4-22 Vote in House, November 25, 1867-The Final Effort at Impeachment, and Vote of House thereon-Articles of Impeachment, and Votes thereon-Vote on the Legality of the Court- The Answer of President Johnson-The Repli- cation of the House-Progress of the Trial- XXV. Correspondence between General Grant and President Johnson, growing out of Secretary Stanton's Suspension................................... 22-33 XXVI. Letters, Papers, Testimony, Politico- General Grant's Orders respecting Slaves, is- sued in the Field-Letters on Slavery and Reconstruction; on being, a Candidate for Po-. litical Office; on Results of "Peace on any Terms;" on Filling the Armies; on Protecting Colored Soldiers-His Testimony on the Ex- change of Prisoners-Documents on the Pro- posed Mission to Mexico-On the Baltimore Troubles of 1866-On Martial Law in Texas- Testimony on Reconstruction-Letters on' the Removal of General Sheridan and Sec- retary Stanton-His Orders and Telegrams to Miliitary Commanders in the Unrecon- structed States-Report as Secretary of War XXVII. Digest of Orders of Military Com- Enjoining Obedience to the Constitution and the Laws-Extending full Pardon to certain Persons who were engaged in the late Rebel- lion-Proclaiming a General Amnesty-Order respecting the Transaction of Public Business -Correcting an Error in previous Proclama- tion-Orders respecting Reconstruction. -89-92 To continue the Bureau for the relief of Freed- men and Refugees, and Total Expenditures XXXIII. Political Miscellany... 1 Votes of State Legislatures on XIVth Amend- ment-Votes by the People on proposed Con- stitutional Amendments in Michigan, Ohio, Kansas, and Minnesota-President Johnson's Telegram to ex-Governor Parsons on Ala- bama's Ratification of XIVth Amendment- Financial Legislation authorizing the 6's of 1881, the 5-20's, the 10-40's, the Consolidated XXXV. National Platforms of 1868.........104-112 Republican and Democratic Platforms of 1868, with the Letters of Acceptance of Candidates, and sundry Proceedings of the Conventions. XXXVI. Statistical Tables-Elections, Rev- Election Returns since 1860, and Electoral Col- lege-Taxation (State and United States) of Na- tional Banks-Internal Revenue Receipts of 1867 and 1868-Registration, Disfranchisement, and Elections in the Rebel States-Revenue Receipts since 1860, and Annual Expenditures from 1860 to January, 1869-Expenditures and Appropriations for fiscal years ending June 30, 1858, June 30, 1866, 1867, and till January 1, 1868, together with Appropriations for the year 1869, XXVIII. Abstracts of new Constitutions....66-75 | Addenda........ ...118-122 Additional Bill respecting Freedmen's Bu- reau-The Electoral College Bill, and Presi dent Johnson's veto, with the votes on re-pas- sage-President Johnson's Proclamation on the Ratification of the XIVth Amendment by Florida and North Carolina-General Blair's Letter to Col. Brodhead-Speeches of Mr. Sey- mour and General Blair on accepting their Nominations-Secretary Seward's certificate respecting the ratification of XIVth Amend iv PART III. POLITICAL MANUAL FOR 1868. XXIII. ORDERS, LETTERS, MESSAGE AND VOTES IN THE SENATE Request for Mr. Stanton's Resignation and 2.-SECRETARY STANTON TO PRESIDENT JOHNSON. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, August 5, 1867. SIR: Your note of this day has been received, stating that public considerations of a high character constrain you to say that my resignation as Secretary of War will be accepted. In reply, I have the honor to say that public considerations of a high character, which alone have induced me to continue at the head of this Department, constrain me not to resign the office of Secretary of War before the next meeting of Congress. Very respectfully, yours, To the PRESIDENT. EDWIN M. STANTON. Secretary Stanton's Suspension. 3.-PRESIDENT JOHNSON TO SECRETARY STANTON. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, August 12, 1867 SIR: By virtue of the power and authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States, you are hereby suspended from office as Secretary of War, and will cease to exercise any and all functions pertaining to the same. You will at once transfer to General Ulysses S. Grant, who has this day been authorized and empowered to act as Secretary of War ad interim, all records, books, papers, and other public property now in your custody and charge. Very respectfully, yours, To Hon. EDWIN M STANTON, A ANDREW JOHNSON. Secretary of War. -PRESIDENT JOHNSON TO GENERAL GRANT. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, August 12, 1867. SIR: The honorable Edwin M. Stanton having been this day suspended as Secretary of War, you are hereby authorized and empowered to act as Secretary of War ad interim, and will at once enter upon the discharge of the duties of that office. The Secretary of War has been instructed to transfer to you all records, books, papers, and other public property now in his custody and charge. Very respectfully, yours, ANDREW JOHNSON. To General ULYSSES S. GRANT, Washington, D. C. 5.-GENERAL GRANT TO SECRETARY STANTON. HEADQ'RS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, WASHINGTON, D. C., August 12, 1867. SIR: Enclosed herewith I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter just received from the President of the United States, notifying me of my assignment as Acting Secretary of War, and directing me to assume those duties at once. In notifying you of my acceptance, I cannot let the opportunity pass without expressing to you my appreciation of the zeal, patriotism, firmness, and ability with which you have ever discharged the duties of Secretary of War. With great respect, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, General. To Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. 6.-SECRETARY STANTON TO PRESIDENT JOHNSON. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, August 12, 1867. SIR: Your note of this date has been received, informing me that, by virtue of the power and authority vested in you as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States, I am suspended from office as Secretary of War, and will cease to exercise any and all functions pertaining to the same, and also directing me at once to transfer to General U. S. Grant, who has this day been authorized and empowered to act as Secretary of War ad interim, all records 261 books, papers, and other public property now in my custody and charge. Under a sense of public duty I am compelled to deny your right, under the Constitution and laws of the United States, without the advice and consent of the Senate, and without legal cause, to suspend me from office as Secretary of War, or the exercise of any or all functions pertaining to the same, or without such advice and consent to compel me to transfer to any person the records, books, papers, and public property in my custody as Secretary. But inasmuch as the General commanding the armies of the United States has been appointed ad interim, and has notified me that he has accepted the appointment, I have no alternative but to submit, under protest, to superior force. Very respectfully, yours, To the PRESIDENT. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. 7.-SECRETARY STANTON TO GENERAL GRANT. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, August 12, 1867. GENERAL: Your note of this date, accompanied by a copy of a letter addressed to you, August 12, by the President, appointing you Secretary of War ad interim, and informing me of your acceptance of the appointment, has been received. Under a sense of public duty I am compelled to deny the President's right, under the Constitution and laws of the United States, to suspend me from office as Secretary of War, or to authorize any other person to enter upon the discharge of the duties of that office, or to require me to transfer to you or any other person the records, books, papers, and other property in my official custody and charge as Secretary of War. But, inasmuch as the President has assumed to suspend me from office as Secretary of War, and you have notified me of your acceptance of the appointment of Secretary of War ad interim, I have no alternative but to submit, under protest, to the superior force of the President. You will please accept my acknowledgment of the kind terms in which you have notified me of your acceptance of the President's appointment, and my cordial reciprocation of the sentiments expressed. I am, with sincere regard, truly yours, EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. General ULYSSES S. GRANT. Action of General Grant. HEADQUARTERS ARMIES UNITED STATES, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 14, 1868. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of official notice received by me last evening of the action of the Senate of the United States in the case of the suspension of Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War. According to the provisions of section two of "An act regulating the tenure of certain civil offices," my functions as Secretary of War ad interim ceased from the moment of the receipt of the within notice. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, General.. His Excellency A. JOHNSON, President of the United States. Subsequent Action of President Johnson. 1868, February 21-President Johnson sent this message to the Senate: To the Senate of the United States: On the 12th day of August, 1867, by virtue dent by the Constitution and laws of the United of the power and authority vested in the PresiStates, I suspended Edwin M. Stanton from the office of Secretary of War. In further exercise of the power and authority so vested in the President, I have this day removed Mr. Stanton General of the Army as Secretary of War ad from the office, and designated the Adjutant interim. Copies of the communications upon this subject, addressed to Mr. Stanton and the Adjutant General, are herewith transmitted for the information of the Senate. ANDREW JOHNSON. [For copies of these orders, see the first and second Articles of Impeachment.] Further Proceedings in the Senate. February 21-Mr. Edmunds submitted the following resolution for consideration : the communication of the President stating that Resolved, That, having received and considered he had removed from office Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, the Senate disapprove the action of the President. The Senate, by unanimous consent, proceeded to consider the said resolution. Resolved, That having considered the evidence and reasons given by the President in his report of the 12th December, 1867, for the suspension from the office of Secretary of War of Edwin M. Stanton, the Senate do not concur in such sus- Mr. Dixon moved to amend the resolution, by pension. striking out all after the word "Resolved," and Which was determined in the affirmative inserting as follows: That the President be reyeas 35, nays 6, as follow: quested to inform the Senate by what authority he has removed Edwin M. Stanton from the office of Secretary of War. Mr. Drake moved to amend the amendment of Mr. Dixon, by inserting a preamble, as follows: The Senate having received and considered the communication of the President of the United States, stating that he had removed Edwin M. Stanton from the office of Secretary of War, it is. Which was disagreed to. The amendment of Mr. Dixon was disagreed to-yeas 4, nays 33, as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Buckalew, Dixon, Doolittle, Hendricks-4. NAYS-Messrs. Anthony, Cameron, Cattell, Chandler, Conkling, Conness, Corbett, Cragin, Drake, Edmunds, Ferry, Fessenden, Frelinghuysen, Harlan, Henderson, Howard, Howe, Morrill of Maine, Morrill of Vermont, Patterson of New Hampshire, Pomeroy, Ramsey, Sprague, Stewart, Sumner, Thayer, Tipton, Trumbull, Van Winkle, Willey, Williams, Wilson, Yates-33. NOT VOTING-Messrs. Bayard, Cole, Davis, Fowler, ling, Cragin, Drake, Ferry, Harlan, Morrill of Maine, Mor YEAS-Messrs. Anthony, Cameron, Cattell, Cole, Conk rill of Vermont, Morton, Patterson of New Hampshire NAYS-Messrs. Buckalew, Davis, Doolittle, Edmunds, NOT VOTING-Messrs. Bayard, Chandler, Conness, Cor bett, Dixon, Fessenden. Fowler, Frelinghuysen, Grimes, Henderson, Howard, Howe, Johnson, McCreery, Morgan, The resolution, as amended, was then agreed to without a division. Acceptance of General Lorenzo Thomas. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Grimes, Johnson, McCreery, Morgan, Morton, Norton, Nye, His Excellency ANDREW JOHNSON, President of Patterson of Tennessee, Ross, Saulsbury, Sherman, Vickers, Mr. Chandler moved to amend the resolution of Mr. Edmunds, by adding thereto the words: as a violation of the rights of the Senate, and unauthorized by law. Which was disagreed to. the United States. delivered the communication addrossed by you SIR: I have the honor to report that I have to the honorable Edwin M. Stanton, removing him from the office of Secretary of the War Department, and also to acknowledge the receipt powering me to act as Secretary of War ad inof your letter of this date authorizing and emterim. I accept this appointment with gratitude for the confidence reposed in me, and will ento discharge the duties to the best of my I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, L. THOMAS, Adjutant General. Mr. Wilson moved to amend the resolution, by inserting a preamble, as follows: Whereas the Senate have received and considered the communication of the President of the United States, stat-deavor ing that he had removed Edwin M. Stanton, ability. Secretary of War, and had designated the Adjutant General of the Army to act as Secretary of War ad interim; and by striking out all after the word "Resolved," and inserting, as follows: by the Senate of the United States that, under the Constitution and laws of the United States, the President has no power to remove the Secretary of War and designate any other officer to perform the duties of that office ad interim. Mr. Yates moved to amend the amendment of Mr. Wilson, by striking out all after the word "Resolved," and inserting, as follows: That the removal of Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, and the appointment of a Secretary of War ad interim, during the session of the Senate, is simple resistance to law and revolutionary in character, and that the Senate disapproves of the same, and advises the said Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, not to surrender the office to any person whomsoever. Which was disagreed to. Mr. Corbett moved to amend the amendment of Mr. Wilson, by striking out all after the word "Whereas" in the preamble, and inserting the words: The President has informed the Senate that he has removed the Secretary of War, Hon. E. M. Stanton, and appointed Adjutant General Thomas to act as Secretary of War ad interim, therefore be it; and by striking out all after the word "Resolved," and inserting in lieu thereof the words: That we do not concur in the action of the President in removing the Secretary of War and appointing the Adjutant General to act as Secretary of War ad interim; that we deny the right of the President so to act, under the existing laws, without the consent of the Senate. Which was disagreed to. The amendment of Mr. Wilson to the resolution of Mr. Edmunds was then agreed to-yeas 23, nays 6, as follow: Secretary Stanton "Relinquished Charge" of the War Department. the War Office till after the vote in the Senate, Secretary Stanton remained in possession of sitting as a court of impeachment, on the 26th of May, on which day he addressed this communication to President Johnson: WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, May 26, 1868. United States, of the 21st of February last, de- rection. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, May 26, 1868. GENERAL: You will take charge of the War Department, and the books and papers, archives and public property, belonging to the same, sub ject to the disposal and direction of the Presi- Assistant Adjutant General. of the illegal and unconstitutional acts of the President of the United States. Which was rejected-yeas 19, nays 21, as follow : YEAS-Messrs. Cameron, Cattell, Cole, Conkling, Conness, Cragin, Drake, Morrill of Vermont, Patterson of New Hampshire, Pomeroy, Ramsey, Stewart, Sumner, Thayer, Tipton, Action of the Senate upon the Nomination of Wade, Williams, Wilson, Yates-19. 1868, May 29-Mr. Edmunds offered the following preamble and resolution : Whereas, on the 23d of April, 1868, the President nominated John M. Schofield to be Secretary of War, in place of Edwin M. Stanton, removed; and whereas, in the opinion of the Senate, the said Stanton has not been legally removed from his office, but inasmuch as the said Stanton has relinquished his place as Secretary of War, for causes stated in his note to the President: Therefore Resolved, That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of John M. Schofield to be Secretary of War. Mr. Willey moved to amend Mr. Edmunds's' resolution, by striking out all after "Resolved," and inserting That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of John M. Schofield to be Secretary for the Department of War, in the place of Edwin M. Stanton, hereby removed. NAYS-Messrs. Anthony, Buckalew, Corbett, Doolittle, Edmunds, Fowler, Frelinghuysen, Henderson, Hendricks, Johnson, McCreery, Morgan, Morton, Norton, Patterson of Tennessee, Ross, Sprague, Trumbull, Van Winkle, Vickers, Willey-21. NOT VOTING-Messrs. Bayard, Chandler, Davis, Dixon, Ferry, Fessenden, Grimes, Harlan, Howard, Howe, Morrill of Maine, Nye, Saulsbury, Sherman-14. The amendment of Mr. Frelinghuysen was then rejected—yeas 15, nays 22, as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Buckalew, Corbett, Doolittle, Fowler, Frelinghuysen, Hendricks, Johnson, McCreery, Norton, Patter son of Tennessee, Ross, Sprague, Tipton, Van Winkle, Vickers-15. NAYS-Anthony, Cameron, Cattell, Cole, Conkling, Conness, Cragin, Drake, Edmunds, Morgan, Morton, Patterson of New Hampshire, Pomeroy, Ramsey, Stewart, Sumner, Thayer, Wade, Willey, Williams, Wilson, Yates-22. NOT VOTING-Messrs. Bayard, Chandler, Davis, Dixon, Ferry, Fessenden, Grimes, Harlan, Henderson, Howard, Howe, Morrill of Maine, Morrill of Vermont, Nye, Saulsbury, Sherman, Trumbull-17. The resolution offered by Mr. Edmunds was then agreed to—yeas 35, nays 2, as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Anthony, Buckalew, Cameron, Cattell, Cole, Conness, Corbett, Doolittle, Drake, Edmunds, Fowler, FreEd-linghuysen, Harlan, Henderson, Hendricks, Johnson, Morgan, Morrill of Vermont, Morton, Patterson of New Hampshire, Patterson of Tennessee, Pomeroy, Ramsey, Ross, Sprague, Stewart, Thayer, Tipton, Trumbull, Van Winkle, Vickers, Willey, Williams, Wilson, Yates-35. Which was debated and withdrawn by him. Mr. Frelinghuysen moved to amend Mr. munds's resolution, by striking out all after Resolved," and inserting That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of John M. Schofield to be Secretary for the Department of War, in the place of Edwin M. Stanton, who has relinquished that office. NAYS-Messrs. McCreery, Norton-2. NOT VOTING-Messrs. Bayard, Chandler, Conkling, Cragin, Davis, Dixon, Ferry, Fessenden, Grimes, Howard, Howe, Morrill of Maine, Nye, Saulsbury, Sherman, Sumner, Wade The preamble was then agreed to-yeas 28, nays 13, as follow: Mr. Henderson moved to amend the amend.-17. ment of Mr. Frelinghuysen, by striking out the words" in the place of Edwin M. Stanton, who has relinquished that office." Which was rejected. Mr. Stewart moved to amend Mr. Frelinghuysen's amendment, by striking out all after 'Resolved," and inserting That the Senate advise and consent to the appointment of John M. Schofield as Secretary of War, in place of Edwin M. Stanton, who has been forced to retire from the discharge of the duties of said office by reason YEAS-Messrs. Anthony, Cameron, Cattell, Cole, Conkling, Conness, Corbett, Cragin, Drake, Edmunds, Frelinghuysen, Harlan, Morgan, Morrill of Vermont, Morton, Patterson of New Hampshire, Pomeroy, Ramsey, Sprague, Stewart, Sumner, Thayer, Tipton, Wade, Willey, Williams, Wilson, Yates 28. NAYS-Buckalew, Doolittle, Fowler, Henderson, Hendricks, Ferry, Fessenden, Grimes, Howard, Howe, Morrill of Maine, XXIV. THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AND REPLY, Proposed Impeachment of President Johnson.* 1867, November 25-Mr. Boutwell, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted a report, representing the views of the majority, (Messrs. Boutwell, Thomas, Williams, Lawrence, and Churchill,) and closing with this resolution: * Continued from page 64 of the Manual of 1867, or page 190 of the combined Manuals. [No report was made at the July session.] Resolved, That Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors. Mr. Wilson, for himself and Mr. Woodbridge, and Mr. Marshall, for himself and Mr. Eldridge, submitted minority reports. December 7-The resolution above recited was disagreed to-yeas 57, nays 108, as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Arnell, J. M. Ashley, Boutwell, Bromwell, Broomall, Benjamin F. Butler, Churchill, Reader |