Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1809-02-27
lsp the Rai.s.
From the Providence Gazette.
COL. OLNEY's RESIGNATION.
READ THIS.

COL. OLNEY's RESIGNATION.
READ THIS.
The following is copy of the letter
of resignation, sent by Col. Oiney 10 the
President -
Custom. House, District gf Providence,
tie 20th # fanuay, ls09.
RESPECTED SIR,
HAVING been honored with the
confidence 9th late father of his coun-
try, President Washington, and having
received from him, SO long ago as June,
1890, the appointment and commission
as Collector of the Customs for the
District of Providence, State OF Rhode.
Island, in which Office have since, by
the indulgence OF succeeding Presl-
dents, been con,inued-and after rem
dering long, faithful and impartial mil
itary and civil services to my country,
for the course OF twenty-seven, out OF
the last thirty-iour years OF my lile--I
have, at lenth, upon the most deliberate
reflection, and ior various and conclu-
sive reasons, formed resolution TO re-
sign my said commission (Which Is en-
closely and Office, as Collector OF the
Customs, immediately, or SO soon as
you can select person more willing
than myself to execute the fatal embar-
GO act OF the 9th Jan. 1909, to succeed
me in said Office and that no time
might be lost in the accomplishment ct
an object SO desirable TO me, l have
chosen to address you, sir, at once, in
stead OF the Secretary OF the Treasury,
as in the ordinary course of business
and respectfully intreat, sir, that you
will be pleased to make a speedy ar
rangement in conformity TO my wishes,
& will be prepared accordingly. In
the interim, will continue TO execute
the duties of said Office with fidelity
Among those reasons which have had
the most influence on my mind, and
which, after serious and mature delib-
Grafton, have induced me to adopt the
present resolution, are the gradual
weight of declining ycars-a feeble
state Of health, unequal longer 70 en-
counter, with usefulness to the Public,
or reputation TO myself, the add tlonal
responsibility, the vast and increased
perplexities and requirements of Off
cial duty attached to said Office since
the adoption of the embargo laws, har-
ncnlariy The Lasf, an6 the regulations OF
the Secretary OF the Treasury for car
rying the same into effect and for the
ex, cution of those multiplied, embar-
RAISING and arduous duties, | have re-
ceived an inadequate and lar less COM
pensation than on all former occasions
Tor performing much less perplcxed Of
fetal tluties-and since the receipt Of
the fatal embargo act passed on the 9th
of January, 1909, / discover that the
system cannot any longer be carried in.
to execution, but by new and giievous
requirements, aided by the strong and
despotic arm of military force, TO be
directed, not agains, our enemies, out
our friends and fellow-cilizens which
I, and it is presumed every considerate
and well disposed American will con-
slider as rcpugnant TO the genius and
true principles of mild republican
form of government, established by the
blood and sufferings of host OF &C.
parted heroes-and under which 1
humbly trust indulgent Heaven will
yet permit me TO pass the short residue
Of my days ;-aiid alter having ,undei
tie auspices of leader sent by Heaver
To Guide the American people throug !
doubtful contest. in common with my
fellow.soldiers, some OF whom hay ing
fallen by my sitie> fought the arduous
battles Of my county, ;hroug h a long
and perilous war-and thereby estab-
lished her liberties and Independence
! | therefore cannot now, Sir, become
instrumental in assis,ing TO rivet upon
my countrymen those Very chains and
/ letters which once, on former and
memorable occasion, lent my feeble
| but jealous assistance to burst asunder.
Being seriously and deeply affected
with the gloomy prospect that has oil
late, spread far and wide over our once
happy oountry-I have, in Offering
some Of the reasons for my resignation,
been Involuntary led thus freely and
respectfully, sir, to express few sen.
, timcnts which have occurred to me on
the present interesting and momen;ous
aspect OF our public afiairs--as well
from long and attentive observance oil
the alarming state oil things, as from
an inherent right and spirit of indie
pendence possess, presume in COM