Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-12

Correspondence between Mr.. VAN BURrK, Secretary
i q s'ate sas'd Mr. SLADE, tate Clerk IN that Ds-
DEpARrMENr or SrArK, !
April %, i829.
SIR: You VIII please to consider your employment
az Clerk in this Department us Terminating, with
the present month. 1t is lef optional with you to
continue in until that period not; my object in
you this early notice being merely TO render
The change resulting from an unpleasant duty on my
pars as little dsagrecabie to you as possible.
With the best wishes for your future welfare,
a" your obsident and humble servant,
a., NJ. VAN BUREN,.
q Mr.. WILLIAM SLApx. :.
81 DEPARrMESr OF STATE,
Washington, .9p-it29, 1929.
Sir have received your note OF yesterdays date.
in your Department will terminate with the present
Month-assigns a reason for CRYING mo "ths carly
notice OF 1t dcsite to render the change, rcsultn
from an unpleasant duty" on your part, as little
dsagrceablc to me possible, and closes with cx-
preston OF your "bes wishes for future welfare"
To the contents Of your note, have given the
most attentive consideration, and cannot resist the
conviction that justice TO myself demands Of me
than a silent compliance with its mandate.-To that
mandate, indeed, as in duty bound, submit. But
Sir your note implicitly calls upon INC to submit to
something more than simple decree Of exclusion
from the public service II speaks with empha-
sis of an unpleasant duty YOUR part. and makes
my exclusion the result OF that duty
With the standard by which YOU estimate YOUR
duty, do not profess Sir, To be ucqn tinted; but
would hope that am not mistaken IN to be
that which should regulate the conduct of states
man who would prove himself wort ny of Tee age and
OF The country, in which you vc-the standard of fair
Impartial justice to tho public whose servant
you are aud Justice to Your fellow-scrvants
Can j. then, suppose this to be the rule of that
"dnty' which enloins my exclusion from the public
service, without feeling myself called upon, in submit
ting to It's operation, To submit ~ the same time to
the imputaton of inco,nPctency ar unfah(uines in
that service? You will, am sure, hardly allow me
TO suppose that you could, suddenly deprive public
servant who happens to be placed within your power
of the which might constitute his only reliance
Tor the support of dependent family, upon any
slghtcr grounds than those have suggested or that
you would either expressly, by application charge
him with incompctency or unfaithfuness, bns upon
the rtDst clear ana satisfactory testimony.
Allow me, then, respectfully, TO ask you--wherr
have you found the evidence of nv inability to
discharge the appropriate duties Of nv station. or
ofmy unwillngncss to perform those dn:ics with f.
deity, as well to yourself as to the public
nave been IN your department more than FIVE
gears For alarge portion Of that time nv situation
has been prominent and highly responsible one ne
ceSsarily subjecting the discharge of nv official Jn
ties in no slight degree, to public scrutiny and fur
nishlns tho most ample opportunity of detecting
whatever Toght Justly expose me TO cepsurr And
can DO mistaken, Sir, in supposin1 that whom vm,
entered upon the duties Of the Head Of this Dcpart
nent, you bestowed some Of your first tho, obs mon
me enquiry, from whom In it you might expect a
faithful and efficient cooperation in the dischnrpo Of
hose duties, Have you not asked whether the zen.
ienen whom you found employed here were "capa-
'ie,' or "honcst," "thithfrP' And win va, aIpw
ne TO ask, whether TO either of these enquiries in
egard TO myself, YOU have received from anv human
'cing negative answer
j put these questions, Sir, in sober earnestncs.
lot that ask, or expect, desire, reversal of the
entencc of exclusion; but because have rem
talion which value, and which would preserve
rec from the mpntation involved in your rule of du
y" with regard to my removal or rather i'm the only
ME which lave felt mysclfa hberyto suppose YOU
ould adopt.
Duly approaching the motive of the seasonablcness
! your communication to me, as well as the noIe
erlns IN which 1t has been made I beg leave to u.s.
ire you that your "best wishes for NV future wei
ire shall on no occasion, be permitted to exceed the
MEASURE CT mine for yours.
fan very respectfully, Sir, your obedqnt servant.
- w. SLADE.
Hon. ". VAN BUREN