Year: 1867

will of the loyal masses, believing that they
have the Executive with them y for they are
perfectly familiar with the aEiecedenis of the
President and know that he has not obztruc.
ted the faithful execution of any act Of Con-
gress.


No one, as you are aware, has higher ap-
probation than myself Of the services of Gen
eral Thomas, and no one would be less in
clincd TO assign him to q command not en-
trely to his wishes. knowing him as do, |
cannot think That he will hesitate for a mo-
ment to obey any order having in view COM
plete and speedy restoration Of the Union, in
the preservation which he has rendered such
important and valuable services.


General Hancock, known to the whole
country as gallant, able and patriotic SOL
dier, will, have no doubt, sustain his high
reputation in any position to which ne may be
assigned If, as you observe, the department
which he will have is complicated one, ]
feel confident that, under the guidance and
instructions of General Sherman, General
Sheridan will soon become familiar with i!s
necessities, and will avail himself Of the op
portunity afforded by the Indian troubles for
the display of the energy, enterprise and dar-
ing which gave him so enviable reputation
during our recent civil struggle.


In assuming that it is The expressed wish
of the people that General Sheridan should
not be removed from his present command,
you remark that "this is republic where
the will of the people is the law OF the land,'
and beg that their voice may be heard"
This i, indeed republic, based, however, up
on written constitution. That constitution
is the combined and expressed will of the
people, and their voice is law when reflected
in the manner which that instrument pre-
scrib-s. While one Of its provisions makes
the President Commander in Chief Ct the ar.
my and navy, another requires that he shall
take care that The Laws be faithfully executed"
Believing that change in the command of
the fifth military district is absolutely neces
sary for q faithful execution of the law, lhave
issued the order which is the subjec of this
correspondence; and in thus exercising a
power that inheres in the Executive, under
The Constitution, as Commander-in- Chief OF
the military and naval forces, am dischars-
ing duty required of me by the will of the
nation, as formally declared in the supreme
law of the land BY this cath the Executive
is solemnly bound, 1" to the best of his ability,
to preserve, protect and defend the Constitu'
ton," ana although in times of great excite
n ent it may be lost to public view, it IS his
duty, without regard to the coust quences to
himself. TO hold sacred aud to enforce any
and all cf its provisions. Any other course
would lead to the destruction OF the Republic !;
for. the Constitution once abolished, there
would be no Congress for the exercise of leg
i<lative powers, no Executive to see that the
laws are faithfully executed, no Judiciary to
afford to the citizens protection for life, limb
ard property. Usurpaton woul inevitably
fllow and despotism be fixed upon the peo
pic in violation of their combined and ex-
pressed will.


In conclusion, fail to perceive any mill
tary," pecuniary" or "patriotic reasons"
why this order should not be carried into ef
iect You.wil remember that in the fist in
stance did not consider General Sheridan
the most suitable officer for the command Of
the 6fth military district. Time has strength
ened my convictions upon this point. ard has
led me to the conclusion thaf patriotic con-
.sirlera:ons demand that he should be super
seeded by an officer who, While he will faith
inly execute the law, will at the same tme
Give more general satisfaction 10 the whole
people, white aud black, North and Sou'h.


am, General, very respectfully yours,


ANDREW JOHNSON.


General U. S. Grant, Secretary of War; Cd
Interim