Description:

ANDREW JOHNSON
(1808-1875) Seventeenth President of the United States who came to office following the death of Abraham Lincoln. A squabble with Stanton along with his Reconstruction policies led to an impeachment by Congress. Reconstruction-date A.D.S., 3pp., 4to., Washington, October 21, 1867, an inter-office memo concerning the brevet of J.A. HEARN while Grant reluctantly served as the interim Secretary of State. Hearn, who had served in the Mexican and Civil Wars, was then a captain in the 34th Infantry, began the dialogue by writing personally to Johnson and asking him for the brevet promotion, citing, "...recommendations from officers in the army whom I served under as an enlisted man showing my conduct and capacity...". General GALUSHA PENNYPACKER, Hearn's commander, wrote an additional personal recommendation on the integral second leaf. Here, things get more interesting as politics comes into play.
Johnson pens a reply to Pennypacker's request: " Referred to the Hon. the Secretary of War ad interim -- who will please confer the brevet within applied for", which he boldly signed and dated: "Andrew Johnson, October 21, 1867"
As instructed, Grant reviewed Hearn's brevet and replies on verso: "The brevet ordered should be for faithful and meritorious service during the war," to which he boldly signs, U.S. Grant, General". Below Grant's message, J.C. KELTON, the assistant adjutant general of the army, approved Hearn's brevet, "By order of the Secretary of War, ad int", thus calling into question once again Grant's title and status within the government.
Grant had found himself in this position after Johnson suspended Edwin M. Stanton from the Secretary of War post in August, 1867. Johnson had incurred the wrath of a Radical Republican Congress opposed to his policies, who passed the Tenure of Office Act over Johnson's veto when Johnson tried to fire Stanton outright. Johnson, to get around the law, suspended Stanton and appointed Grant to the post in an ad interim capacity. Grant suffered along for a few months before resigning, not wishing to be tied too closely to Johnson, who was eventually impeached for violating the Tenure of Office Act. Grant would eventually win the presidency with the help of the Radical Republicans. Minor folds with a small separation archivally repaired, none affecting signatures, else fine. An excellent piece showing the thoughts of powerful men at a crucial time in Southern Reconstruction!

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May 13, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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