Respectfully, yours,

ANDREW JOHNSON.

which order was unlawfully issued with intent then and there to violate
the act entitled "An act regulating the tenure of certain civil
offices," passed March 2, 1867, and with the further intent, contrary,
to the provisions of said act, in violation thereof, and contrary to the
provisions of the Constitution of the United States, and without the
advice and consent of the Senate of the United States, the said Senate
then and there being in session, to remove said Edwin M. Stanton from
the office of Secretary for the Department of War, the said Edwin M.
Stanton being then and there Secretary for the Department of War, and
being then and there in the due and lawful execution and discharge of
the duties of said office; whereby said Andrew Johnson, President of
the United States, did then and there commit and was guilty of a high
misdemeanor in office.

ART. II. That on said 21st day of February, A.D. 1868, at Washington, in
the District of Columbia, said Andrew Johnson, President of the United
States, unmindful of the high duties of his office, of his oath of
office, and in violation of the Constitution of the United States, and
contrary to the provisions of an act entitled "An act regulating the
tenure of certain civil offices," passed March 2, 1867, without the
advice and consent of the Senate of the United States, said Senate then
and there being in session, and without authority of law, did, with
intent to violate the Constitution of the United States and the act
aforesaid, issue and deliver to one Lorenzo Thomas a letter of authority
in substance as follows; that is to say:

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.

then and there being no vacancy in said office of Secretary for the
Department of War; whereby said Andrew Johnson, President of the United
States, did