n in
office, claiming to be in lawfully, is like the forcible ejectment
of a tenant when his right of possession is in dispute. It is a
trespass, an assault, a riot, or a crime, according to the result
of the force. It is strange the President can contemplate such a
thing, when Stanton is already stripped of power, and the courts
are open to the President to try his right of removal. The President
is acting very badly with respect to you. He creates the impression
that you acted disingenuously with him. He has published your
short private note before you went to Annapolis, and yet refuses
to publish your formal one subsequently sent to him, because it
was 'private.' The truth is, he is a slave to his passions and
resentments. No man can confide in him, and you ought to feel
happy at your extrication from all near connection with him. . . .
Grant is anxious to have your letters published, since the note
referred to was published. I will see Grant and the President this
evening, and if the latter freely consents, I will do it informally;
but if he doubts or hesitates, I will not without your expressed
directions. In these times of loose confidence, it is better to
submit for a time to a wrong construction, than to betray confidential
communications. Grant will, unquestionably, be nominated. Chase
acquiesces, and I see no reason to doubt his election. . . .

"Affectionately,
"John Sherman."

"Headquarters Military Division of the Missouri.}
"St. Louis, Mo., February 25, 1868. }
"Dear Brother:-- . . . I am in possession of all the news up to
date--the passage of the impeachment resolution, etc.--but I yet
don't know if the nomination of T. Ewing, Senior, was a real thing
or meant to compromise a difficulty.

"The publication of my short note of January 18, is nothing to me.
I have the original draft which I sent through Grant's hands, with
his indorsement back to me. At the time this note must have been
given to the reporter, the President had an elaborate letter from
me, in which I discussed the whole case, and advised against the
very course he has pursued, but I don't want that letter or any
other to be drawn out to complicate a case already bad enough.

"You may always safely represent me by saying that I will not make
up a final opinion until called on to act, and I want nothing to
do with these controversies until the time comes for the actual
fight, which I hope to God may be