Year: 1868




On the assembling of the Court of I'M
peaehment, on the 9th, Butler called w. II.
Wood, of Alabama, who had served in the
Union army. In December, 1866, he called
on the President, and solicited Government
appointment. The President said he could
do nothing for him if his influence was to be
cast on the side of Congress all those whom
he appointed must be with him. F. Blodgett
testified that he was appointed Postmaster at
Augusta, Georgia, in 1865, and was suspend.
ed in 1868, by the President, but did not
know whether the Senate had ever been
notified of his suspension or not Butler
said that he would prove that no reason for
the suspension of Blodgett bad ever been
sent to the Senate.


Curtis then commenced the opening argu-
ment for the defense. He spoke until ex-
hausted, when the Court adjourned. On the
opening of the Court on the following day.
Curtis proceeded to consider whether the
President had violated the Tenure of Office
Act in removing Stanton and giving the
appointment to Thomas. He said it was not
a violation of the Constitution, and claimed
that there was no conspiracy on the part of
the President. lie said evidence would be
produced to show that the only object the
President had in view was to get the matter
before the Supreme Court. lie then exam.
ined the Objectionable speeches of the Presi-
dent, and claimed that the commission of
high crimes and misdemeanors must be by
criminal acts against the United States, or
against some existing law. He then re-
viewed the llth Article, and claimed that
the President had recognized Congress as a
legal body ever since he assumed his Office


On the conclusion of Curtis speech the
defense called Lorenzo Thomas to the stand,
who proceeded to testify relative to his ap-
pointment and subsequent proceedings But
Ter objected to a question regarding a con
versation between the President and witness
after his first demand for possession OF the
War Office, but the question was admitted
after long discussion. Witness then stated
that after informing the President that
Stanton had asked time to remove his pa
pers, the President simply replied Very
we'll go on and obey your orders" He did
not see the President again till after his
arrest and liberation on bail. He then visited
the President and informed him that he was
in custody and on what charge. The Presi-
dent said: Very well; that's what want
in Court" Witness then narrated the cir
cumstances happening thereafter He went
into the War Office the same morning and
demanded possession but Stanton refused to
comply. He declared that the President
never directed him to use force or threats to
obtain possession of the War Office, and
denied that he ever stated to Burleigh or
anybody else that he would call on General
Grant to put him in possession, or break
open the doors and kick Stanton out. The
witness was cross examined by Butler, when
he admitted his conversation with Burleigh
and others. but said the words were used
playfully.


General Sherman was next called, when
Stanbery asked him number of questions
relative to conversations he had previously
had with the President regarding the reno
val of Stanton. Witness stated that the
President told him be must appoint sue,
cessor to Stanton, but did not say his purpose
was to bring the matter before the Courts.
The President told witness that if he would
accept the position of Secretary of War ad
interim Stanton would make no resistance,
as he was too cowardly.


| The above is the substance of the i'm.
peachment proceedings up to Saturday, April
llth. None of the proceedings since that
time have been telegraphed