The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-29
A AND JOHNSON.
Ex-Secretary Boutwelrs Contribution to the
Much-MOOted Question.

W. GAAO
Much-MOOted Question.
The December number of the North American
Review contains a paper by eX-Secretary Bout.
well, on "Johnsons Plot and Motives" This in
t~eresting article makes Johnson's general posi-
ton very clear, and probably establishes it about
also, a vivid account of General Grants relation
to the matter, and of his firm conduct, which had
so much to do with defeating the johnson policy
and plot. Mr. Boutwell, says:
Upon my arrival in Washington to attend
the session of Congress which began Dec. 3. 1866,
I received a letter from Mr.. Stanton, asking me
to call at the War Department at the earliest
moment possible. l called without delay. He
directed me to his private room, where he soon
joined me.
Without preface, he said: 81 am more con-
cerned for the fate of the country than | was at
any time during the war" His exact words fur
Their l cannot recall, but he gave me to under
stand that the President had issued orders to
officers of the army; of which neither he nor
General Grant had knowledge, and that there
was danger that General Grant would be sent
away from Washington. y Il
At the request of Mr.. Stanton, I wrote at his
dictation the substance of what afterward be-
came the second section of the army appropria-
ton act. approved March 2, 1867.
In that section it was provided that the
headquarters Of the General of the Army
should be at the city of Washington, and
that he should not be detailed for serv-
ice elsewhere, except at his own request, or by
the previous approval of the Senate; that all
orders and instructions relating to military oper-
atoms issued by the President or Secretary of
Wal should be issued through the General of
the Army, or, in case of his disability, through
the officer next in commands; apd, finally, that
all orders issued in any other manner should
be null and void. and that the officer issuing such
orders, and all officers who might obey them,
knowing that they had been issued in any other
manner, should be alike guilty of a misdemean-
or \ Il n
After the election of General Grant to the
presidency. he gave me an account of his inter
views with President johnson, in reference to
the project of sending the General to Mexico in
the autumn of 1866. 1t was, in substance,
this: Eat a casual meeting the President
said: 1 may have occasion to ask you
to go to Mexico l said, in reply. I am 30 stu
ated that it will not be convenient for me to
leave Not many days after this conversation
the President sent for me to come to his Office.
Upon my arrival / found Dir. Seward and the
President. MIR. Seward opened his portfolio,
and read q long paper addressed to me-, and con-
tanning Instructions for my guidance in Mexico.
When Mr.. Seward had concluded, / said to the
President: You know l told you that it would
not be convenient for me to go to Mexico The
President then began to argue with me, and to
urge. l as steadily resisted his arguments. The
President grew warm; and finally. risicg from his
chair and striking his table violently with his fist,
he said, 4 would like to know If there is an Off
Ger of the army who will not obey my orders!
! rose. took my hat in my hand. and said. i am