Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. III.djvu/96

70 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS confirm the suspension of Stanton. Grant im mediately notified the president, who, finding that the general of the army would not retain the place in opposition to the will of congress, and that Sec. Stanton had re-entered upon his office, ordered Grant verbally to disregard Stanton s orders. Grant declined to do so unless he received instruc tions in writing. This led to an acrimonious corre spondence. The president claimed that Grant had promised to sustain him. This Grant emphatically denied, and in a long letter reviewing his action said: "The course you would have it understood I agreed to pursue was in violation of law, and was without orders from you, while the course I did pursue, and which I never doubted you understood, was in accordance with law. . . . And now, Mr. President, when my honor as a soldier and integrity as a man have been so violently assailed, pardon me for saying that I regard this whole matter, from the beginning to the end, as an attempt to involve me in the resistance of law for which you hesitate to assume the responsibility in orders." On Feb ruary 21 the president appointed Lorenzo Thomas adjutant-general of the army, secretary of war, and ordered him to take possession of the office. On February 24 articles of impeachment were passed by the house of representatives. Throughout these years of contest between the executive and con gress, Grant s position became very delicate and