Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-04-26
ABDIoATIoN OF THE MINISTRY.


Upon the singular condition of the government at
Washington, the National Intellgencer of Thursday.
makes the following observations:
The resignation in mass, of the highest Cabinet
officers, however frequent in Great Britain when
public sentiment there, or the loss of majority in
Parliament, forces ministry to retire, is a novel
occurrence IN our country, and constitutes an epoch
IN the history of the United States 1t is an event,
however which, though unexpected, perhaps to ma
ny, will surprise but few. The dissentions which
were known to have long existed among the MEM
bers of the administration had prepared the public
mind for change OF some sort; and, as either the
dismissal of of the antagonist parties or it's re
tention, threatened serious discomfort in the ranks
of the rlVaP divisions OF the Jackson party we pre-
sumo, as d measure Of compromise, and to avert o.
further alienation between them, resignation ofthe
whole Cabinet agreed on; for it IS understood
that the Attorney General has also rendered his re-
sgnation. The salvation of the party it was plain
demanded this course, and it has been prudently a.
dopted. Thus has our Cabinet, as Junius said of
the Rockingham Administration, "dlssoved in its
own weakness" and, 1t may be added, by the dis
cordance of it's materials.
We have hazarded a conjecture concerning the
operative Of the dissolution, without RESTORING
to the correspondence between the President and
the Secretary of Sta'e, which it might be sup
posed would furnish Il full explanation Mr. Van
Burens letter 1.-THE only one accompanying the
designations which has been given TO the public)
is studiously occult this interesting subject
thought 1t s usbered IN with apology for beng so
Prolix in explaining the uses, in relation at least
TO his owa case. 1t would seem, from the Presi-
dents reply that the SecTetary's statement was quite
ineligible to him. but, he possibly possesses fac-
tiles for interpreting it. derived from collateral sour
ces. the general reader, being destitute of this adgan-
tage, may be excused if he be somewhat at fault in
reading the expose ofthe honorable Secretary. At
one moment he would seem to have resigned because
the Office OF Secretary Of State was position IN
favorable 10 "utcTor operations for the Presidency
and that he had idea Of being deferred from them
by "seG diJranchisement.' But this injurious con.
lecture is forthwith chased away by his iatimation
that recent occurrences had rendered his situation
painful to ms deIcacy; and then1be laudebe ambition
Of doing act Of disintcrcsed patriotism which
would carry with 1t at the charm Of novev nd
the weigh; O! precedent, appears % have produced
bis resignation.
These and suudry other interpretations which hs
letter invites present themselves to the mind in quick
succession until at last the letter is put aside in
despair Misunderstanding what was the precise motive
for The honorable Secrcarys retirement II is quite
possible that the necessity which the honorable
Secretary felt for resjgnng Of so perpexad, or
perplezing character, that he was sincerely ombar-
raised himself when he sat down to the task Of OK
Elsining t.