Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-05-18
CORRESPONDENTS,
BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND THE LATE CABINET
 WASHINGTON, April 11th, 1851.

WAsHlNeroN, April 11th, 1851.
 Dear Sirl feel it to be my duty to reure iroin ,it office to which your confidence and paraiiy cal'eo me. Tie decacy of this step, under the lul Gncuill stances in which it is taken will, trus'' DC uoe.ee an ample apology for stating more at large, tlian might otber,vise have been necessary, the reasons b. which am influenced. C.I:
 From the moment oftaking my seat in your U OaDf net, 1t has been my anxious wish ana Zeaous eu.oa vor to prevent premature agitation oi the ques'ion ofyour successor; and, at all events 10 alscouhe nance and if possible repress the disposition, at an carly day manifested, to connect my name with that disturbing topic Of the sincerity and constancy oi this disposition no one has had better opportunity to judge than yourself It has, however, been ma vailing. Circumstances, not oi my creatlon' ana altogether beyond my control, have given this sub feet turn which cannot now be remedled except by self.disfranchisemen which, even if dictated by my individual wishes could hardly be reconcileable with propriety or self respect.
 Concerning the injurious effects which the clrcm- stance of member of the Cabinets occupying the relat;on towards the country to which have advert ed is calculated to have upon the conduct of public affairs there cannot think, at this time be room for two opinions. Divcrsties of uerior preference among the friends of an Administration are unavod- able; and even fthe respective those thus placed in rvalship be patriotic enough to resist the temptation of creating obstacles the advancement of himto whose elevation theyare opposed by embarrass ing the branch of public service committed to his charge they are nevertheless, by their position ex posed to the suspicion ot entenanng ana encouraS, ing such views: suspicion which can seldom fail in the end to aggravate into present alienation and hostility the prospective differences which first gave rise to it. Thus, under the least unfavorable conse quences individual injustice is suffered and the Ad minisration embarrassed and weakened. Whatev- CT may have been the course of things under the pe cular circumstances at the earlier stage of the Re- public my experience has fully satisfied that, at this day, when the field of selection has become so extended, the circumstances referred to, by augment ing the motives and sources of opposition to the measures of the Executive, must unavoldably prove the cause ofinjury the public service for counter boise to which we may in vain look to the peculiar qualifications of any indivdua and even if should in this be mistaken, still cannot so far deceive my self as to believe for moment that am included in the exceptions.
 These Instructions to the successful prosecution of public affairs, when superadded to that opposition which is nseparable from our free institutions, and which every administration must expect, present to which the operations of the government should at time be voluntarily exposed:-the more especially should this be avoided at so eventful pc rod in the affairs of the world, when country may particularly need the utmost harmony in her councils.
 Such being my impressions, the path of duty is plain: and not only submit with cheeriullness to whatever personal sacrifices may be involved Tn the surrender of the station occupy; but make it my ambition to set an example which, should it in the progress of the Government be deemed, notwith- standing the humility of its origin, worthy of respect and observance, cannot think fail to prove essen tially and permanently beneficial.
 Allow me- Sir, to present one more view of the subject-You have consented to stand before your constituents for reelection. Ofheir decision rest ing it does upon the unbought sufrages of free, numerous and wildly extended people, it becomes no man to speak with certainty. Judging, however, from the past, and making reasonable allowance fnr the of tho iutnioancn and Dlic spirit of your follow citizens, cannot hesitate in doptng the belief that the confidence well in your capacity for civil duties as in your civic virtues a- ready so Spontaneously and strikngly displayed, will candid observers must admit their utmost expecta- tons to have been more then realized.
 Ifths promise suspicious to the best interests of our common country, be fulfilled the concluding term of your administration will in the absence of any prominent of discord among its supporters, afford most favorable opportunity for the full ac- complishment of those important public objects in the prosecution of which have witnessed on your part such steady vigilance and untiring 6evotion.- To the unfavorable influence which my continuance in your Cabinet, under existing circumstances, may exercise upon this lattering prospect, cannot, Sir without total disregard ofthe lights of experience, and without shutting my eyes to the obvious tenden- cy of things for the future, be insensible. Having moreover, from deep conviction of it's importance to the country, been among the most urgent of your advisers to yield yourself to the obvious wishes of the People, and knowing the sacrifice of personal feeling which was involved in your acquiescence, cannot reconcile it to myself to be in any degree the cause of embarrassment to you during the period which, as it certainly will be of deep interest to your country, is moreover destined to bring to its close your patriotic, toilsome and eventful public life
 From these considerations, feel it to be doubly my duty to resign post, the retention of which is so calculated to attract assaults upon your administra- ton, to which there might otherwise be no induce. ment-assaults of which, whatever be their aim the most important as well as most injurious effect is upon those public interests which deserve and should command the support of all good citizens This duty, should have discharged at an earlier period, but for considerations, partly of publc and partly Of personal nature, connected with circumstances winch were calculated 10 expose it's performance then to misconstructon and misrepresentation.
 Having explained the motives which govern me ln thus severng and with seeming abruptness, the official ties by which we have been associated there remains but one duty for me to perform. It is to make my profound and sincere acknowledgements for that steady support and cheering confidence which, in the discharge of my public duties have under all circumstances, received at your hands, as well as for the personal kindness at all times extend ed to me-
 Rest assured, Sir, that the success of your admi. nstration, and the happiness of your private life will ever constitute objects of the deepest solicitude with your sincere friend and ob't sert M VAN BUREN
 THE PRESIDENT,
 WAsHNGroN, April 12, 1881.
 Dcar Sir:-Your letter resigning the office of Sec retary of State was received last evening. I could indsed wish that no circumstance had arisen to in- tenupt the relations which have for two wears. sub subsided between us and that they might have con- tnued through the period during which it may be my lot to remain charged with the duties which the parfality oi my countrymen has imposed upon me-