ipt of this communication.

You will transfer to Brevet Major-General Lorenzo Thomas,
Adjutant-General of the Army, 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.

Respectfully, yours,

ANDREW JOHNSON.

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

_Washington, D.C., February 21, 1868_.

Brevet Major-General LORENZO THOMAS,

_Adjutant-General United States Army, Washington, D.C._

SIR: The Hon. Edwin M. Stanton having been this day removed from office
as Secretary for the Department of War, you are hereby authorized and
empowered to act as Secretary of War _ad interim_, and will immediately
enter upon the discharge of the duties pertaining to that office.

Mr. Stanton has been instructed to transfer to you all the records,
books, papers, and other public property now in his custody and charge.

Respectfully, yours,

ANDREW JOHNSON.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 17.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

_Washington, March 28, 1868_.

By direction of the President of the United States, Major-General W.S.
Hancock is relieved from command of the Fifth Military District and
assigned to command of the Military Division of the Atlantic, created
by General Orders, No. 10, of February 12, 1868.

By command of General Grant:

E.D. TOWNSEND,

_Assistant Adjutant-General_.

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

_Washington, D.C., May 28, 1868_.

The chairman of the committee of arrangements having requested that
an opportunity may be given to those employed in the several Executive
Departments of the Government to unite with their fellow-citizens in
paying a fitting tribute to the memory of the brave men whose remains
repose in the national cemeteries, the President directs that as far as
may be consistent with law and the public interests persons who desire
to participate in the ceremonies be permitted to absent themselves from
their duties on Saturday, the 30th instant.

By order of the President:

WM. G. MOORE,

_Secretary_.

EXECUTIVE MANSION,

_Washington, D.C., June 1, 1868_.

Major-General John M. Schofield having been appointed, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate, Secretary for the Department of War,
is hereby relieved from the command of the First Military District,
created by the act of Congress passed March 2, 1867.

Brevet Major-General George Stoneman is here