where the balance of my days might be spent in peace and in the enjoyment of domestic quiet, relieved from the cares which have oppressed me so constantly now for fourteen years. But I was made to believe that the public good called me to make the sacrifice. Without seeking the office for the second term, the nomination was tendered to me by a unanimous vote of the delegates of all the States and Territories, selected by the Republicans of each to represent their whole number for the purpose of making their nomination. I cannot say that I was not pleased at this, and at the overwhelming indorsement which their action received at the election following. But it must be remembered that all the sacrifices except that of comfort had been made in accepting the first term. Then, too, such a fire of personal abuse and slander had been kept up for four years, notwithstanding the conscientious performance of my duties to the best of my understanding— though I admit, in the light of subsequent events, many times subject to fair criticism—that, an indorsement from the people, who alone govern republics, was a gratification that it is only human to have appreciated and enjoyed. Now, for the Third Term. I do not want it any more than I did the first. I would not write or utter a word to change the will of the people in expressing and having their choice. The question of the number of terms allowed to any one Executive can only come up fairly in the shape of a proposition to amend the Constitution, a shape in which all political parties can participate, fixing the length of time or the number of terms for which any one person shall be eligible for the office of President. Until such an amendment is adopted, the people cannot be restricted in their choice by resolution further than they are now restricted as to age, nativity, etc. It may happen in the future history of the country that to change an Executive because he has been eight years in office will prove unfortunate, if not disastrous. The idea that any man could elect himself President, or even renominate himself, is preposterous. It is a reflection upon the intelligence and patriotism of the people to suppose such a thing possible. Any man can destroy his chances for the office, but no one can force an election, or even a nomination. To recapitulate: I am not, nor have I ever been, a candidate for a renomination. I would not accepj: a nomination if it were tendered, unless it should come under such circumstances as to make' it an imperative duty—circumstances not likely to arise. I congratulate the Convention over which you presided for the harmony which prevailed, and for the excellent ticket put in the field and which I hope may be triumphantly elected. With great respect, Your obedient servant, U. S. Grant. To Gen. Harry White, President Pennsylvania Republican State Convention. [The resolution which called for this reply was adopted May 26th, and was as follows: "That we declare a firm, unqualified adherence to the unwritten law of the Republic, which wisely and under the sanction of the most venerable examples limits the Presidential service of any citizen to two terms j and we, the Republicans of Pennsyl vania, in recognition of this law, are unalterably opposed to the election to the Presidency of any person for a third term."] President Grant's Speech at Des Moines, "Comrades: It always affords me much gratification to meet my old comrades in arms of ten and fourteen years ago, and to live over again in memory the trials and hardships of those days— hardships imposed for the preservation and perpetuation of our free institutions. We believed then, and believe now, that we had a good Government, worth fighting for, and, if need be, dying for. How many of our comrades of those days paid the latter price for our preserved Union! Let their heroism and sacrifices be ever green in our memory. Let not the results of their sacrifices be destroyed. The Union and the free institutions, for which they fell, should be held more dear for their sacrifices. We will not deny to any of those who fought against us any privileges under the Government which we claim for ourselves; on the contrary, we welcome all such who come forward in good faith to help build up the waste places and to perpetuate our institutions against all enemies, as brothers in full interest with us in a common heritage; but we are not prepared to apologize for the part we took in the war. It is to be hoped that like trials will never again befall our country. In this sentiment no class of people can more heartily join than the soldier who submitted to the dangers, trials and hardships of the camp and the battle-field. On whichever side they may have fought, no class of people are more interested in guarding against a recurrence of those days. "Let us, then, begin by guarding against every enemy threatening the perpetuity of free Republican institutions. I do not bring into this assemblage politics, certainly not partisan politics; but it is a fair subject for soldiers in their deliberations to consider what may be necessary to secure the' prize for which they battled in a Republic like ours. Where the citizen is the sovereign and the official the servant, where no power is exercised except by the will of the people, it is important that the sovereign—the people— should possess intelligence. "The free school is the promoter of that intelligence which is to preserve us as a free nation. If we are to have another contest in the near future of our national existence, I predict that the dividing line will not be Mason's and Dixon's, but between patriotism and intelligence on the one side, and superstition, ambition and ignorance on the other. Now, in this Centennial year of our national existence, I believe it a good time to begin the work of strengthening the foundation of the house commenced by our patriotic forefathers, one hundred years ago, at Concord and Lexington. Let us all labor to add all needful guarantees for the more perfect security of free thought, free speech and free press, pure morals, unfettered religious sentiments, and of equal rights and privileges to all men, irrespective of nationality, color or religion. Encourage free schools, and resolve that not one dollar of money appropriated to their support, no matter how raised, shall be appropriated to the support of any sectarian school. Resolve that neither the State nor Nation, or both combined, shall support institutions of learning other than those sufficient to afford to every child, growing up in the land, the opportunity of a good common school education, unmixed with sectarian, pagan or atheistical tenets. Leave the matter of religion to the family altar, the Church and the private school, supported entirely by private contributions. Keep the Church and State forever separate. With these safeguards, I believe the battles which created the Army of the Tennessee will not have been fought in vain." President Grant's Letter Interpreting It. Executive Mansion, Washington, November 17, 1875. Professor L. F. Barker, Iowa City, Iowa: Dear Sir—Your letter of the 4th inst. was received about the time I was starting for New York city, one week ago yesteiday. I expected to answer immediately on my return, but permitted the matter to escape my mind until this time. What I said at Des Moines was hastily noted down in pencil, and may have expressed my views imperfectly. I have not the manuscript before me, as I gave it to the Secretary of the society. My idea of wThat I said is this: "Resolve that the State or Nation, or both combined, shall furnish to every child growing up in the land, the means of acquiring a good common school education." Such is my idea, and such I intended to have said. I feel no hostility to free education going as high as the State or National Government feels able to provide—protecting, however, every child in the privilege of a common school education before public means are appropriated to a higher education for the few. Yours truly, U. S. Grant. President Grant's Letter on Privileged Communications, July 12, 1870. Executive Mansion, Washington, July 12, 1876. Hon. B. H. Bristow: Dear Sir—Through the press I learn that the committee of Congress investigating whiskey frauds have summoned you as a witness, and that you—with great propriety, as I think—have declined to testify, claiming that what occurs in Cabinet, or between a member of the Cabinet and the Executive officially, is privileged, and that a committee of Congress have no right to demand answer. I appreciate the position you have assumed on this question, but beg to relieve you from all obligation of secrecy on this subject, and desire not only that you may answer all questions asked relating to it, but wish that all members of my Cabinet, and ex-members of my Cabinet since I have been President, may also be called upon to testify in regard to the same matter. With great respect, your obedient servant, ■XVI. IMPEACHMENT OF WILLIAM W. BELKNAP, LATE SECRETARY OF WAR. In House. 1876, March 2—Mr. Clymer, by unanimous consent, from the Committee on Expenditures in the War Department, submitted a report in writing, relative to evidence of the malfeasance in office by William W. Belknap, late Secretary of War, accompanied by the following resolutions, viz: Resolved\ That William W. Belknap, late Secretary of War, be impeached of high crimes, and misdemeanors while in office. Resolved, That the testimony in the case of William W. Belknap, late Secretary of War, be referred 10 the Committee on the Judiciary, with instructions to prepare and report without unnecessary delay suitable articles of impeachment of said William W. Belknap, late Secretary of War. Resolved, That a committee of five members of this House be appointed and instructed to proceed immediately to the bar of the Senate, and there impeach William W. Belknap, late Secretary of War, in the name of the House of Representatives and of all the people of the United States of America, of high crimes and misdemeanors while in office, and to inform that body that formal articles of impeachment will in due time be presented, and to request the Senate to take such order in the premises as they deem appropriate. Which were agreed to. The Speaker announced that he had appointed as the committee under the second resolution: Mr. Clymer, Mr. William M. Robbins, Mr. Blackburn, Mr. Bass,and Mr. Danford. In Senate. 1876, March 3—Mr. Clymer, Mr. W. M. Robbins, Mr. Blackburn, Mr. Bass, and Mr. Danford appeared at the bar of the Senate and delivered the following message: Mr. President: In obedience to the order of the House of Representatives we appear before you, and, in the name of the House of Representatives and of all the people of the United States of America, we do impeach William W. Belknap, late Secretary of War of the United States, of high crimes and misdemeanors in office; and we further inform the Senate that the House of Representatives will in due time exhibit articles of impeachment against him and make good the same; and, in their name, we demand that the Senate shall take order for the appearance of said William W. Belknap to answer said impeachment. The President pro tempore replied that the Senate would take order in the premises; and the committee withdrew. On motion by Mr. Edmunds, Ordered, That the message of the House of Representatives relating to the impeachment of William W. Belknap be referred to a select committee to consist of five Senators, to be appointed by the President pro tempore; and The President pro tempore appointed Mr. EdMunds, Mr. Conkling, Mr. Frelinghuysen, Mr. Thurman, and Mr. Stevenson. March 6—Mr. Edmunds, from the select committee to whom was referred the message of the House of Representatives in relation to the impeachment of William W. Belknap, reported the following resolution; which was considered, by unanimous consent, and agreed to: Whereas the House of Representatives on the 3d day of March, 1876, by five of its members, Messrs. Clymer, Robbins, Blackburn, Bass, and Danford, at the bar of the Senate, impeached William W. Belknap, late Secretary of War, of high crimes and misdemeanors, and informed the Senate that the House of Representatives will in due time exhibit particular articles of impeachment against him and make good the same; and likewise demanded that the Senate take order for the appearance of the said William W. Belknap to answrer the said impeachment: Therefore, Ordered, That the Senate will, according to its standing rules and orders in such cases provided, take proper order thereon, (upon the presentation of articles of impeachment,) of which due notice shall be given to the House of Representatives. April 3—The Senate, having been informed that the House had appointed Managers to conduct the impeachment and had directed them to carry to the Senate the Articles agreed upon by the House, Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives that the Senate is ready to receive the Managers for the purpose of exhibiting articles of impeachment agreeably to such notice. April 4—The Managers, Messrs. Scott Lord, J. Proctor Knott, William P. Lynde, John A. Mcmahon, George A. Jenks, Elbridge G. Lapham, and George F. Hoar—were received, and Mr. Lord, their chairman, read the following articles of impeachment: Articles exhibited by the House of Representatives of the United States of America, in the names of themselves and of all the people of the United States of America, against William W. Belknap, late Secretary of War, in maintenance and support of their impeachment against him for high crimes and misdemeanors while in said office. Article I. That William W. Belknap, while he was in office as Secretary of War of the United States of America, to wit, on the eighth day of October, eighteen hundred and seventy, had the power and authority, under the laws of the United States, as Secretary of War as aforesaid, to appoint a person to maintain a trading-establishment at Fort Sill, a military post of the United States; that said Belknap, as Secretary of War as aforesaid, on the day and year aforesaid, promised to appoint one Cal eb P. Marsh to maintain said trading-establishment at said military post; that thereafter, to wit, on the day and year aforesaid, the said Caleb P. Marsh and one John S. Evans entered into an agreement in writing substantially as follows, to wit: Articles of agreement made and entered into this eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and seventy, by and between John S. Evans, of Fort Sill, Indian Territory, United States of America, of the first part, and Caleb P. Marsh, of No. 51 West Thirty-fifth street, of the city, county, and State of New York, of the second part, witnesseth, namely: Whereas the said Caleb P. Marsh has received from General William W. Belknap, Secretary of War of the United States, the appointment of post-trader at Fort Sill aforesaid; and whereas the name of said John S. Evans is to be filled into the commission of appointment of said post-trader at Fort Sill aforesaid, by permission and at the instance and request of said Caleb P. Marsh, and for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this agreement; and whereas said John S. Evans is to hold said position of post-trader as aforesaid solely as the appointee of said Caleb P. Marsh, and for the purpose hereinafter stated: Now, therefore, said John S. Evans, in consideration of said appointment and the sum of one dollar to him in hand paid by said Caleb P. Marsh, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, hereby covenants and agrees to pay to said Caleb P. Marsh the sum of twelve thousand dollars annually, payable quarterly in advance, in the city of New York aforesaid; said sum to be so payable during the first year of this agreement absolutely and under all circumstances, anything hereinafter contained to the contrary notwithstanding; and thereafter said sum shall be so payable, unless increased or reduced in amount, in accordance with the subsequent provisions of this agreement. In consideration of the premises, it is mutually agreed between the parties aforesaid as follows, namely: First. This agreement is made on the basis of seven cavalry companies of the United States Army, which are now stationed at Fort Sill aforesaid. Second. If at the end of the first year of this agreement the forces of the United States Army stationed at Fort Sill aforesaid shall be increased or diminished not to exceed one hundred (100) men, then this agreement shall remain in full force and unchanged for the next year. If, however, the said forces shall be increased or diminished beyond the number of one hundred (100) men, then the amount to be paid under this agreement by said John S. Evans to said Caleb P. Marsh shall be increased or reduced in accordance therewith and in proper proportion thereto. The above rule laid down for the continuation of this agreement at the close of the first year thereof shall be applied at the close of each succeeding year, so long as this agreement shall remain in force and effect. Third. This agreement shall remain in force and effect so long as said Caleb P. Marsh shall hold or control, directly or indirectly, the appointment and position of post-trader at Fort Sill aforesaid. Fourth. This agreement shall take effect from the date and day the Secretary of War aforesaid shall sign the commission of post-trader at Fort Sill aforesaid, said commission to be issued to said John S. Evans at the instance and request of said Caleb P. Marsh, and solely for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this agreement. Fifth. Exception is hereby made in regard to the first quarterly payment under this agreement, it being agreed and understood that the same may be paid at any time within the next thirty days after the said Secretary of War shall sign the aforesaid commission of post-trader at Fort Sill. Sixth. Said Caleb P. Marsh is at all times, at the request of said John S. Evans, to use any proper influence he may have with said Secretary of War for the protection of said John S. Evans while in the discharge of his legitimate duties in the conduct of the business as posttrader at Fort Sill aforesaid. Seventh. Said John S. Evans is to conduct the said business of post-trader at Fort Sill aforesaid solely on his own responsibility and in his own name; it being expressly agreed and understood that said Caleb P. Marsh shall assume no liability in the premises whatever. Eighth. And it is expressly understood and agreed that the stipulations and covenants aforesaid are to apply to and bind the heirs, executors, and administrators of the respective parties. In witness whereof, the parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written. John S. Evans. [Seal.] C. P. Marsh. [Seal.] Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of E. T. Bartlett. That thereafter, to wit, on the tenth day of October, eighteen hundred and seventy, said Belknap, as Secretary of War aforesaid, did, at the instance and request of said Marsh, at the city oi Washington, in the District of Columbia, appoint said John S. Evans to maintain said trading-establishment at Fort Sill, the military post aforesaid; and in consideration of said appointment of said Evans so made by him as Secretary of War as aforesaid, the said Belknap did, on or about the second day of November, eighteen hundred and seventy, unlawfully and corruptly receive from said Caleb P. Marsh the sum of one thousand five hundred dollars; and that at divers times thereafter, to wit, on or about the seventeenth day of January, eighteen hundred and seventy-one, and at or about the end of each three months during the term of one whole year, the said William W. Belknap, while still in office as Secretary of War as aforesaid, did unlawfully receive from said Caleb P. Marsh like sums of one thousand five hundred dollars, in consideration of the appointment of the said John S. Evans by him, the said Belknap, as Secretary of War as aforesaid, and in consideration of his permitting said Evans to continue to maintain the said trading-establishment at said military post during that time. Whereby the said William W. Belknap, who was then Secretary of War as aforesaid, was guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors in office. Article II. That said William W. Belknap, while he was in office as Secretary of War of the United States of America, did, at the city of Washington, i# the District of Columbia, on the fourth day of November, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, willfully, corruptly, and unlawfully take and receive from one Caleb P. Marsh the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, in consideration that he would continue to permit one John S. Evans to maintain a trading-establishment at Fort Sill, a military post of the United States, which said establishment said Belknap, as Secretary of War as aforesaid, was authorized by law to permit to be maintained at said military post, and which the said Evans had been before that time appointed by said Belknap to maintain; and that said Belknap, as Secretary of War as aforesaid, for said consideration, did corruptly permit the said Evans to continue to maintain the said trading-establishment at said military post. And so the said Belknap was thereby guilty, while he was Secretary of War, of a high misdemeanor in his said office. Article III. That said William W. Belknap was Secretary of War of the United States of America before and during the month of October, eighteen hundred and seventy, and continued in office as such Secretary of War until the second day of March, eighteen hundred and seventy-six; that as Secretary of War as aforesaid said Belknap had authority, under the laws of the United States, to appoint a person to maintain a trading-establishment at Fort Sill, a military post of the United States, not in the vicinity of any city or town; that on the tenth day of October, eighteen hundred and seventy, said Belknap, as Secretary of War as aforesaid, did, at the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia, appoint one John S. Evans to maintain said trading-establishment at said military post, and that said John S. Evans, by virtue of said appointment, has since, till the second day of March, eighteen hundred and seventy-six, maintained a trading-establishment at said military post; and said Evans, on the eighth day of October, eighteen hundred and seventy, before he was so appointed to maintain said trading-establishment as aforesaid, and in order to procure said appointment and to be continued therein, agreed with one Caleb P. Marsh that, in consideration that said Belknap would appoint him, the said Evans, to maintain said trading-establishment at said military post, at the instance and request of said Marsh, he, the said Evans, would pay to him a large sum of money, quarterly, in advance, from the date of his said appointment by said Belknap, to wit, twelve thousand dollars during the year immediately following the tenth day of October, eighteen hundred and seventy, and other large sums of money, quarterly, during each year that he, the said Evans, should be permitted by said Belknap to maintain said trading-establishment at said post; that said Evans did pay to said Marsh said sum of money quarterly during each year after his said appointment, until the month of December, eighteen hundred and seventy-five, when the last of said payments was made; that said Marsh, upon the receipt of each of said payments, paid one-half thereof to him, the said Belknap. Yet the said Belknap, well knowing these facts, and having the power to remove said Evans from said position at any time, and to appoint some other person to maintain said tradingestablishment, but criminally disregarding his duty as Secretary of War, and basely prostituting his high office to his lust for private gain, did unlawfully and corruptly continue said Evans in said position, and permit him to maintain said establishment at said military post during all of said time, to the great injury and damage of the officers and soldiers of the Army of the United States stationed at said post, as well as of emigrants, freighters and other citizens of the United States, against public policy and to the great disgrace and detriment of the public service. Whereby the said William W. Belknap was, as Secretary of War as aforesaid, guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors in office. Article IV. That said William W. Belknap, while he was in office and acting as Secretary of War of the United States of America, did, on the tenth day of October, eighteen hundred and seventy, in the exercise of the power and authority vested in him as Secretary of War as aforesaid by law, appoint one John S. Evans to maintain a tradingestablishment at Fort Sill, a military post of the United States; and he, the said Belknap, did receive from one Caleb P. Marsh large sums of money for and in consideration of his having so appointed said John S. Evans to maintain said trading-establishment at said military post, and for continuing him therein, whereby he has been guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors in his said office. Specification I. On or about the second day of November, eighteen hundred and seventy, said William W. Belknap, while Secretary of War as aforesaid, did receive from Caleb P. Marsh fifteen hundred dollars, in consideration of his having appointed said John S. Evans to maintain a trading-establishment at Fort Sill aforesaid, and for continuing him therein.' Specification II. On or about the seventeenth day of January, eighteen hundred and seventy-one, the said William W. Belknap,' while Secretary of War as aforesaid, did receive from said Caleb P. Marsh fifteen hundred dollars, in consideration of his having appointed said John S. Evans to maintain a trading-establishment at Fort Sill aforesaid, and for continuing him therein. Specification III, On or about the eighteenth day of April, eighteen hundred and seventy-one, the said William W. Belknap, while Secretary of "^Var as aforesaid, did receive from said Caleb P. Marsh fifteen hundred dollars, in consideration of his having appointed said John S. Evans to maintain a trading-establishment at Fort Sill aforesaid, and continuing him therein. Specification IV. On or about the twenty-fifth day of July, eighteen hundred and seventy-one, the said William W. Belknap, while Secretary of War as aforesaid, did receive from said Caleb P. Marsh fifteen hundred dollars, in consideration of his having appointed said John S. Evans to maintain a trading-establishment at Fort Sill aforesaid, and continuing him therein. Specification V. On or about the tenth day of November, eighteen hundred and seventy-one, the said William W. Belknap, while Secretary of War as aforesaid, did receive from said Caleb P. Marsh fifteen hundred dollars, in consideration of his having appointed said John S. Evans to maintain a trading-establishment at Fort Sill aforesaid, and continuing him therein. Specification VI. On or about the fifteenth day of January, eighteen hundred and seventy-two, the said William W. Belknap, while Secretary of War as aforesaid, did receive from said Caleb P. Marsh fifteen hundred dollars, in consideration of his having appointed said John S. Evans to maintain a trading-establishment at Fort Sill aforesaid, and continuing him therein. Specification VII. On or about the thirteenth day of June, eighteen hundred and seventy-two, the said William W. Belknap, while Secretary of War as aforesaid, did receive from said Caleb P. Marsh fifteen hundred dollars, in consideration of his having appointed said John S. Evans to maintain a trading-establishment at Fort Sill aforesaid, and continuing him therein. Specification VIII. On or about the twenty-second day of November, eighteen hundred and seventy-two, the said William W. Belknap, while Secretary of War as aforesaid, did receive from said Caleb P. Marsh fifteen hundred dollars, in consideration of his having appointed said John S. Evans to maintain a trading-establishment at Fort Sill aforesaid, and continuing him therein. Specification IX. On or about the twenty-eighth day of April, eighteen hundred and seventy-three, the said William W. Belknap, while Secretary of War as aforesaid, did receive from said Caleb P. Marsh one thousand dollars, in consideration of his having appointed said John S. Evans to maintain a trading-establishment at Fort Sill aforesaid, and continuing him therein. Specification X. On or about the sixteenth day of June, eighteen hundred and seventy-three, the said William W. Belknap, while Secretary of War as aforesaid, did receive from said Caleb P. Marsh seventeen hundred dollars, in consideration of his |