Special Message
07/17/1868
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
It was to prevent such an appointment that I accepted the office of Secretary of War ad interim.
The extraordinary character of your letter of the 3d instant would seem to preclude any reply on my part.
The orders issued by me upon this subject are in accordance with long-established usage and hitherto unquestioned author...
Copies of the letters which they have addressed to me upon the subject are accordingly herewith inclosed.