_Washington, D.C., February 21, 1868_.
Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON,
_Washington, D.C._
SIR: By virtue of the power and authority vested in me as President by
the Constitution and laws of the United States, you are hereby removed
from office as Secretary for the Department of War, and your functions
as such will terminate upon the receipt 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,