Year: 1867

do, cannot think that he will hesitate for
a moment to obey my order, having in
view complete and speedy restoration of
the Union, in the preservation of which he
has rendered such important service.


Gen. Hancock, known to the whole
country as gallant, able and patriotic
soldier, will, I have no doubt, sustain his
bis high reputation in any position to
which he may be assigned. If, as you OBJ
serve, the department which he will have
is complicated one, I feel confident that,
under the guidance and instructions of
Gen. Sherman, Gen. Sheridan will soon
become familiar with its necessities, and
will avail himself of the opportunity af-
forded by the Indian trouble for the dis
play Of the energy, enterprise and daring
which gave him so enviable q reputation
during the 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 a Republic. 1t is
based, however, upon a written Coustitu-
ton. That Constitution is the combined
and express will of the people. and their
voice is law, when reflected in the manner
which that instrument prescribes. While
one of its provisions makes the President
COmmander-ln-ChiefO of Army and Navy,
another requires that he shall take care
that the laws be faithfully executed,


Believing that a change in command in
the Fifth Military District is absolutely
necessary for a faithful execution of the
law, have issued the order which is the
subject of this correspondence. In thus
exercising power that inheres in the Ex-
ecutive, under the Constitution, as Com
mander-in-Chiefo of the army and navy, I
am discharging duty required of me by
the will of the nation as formally declared
in the supreme law of the land. By his
oath the Executive is solemnly bound to
the best of his ability to preserve, protect
and defend the Constitution, and although
in times of great excitement, it be lost to
public view, it is his duty without regard
to the consequences to himself to hold it
sacred and to enforce all or any of its pro-
visions. Any other course would lead to
the destruction of the Republic, for if the
Constitution were once abolished, there
would be no Congress for the exercise of
legislative powers, no Executive to see
that the laws are faithfully executed, no
Judiciary to afford to the citizen protection
for life, limb and property. Usurpation
would inevitably follow, and a despotism
be fixed on the people in violation Of their
combined and expressed will.


In conclusion, fail to perceive any
military, pecuniary or patriotic reasons
why the order should not be carried into
effect. You will remember that in the
first instance I did not consider Gen.
Sheridan the most suitable man for the
command of the Fifth Military District
Time has strengthened my convictions
upon that point, and has led me to the
that patriotic considerations de-
mand that he should be superseded by an
officer who, while he will faithfully exc
cute the law, will at the same time give
more general satisfaction to the whole peo-
pie, white and black, North and South.


am, General, very respectfully yours,


ANDREW JOHNSON.
To Gen. U. S. Grant, Sec'y. of War, ad


interim