nature-but I do maintain, that taking the large force extending over such an extent of territory, and vested with supreme power, that instead of the few instances where, perhaps, criticism might be appropriate, the wonder was-and it is to be said to the credit of the armythat so little abuse was made of a power by those who might very readily be supposed difficult to restrain and control. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEORGE G. MEADE, Major General U. S. Army, Commanding. TELEGRAMS RECEIVED AND SENT. General U. S. Grant: ATLANTA, GEORGIA, January, 8, 1868. The passage of ordinances by the Conventions of Alabama and Georgia, enacting relief laws, are producing great suffering in these States, by causing expedition to be used in making levies in anticipation of these ordinances having the force of law, advantage is being taken of the interval of time before these ordinances are laws to bring levies and executions, thus causing these ordinances, intended as a measure of relief, to become, in reality, the means of increasing and greatly aggravating the burdens of the people. I am, therefore, inclined to adopt the ordinances as the act of the military authority and declare them to have force until the question is settled as to the adoption or rejection of the Constitutions enacting them. I refer to you, because your telegram of December 23d is adverse to enforcing any of the ordinances of the Conventions prior to the adoption of the Constitutions, and to obtain your approval of my proposed action. Answer immediately. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE, Major General. A true copy: R. Č. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 10, 1868. Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District: As District Commander, I think you will be perfectly justifiable in adopting as your own order the Stay Laws proposed in the Constitutions to be submitted to the people of Alabama and Georgia. This course is different from adopting, as law, the provisions of the Constitutions in advance of their ratification. A true copy: (Signed) U. S. GRANT, R. Č. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General. General ATLANTA, GEORGIA, January 9, 1868. General U. S. Grant, Washington, D. C.: I have had a conference with Governor Jenkins, and exerted all my influence to induce him to consider the appropriation by the Convention as an appropriation made by law, and not inconsistent with the provisions of the Georgia Constitution, and urged him to sign the warrant required by the Treasurer. The Governor declined, and there is no alternative but the exercise of my power to obtain control of the State Treasury. To avoid making any more changes than are required to effect the object, and also the difficulty of finding a suitable person and the questions of bonds, I propose to remove only the Treasurer, and to assign to the duty Brevet Brigadier General Ruger, with instructions to continue payments as heretofore, in accordance with the existing laws of the State, and to make such payments to the Convention as I shall authorize, checking thus unnecessary expenditures. I see no other mode of supplying the wants of the Convention, and its continuance in session is dependent on its wants being immediately supplied. It is probable other steps may have to be taken before the money can be secured, as it is intimated that an issue will be made, with a view of testing the validity of my powers Your approval or disapproval is asked at once. A true copy: (Signed GEORGE G. MEADE, R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General. Major General. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 10, 1868. Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District: Plan proposed in your dispatch of last evening to remove State Treasurer of Georgia, is approved. A true copy: (Signed) U. S. GRANT, R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General. General. ATLANTA, GEORGIA, January 11, 1868, General U. S. Grant, Washington, D. C.: The Convention of Alabama, ordained that when the election for the ratification of the Constitution should be held, the people should vote to fill all the offices created by the Constitution, and for members of Congress. General Pope, in his order authorizes the officers of the election to receive the votes cast in conformity with this ordinance. Governor Patton and many influential citizens, advocate strongly the withdrawal of this authority, alleging it will affect injuriously the question of ratification, and the nominees, mostly members of the Convention, are not such as the people would put in nomination, if they had a fair chance. General Swayne admits some of the objections, but strongly reports against the revocation, on the ground that it would be disastrous to reconstruction; that it would require additional elections, greatly to be deprecated and that though not required explicitly by the Reconstruction Act, the power exercised by the Convention is implied in these Acts. My own judgment, would be against authorizing this election, were the question submitted ab initio. As the order has been issued, there are reasons against any change provided the order is legitimate. The ordinance contemplates the whole of the State machinery going into effect, so soon as the Constitution is ratified; but I do not think the officers elected, can take office without my authority, until the Constitution under which they are elected receives the approval of Congress. But, there will undoubtedly be great pressure brought to bear, to obtain my authority; and recent action in Congress, would seem to indicate a desire to place the State Governments in the hands of the Conventions. I should be glad to have your views, and as the urgency is immediate, I ask for them by telegraph. GEORGE G. MEADE, A true copy R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General. Major General. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 13, 1868. Major General Meade, Commanding Third Military District: You will perceive by the Reconstruction Acts that Conventions are to frame constitutions and civil governments for their respective States, which already implies authority to order the election of officers thereunder, and in fixing the day of election, Alabama has only followed an established precedent The Governments elected cannot assume authority except under orders from the District Commander, or after action of Congress upon their Constitutions. A true copy (Signed) U. S. GRANT, General R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General. WAR DEPARTMENT, Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District: A true copy : R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General. General. ATLANTA, GEORGIA, January 12, 1868. General U. S. Grant, Washingt m, D. C.: General Swayne, upon further reflection, and fuller information as to the character of the nominees, withdraws the objections, reported in my dispatch of yesterday, to the postponement of the election of State officers in Alabama on the 4th of February proximo. GEORGE G. MEADE, A true copy: R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General. Major General. WASHINGTON, D. C., January 15, 1868. Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District: Telegram to General Grant received. He replies, act according to your own judgment about postponing Conventions. (Signed) ADAM BADEAU, Brevet Brigadier General and A. D. C. A true copy: HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT, General U. S. Grant: Unless the pending bill in Congress, directing military commanders to fill all the offices in the States under their commands rescinds the test oath and provides for selection fron qualified voters, I am informed its execution in this District will be entirely impracticable. GEORGE G. MEADE, A true copy R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General. Major General. HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT, General U. S. Grant, Washington, D. C.: The Governor of Florida has laid before me, and endorsed the same, a petition numerously signed, asking that the order of General Pope calling together the Constitutional Convention on the 20th inst., be suspended for a period sufficiently long to enable me to decide on the questions raised by them invalidating the election of the members. The points raised, are the violation of the Reconstruction Laws by General Pope. First, in the manner of districting the State. Secondly, in the registration thereof. Thirdly, in the conduct of the election. There is not time for me to deliberately examine these points, but there is prima facie evidence justifying me in the belief that perhaps, according to my judgment, the Reconstruction Laws have not been strictly adhered to, or at least there are grave questions raised. Under this view, I am disposed to postpone the meeting of the Convention for thirty days; but in this, as in all cases, refrain from acting until advised that you do not disapprove my proposed action. Please reply immediately. (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE, Major General A true copy: R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General. HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT, ATLANTA, GEORGIA January 16, 1868. General U. S. Grant, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.: Has a District Commander any authority, under the law, to correct infractions of the law? Has he any power, supposing he is satisfied that an election had not been properly conducted, or that great frauds existed, to set the election aside, and order another? My own opinion is, that he has not, and that the only appeal in cases of improper districting, or fraudulent election, is to be found in Congress when the Constitutions are acted upon. Answers to these questions are important because if I cannot correct the evils charged in the case of Florida, there is no occasion to postpone the meeting of the Convention. GEORGE G. MEADE, A true copy: R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General. Major General. WASHINGTON, D. C., January 17, 1868. Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District: Congress unquestionably can determine upon the question presented by the Governor of Florida, whatever may be the authority of District Commanders over such cases. Major General Pope having practically settled the matter complained of, by his action, before you assumed command of the Third District, it is deemed judicious, not to interfere with meeting of the Convention at the time ordered by him; but leave the whole matter to Congress, on its final action. A true copy: (Signed) U. S. GRANT, General. R. Č. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General. HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT, General U. S. Grant, Washington, D. C.: GENERAL: The State Treasurer and Comptroller General of this State, have not only removed beyond my jurisdiction all the funds in their charge, but all the books and records of their offices, hoping by these means to force a resort to civil process. As these acts are not only in violation of the statutes of Georgia, but clear cases of contempt of the power and authority of the United States, I have ordered the arrest, and if necessary, confinement of these derelict officers, and their trial by Military Commission for malfeasance in office and contempt of authority. A true copy: (Signed) GEORGE G. MEADE, R. C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant General. WASHINGTON, D. C., January 18, 1868. Major General George G. Meade, Commanding Third Military District: Tell me whether you think the election for civil officers in Alabama, |