to that
effect. AS have ALREADY said do not act at
once because in your instructions you say
may" send company there, which con-
strue as leaving it somewhat discreet onary
with me. 1 returned on the 31st of December.
1876, from ST. Louis
L am very truly yours,
WINFIELD S. HANCOCK.
New YORK, Jan. 9, 1877
Gen. ". L. Sherman, Washington, d. g:
My Dear General have been intending to
write to you in acknowledgment of your Two
recent notes, but have been so much engaged
in hunting a place for winter and gathering
up my affairs of business as we'll as personal
matters, owing to my recent absence, that I
have deferred doing So Now L write to in
close copy of a letter addressed to the edi
special dispatch) which appeared in that pa
per Sunday the 7th. The World corrects the
matter in It's issue this morning. 1 would
have preferred publication of my letter. but as
gave the editor latitude as to the manner of
correcting L cannot complain I suppose I
have written to no one on the subject of nv
orders to go to the Pacific as reported by the
newspapers save yourself have said moth
ing to any one differing in letter or spirit from
what L wrote to you, and have not seen Bu-
ford for years, or heard of him, nor do 1 know
Of any person who has in that time met or com
with him. 1 inclose you a copy of
the Worlds publica tion
am very truly yours,
WINFIELD S. HANCOCK
Enclosure.