_Washington, August 12, 1867_.
Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON,
_Secretary of War_.
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 suspended
from office as Secretary of War, and will cease to exercise any and all
functions pertaining to the same.
You will at once transfer to General Ulysses S. Grant, 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.
To which said order the said Stanton made the following reply: