Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1831-04-22

m
ambition to set Example which, should /, in the
progress Of tho Government be deemed nntwith
staniihg The hnn'ity ot rs bright worthy Of respect
and Observance. rlnuot think. fail to prove essen
italy aud permanently beneficial.
AloW IN, Sir. TO present one more view of tho
AeubJcct'-l on have consented 10 stand before yoar
constituents Tor re- election OF Their DECISION rest.
sg as 1t does upon the unbough sutfra yes of fee
'merous ana widely eXtandcd people, It becomes
man 10 speak with certainty. Judging, howev-
from the past. and making reasonable allow
nnce for the fair exercise of the intelligence and
public spirit Of your fallow citizens I cannot hcs-
tate in adopting the belief that the confidence. "a
well IN your capacity for civil duties ms IN your CT
VIC virtues already so spontaneously displayed will
be manifested with encrcascd energy, how, that all
CANDID observers must admit their utmost cXpcCta-
lions to have been more than realized.
III this promise, Spicnus to the host interests
ct Our common country, be fulfilled, the concluding
term OF your administration wall, IN the absence pf
any prominent cause of dscord among it's supporters.
afford most Favorable opportunity for tho full nc-
compishment OF those lmporan, public objects, III
the prosecution of which | hay witnessed on you.
part such steady vigilance and unt'rlng DEVOTION
10 the unlavorube Influence which my continuance
In your Cabinet, under existing circumstances, may
exercise upon this ila;terlng prospect, cannot Sir
without total disregard of the H. hts of cxpcrincc
and without shutting my eyes IN the obvious iendcn-
cy of things for the future, be inscn5lbc Having,
moreover, from deep conviction Of its import ancc
10 'he country been among the most urgent of your
advisers to yield yourslfto the obvious wshes OF
the People and knowing the sacrifice of personal
feeling which was involved IN your acGusscence. |
cannot reconcile it to myself to be in any degree
the cause OF embarrassment to you during the period
which, it My will be Of deep interest to your
country, Is moreover destined 10 bring to s close
your patriotic, toilsomc and evcntful public life.
From these considerations feel it to be- doubly
my duty to resign post, the retention Of which rs
SO calculated TO attract assaults upon vour admins
tration to which there might otherwise be no induce
ment-assau,s OF which whaterer be their aim the
most important as well ms most injurious effect is,
upon those public interests which deserve and should
command the support of all good citizens This duty
j should have discharged earlier period but for
considerations. partly of public, partly of person
al nature, connected with circumstances which were
calculated TO expose its performance then to mscon-
struction and misrepresentation.
Having explained the motives which govern me
IN thus severing. and with seeming abruptRess, the
official ties by which have been associate ed there
remains but duty for perform. Ii is to make
my profound and sincere Acknowledgements for that
steady support and cheering confidence which in the
discharge ofiny public duties, have, under all cir
cumstances received at your hands; we'll as for
the personal kindness at all times extended to me-
Res assured, Sir, that the OF your admins
tration, and the happiness Of private life will
constitute objects OF the deepest socitude with
Your sincere friend and obcdf servant,
The PRESIDENT. NJ VAN BUREN,.
WAsHNGToN, April 10 1881
Dear So: Your letter resIgnIng tho Office Of Sc
cretary Of State received last evening | could
indeed wish that circumstance had arisen to in
IeTrupt relations which have, Tor sub
sisted between and that they might have centin.
ued through the period during which it nav be nv
lot 10 remain charged with the duties which the par
uallty of my countrymen has imposed upon me. But
the reasons you present are strong that with
proper regard Cor them, ! cannot ask you, or nv
own account to remain IN the Cabinet
am aware of the difficulties have had 10 con
tend with, and of The benefits which have resulted to
the affairs OF your country, from your continued yea
In the arduous tasks to which you have been subject;
ed. To say that deeply regret to lose YOU is but
feebly to express my feelings the rccasion.
When called by my country To the station which
occupy, it not without deep sense of its ardu
GUS responsibility and stro-G ds,rlst of myself
that obeyed the CALL but, chncred by the consci-I
BUSINESS that no other motive actlated me, than de
sire to guard her interests and place her upon the
firm ground Of those great principles which, by the
visest and purest of patriots, have been deemed
essential to her prosperity, Ivenured upon the
assigned me- did this in the confident hope of find
ing the support of advisers able and true; who lay
ing aside every thing but desire give new vgor
TO the vital principles of Union, would look with
single eye to the best of efTecng this para
mount object In you, this hope has been realized TO
the utmost In the most difficult and trying moments
Of administration, have alW found you sincere
able and eficent-anxous at all times to afford me
every aid. II, however, from circumstances in your
judgment sufficient to make it necessary, the official
ties subssting between must be severed can ONLY
say this necessity is deeply amented by me part
with you only Because you yourself have requested
me to do So and have sustained that request by rea
stong enough to command my assent I cannot,
however allow the separation 90 take place, without
expressing the hope, that this retirement from public
affairs IS but temporary; and that If, any other
ton, the government should have occasion for services
the value of which has been so sensiby felt by me,
your consent will not be wanting.
or the state of things which you advert, I can
but be fully aware look upon it with sorrow, and
regret the more, because of it's frs, eecss TO
disturb the harmony of my cabinet. It is, however
but instance of Of the evils which free go~
n,s must be liable. The only remedy Cor
these evils, they arise, lies in the intelligence and
public spirit of our common constituents. They will
correct them-and in this there is abundant consola
ton. cannot quit this subject without adding that
with the best opportunities for observing and Judging
have seen in you other desire than TO quiz
city on in the path Of your duties, and promote the
harmonious conduct Of public affairs If on this point
you have had 10 encounter detracton ii is but another
proof Of the utter insufbciency of innocence and
worth to shield from such assaults.
he assured that the interest you express in my hap
pness is most heartily reciprocatcd--that my most
cordial feelings accompany you, and that am, very