The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-24

government to which he is accredited but III IL
would relieve the executive of any embarrass-
ment my command includes both or these, ana
l will 60 down myself
Very we'll, if You will go, that settles 1t, ,
said the President, and it will be just as we'll
HE asked me to call upon the Secretary of the
Navy, which did, and five days later took the
steamer for the gulf Thus was the difficulty,
so far as General Grant was concerned, bridged
over, and he was kept from an open rupture with
the executive. Ny opinion is that they decided
to get rid of him, and keep him from becoming
candidate for the presidency. What they wanted
of me In case General Grant was sent out of the
country, do not know The discussion between
President johnson and myself never got that
far"
JoHNSoNS MARYLAND MILITIA.
In relation to the belligerent side of President
Johnson's acts about this time, and the organiza-
ton of force to sustain him in an open rup-
ture with Congress, OF which Gen. Horace Porte
speaks, Mr.. Burr continues:
General Grants differences with Andrew
johnson were continuous, without an open con-
fiict, during all of his term as President. AS
the difficulties between Grant and the President
grew. General Grant was informed that an ar
rangement was being made in Maryland for an
organization of force to support the President
IN case there was an open rupture between him
self and Congress. He directed the officer COM
manding in Washington at the time to send q
trusted officer into Maryland to ascertain the
strength OF the force, and what was being done
in the way of arming and drilling it. 1t was the
duty OF the first officer sent to only report as to
the strength of the force and he performed that
duty; and his present recollection is that the
militia force of the State did not exceed five
thousand After this officer had reported upon
its strength and location, another officer was
dispatched, who reported upon its opera
tlons, how it was handled, etc. Both of
the officers who were sent upon this
duty still living. Only day
or so after the report of the last officer upon this
subject Governor Tom Swan, of Maryland,
made requisition for all the field artillery to
which the State was entitled This requisition
General Grant pigeon -holed, and remarked to a
friend, an officer of high standing, and who was
sitting near, / have mind to write to the Gov
ernor of Maryland, and notify him that | am
fully aware Of what is going on and intend to
keep my eve upon it, After moments thought
he said: Nc, l think l had better keep still
Only day or two after this. President johnson
came over to his office and spent an hour talking
about common place matters, but just before he
started to go he turned to General Grant and
said: General, l am very anxious to know in
case there should be open rupture between
myself and Congress, with which side you will
be found
" That will depend said the General with
some earnestness, upon which is the revolu-
tionary party
while all this was transpiring General Grant
was made aware of the fact that in the city of
w washington there was an organization of 3, 600
veteran soldiers. under the command of major
general who is still living, and is one of the
most conspicuous volunteer officers of the late
war. This organization was well oficered, and
ready to be armed at the declaration of hostil-
tiles between the President and Congress. Mr..
Stanton was the master-spirit of the organiza-
ton. and its purpose was to be ready to meet
any emergency that might arise. The President
was commander-in-c chief of the army, and
neither side was able to find out what General
Grant would do in an emergercy-whether he
would obey Congress the President. So each
side had its little hostile force prepared for the
clash. and General Grant, fully aware of this
state of things, stood between the two, like an
impossible barrier. warning both sides to keep
the peace. 1t was we'll known that about the
time President johnson asked General Grant
the important question above described, con-
fidential letters were sent by the Secretary of
the Navy to leading navy officers, several of
whom are still living. The letters asked for
much the same information"