Henry William Ravenel, 1814-1887: Private Journal 1866-1869: Page 150

Feb. 1868 Home

M. 24 The Charleston papers of Friday last announce the removal from office of P C Gaillard as Mayor & the appointment of Gen. Burns U. S. A. in his place. We cannot learn the immediate cause of his removal. Received a letter from Atty this morning - all well. Richard Dwight to start this week for his new home in Fairfield Dist. - to leave Rowena at Northampton for some time longer, until he can fix up his place & arrange matters. He expects to get some practice as a physician & goes at once to secure that. 
The negroes in St Johns refuse generally to contract for another year, waiting to see what the Convention will do. This morning the telegraph announces the removal of Stanton as Sec. of War & the appointment of Gen. Thomas in his place. Matters are hastening to a crisis in Washington.

T. 25 I have planted out all of Dr Wylies rooted grapes & cuttings the former in front garden the latter in vegetable garden, & also the 2 wild Labruscas sent by Dove, all of which are noted in diagrams in my "Note book."
Planted out Irish potatoes in garden. Heard from Harry. Press of business has detained him, but he hopes to pay us a visit this or next week. Affairs at Washington are becoming critical. Stanton refuses to surrender the War office to Gen. Thomas, & remains there day & night. The Committee have reported a resolution to the house, to impeach the President & it is thought it will now be adopted.
Grant is evidently siding with Congress & will not obey the Presidents orders.

W. 26 Raining with wind N. E. yesterday & today. Ash Wednesday! But none of the family have been able to go in to Church.
Mr Gregg sent me a large bundle of Euonymus yesterday, from which I have made 600 cuttings today. 
Political affairs in Washington are rapidly developing themselves The house on Monday voted for presenting articles of Impeachment against the President. Will the President permit himself to be suspended from the functions of his office before conviction? .. If he resists, then revolution attended with a bloody civil war may ensue.
A few days more must now decide whether Congress or the President will gain the ascendancy.
Yesterday I trimmed Scuppernong, Thomas, & Flowers Grape vines to be layered. They are bleeding profusely

Th. 27 Received a letter from Horace Mann of Cambridge Mass. offering to take my copy of Mongeat & Nestler's "Stirpes" at $100 in currency. I will pack them up & send off at once by Express. Affairs in Washington remain "in statu quo"