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franchise under the constitution or laws of this State, or who, at the time of the adoption of this amendment, may be entitled to vote under said constitution and laws.

THE ELECTIONS OF 1867.

vote for members of the Assembly; but no person was allowed to vote who could not, if challenged, take and subscribe this oath:

"I (A. B.) do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have never voluntarily borne arms against the United States since I have been a citizen thereof; that I have voluntarily given no aid, in armed hostility thereto; that I have neither sought nor countenance, counsel, or encouragement to persons engaged accepted, nor attempted to exercise, the functions of any hostility to the United States; that I have not yielded a office whatever under any authority or pretended authority

In NEW HAMPSHIRE, the vote stood: Governor-Harriman, Republican, 35,776; Sinclair, Democrat, 32,733. Republican majority in Legis-in lature, about 75.

inimical thereto, and did not wilfully desert from the milito avoid the draft during the late rebellion."

tary or naval service of the United States, or leave this State

voluntary support to any pretended government, authority, In CONNECTICUT, the vote stood: Governor-power, or constitution within the United States, hostile or Hawley, Republican, 46,585; English, Democrat, 47,575. State Legislature: SENATE-Republicans 11, Democrats 10. HOUSE-Republicans 124, Democrats 114. Republican majority on joint

ballot, 11.

In RHODE ISLAND, the vote stood: Governor Burnside, Republican, 7,554; Pierce, Democrat, 3,350. The legislature is largely Republican.

In MARYLAND, the vote on calling a convention to revise the constitution of the State, was: For a convention, 34,534; against, 24,136.

first Tuesday in June. The new constitution is The convention is to meet in Albany on the to be submitted in November next-as a whole or otherwise, as the convention may determine -to a vote of those qualified to vote for delegates. The convention stands, politically, Republicans 100, Democrats 60.

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In Maryland, a new registry law was passed, directing the registering of "all white male persons" over twenty-one, not criminals or lunatics, and possessing sufficient residence. The legisla-5; ture also passed an act authorizing and directing the comptroller of that State to examine, adjust, and pay all claims presented to him for settlement by the officers and members, and others of the General Assembly of 1861. It rejected a bill to authorize colored persons to testify in the courts. It provided for the appointment by the governor, by the advice and consent of the senate, in each county, of a "commissioner of slave statistics," to prepare statements of the names, number, age, sex, and physical condition of the slaves in the respective counties at the time of the adoption of the State constitution in 1864, to state whether they were slaves for life or term of years, and whether they were enlisted or drafted into the military service of the United States, so far as is known to said owners or others, and in what regiment they were placed, and what compensation, if any, has been received by such owners from the State or General Government for such slaves-the lists to be preserved among the public records of the counties, and declared to be legal evidence of ownership, &c. The commissioners are to receive twenty-five cents per capita for each slave, to be paid by the

former owner.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.

A convention has recently been chosen in NEW YORK by the votes of all persons qualified to

A convention was chosen in MARYLAND, "by Wednesday of April, in which St. Mary's county the registered voters thereof," on the second has three delegates; Kent, 4; Calvert, 3; Charles, Dorchester, 4; Cecil, 5; Prince George's, 4; 3; Baltimore county, 7; Talbot, 4; Somerset, Queen Anne's, 4; Worcester, 5; Frederick, 7; Harford, 5; Caroline, 4; Baltimore city, 21; Montgomery, 4; Allegany, 6; Carroll, 6; Howard, 4; Anne Arundel, 4; and Washington, 6. Said constitution it is provided, shall contain a clause prohibiting the legislature from making any law providing for payment by this State for Persons heretofore held as slaves." The convention is to meet in Annapolis, on the second members to be five dollars per day and mileage, Wednesday of May, 1867, the compensation of and the president of the convention is authorized to order the payment of the compensation above provided, and the treasurer required to pay the same, in conformity with said order. The constitution is to be submitted to the legal and qualified voters for their ratification or rejection, at such time, in such manner, and subject to such rules and regulations as the convention may prescribe. Judges of election, clerks of court, duties required of them respecting these elecor sheriffs failing or neglecting to perform any tions, are made liable to indictment, and fine of $1.000 and imprisonment of six months. The convention is unanimously Democratic and "Conservative," the Republicans declining to run candidates.

In MICHIGAN, a Convention has been chosen, with a large Republican supremacy.

Statement of the Public Debt of the United States on the 1st of April, 1867.

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PRESIDENT JOHNSON ON HABEAS CORPUS.

1865, July 7-Pending the execution of the order of President Johnson, given on page 7, respecting the convicted assassins of President Lincoln, an effort was made to stay the execution by the counsel of Mrs. Surratt, who obtained a writ of habeas corpus on that day from Judge Wylie, one of the justices of the supreme court of the District of Columbia.

This writ was served upon General Hancock by the marshal of the District, Mr. Gooding, and at 11 o'clock General Hancock, accompanied by Attorney General Speed, made his appearance in the criminal court room, and made the following return, to wit:

"HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, "WASHINGTON, D. C., July 7, 1865. "To Hon. ANDREW WYLIE, Justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. "I hereby acknowledge the service of the writ hereto attached, and return the same, and respectfully say that the body of Mary E. Surratt is in my possession under and by virtue of an order of Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, and Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy, for the purposes of said order expressed, a copy of which is hereto attached and made part of this return; and that I do not produce said body by reason of the order of the President of the United States indorsed upon said writ, to which reference is hereby respectfully made, dated July 7, 1865.

"WINFIELD S. HANCOCK, "Major General U. S. Vols., commanding." The indorsement upon the writ is as follows: EXECUTIVE OFFICE, July 7, 1865-10 A. M. "To Major General W. S. HANCOCK,

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Commanding, &c. "I, Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, do hereby declare that the writ of habeas corpus has been heretofore suspended in such cases as this; and I do especially suspend this writ, and direct that you proceed to execute the order heretofore given you upon the judgment of the military commission; and you will give this order in return to this writ.

"ANDREW JOHNSON, President."

When Attorney General Speed appeared he

addressed the court briefly upon the action of the Government in the premises, and argued to show that the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus was absolutely necessary in a time of war. He declared that the Government had given the case anxious consideration, and had directed that

the writ should not be complied with after ma

ture deliberation.

The court responded by saying that no further action should be taken in the premises.

W. E. Doster, Esq., counsel for Payne and Atzerodt, also applied for a writ of habeas corpus in their behalf, but as the writ in the case of Mrs. Surratt had been of no avail, Judge Wylie declined to issue the writ.

ADDITIONAL PROCLAMATIONS OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON.

1868, July 18-President Johnson issued a proclamation reciting the ratification of the XIVth amendment by South Carolina, in substantially the same terms as are used in the proclamation announcing the action in Florida and North Carolina, on page 379.

1868, July 18-President Johnson issued a like proclamation of the action in Louisiana. 1868, July 20-President Johnson issued a like proclamation of the action in Alabama. 1868, July 27-President Johnson issued a like proclamation of the action in Georgia.

SECOND ELECTION IN MISSISSIPPI. At the election held in Mississippi, November 30 and December 1, 1869, under the proclamation of President Grant, (see page 505,) the vote was as follows:

For the constitution, 113,735; against it, 955. All of the separately-submitted portions (see page 505) were rejected, except section 5, article XII, which was ratified-yeas 70,427, nays 20,834. Part of section 3, article VII, was rejected-yeas 2,206, nays 87,874. Section 5, article VII, was rejected—yeas 2,390, nays 87,253. Part of section 26, article XII, was rejected-yeas 2,171, nays 88,444. [For text of these sections see page 505.] The total registration was 176,792, of whom 76,110 were white, and 100,682 colored. The total vote polled on constitution was 114,690. For Governor, James L. Alcorn, received 76,143 votes; Louis Dent 38,133. At the first election the constitution was defeated-June 22, 1868.

PART III.

POLITICAL MANUAL FOR 1868.

XXIII.

ORDERS, LETTERS, MESSAGE AND VOTES IN THE SENATE
RESPECTING SECRETARY STANTON.

Bequest for Mr. Stanton's Resignation and

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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,

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

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 13, 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 ne 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.

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YEAS-Messrs. Anthony, Cameron, Cattell, Chandler, Cole, Conkling, Conness, Corbett, Cragin, Drake, Edmunds, Ferry, Fessenden, Fowler, Frelinghuysen, Harlan, Howard, Howe, Morgan, Morrill of Maine, Morrill of Vermont, Morton, Nye, Patterson of New Hampshire, Pomeroy, Ramsey, Stewart, Sumuer, Thayer, Tipton, Trumbull, Wade, Willey, Williams, NAYS-Messrs. Bayard, Buckalew, Davis, Dixon, Doolittle, Patterson of Tennessee-6.

Wilson-35.

dricks, Johnson. Norton, Ross, Saulsbury, Sherman, Sprague, Van Winkle, Vickers, Yates-13.

NOT VOTING-Messrs. Grimes, Guthrie, Henderson, Hen

[The National Intelligencer stated, in its news columns, that Messrs. Henderson and Hendricks were paired, and that Mr. Ross, though present, declined to vote.]

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:

WASHINGTON, D. C., February 21, 1868. To the Senate of the United States:

On the 12th day of August, 1867, by virtue of the power and authority vested in the President by the Constitution and laws of the United States, I suspended Edwin M. Stanton from the of the power and authority so vested in the office of Secretary of War. In further exercise 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 suspension. Which was determined in the affirmative inserting as follows: That the President be reyeas 35, nays 6, as follow:

Mr. Dixon moved to amend the resolution, by striking out all after the word "Resolved," and

quested to inform the Senate by what authority he

ORDERS, LETTERS, MESSAGES, ETC.

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, Dizon, Doolittle, Hendricks-4. NAYS-Messrs. Anthony, Cameron, Cattell, Chandler, Conkling, Conness, Corbett, Cragin, Drake, Edmunds, Ferry, Fessenden, Frelinghuysen, Harlan, Henderson, Howard, Howe, Morrit 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,

YEAS-Messrs. Anthony, Cameron, Cattell, Cole, Conk

ling, Cragin, Drake, Ferry, Harlan, Morrill of Maine, Mor

rill of Vermont, Morton, Patterson of New Hampshire.
Pomeroy, Ramsey, Ross, Sprague, Stewart. Sumner, Thayer,
Tipton, Trumbell, Van Winkle, Wade, Willey, Williams,
Wilson, Yates-28.

NAYS-Messrs. Buckalew, Davis, Doolittle, Edmunds.
Hendricks, Patterson of Tennessee-6.

NOT VOTING -Messrs. Bayard, Chandler, Conness, Corbett, Dixon, Fessenden. Fowler, Frelinghuysen, Grimes Norton, Nye, Saulsbury, Sherman, Vickers-20.

Henderson, Howard, Howe, Johnson, McCreery, Morgan

The resolution, as amended, was then agreed to without a division.

Acceptance of General Lorenzo Thomas. WAR DEPARTMENT,

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, February 21, 1868.

Grimes, Johnson, McCreery, Morgan, Morton, Norton, Nye, His Excellency ANDREW JOHNSON, President of

Patterson of Tennessee, Ross, Saulsbury, Sherman, Vickers, Wade-17.

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.

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, stating that he had removed Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, and had designated the Adju tant 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 28, nays 6, as follow:

the United States.

SIR: I have the honor to report that I have delivered the communication addressed by you to the honorable Edwin M. Stanton, removing him from the office of Secretary of the War Department, and also to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date authorizing and empowering me to act as Secretary of War ad interim. I accept this appointment with gratitude for the confidence reposed in me, and will en deavor to discharge the duties to the best of my ability.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient ser-
L. THOMAS, Adjutant General.

vant,

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WAR DEPARTMENT,

WASHINGTON CITY, May 26, 1868. SIR: The resolution of the Senate of the United States, of the 21st of February last, declaring that 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," having this day failed to be supported by two-thirds of the Senators present and voting on the articles of impeachment preferred against you by the House of Representatives, I have relinquished charge of the War Department, and have left the same, and the books, archives, papers, and property, heretofore in my custody as Secretary of War, in care of Brevet Major General Townsend, the senior Assistant Adjutant General, subject to your diEDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. To the PRESIDENT of the United States. Secretary Stanton's order to Gen. Townsend is as follows: 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

rection.

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