'Executive Mansion, } 'Washington, February 21, 1868.} 'Sir:—Hon. Edwin M. Stanton having been this day removed from office as secretary for the department of war, you are hereby authorized and empowered to act as Secretary of War ad interim, and will immediately enter upon the discharge of the duties pertaining to that office. Mr. Stanton has been instructed to transfer to you all the records, books, papers, and other public property now in his custody and charge.
'Respectfully yours,
'Andrew Johnson.
'To Brevet Major General Lorenzo Thomas, Adjutant General of the
United States Army, Washington, District of Columbia.
'Official copy respectfully furnished to Hon. Edwin M. Stanton.
'L. Thomas
'Secretary of War ad interim.'
"Upon the evidence collected by the committee, which is herewith presented, and in virtue of the powers with which they have been invested by the House, they are of the opinion that Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, be impeached of high crimes and misdemeanors. They therefore recommend to the House the adoption of the accompanying resolution:
"Thaddeus Stevens,
"George S. Boutwell,
"John A. Bingham,
"C. T. Hulburd,
"John F. Farnsworth,
"F. C. Beaman,
"H. E. Paine.
"Resolution providing for the impeachment of Andrew Johnson,
President of the United States:
'Resolved, That Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, be impeached of high crimes and misdemeanors in office.'"
On the 24th of February the resolution providing for impeachment was adopted by a vote of 126 yeas and 47 nays.
On the same day Mr. Stevens introduced the following resolution, which was agreed to: