Year: 1867

| EXECUTIVE MANSION,


WASHINGTON, D. c., August 10, 1867.


GENERAL have received your COM


mHnicatiOn of the 18th inst, and thank
! you for the promptness with which you


have submitted your views respecting the


assignments directed in my order of that
date. When I stated in my official note


of the 18th, that I would be pleased to hear
any suggestions you might deem necessa-
ry upon the subject, it was not my inten-
ton to ask from you a formal report, but
rather to invite a verbal statement of any
reasons affecting the public interests which,
in your opinion, would render the order
ineXpedient. Inasmuch, however, as you
have made a written communication, it is
proper l should make some reply.


You earnestly urge that the order be not
insisted on, remarking that it is unmis-
takably the expressed wish of the country
that General Sheridan should not be re-
moved from his present command. While
am cOgnizant of the efforts that have
been made to relieve General Sheridan of
the Fifth Military District, am not aware
that the question has ever been submitted
to the people themselves for determina-
ton. 1t would certainly be unjust to the
army to assume that in the opinion of the
nation he alone is capable of fcommanding
the States of Louisiana and Texas, and
that were he for any cause removed, no
other General in the military service of the
United States would be competent to fill
his place. General Thomas, whom I have
designated as his successor, is well known
to the country, having won high and hon
Orable distinction in the field. He has
since, in the execution of the responsible
duties of department commander, ex-
hibited great ability, sound discretion and
sterling patriotism. He has not failed
under the most trying circumstances to en-
force the laws, to preserve peace and Or
der, to encourage the restoration of civil
authority, and to promote as far as pOssi-
BILE a spirit of reconciliation. His admin
istratiOn of the Department of the Cum
berland will certainly compare most favor
ably with that of General Sheridan in his
Military District, whose affairs appear to
be in disturbed condition, and a bitter
spirit of antagonism seems to have result
ed from Gen. Sheridan's management. He
has rendered himself exceedingly ObnOX-
ious by the manner in which he has exer-
cised even the power conferred by Con-
gress, and still more so by resort to au-
thOrity not granted by law, nor necessary
to the faithful and efficient execution of
his duty. His rule has, in fact, been one
of absolute tyranny, without reference to
the principles of our Government or the
nature of our free institutions. The state
Of affairs which has resulted from the
course he has pursued, has seriously in
terfered with a harmonious, satisfactory
and speedy execution of the acts of Con-
gress, and is alone sufficient to Justify a
change. His removal, therefore, cannot
be regarded as an effort to defeat the laws
of Congress, for the object is to facilitate
their execution through an officer who has
never failed to obey the law, and to exact
within his jurisdiction like obedience
from others.


It cannot be interpreted by the "unre-
constructed element of the SOuth-thOse
who did all they could to break up this
Government by arms, and now wish to be
the only element consulted as to the meth
cd of restoring order, as a triumph" for, as
intelligent men, they must know that the
mere change of military commanders can
not alter the law, and that Gen. Thomas
will be as much bound by its requirements
as Gen. Sheridan.


It cannot "embolden them to renewed
opposition to the will of the loyal masses,
believing that they have the Executive
with them" for they are perfectly familiar
with the antecedents of the President, and
know that he has not obstructed the faith
full execution Of any act of Congress.


No one, as you are aware, has higher
appreciation than myself of the services of
General Thomas, and no one would be less
inclined to assist him to command not
to his wishes. Knowing him as