Evening Star Newspaper, February 5, 1868, Page 1

EVEN isK ING STAR. (LY SUNDAY EXCEPTED STAR PU DING W. Corner Pa. avenne and 1ith BY NOYES. BAKER & €O } - . i} Oaths, Ome | me Ft 7 Deitars; | r. fi « No pepers are sent from The WEEKLY STAK—poblisted on Friday SR mens nema Oe ETD : | THE EVENING STAR. | cton News and Gossip, | 1 s XD READING by Mr. Di off maxi ne to every: . ie ond of Zeotty and her ayer, Steerforth, ¥ eof the shipwreek at Yar- wi ly, 1s one to be re- me mt by thoee present ar « Moll last nicht. And this vivid eife b vickens by those simple hand of yn of face. no ex of the kind ap- | great or needed by him for were indivi Pickwick ¥." were just ut the Dickens t girl,at suid the trinmph of the vening, im the au upon ae Was a thowsand timer better than the text, aud if Mr. Diekens could but present iton paper With anything like the same effect, it would serve to bring the “Pickwick Papers” into fr-sh and wonderful popul: . “Mr. Micaw- ber” was not quite up to the mark; the voice of Mr. Dickens not being apparently quite equal to presenting the unetuous rolling volume of utterances of that impecuneons and immortay character. PouiticaL.—At the Blair county (Pal) Demo- cratic Convention a resolution was passed in- structing their delegates to the State Conven- tion to yote for the nomination of General Hancock for the Preside: —— The New Orleans Crescent, a Democratic paper estimates that only about two thousand ‘Will be disfranchised in Louisiana by the pro- Vision of the Constitution adopted by the State Convention. —— Governor Swann and his friends dis.vow fny intention to withhold the “great seal of the Hamilton as United States Senator. —— The New York Republican State Con- to-day at Syracuse, to appoint sto represent the party of the State in the National Convention, to be held at Chicago in May. It is believed the Convention will ap- point delegates, who will be unanimous in support of Gen. Grant for President, and Gov. Fenton for Vice President. Governer Seymour announces for the third time, in a published letter, that his name is not to be brought before the Democratic Na- tional Convention. He asserts positively that he is not a candidate for the Presidency. — General Burnsid Gate for re-election to the Governorship of Khode Island. Packer, the Eastern Pennsytvania cratic nomination for the Presidency. ——The Tazewell (Ohio) Republican nomi- nates Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, tor | Vier President. —— The Virginia Convention has adopted an article providing that the Governor of the State must hereafter be a citizen of the United States twenty years, of the State four years, and thirty years of age. He is to serve four years, and not te be eligible for a second term. ty-nine papers of Ohio have de- ‘elared for Grant, and ten for Chase. The Lan- eanster (Mo.) Ez > Waukon (Iowa) Stand- and Clayton (Del.) Herald have nominated ax for the Presiden The Newark Ad- ecaie nominates Pendleton for President, and Mayor Hoffman for Vice President. General Don Piatt writes to the Tribune that there was & comparatively small vote in the recent elec- tion in the Eighth Ohio Congressional District: that the Democrats, however, polled nearly ‘their full strength, and the soy Republican ma- jority will amount to “over 2,000 in a regular election.” General Beatty, the successful can- didate, he affirms “placed himself fairly upon the financial platform of General Butler.” —— Information has been received here that Senator Guthrie refuses to resign his seat in the United States Senate, notwithstanding his health is such as to preclude the probability of his pr ¢ in the Capital hereafter, The Democrats are much dissatisfied with the de- termination of Mr. Guthrie, who, they think, should resign and enable a successor to be sent here to represent the interests of Kentucky. Dotsy is a brother of Madame Sainton Dol- by, 2 celebrated English singer. Scsax DENry, the actress, who has been a goed deal married in her time, has got another husband. His immediate predecessor was a Washingtonian. THE ANNOUNCEMENT is made that a history of Washington correspondents is about to be written, which a contemporary thinks will make a good addendum to the “Dictionary of Congress.” ANT.—There seems to be no donbdt, from the concurrent opinion of the best-in- formed ublicans now at the seat of Gov- ernment, that General Grant will be made the publican nominee for the Presidency at the Chicago Convention. Phe concluding letter of General Grant to the President, in his corres. pondence in to the Senate yesterday, is held to clinch the nomination beyond per-ad- ‘venture. Ges. ¢ Tue Dirtomaric CoxstLar appropriation Dill was considered to-day by the Honse Com- mittee appropriations. The session was con- sumed in discussing an amendment proposed in Committee providing asalary for Minister to Greece. It was urged by those who favor lines to be a candi- | is said to be desirous of a Demo- | Che Evening Star. ee, XXXII, WASHINGTON, D. C., WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1868. Reront oF THE ComwrTer on SOUTHERN Rat.Roaps—The special committee of the House of Representatives appointed to exam- ine into the condition of the Southern railroads have made a voluminous report, of which the following is a summary. The expediency of te forfeiture of land grants in cc sn cases Will be the subject for a separate report. in treating of the past and present condition of these roads the Committers report that as the F e roads were Liken posses ary authorities by virtue of F che Cwo t sson of my Bnd aiding ou- own forces of 2 great number of distin- y tty take posse: plied only to the roads in in this view the President ther seizure and use was a of the right aris shown timon: eized and operated pnetb of 2,55 ermment the el to their original ed as property The roads ct new Te Tes were not comsid Vuited Stat parties t coatraeis, and the Gevernment the rolling t from the North or presumed to be a for these pur- ions, the relauon their present relation. yhon, howeyer, they have ve brought over-hadowing overminent, and while they | Were Ue willing instrumeuts of rebellion, they y the position of partie-ps crimini indemnity tor losses ineurred by his ] egregate amount expended by the Gov- ernment im tepairs and management of the rouds 1s $45,367,48'.27, This does not include the pay of soldiers acting as laborers. The amounts which these roads owe the General Government was, in the fall of 1865, $7,444,073. The aggregate indebtedness of the roads to Government June 30, 1868, amounted to 86,- | 52,074.05; January 31, 1967, it was $5,567,391.36, | and on November Ist, 1867, $4,854, 500.62. These roads were turned over to their ori- ginal owners, by virtue of an order from the War Department, by authority of the Presi- dent, which, although at first limited to Ten- nessee, wats Shortly afterward extended to all the Seuthern States. This order bears date Angust 9, I-65. ‘The testimony of presidents, directors and stockholders show that there was not one ot these roads which was not voluntarily used in behalf of the rebellion, and that the owners were enemies of the country. ‘The report makes the President responsible for the sale of the roads. The value of the property thus restored is $78,202,0), It to this be added the sums expended in’ repairs, labor, etc, the amount is $123,509,480 of property which legally belongs to the Govern- ment. Further, it is maintained that a strict interpretation of the order of August 5 would compel the United States to repair the roads which the retels themselyes bad de- stroyed. The presidents of two of the most important roads almost defies the Goverament | to collect the bonds, and pays irom the earn- | ines of the very rolling-stock for which the | bouds were given, old debts contracted while in Tebellion, and the interest on bonds given before the rebellion. In view of these frauds, and the unjust clams that will be presented, the com- | mittee urge spreial and immediate legislation. They argue that the legal title to the rouds | is still Vested in the United States, and | urge upon Congress the se of two joint resolutions, which provide that no | claims for use’ shall te allowed any athern road, or any State in favor of any road, and that the indebtedness to the Govern ment as provided by the termsof the bond shall be hiquidated; and in default thereof that the Government ‘shall exercise 1ts legal right to | possession and disposal. Tre ALABAMA CLaIMs.—There is consider- able comment in Diplomatic Circles bere in regard to the failure to present Sir Ed- ward Thornton, new British Minister, to the President yesterday. Mr. Thornton, it appears, | had made all his arrangements to meet the President at the time stated, and had se notified Mr. Seward. Yesterday morning the latter in- | formed Mr. Thornton that circumstances had | arisen. on account of which it would be neces. | Sary to postpone the presentation, The British Minister professes profound ignorance as to what these circumstances were. It is believed, however, that the President wishes to lay his views on Alabama claims before Cabinet pre- vious to meeting Mr. Thornton, and that this Was the cause of the postponement, Orricers TO BE RETAINED as AcENTs.— General O. O. Howard has issued a cireular directing that all officers below the rank of Major, who were mustered out on January Ist, 1s6s, and retained as officers of the Bureau, may be taken upon the rolls of the disbursing officers and paid as agents, at a salary of $150 per month, from January Ist, 1865, INDIANS AT THE WaiTE Hovse.—About 2 o'clock this afternoon a delegation of ten Ute Indians, representing seven different bands, who reside in that section of country between Santa Fe, New Mexico. and the basin above Great Sult Lake, visited the Executive Maa- sion, headed by Gov. Hunt of Colorado and Gen. Kit Kars: These Indians are now on a | visit to this having been summoned here by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in or- der to effect a treaty with them to get them on another reservation, and have them lead a dif- ferent life. Upon being admitted to the office ofthe President, they were introduced by Gov. Hunt, and each one taken by the hand by the President. Governor Hunt then addressed the President, saying these Indians had always been friendly to the white man, and were here to-day for the purpose of paying their respects to their great father. In os instance had there been any oceasion to complain of them, as they had always conducted themselves well. The President replied, expressing his gratifi- cation to see them and hear that they were Iriendly towards us. He assured them that nothing would be left undone on the part of the Government to promote their welfare, and every step would be taken to cultivate friend- ship between the authorities and the Indians, He thanked them for their visit; for that friend- ship which they had shown for the white le. —— aspen said he had resijed nt these Indians it years a: always found them ‘chthtut feds and willing toaid the white people. They were thenescorted through the Execn- tive Mansion by the President, and seemed de- lighted with their visit, Vick Prestpent Wape, Senator Pomeroy, and a number of Representatives, were at the War Depertment this morning, and had inter- views with Mr. Stanton. Nomrxations.—The President sent to the the amendment, that as Greece had aceredited | Senate this afternoon the following nomina- ® Minister to our Goverment we could not do Jess than send one there. No vote was taken, bat from the expression of sentiment it is prob- | nia, to be Consul at Guyamas, able the amendment will be adopted. Mr. DickENs is expected to be present to- night at the reception at General Grant's, tions :—S. W. Seott, of Tennessee, to be Consul at Metamoras, Mexico; Alex. Willard, gear 2 F. Fisk, New York, to be Consul at Leith, Scotland; Stephen W. Donney, to be Assessor Internal Revenue, 2d District, West Virginia; Samuel Comfort, to be Postmaster at Lewis- Tue Recertiox of Mr. Thornton, the British | burg, Penna. Minister, will take place on Friday, it is under- Stood, Mr. Cary, of Ohio, presented in the House to-day the resolutions of afpublic meeting of Tue New Army REGULATIONS —The Board | the citizens of this District, held at Carroll of Army Officers, consisting of tGen. | Hall on the 10th of January, asserting ‘the Lieutenant W.T. Sherman, Major Gen. Philip Sheridan, | rights of American citizens in foreign lands. and Breyvet Major Gen. ©. C. Augur, who have been im session at the Lod it for some weeks past, revising new army regu- Tations, Dave cowl their labors, aad their report will soon printed Jeit bere on Monday tor St. Louis, to resume command of his Sheri dam and Augur ‘Yew days: the former tor Fort sod the latter for Omaha, to take command of shear respective Departments. Few ate Scvrnaoe ix Tue Disreicr—Mr. ask: Mediate legisiation to secure to wo- men the Tight of aut im the District of Uo- Jumbia. Referred to Commujtee, bursing officers to Kentueky, for the payment of back pay and bounty of colored soldiers, and Generals invested them with the suthority of officers or T for Fort Leavenworth, | agents of his bureaus muck ashe could ander the law, and modified his circalar discharging agents on the 1th inst, tothatextent, © PERSON AL—Commodore ‘Winslow, U. 8. N.; Hon. James Speed, of Hon. A FULL MEETING of the Joint Committee on Ordnance was held this morning. Gen. Dyer. chief of the Ordnance Burean, appeared and read a sworn statement defending himself against charges made against him by several witnesses. General Butler afterwards cross- examined General Dyer at considerable length. During the cross-examination, General Dyer reflected severely upon what he considered un- fairness in the committee, whereupon Generat Butler, it is said, told Gen. D. that the cox mittee did not propose being lvetured by him when discharging their duty. General Dyer rests his case on the reply made to-day. TRE JonNSON-GuANT CoRRESPONDENCE.— It is understood that the President has prepar- ed a letter in answer to the concluding letter by Gen. Grant of the correspondence seat in to the House yesterday, and that it will be sent to the House in answer to a call from the Demo- cratic side of the Chamber, Tue Reconstruction ComMMitrer agreed this mornmg to report a bill to-day removing disabilities on Goyernor Patton, of Alabama. The Committee also discussed the Grant cor- respondence, but deferred action, Tux Wire Hovss.—A large number of Visitors were at the Executive Mansion to-day, many of whom had an interview with the President. Attorney General Stanberry called this forenoon. WASHINGTON AND MARYLAND RaiLRoan ComPany.—In the House to-day, the Chair- man of the Committee on Roads and Canals, to whom had been referred the bill anthorizing the building of a railroad from Washington, D. ©., to connect with the Northern Certrai Railroad at or near the Stite line, between Pennsylvania and Maryland, introduced on the 2th of January, 156%, by Mr. Thomas re. Ported back the Same Without amendment; which was ordered to be printed, and recon mitted to the Committee on and Canais. The following are the names of the corporators: Thomas McNamara, Moses Kelly, A. R. Shepherd, Dr. F. B. Culver, J. L. Elvan: Jobn L. Kidwell, Chas. Bradley, S. J. Bowe William H. Claget, William Orme, Amos Ken- dall, Thomas Ford, Joseph Casey, Owen Thorn, Samuel Bacon, Charles Poe of the District of Columbia: Charles E. Coffin, Mah- lon Kirk, Washington Bonifant. James ©. Ha: land, John Barnsley, Edward Owens, F. B. Stanton, George Burroughs, R. Kirk, H. B. Cashel, of Maryland, together with such other persons as may be associated with them. THE PRESIDENT sent two messages to Con- gress to-day—one asking for an appropriation of money to pay the expense of the Surratt trial, and the other in relation to the destitution and famine existing in Norway and Sweeden. InTERNAL ReveNvE.—The receipts from this source to-day were $1,131,672.50. TELEGRAMS TO THE STAR. This Afternoon’s Dispatches, FROM EUROPE TO-DAy. Speech of John Bright on the Fenian Out- rages. [By Cable to the Associated Press.] Lonpon, Feb. 5.—Ata great meeting at Pir- mingham yesterday, Mr. John Bright made a speech. He pleaded the wrongs of Ireland in part in extenuation of the late Fenian outrages, and begged for a church and legislative reform: Mr. Bright said that there was nothing that prot aon 4 States Mh bap mse me do, if Ire- land was & part and parcel of the United States, that England might do also if she would. Loxvox, Feb. 5—Forenoon —U. 8. 5-20's, 714872; Illinois Central, 87; Eries, 48 FRanskvont, Feb. 5.—U. 8. 5-20's, 75%. Livenroot, Feb. 5—Forenoon.—Cotion quiet and steady; sales of ten thousand bales. Bread. generally quiet. Calitornia wheat 158 ‘xd. Lonpon, Feb, -Afternoon.—Consols 93% for money and account, U.S. 5-20's, 71%. LivErroot, Feb. 5A fternoon.—Cotton more active, thongh unchanged; sales will reach fit- teen thousand bales. Beet, 117s 6d; Pork 73s 6d: Turpentine, 29 64; Lard, quiet. » Antwerr, Feb. 5.—Petroleum flat at aig rancs, THE GEORGIA RECONSTRUCTION CONVENTION. (Special Dispatch to the Star.) ATLANTA, Feb. 5.—General Meade’s letter informing the Convention that he will only sanction the payment of $30,000 more out of the State treasury for the Convention expenses, has caused considerable sensation and harsh comment. The relief question will be settled to-day. Richardson is easier, bat is still ina most precarious state, The Bradley committee will rey to-day that the proof of his identity with the Sing-Sing Bradley is believed to be complete. Three members of the committee will probably recommend his expulsion. NEW LINE TO EUROPE. ¢ and Bremen—The Negotiati Completed. [Special Dispatch to the Star.] New York, Feb. 5.—The negotiations be- tween the Baltimore and and Ohio Railroad Company and the North German Lloyd Steam- ship Company have reached a successful iasue, and the foreign company having had two large steamships built in the “ Clyde,” announce the early opening of trade over this new route, The first steamer will leave Bremen for Balti- more about the Ist of March. NATIONAL COMMERCIAL CONVEN- TION. Boston, Mass, Feb. 5.—The National Com. mereial Convention assembled in Mechanics’ Hall at 11 o'clock this morning. Charles C. Nasro, President of the Boston Board of Trade, called the delegates to order, and delivered the ing address. Fred’k Fraley, Philadelphia, was ehosen temporary president, and a.committee from each board of trade represented was abpiinted on permanent organization and rules. A recess was then taken. TERRIBLE STORM ANDLOSS OF LIFE. Hanson Grace, NewrounDianp, Feb. 5.— One of the most severe and terrific storms ev known in Newfoundland has been experienced here within the last two or three days. On the 2d instant a most fearful storm pre- yailed;@riving the falling snow furiously be- fore it. It is reported that ished from cold and in the snow. a the tA eye of the Rewioundinnd tele. ine, near] rished between Heart's pry ne, peri THE NEW YORK REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION. [Special Dispatch to the Star.] Syracuse, N. ¥., Feb. 5.—The Republican ‘State Convention, which meets here to-day, promises to be one of the largest and most en- thusiastic gatherings ever held. The most Judge Trem, Judge, Noah Davie, © Det Brown. ‘Rochester ra tnd Lieut. Gov. Woodford. ’ ). MI. Demac: a OF MEETING pd Crmcrm att, Feb, 5.—A meeting of theofficers ottee aby ah Cumberiand ‘will "bé hela to~morrow. organizing a Gen, oF, THE fs mk a! #4 OHA PRA aL wus eee Sh aie: ’ CJ cd sou @evegaal FORTIETH CONGRESS, This Afternoon’s Proceedings. Wenrxspay, February 5, SENATE.—Mr. Edmunds presented a memo- rial from the Consul of Hayti, asking a subsidy to establish a steamship line between the United States and the Island of Hayti. Re terred to the Committee on Post Offices and Roads. - Mr. Pomeroy presented petition of 500 citizens of Illinois asking universal suffrage, male and female, in the District of Columbia’ Referred to Committee on District of Columbia, Mr. Howard introduced a joint resolution aa- thorizing the Secretary of War to employ coun- sel to defend the General ot the army, Major General George G. Meade and Brig. General Ruger, Provisional Governor of Georgia, in any suits which may be brought against them in the performance of their official duty. Mr. Hendricks would like to know the neces- sity for this resolution. He thought the Secre- tary of War had already the power to appotn: special counsel. Mr. Howard asked that a letter from Secre- Stanton should be read from the desk. he Secretary states that Goy. Jenkins, of Georgia, is, as “he is informed, about to bring it in the Supreme Court against the officers named, and he asks the passage of a resolution im giving him the power to employ special counsel to defend them. Mr. Howard said that it was notorious that the Attorney General had aiready declined to appear for the Government in a case involving the reconstruction laws of Congress. It was the duty of this officer to defend the Gove: ment, but that officer had declared these acts null and yoid, thus placing himself m sueh an extraordinary attitude that the Government was compelled to seek elsewhere for counsel. It seemed strange to him (Mr. H.) that highest law officer of the Government should in advance of the decision of the Supreme Court express the opinion he did. He (Mr. H.) con- demmed there partizan decisions. Mr. Sherman expressed the opinion that the Attorney General had been conscientious in his action. Mr. Johnson thought the Senator (Mr. How- ard) did the Attorney General injustice. The President, in pursuance of bis undoubted authority, had called upon the Attorney General for an opinion on the reconstruction acts, and that officer, im accordance with bis duty, had furnished the opinion asked for. He (Mr. J.) had no doubt the Attorney General the opinion he did conscientiously, and it would be a singular spectacle for him to aj in the Supreme Conrt, where his own opinion might be cited against him. Mr. Howard had no desire to impugn the conscience or the sincerity of the Attorney General, but there was a simple and easy method to get rid of the whole difficulty. If the Attorney General was unable to appear in the defence of the law-making power of the Government, let him resign, and allow his place to be filled by some one who bas no con- écientious scruples on the subject. After these acts had been affirmed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress, the me were as good judges of constitutional law as the Attorney General himself, he (Mr. H.) thought that officer need not be So chary of ap- pearing in the Supreme Court. Mr. Hendricks asked if a two-thirds vote of Congress made a law constitutional! Mr. Howerd.—Prima facie it does. Mr. Hendricks said the Constitution was the supreme law of the land, and was supreme to any law not in accordance with its provisions, He denies the rignt of the Senator to criticise the action of the Attorney Ge to him asif this matter was being inade a parade of for some ulterior object; there was some design in getting it before the country, From the letter which has been read here, it seems that no suit has as yet been brought. Mr. Conness said last spring, in the case brought by the State of Mississippi, the Attor- ney General had appeared and made such an able argument that the Supreme Court had diomissed the case on the ground of non-juris- diction, It was not until at a political cele- bration in this city, on the Sth of January, that the Attorney General changed his opinion, and pronounced the reconstruction laws of Gon- £E.g8 unconstitutional, This aspect of thecase ad probably escaped the atien tion of-hts friend from Indiana, (Mr. Hendricks.) When the Attorney General found himself tnsuch a po- sition that he could not defend the acts of Con gress, it would become him to lay down his commission. Mr. Buckalew said the Attorney General had not discussed the question of constitutionality last spring, but ouly the question of jurisdic- tion; and therefore had done nothing inconsist- ent with his present position. In regard to what he may have said at a political gatuering, there was too much prominence given to it. He supposed that the Attorney General had the same right, outside of his official sphere, to dis- cuss political matters, as he (Mr. B.) or the Senator from California (Mr. Conness) had. Now, in regard to this resolution, it proposed to give the Secretary unlimited power to a) point counsel, and we would probably have a renewal of the magnificent tees which were paid in the Surratt trial, The joint resolution was then passed. [It authorizes the Secretary of War to employ counsel to defend the aboye named officers, and all other officers of the Governmentin any suits arising out of the reconstruction acts. On motion of Mr. Conkling, the Committee on the District of Columbia were directed to inquire whether any further legislation is necessary for the protection and security of passengers riding in the cars of the Metropoli- tan Railway Company. Mr. Pomeroy introduced a bill amending and extending the provisions of the homestead laws. Referred to Committee on Public Lands. Mr. Henderson introduced a bill amending the act donating land to States which may es- tablish agricultural and mechanical colleges. Referred to Committee on Public Lands. Mr. Hendricks presented a memorial from many thousand laborers ot New York, asking the of an eight hour law ‘red to Committee on Naval Affairs. Mr. Ross introduced.a preamble and resolu- tions of the Kansas Legislature relative to the obligations and rights of naturalized citizens, and the action of Great Britain in arresting and trying such citizens, and urging upon Congress the passage of laws for their adequate protec- uon, and asking for the reeall of any of our diplomatic representatives who fail ‘in their nae Referred to Committee on Foreign Re- ations, On motion of Mr. Fessenden, the Committee on the J ‘was instructed to inquire into the upropriety of repealing or modifying the act of February “to temporarily supply vacancies in the Exeeutive Department in cer- tain cases.’ The Rebaretetity Reconstraction bill was which Mr. Morrill, of Me., given ‘hen taken up, on was entitled to the floor. Houst or RErResentatives.—General Jebn Beatty, member of Gongress elect from the Eight District of Ohio, to supply the vacan- freemen by the death of Hoa. 0, 5. Ham- ilton, appeared in the House this morning and was awaited, taking the oath of off Mr. Cook (TI ,) from the Committee on Roads and Canals, reported back the bill for arailroad and telegraph hne from Washington to the Pennsylvania State line, toconnect at a point on the Northern Cen’ it was jt and ordered to be raping andl rpecenaitted Mr. Wilson, (lowa,) the bill for of witnesses, &c..1n certain cases, with the Senate: ent thereto, was taken San the Speaker's table and re! to the te on Sudic: . The House the iL sy to declare forfeited sit eneatpeeis oss hom tng pon te motion of Me: are 0.) the main question was end the) secon Yo seneigy i 4 cae [net embraced 0 | though to soften the evident | namely, JOHNSON vs. GRANT. THE WAR DEPARTMENT IMBROGLIO. praecetooesatiaTy Highly Important Correspondence Be:weea General Grant and the Presideat. pans Rito ‘The following is the correspondence referred to in yesterday's STAR, which was laid by the Speaker before the House ef Representatives: Keply of the creary of Warto a Resolution the “House. WAR DEPARTMENT, F In answer to the reso ot Representatives of the 8: herewith copies furnished me by General Graus of correspondence between hum and the Pr: dent relating to the Secretary of War, ard which he reports to be al! the corresponi ne has had with the President on the subject. T have had no correspondence with the Pres- ident since the 12th of Angnst last. After the action of the Senate on his alleged reason for my'suspension trom the office of S:cretary of War, I resumed the duties of that office as re- quired by the act of Congress, and have con- tinued to discharge them without any personal or written communication with the P: t. No orders have been issued from this Depart- ment in the name of the President with my knowledge, and I have received no orders from him. The correspondence sent herewith embraces all the correspondence known wo me on the subject referred to in the resolution of the House of Kepresemtatives, T have the honor to be, sir, with great res} your obedient servant, . Wis M. STANTON, Secre:ary of War. Hon. Scnvy Ler CoLraXx, Speaker of the House of Representatives. ult, I transmit General Grant to President Johnson—No. HEAPQUAR7E Srares, WASHIN His Eacelioncy A, Jo ted States—S'k : On the 24th instant [ requ: you to give me in writing the instrucuons which you had previon ly given me verbally not to obey any order trom Hon. E. M. Stan ton, Secretary of War, unless 1 knew that it came irom yourself. To this written request I received a message that has left doubt in my mind of your intentions. To prevent any pos- sible misunderstanding, therefore, I renew the request that you will give me written instruc- tons, and till they are received will suspend action on your verbal ones. Tam compelled to ask these instructions in writing in consequence of the many gross mis- representations affecting my personal honor, cireulsted through the press for the last fort- night, purporting to come from the President, of conversations which occurred either with the President privately im his office or in C.ibi- net meeting. Whatis written admits of no mis- understanding. In view of tee misrepresentations referred to, it will be well to state the facts in the case. ome time a.ter l assumed the duties of Sec- ary ot War cd intvim the President a.ked views as to the course Mr. Stanton would ¢ to pursue, in case the Senate should not concur in his suspension, to obtain D Sf his office. My reply was, in substance, that Mr. Stanton would have to appeal to the courte instate him, illustrating my position by citing the ground I hid taken in the ease of the Baltimore police commissioners, In that case I did not doubt the technical right of Governor Swann to remove the old commissioners, and to appoint their succe*sors. As the old com- issioners refused to give up, howev-r, I con- ended that no resource was left but to ‘appeal to the courts, Finding that the President was desirons of keeping Mr. Stanton out of office, whether sus- tained im the suspension or not, 1 stated that I bad not looked particularly into the “tenure- of-office bull,” but that what I bad stated was a general principle. and if1 should change my mind in this particular ease, I would inform him of the fact. Sulnequently, on reading the “tenuire-of-of- fice bill’ closely, 1 found that I could not, without violation of the law, refuse to vacate the office of Secretary of War the moment Mr. Stanton was remstated by the Senate, even though the President should order me to retain it, whichhe never did. Taking this view of the subject, amd learuing on S lay, the eleventh instant, that the Senate had tiken up the subject of Bir. Stanton’s suspension, after some conversation with Lieutenant General Sherman and some members of my staff, in which I stated that the law left no discretion as to my action, should Mr. Stanton be rein- stated, and that I intended to inform the Pres- ident, I went to the President for the sole pur- pose of making this decision known, and did so make it known. in doing this I fulfilled the promise st preceding con ve ‘The President, however, instead ot accep ug my view ot ihe requirements of the “tenure-of- lice bill,” contended that he had suspended Mr. Stanton under the authority given by the Constitution, and that the same authority did not preclude him trom reporting, as an act of courtesy, his reasons for the suspension to the Senate.” ‘That, having 2ppointed me under the authority given by the Constituuon and not under any act of Congress, I could not be gov- erned by the act. I stated that the law was binding on me, constitutional or not, until set aside by the proper tribunal. An hoar or more was consumed, each reiterating bis views on this subject, until, getting late, the President snid he would see me again, 1 did not agree to cali again on Monday, nor at any other definite time, nor was I seut for by the President unul the following Monday. From the 11th to the Cabmet meeting on the 1th instant a doubt never entered my mind about the President's fully understanding my position—nameiy, that if the Senate refused to concur in the suspension of Mr. Stanton my powers as Secretary of War ed interim would cease, and Mr. Stanton’s right to resume at once the functions of his office would, under the law, be indisputable: and I acted accordingly. With Mr. Stanton 1 bad no communication, direct or indirect, on the subject of his rein: statement, during his suspension. Iknew ithad been recommendc: tothe Pres i- dent to send im the name of Governor Cox, of Ohio, fur Secretary of War, and thus save all embarrassment—a proposition that I sincerely hoped he would entertair. favorably, General Sherman seeing the President at my particular Tequest to urge this on the 13th instant, mn Tuesday (the day Mr. Stanton re-entered the office of the Secretary of War) General Comstock, who had carried my official letter, announcing that with Mr. Stanton’s reinstate ment by the Senate I had ceased to be of War ad inte and who saw the President open and read the communication, brought | back to me from the President a message that he wanted to see me that day at the Cabing meeting, after I had made known the fact that I was nO fonger Secretary of War ad interim. At this meeting, after ning it as though I were a member of his Cabinet, when reminded of the notification 1 had bene, ahd him that I was no longer Secretary of War ad interim, the President gave a of the conversa. ton alluded to already. In this statement it was asserted that im both conversations I bad agreed 10 hold on. to ence of Secretary of War until displaced je courts, or to resign, so as. to place the President where he would have been had I never accepted the office. After hearing the President through, I stated our con- versation substantially as given in this letter. I wiil add that ba Pergo gre before the Cabi- er matter not pertivent here, and is therefore left out. Tin no wise admitted the correctness of the President's statement of our conversations, c@utradiction my statement gaye, I said eee to our first conversation on the subject) President might have understood me the way he said, L had promised to resign, it I did reinstatement, I made nosuch 1. I » 28, my hs to \t not. jst the Pp ise. ‘ vs ly, Lhave the poor toe ire your NO. 2: THE UsiTxD s. “General Gront to President 4 HEapQuaRTERs ARMY OF Betellency A. “Johnson, Presiaeab Seto -feRt E have the honor, very-reepect- fully, to request to have in the a Sania ere reed hip orders Fhe oe ote 849 9ri fede St, quiets cation os sch eu bee eect N&. 4.652. the return of my note of the 2ith instant, w Your endorseuiwnt thereon, that T am not to obey any order trom the War Department sumed to be issued by direction of the P deat, unless sach order i kuown by me to ha been authorized by the Exe ative; aud in reply thereto to say that Lam . tary of War that he has Exeeutive any onder er insta as bos herete Ww and the He this authori not conntermar dence to me thy Departmeut by dur « thorized by the F ued trom the War President Joh Exxeutrve MA Genrxat tion of the 28th instant, renewing ofthe %4th, that I should rejet { form my verbal instractions of yiz: that you obey no order fr. Edwin M. Stanton, as Secretary of War, unless ou have information that it was issued by President's direction. In submitting this request, (with which I complied on the 29th imstunt,) you take oc sion to allude to recent publications in refer- ence to the circumstances connected . vacation, by yourself, of the office of Secretary ot War, adinierim, and, with the view 0: cor- recting statements which you term “gross mis representations,” give st length your ow ree ts under which, with the sane President, from whom y ed the appointment you yielded the Department of War tw the present incumbent, As staied in your communication so after you had assumed t s Var ad interim, we ng the course that vent of non-conc the suspension trom cffice of Mr. songht that interview, calli War Department. My sole ot ing the subjeci to your a tain definitely what would be your own action should such an attempt be made for his restor- ation to the War Department. Thatobject was accomplished, for the interview terminated with the distinct understahding that if, upon reflection, you should prefer not to become a party to the controversy, or should conclude that It would be your duty to surrender the de- partment to Mr. Stan’on upon action in ni tavor by the Senate, you were to return the of- tice to me prior toa decision by the Senate. 1 order that, if I de todo so, I might desig- nate some one tosucceed you. It must be ap- parent to you that, had not this understandin been reached, it was my irom the further discharge of the duties of Sec- retary of War ad micrim, and to appoint some other person om that capacity. Other conversations upon the subject ensued, all of them having, on my part, the same ob- ject, and leading to the same conclusion as the first. Itis not necessary, however, to report any of them, exeepting that of Saturday, the Mth instant, mentioned in your communica- tion. Asitwas then known that the Senate had proceeded to consider the case of Mr. Stan- ton, 1 was anaious to learn your determination. After a protricied imterview, during which the provisions of the tenure. fully discussed, you said agreed upon in our first couferenes, you would either return the office to my possessi time to enable me to appoint a suc betore final action by the Si Stanton’s suspension, or would remain as its head, awaiting a decision of the question by judicial proceedings. It was then under- stood that there would be a further confer. ence on Monda which time I supposed you would be pr to inform me of your final decision. You failed, however, to fulfil the engagement, and on Tuesday notified me in writing of the receipt of your official notifi- cation of the action of the Seuate in the case of Mr. Stanton, and at the same time informed me that, according to the act regulating the tenure of certain civil offices, your functious as Secretary of War ad interim ceased from the ection of the f pn of the stanton, myself at Uh moment of the recespt of the notice. You thus, | in disregard of the understanding between us, vacat d the office without having given me no- tice of your intention todoso. It is but just, however, to say, that in your communication you claim that you did inform me of your pur- pose,and thus “fulfilled the promi-e made in our Tat ‘preceding conversaucn on tals subject.” The ract that such a promise existed, is evidence of an arrangement of the kind I have mentioned. You had found, in our first conterence, «that the President was desirous of keeping Mr. Stanton out of office, whether sustained im the suspension or not.” You knew what reasons had induced the President to ask irom you a promise. You also knew that, in case your views of duty did noi accord with his own’ con- victions, it Was his purpose to fill your place by another appointment. Even ignoring the existence of 4 positive understanding between us, these conclusions were plainly deducible from our various conversations. It is certain, however, that, even under these circumstances, you did not cher to return the place to my pos- Seesion, but, according to your own statement, placed yourselt in a position when, could 1 have anticipated your action, I would have been compelled to ask of you, as I was com- pelted to ask of your predecessor in the War Department, a letter of resignation, or else to resort to the more disagreeable expedient of suspending you by 4 successor. As stated 1a your letter, the nomination of Gov. Cox, of Olio, for the oifice of Secretary of War, was suggested to me. His appointment as Mr. Stanton’s successor was urged in your name, and it was said that his selection would save furtber embarrassment. I did aot think that in the selection of a Cabinet officer I should be trammelied by such considerations. I was prepared to take the responsibility of deciding ‘he question in accordance with my ideas of constitutional duty, and, having determined upon a course which I deemed right and proper, Was auxious to learn the steps you would take, should the posession of the War Department be demanded by Mr. Stanton. Had your action been in conformity with ube un- derstanding between us, Ido not believe that the embarrassment would have attained its present proportions, or that the probability of its repetition would baye been so great. 1 know that, with a view to an early termi- nation ofa state of affairs so detrimenial to the Public interests, you voluntarily offered, both on Monday, the 15th instant, and on the suc- ceeding Sunday, tw call uj urge upon him that the good of the service re- quired his resignation. I confess that I con- sidered your proposal as a sort of reparation for the falure on your part to act in accord- ance with an understanding more than once [pena which I thought had received your full assent, and ander which you could have retired from the office which rt had conferred upon you, thes saving yourself from embar- rassment and leaving the responsibility where it properly belonzed-—with the ‘8 @ecouniable for the faithful execution of the law. T have not yet been informed by you whether, as twice pi by yourself, you had called Toposed upon Mr. Stanton and made an effort to induce a voluntarily to resign from the War De- partment. You conclude your communication with reierence to our con’ at the meeting of the Cabinet held on Tuesday, the ith instant. In your account of what then oc- curred you say that after the President had given his vi of our conversa- tions, you stated them sul as given in your that. you in no wise admitted the correctness of ‘statement of them, “thon, gave, 1 on op the sul understood in iy the ‘after your aj War ad interim 08 font «lt las Boa Sept ye winery cet DOM ” Purpose to relieve you | jonda a a day Vbat relevancy ¢ i man’: visi! to meen Monday b . porr fr which you Were to have eall-d | Rte loss 10 pereave aw he certainty did wm: me whethr: you bad deteranined ton acourncy of 1 Versation upon ti In reply to your oo r deemed ii in oF ¥ General US. GRawt, command General Cran’ te Heanguante President Jokmaom— No.4 = AKMY vm Starae, Wasnixneros. D.C, E Mis Excellency A. Joke Pr ‘ Aten rT heewe the by the rer ultimo, Atter Teothess of my statemen thing in yours, im reply DetWithsianding, T confess my surprise t cers referred to should hend the facts in the w Alleged to have been made | Meeting of the 14th uw names to be made the newspaper a: the accuracy. as you affirm th Account of what ovcurted at that i £ You know that we parted on Ssiurday, the 11th ultimo, without any promise o1 either expressed or implied, t would held on to the office of ad interim against the acuon o ate, or, declining to do so myself, would surrender you before » 1 see you again at any fixed t The perfor mance of the you to have been made by me Volved 4 resistance of the law aud an i sistency with the whole history of my connec- tion with the suspension of Mr. Stanton. From our consultation and my written protest of Au- gust |, In67, against the removal of Mr. Stan- ton, you must have known that my greatest objection to his removal or suxpension was the fear that some one would be appointed in his stead who would, by opposition to the laws relating to the restoration of the southern Suttes to their proper relation to the Government, embarrass the army in the performance of the duties expecially imposed wpon it by the laws, ud that it Was to prevent such an appoimunent that Laccepted the appointment of Secretary of War ad interim, and not for the purpose of enabling you toget mid of Mr. Stanton by my withholding it from him in opposition to the law, or not doing so myself, surrender it to one who would, as the statement and assumpuons in your communication plainly indicate was sought And it was to avoid this danger, as well as to relieve you from the personal embarrass- ment in which Mr. Stanton’s reinstaement would place you, that I urged the appointment of Governor Cox, believing that i would be agreeable to you, and also to Mr. Stanton, satisfied, as I Was, that it was the good of the country, and not the office the latter desired On the 13th ultimo, in the presence of I stated to that I Ww alone with Mr. Stanton, which led me 1© the conclusion that auy advice to him of this | kind would be useless, aud so informed General Sherman. Before 1 consented to advise Mr. Stanton to resign, I understood from him, in a conversation on the subject immediately after his reinstatement, that it was bis opinion that the act of Congress entitled “An aet tempora- rily to supply vacancies in the execative de- partments im certain cases,” approved February 20, 16, Was repealed by subsequent Iegisis- on, which materially influenced my action, Previous to this time I bad no doubt that the Jaw of 1863 was still in force, and notwithstand- , a Tuller exsunination of the law stion in my mind, whether it os or isnot repealed. This being the case, I could hot now advise bis resignation, Jest the same danger 1 apprehended from his first removal might follow. The c you would bave it understood I agreed to pursue was in violation of law aud without orders from you: while the course I did pursue, and which I never doubted you fully understood, was m accordance with law, been so violently assailed, pardon me for s2. | ing that Tean but regard this whole matte: trom beginning to end, as an attempt to invol me in the resistance of law, for which you hesitated to assume the sibility in orders, and thus to destroy my eter before the country. Iam ins measure confirmed in this conclusion by your recent orders directing me to disobey orders from the Secretary ot War, my superior and your subordinate, out baving countermanded his authority Iam to ¥ With assurance, Mr. President, that nothing less than a vindication of my personal honor and character could have induced this corres- pondence on my part, Ihave the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, U.S. Grast, General, Se Arrairs tx Lovpox Covnry, Va.—The Leesburg correspondent of the Alexandria Ga crite Says: Our community to-day was informed of the a steal - ing the horse of a Mr. Walters, L, for of Fairfax county, Va., which had been taken on a certain Thu y morning, and op Saturday thereafter sold in Winchester by Trail for $50. He was committed by Captain G. R. Head, a justice of ‘his county, last evening, and sent to Fairfax is, or was recently, under indictment for the same offence in Mont gomery county, I bear of sundry Scotch who have recently come here to work. rapes ite, trany, bed ey any, bet- ler than a prohibitory law. . England will be at the North Pole. ] to frame it, but