First-Hand Diary of Andrew Johnson Impeachment & Related Materials

This archive of printed and manuscript materials includes three tickets to the Senate Gallery for the trial on different days in early April 1868, printed speeches, and eyewitness accounts in letters and diary fragments. Particularly interesting are the comments of Caroline R. Wade, wife of Senator Benjamin F. Wade, in two letters to her niece in Ohio, and the daily diary entries of New York journalist and compiler Frank Moore, who spent extensive time in Washington during the impeachment drama and met with many of the leading figures.

[ANDREW JOHNSON.] Archive of printed and manuscript materials related to the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, 1866-1870. 14 documents, 197 pp.

Contents and Excerpts
- [Andrew Johnson], Propaganda forgery of Autograph Letter Signed, to Augusta King, April 19, 1855. 5 pp., 8" x 10".
"I call you Smith because I consider Smith a better name than King and I bestow no trifling epithets, like Madam or Miss, because they are unworthy a freeborn tailor of the nineteenth century."
"tailors are born to rule...."
"I have only to add that sustained by the noble principles & patriotism, which animated the breast of Washington, devoted to the interests of Tennessee & slavery & holding that Christianity & democracy are identical, I will administer the affairs of this state to the best interest of mechanics & tailors, one of the latter especially.
"I will say moreover that I expect to be President one of these days...."
"I write badly, because all great men do."

- Caroline R. Wade, Autograph Letter Signed, to Nellie M. Wade, April 16, 1866. 4 pp., 5" x 8".With autograph envelope franked by Wade's husband, Benjamin F. Wade.
"Things are no better than they have been, Johnson is still wedded to 'my policy' and seems determined to rule or ruin. This week most probably they will legislate on the admission of Colorado and some other things of importance."
"I am very sorry you did not remain over today, as you would have seen more of our 'colored citizens' than you ever looked upon before."
Caroline Marie Rosecrans Wade (1805-1889) was born in New York and married Benjamin F. Wade in 1841 in Ohio. They had two sons.
Ellen "Nellie" Maria Wade Colfax (1836-1911) was born in Ohio and in 1868 became the second wife of Speaker of the House of Representatives Schuyler Colfax, who later served as Vice President under President Ulysses S. Grant. Her uncle was Senator Benjamin F. Wade of Ohio.

- Benjamin Butler, Letter Signed, to "Mr. Cave," July 18, 1867, Washington, D.C. 2 pp., 5" x 7.25".
Butler declines an invitation to a party.

- George Boutwell, Impeachment. Speech of Hon. George S. Boutwell, of Massachusetts, in the House of Representatives, December 5 and 6 1867. Washington: Congressional Globe Office [1867]. 16 pp., 6" x 9".
"Believing that Andrew Johnson is guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors I have assented to, and by the direction of a majority of the Committee on the Judiciary reported, a resolution for his impeachment. This resolution, upon my conscience and best judgment, I now support." (p16)

- Frank Moore, Manuscript Diary Fragment, January 1-May 24, 1868. 48 pp., 3.75" x 6".
This daily diary of a New Yorker who was visiting the capital during the impeachment drama provides vivid and interesting notes of private conversations with many of the key players in the impeachment, including Grant, Sumner, Stanton, and others. One entry records attendance at a reading of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens during his second American tour.
Frank Moore (1828-1904) was born in Concord, New Hampshire, and became a journalist in New York City. He compiled and edited many volumes about the American Revolutionary War and the Civil War, including The Rebellion Record, 12 vols. (1861-1868). In 1853, he married Laura M. Bailey (1830-1904).
January 8, 1868: "Taking the story of the Good Samaritan literally we can easily call the copperheads and unreconstructed rebels who are just at this time making themselves prominent in the Herald, Express, World and Nat Intelligencer, Leevites: they pass by on the wrong or other side of the political street with no time but for self and no mind but for the spoils. The Grantites are the Samaritans."
January 10, 1868: "My old friend Gen. Peter Force is lying very ill at Washington. I rejoice that his great historical collection has reached its home in the Congress Library, before he has reached his in heaven."
January 28, 1868: "Laura and self left N.Y. for Washington. Rode nearly all day through a snow storm and reached our hotel a[t] half past six rather worse for wear. On the route met J. S. Gibbons the political economist, who entertained us with his views on women suffrage. In the matter of politics he don't count unmarried of either sex as people. Like me he believes that bachelors should have none of the rights that are given to married men & that they should pay all taxes."
February 3, 1868: "In the evening to hear Dickens read, the Christmas Carol and the Trial in Pickwick. Was delighted with the Carol but do not think Pickwick equal to the original reading. Chief Justice Chase Senators Sumner & Hendricks and Postmaster General Randall were there. Sumner was overflowing in praises of Dickens, while the Chief Justice said he enjoyed the Carol but thought the Trial too much 'doctored.' Hendricks, who with his little wife occupied seats along side us, laughed a good deal but did not seem to feel the reading much. He did not 'take on' as much as his neighbors did at the recital of Cratchit's woes. What else can one expect of a man who could make such a speech as H. did on Reconstruction the other day."
February 6, 1868: "Was introduced to J. M. Ashley, and had a conversation with him on the Grant-Johnson difficulty. As I think, he believes old J to be a knave as well as traitor. McPherson, clerk of the House, told me that a bill defining a course of procedure under the impeachment is to be introduced into the Senate in a day or two, on the passage of which Johnson will be impeached and immediately deprived of office, before he is tried. I hope it is so, for a more shameful affair than Johnson's using Grant is not known in the annals of civilized nations."
February 7, 1868: "In the evening to Colfax Reception. The entire world was there."
February 8, 1868: "Met Grant at Ulke's photo gallery, where he sat for a picture for me. Got a good impression. Thence to the Capitol with the General. On the way he told me a story about President Lincoln's visit to Dutch Gap."
February 11, 1868: "Johnson's answer to Grant was read in the House today. A special pleading in which I dodge the main question."
February 14, 1868: "Passed the morning at headquarters of the army. A party of Ute Indians, accompanied by the Govr of Colorado, Kit Carson, Mr Perry the interpreter called to pay their respects to Grant while I was there."
February 21, 1868: "Andrew Johnson made a fool of himself today, by sending Lorenzo Thomas into Stanton's office to take possession. The Senate is considering the question. If Thomas don't get [swabbed?] when he presents himself to Stanton to take upon himself office, I am much mistaken. S. won't 'lick' him, but he will probably order him to go to his place."
February 24, 1868: "Sick all night, but could not stay away from the centre of interest, Congress. Went up at one oclock and staid until the declaration of the vote, 126 for and 47 against Impeachment."
February 25, 1868: "Poor Thomas! He is an ass! There is but little excitement about impeachment here. All that is reported in N.Y. papers is manufactured by the correspondents."
February 28, 1868: "Some men say that two or three of the Senators will now decline to vote for impeachment. Such men are no better than rebels, for persons who will state such things, give the same moral encouragement as rebels who wish what they state will be done. It is my opinion that all the republican senators will vote right and that A. J. will be deposed by the 15th of March. Anyhow I hope that he will be impeached."
March 14, 1868: "I think and believe that I shall live to see the Constitution torn in pieces, remodelled, revamped, and regenerated in a manner that will make it acceptable to the age in which we live."
March 18, 1868: "Saw a colored woman in the East Capitol grounds in the pains of childbirth & engaged a hack and sent her to her home. Before I sent her made an appeal to one of the hirelings who had a carriage disengaged, to take her home but being a Washingtonian and a hater of 'niggers' he refused."
March 28, 1868: "Everybody looks blue and business is at a stand. All blame the Radical Congress, but I blame the great non-producing capitalists, who are with one pair of hands & millions of money, feeding one family of mouths and entering millions of the poor. When one man by the stroke of his pen can add one penny to the cost of the articles of necessity to the poor, then he has an advantage which is undue and unjust...."
April 9, 1868: "Heard Curtis in his argument for the President; a very fine showing of a very bad cause. Clear, cogent and ably put; worthy a better cause. Of course there was much that was redundant and the argument will not read as well as it sounded. Tomorrow he will finish, but I think I have heard enough from B. R: therefore will devote my day to other matters more interesting."
April 10, 1868: "Was at the Senate all day. Curtis finished his argument in defense of the President and the respondents counsel examined Gen. Lorenzo Thomas, who was cross examined by Gen. Butler very ably, although with too much of the criminal jury style. 'Ad interim' in the commencement of the examination put a bold face on the affair and with a good deal of confidence replied to the questions put to him with an air of self possession but when Butler took hold of him, he soon changed his skin and became a very Polonius, whale and all."
April 11, 1868: "Butler stands after to-day's proceedings head and shoulders above his brothers in criminal law. Never, I believe, in the history of criminal jurisprudence, has counsel been as completely demoralized as they of the President, in to-day's trial. After annihilating Ad Interim, Butler met Stanberry when he offered to put in evidence, the conversation of the President, and three separate times prevented the introduction of it, and so completely overcame the counsel for the respondent, that, after confessing their inability to go on with the examination, they asked an adjournment till Monday, that they might have time to prepare their questions to be introduced."
April 16, 1868: "Impeachment had a pretty hard out to-day. Butler had the temerity to make a political harangue, while the Presidents counsel introduced some testimony that was unfortunate. Sumner still keeps up his acting with the defense and Chase makes a fool of himself as usual. In all particulars this has been an unfortunate day for impeachment."
May 4, 1868: "At the Capitol all day, listening to Bingham's splendid argument. It is quite as able as Evarts' and not as rambling and discursive."
May 11, 1868: "An awful day in the history of the country. Went to Capitol at 11 and hung around the lobby till five. Every one demoralized and the devil to pay generally."
May 13, 1868: "After the adjournment of the Impeachment trial on Monday night at 11 oclock Ch. Justice Chase took Anthony into his coach and rode about this city till one oclock endeavoring to convert him to the side of acquittal."
May 16, 1868: "Elevent[h] Article of Impeachment voted on. A. J. acquitted by one vote."
May 21, 1868: "Grant nominated at Chicago unanimously. Called on him and congratulated him at his house."

- George T. Brown, Printed Tickets to the Impeachment Trial of Andrew Johnson. Washington, DC: Philp & Solomons, 1868. Tickets for April 1, 4, and 8, 1868. Each 1 p., 5" x 3". The stubs of the April 1 and April 4 tickets are reattached with tape on verso.

- Impeachment of the President. Majority Report. [Washington, DC], [1868]. 59 pp., 6" x 9".
"Resolved, That Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, be impeached of high crimes and misdemeanors."
[Benjamin F. Butler? Thaddeus Stevens?], Marginalia on p. 55: "From this par. on was written by me. The previous part was written by [Thomas] Williams of Penna."

- Charles Sumner, Expulsion of the President. Opinion of Hon. Charles Sumner, in the Case of the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson…, ca. May 1868. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1868. 52 pp., 6" x 9.125".
Speech decrying Johnson's confrontation with Congress as "one of the last great battles with slavery…"

- Caroline R. Wade, Autograph Letter Signed, to Nellie Wade, May 8, 1868, Washington, D.C. 4 pp. 5.25" x 8".
"The trial, since my return has been the only topic of conversation and the all engrossing subject of thought as well, constantly varying from day to day from acquittal to conviction until now that the arguments are closed there seems to be no doubt in the mind of any one that Johnson's conviction is inevitable. The vote will be taken on Tuesday next at 12 o'clock, so that before this reaches you the matter will probably be settled. I heard the first part of Mr Evart's speech but did not care for any thing farther in that line, did not attend when Stanberry spoke but was there through the whole of Mr Bingham's speech and felt well paid for my time and attention, in fact I would not have missed a single sentence for any thing. After thanking the Senators for the honor done him by their attention he said, 'I demand in the name of the House of Representatives and of the people, judgment against the accused for the high crimes and misdemeanors in office of which he stands impeached, and of which, before God and men, he is clearly guilty.' The last word was pronounced in an earnest and impressive manner and the moment it had passed his lips, there was a perfect storm of applause in the galleries. The Chief Justice in an angry voice commanded the galleries to be cleared, when the applause again burst forth, he then called upon the Sergt at Arms to clear the galleries immediately, and Mr Trumbull proposed that those who had made the disturbance should be arrested (Would not they have had a lovely time arresting a thousand persons, full half of them women?) the storm again burst forth and then very leisurely the people passed out.... This order of clearing the galleries has never but once before been enforced now however the diplomatic and reporter's galleries came under the ban which never occurred before. Chase catches it on all sides, and is very much ashamed of it judging from appearances."

- Thaddeus Stevens et al., Manuscript Document Signed, Order to Congressional Globe, n.d., Washington, D.C. 1 p., 8.375" x 23.375".
"The Speech of Hon Thads Stevens on the Presidential Question will be printed at the Globe Office at 50cts pr hundr Copies."
Stevens subscribes for 3,000 copies, and nineteen others subscribe for various numbers of copies, together totaling more than 9,000 copies.

- Thomas Williams, Autograph Letter Signed, to Andrew Boyd, March 23, 186[9]. 2 pp., 5" x 8". On "Fortieth Congress House of Representatives" illustrated letterhead.
He does not know where "a copy of the articles of Impeachment could be obtained." The trial was printed in book form by the Globe printers for Congress.

- Godlove S. Orth et al., Printed Document Signed, Order to Congressional Globe, [June 1870], Washington, D.C. 1 p., 8" x 12". Edge tears on folds.
"Speeches of Hon. Godlove S Orth of the State of Indiana, on ________ Delivered in the House of Representatives June 14th, 1870, To be printed at the Congressional Globe Office."
Orth and fourteen others subscribe for a total of 3,100 copies.

Historical Background
President Andrew Johnson and the Republican-controlled Congress clashed frequently between 1865 and 1868 over a variety of issues and policies. Johnson granted a general amnesty to most former Confederates and oversaw the creation of state governments for many of the southern states, dominated by ex-Confederate officials. In February 1866, he vetoed legislation extending the Freedmen's Bureau, and Congress could not override it. In 1867 and 1868, Congress passed a series of Reconstruction Acts, each vetoed by Johnson, and each veto overridden by Republicans in Congress. When Johnson tried to dismiss Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, in direct violation of the recently passed Tenure of Office Act (over Johnson's veto), the House of Representatives voted 126 to 47 in favor of a resolution to impeach Johnson on February 24, 1868, for a series of "high crimes and misdemeanors," mostly related to his attempted dismissal of Stanton. Nearly every Republican voted for the resolution, and every Democrat voted against it.

Thaddeus Stevens immediately presented a pair of resolutions that appointed a two-person committee to present the impeachment resolution to the Senate and appointed a seven-person committee to prepare and report articles of impeachment. House Speaker Schuyler Colfax appointed John Bingham and Thaddeus Stevens as the two-person committee. Colfax also appointed Bingham, Stevens, George S. Boutwell, George Washington Julian, James F. Wilson, John A. Logan, and Hamilton Ward to the committee to draft articles of impeachment. They delivered nine articles of impeachment on February 29, 1868. On March 2 and 3, the House approved eleven articles of impeachment against Johnson.

On March 4, the House impeachment committee presented the articles of impeachment to the U.S. Senate. The House also appointed seven members to serve as impeachment managers, the equivalent of prosecutors. Five—Bingham, Boutwell, Logan, Stevens, and Wilson—had been members of the seven-person committee who drafted the articles of impeachment, and the House also appointed Benjamin Butler and Thomas Williams as managers. The trial, presided over by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, began on March 23, was suspended on March 24 to give the defense six days to prepare evidence, resumed on March 30, and concluded on May 26. The Senate chambers were filled to capacity throughout the trial. Because of the great public interest, the Senate issued admission passes for the first time in its history. Each day, the Senate provided 1,000 color-coded tickets, good for one day's admission.

On May 16, Republicans made their first attempt at a conviction on the article that they thought had the most support in the Senate. Although Republicans outnumbered Democrats in the Senate by a margin of 45 to 9, those favoring conviction fell one vote short of the necessary two-thirds majority. On May 26, the Senate voted on the second and third articles, again falling one vote short of the necessary two-thirds majority for conviction. Ten Republican Senators voted not guilty, and not one of them was reelected in subsequent elections by their respective state legislatures.

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