After such a long and bitter war, it is unavoidable that there will be bitter feelings between the sides.  We cannot use that as an excuse to mistreat any of the people of the south.  I have been made aware of excesses by one of our officers in charge of the Freedman’s Bureau in Georgia.  I wrote Sec. Stanton,

Galena Ill 11 a m

Aug. 30. 1865.
To Hon. Edwin M. Stanton

Secy of War,

Highlands N. J.
I would respectfully recommend the removal of Genl. Wilde from the Freedman’s Bureau in Georgia, Men should be appointed who can act from facts and not always be guided by prejudice in favor of color.
I would further recommend that Gen. Comstock be ordered on an inspection tour into Georgia, Alabama & Mississippi to report upon the situation and management of the freedmen in those States, He would give facts as they exist and probably enable Gen. Howard to correct abuses if there are any.
U. S. Grant

Lt. Genl.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 310

While I was in Canada, I was asked about the situation in Mexico.  I said that we had an army on the Rio Grande to observe the conflict.  I wrote Gen. Rawlins,

Galena Ill. August 20th 1865.

Dear Rawlins,
You will see from the papers how Galena spread herself [o]n Friday last in giving me a welcome home. It was very flattering though some what embarrassing. The same might be said of the whole journey through Canada. You have, no doubt, seen reported what I said in Canada relative to affairs in Mexico! All officials in Canada, Civil and Military, called on me. They show by their questions and conversation that they feared a rupture between the United States and Great Britain, and that they would use all honorable means of averting such a calamity. What I am reported to have said is nearly true except I did not say how many troops we had on the Rio Grande, nor did I say what Government would do. I spoke freely, however, of my own feeling in the matter and what I believed to be the feeling of the American people.
Your letter enclosing one for me to sign recommending the assignment of Col. Morgan was received the evening of my arrival here. You will find it signed and enclosed herewith.
I regret that I did not write to you to remain here as long as you found your health benefited by the stay. If you think a winter of quiet, in this latitude, advantageous why not come here and spend the Fall and Winter? The house presented to me’ by the kindness of the Citizens is entirely at your service if you choose to do so. You will find it very comfortable and containing everything necessary for housekeeping.
I shall not return to Washington before the 1st. of October unless called there. I have had a severe cold and cough, with sore throat, almost ever since I left until the last two days. At Detroit, beginning to be alarmed about it, I commenced taking medicine and care and I believe am getting well. I have gained in flesh until I now weigh 152 pounds, two pounds more than my highest ambition.
I enclose you with this a letter from J. H. Stokes which astonishes me.  I have never done him an unkindness that I am aware of. Burnside and Osborn former President of the Ill. C. R. R. made such a statement against him that, taking it for granted true, I recommended his muster out. After receiving his statement in the matter charged I believed great injustice had been done him. I so wrote and so stated in writing and in conversation with the Sec. of War. I recommended the revocation of the order mustering him out and I did all else that he asked me to do to rectify the injury so far as it could be done. The Sec. of War must have turned him off bluntly throwing all blame for what has been done on me. I wish you would see the Sec. and ask him for me to have Stokes placed as near right as possible law will allow. Stokes’ letter is uncalled for and relieves me of all obligation to do anything to assist him. But believing that he has suffered innocently, and not knowing but he may have heard something to lead him to think I may have acted insincerely, I want you to do for him what is just.
Remember me to all the Staff. When any of you write I should like to hear how my horses flourish.
Yours Truly

U. S. Grant.

Lt. Gen.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 300-1

With the reduction in numbers of our army, we must not lose sight of the possibility that we may have to intervene in the conflict in Mexico. I wrote Gen. Sheridan,

DETROIT, MICH., August 13, 1865-10 p. m.

Major General P. H. SHERIDAN,

New Orleans, La.:

The order for muster-out in Your command was made with the view of avoiding the necessity of sending cavalry horses to You and not with any idea that Your force should be reduced to the smallest wants for keeping Texas in the traces. The Imperial troops in Mexico still require watching, and before all the seed of the rebellion can be regarded as crushed out they must go back to their homes. We must hold ourselves ready to demand this.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 298

O.R., I, xlviii, part 2, p 1180

I received the following from Sec. Stanton,

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington City, August 12, 1865-9. 30 a. m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT,

Detroit:

The President is much concerned about the Indian expedition. The Secretary of the Treasury declares his inability to meet an expenditure so large and unexpected, and not sanctioned by the Government. Have You any information to relieve the President’s anxiety or to satisfy him as to the object and design of the expedition? Who planned it? Whether Sherman has reduced it any, and its probable results. Please answer speedily, and state when You expect to return to Washington.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

I replied,

DETROIT, MICH., August 12, 1865-2 p. m.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

I have heard nothing from Sherman in answer to my dispatch directing a reduction of forces in the Northwest, and for him to look into the Indian expeditions and curtail them. They have been planned under General Pope’s direction, and I am not posted as to the necessity of them. I will go to Saint Louis in a few days and look into this matter myself. In the meantime I think all extraordinary requisitions should be disapproved. I will not go back to Washington for some weeks.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 296

O.R., I, xlviii, part 2, p 1178-9

I have been invited to take a tour of Canada by British Maj. Gen. Charles Hastings Doyle.  While there, I took the opportunity to look into legal matters concerning Confederates who had fled to Canada during the war.  I wrote Sec. Stanton,

Montreal Canada Aug. 8th 1865

Hon. E. M. Stanton,

Secretary of War,

Sir:
Since my arrival here I have seen Mr. Potter, our Consul and find that in his judgment after investigation that the charges made against Dr. Montrose Pollen of trying to extort from a witness in the conspiracy trial a contradiction of his testimony in the case is probably without foundation. As amnesty had been extended to Dr. Pollen, and was revoked in consequence of the charge I would respectfully recommend that he be paroled to go to St. Louis, to await whatever action may be thought necessary in his case. I would also recommend that Mr. Potter our Consul be authorized to parole Gen’l D. M. Frost to go to St. Louis to await action in his case: General Frost voluntarily went before the American Consul at Quebec and took the proper steps and Oath for making his application for Amnesty.
Very respectfully
Your obt. Servt
U. S. Grant
Lieut Gen’l

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 15, p 291