human
I do not know whether I will obey your instructions, or whether I will resist them. General Thomas had certified the correctness of the copy, and had signed himself Secretary of War _ad interim_. The two then went into General Schriver's room just across the hallway, and there Stanton declared outright that Thomas should not issue orders as {170} Secretary of War, and that if he did he (Stanton) would countermand them, and he then and there directed General Schriver and General Townsend, both of whom were present, to disobey any orders coming from General Thomas as Secretary of War. Mr. Stanton then caused General Townsend to prepare a written order to Thomas, signed by Mr. Stanton as Secretary of War, which was as follows:
gpt
Sir: I am informed that you presume to issue orders as Secretary of War _ad interim_. Such conduct and orders are illegal, and you are hereby commanded to abstain from issuing any orders other than in your capacity as Adjutant-General of the army.
human
Very well; go and take charge of the office and perform the duties.