No. 323.
Mr. Turner
to Mr. Evarts.
Monrovia, January 2, 1878. (Received February 6.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the honorable the House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia decided by an almost unanimous vote, taken on the 24th day of December, to present to the Senate of Liberia articles of impeachment against His Excellency the President of Liberia. On the 24th day of December the honorable the House of Representatives, through a board of managers, composed of four members of the said House, appeared at the bar of the Senate of Liberia, and, agreeably with certain provisions of the Liberian constitution, prepared six articles of impeachment against His Excellency the President.
The Senate, on the same day, without first resolving itself into a high court of impeachment, with the chief justice of the republic as presiding judge, as the constitution of Liberia provides must be done in such cases, [Page 521] issued a citation or summons to His Excellency the President ordering him to respond to the articles of impeachment on Monday, the 31st day of December, at 10 o’clock a.m.
The attorney-general resigned his office on the 29th of December, within a few hours subsequent to the presentation of the articles of impeachment, and appeared at the time set for His Excellency’s response as attorney for respondent.
On the 31st day of December, the chief justice presiding, the high court of impeachment was formed, and it was ordered that a copy of the articles of impeachment be furnished the respondent through his attorney; and that the 2d day of January, A. D. 1878, at 2 o’clock p.m., be the time fixed for His Excellency the President to appear and answer to the specifications and causes for impeachment preferred by the honorable the House of Representatives.
The high court of impeachment, at its sitting held January 1, A. D. 1878, after debate of great warmth, suspended President Payne from the exercise of the functions of the Presidency. The Secretary of State has informed me verbally that his resignation of the folio of the state department has been tendered and accepted. I have elsewhere had the honor to inform the Department of the suspension of the honorable the Secretary of the Treasury of Liberia.
I take occasion to remark that the action of the legislature in suspending the Secretary of the Treasury was, perhaps, unconstitutional, as that instrument provides for the tenure of that officer during the pleasure of the President. However, the Vice-President is the only officer of the administration now in the unquestioned exercise of official functions. The Vice-President is now Acting President of the republic.
The action of the legislature at this session produces great consternation in Liberia; and it is at present impossible to forecast the result of these disturbances. I have found it difficult, indeed impossible, thus far to obtain for the Department a copy of the articles of impeachment. I hope, however, to have the honor to send a copy thereof as soon as it can be procured.
I omitted to state in the body of this dispatch that the General of the Liberian army has also resigned.
I have, &c.,