Adam Badeau, Grant in peace: from Appomattox to Mount McGregor, a personal memoir

[132] occurred. I am clear in this, however: the correspondence here inclosed to you should not be made public, except by the President, or with the full sanction of General Sherman. Probably the letter of the 31st of January, marked confidential, should not be given out at all.

Johnson was deterred by Sherman's protestations, by the refusal of the Senate to confirm the brevet, and by the fear that he would damage himself if he insisted further. Doubtless, too, he suspected that Sherman would not prove very serviceable, if forced so much against his will into the uncoveted position. On the 19th of February, therefore, the President informed Sherman that he would not be ordered to Washington. Two days afterward, without consulting the Senate, Johnson removed Stanton and appointed Lorenzo Thomas, the Adjutant-General of the Army, Secretary of War ad interim. The same day a resolution was offered in the House of Representatives that Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors. On the 24th of February the resolution was adopted.

Points suggested by General Sherman in answer to the President's letter to General Grant, of January 31, 1866:

Acknowledge receipt formally.

Regret that matters of importance should have transpired verbally when the memory of mere words in a general conversation is interpreted according to the bias of hearers. Will take care in future it shall be avoided.

Knew that the President on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday possessed all the knowledge of the action of the Senate and its legal effects that you did, and as the responsibility rested with him, you presumed he would adopt his own course.

A resignation was never hinted at as necessary, as the law itself terminated the tenure of the Secretary of War ad interim.