The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-02-15

sgnatioa, IN which the Secretary of State attempts
10 mystIty the causes which had operated his
mind. IN surrendcring the heh trust to which he
had been called by the President. He artfuy
seeks, IN that anomalous communication, TO excite
| the sympathies of the American people by pre-
tending Se5-immolation at the shrine of pure dis
interested patriotism he retired to the shades of
pr1cate life, to disentangc the administration of
President Jackson, and to restore harmony in his
/ councils NO sinister motives fingered in the
mind of the unbought patriot--no mission to Lon
don III the visa-but the noble sacrifice is mag
unanimously offered up on the altar of the public
good, with the reservation of such future rewards
as grateful people might bestow, one whose
merits could only be exceled by the purity of his
intentions Sir, would it be credited by virtu-
Gus and enlightened people, that, at the very mo-
ment when these high-souled sentiments and pat
riotic professions were unblushingy thrown before
the world, the individual who appropriated them
TO himself held the guara ntec that in lieu of the
Office which he resigned, he should forthwith be
created Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plen-
potentlary to the Court of St. James And yet
the fact is established, by the conversation have
quoted, and strongly corroborated by the letter of
the President, in which he reluctantly accepts the
resignation.
Mr.. President, can view this nomination in no
other light than the result of systematic of
political gambling and intrigue, originating in per-
sonai ambition, and prosecuted with unreenting
ostfaclsm and prescription on every high minded
III tne nltlO1 VINO refused to SUBSCRIBE to
the articles of faith dctatedby this nominee, and
prescribed as test by which the patronage of the
government should be dispensed throughout this
widely extended country. The succession to the
presidential chair must be secured to this court IA
vorte, and the means to accomplish this end, wers
these Impressions, should be guilty ola gross dire
ction OF duty To the people, TO tile President anu
to my own conscience by advising and consenting
to this nomination. ] beg to be informed of the
necessity Of SO much haste in despatching minis
In No alto non
which required the presence of a minister, with
full powers at that court. England was represent
ed here by Charge dAffairs. We had diplo-
matte agent there of equal grade; and surely the
relations between the two nations might have been
suffered to remain in this equitable condition until
the annual meeting of Congress, when the advice
and consent of the Senate could have been asked
before the public chest had been opened for the out
tit and salary of minister. The circumstances
connected with this unnecessary precpitancy rem
ders 1t obnoxious to the strongest objections, and
warrants the conclusion that it was designed so
operate on the action of the Senate in their deih-
eratlons on this nomination. | cannot subje ct my
| opinions 10 the control of premature NOV EN- eDt
on the part Of the executive. Sir, | am aware chat
for this independent exercise of my best uds IN ent
shall be denounced by the press as the pa rtczan
OF competitor for the Presidential chair. L purn
the imputation. At my time of life have ntt hing
to hope from the smiles still less fear fro the
| frewns, o. any man in power. ] honor the man
hbit lucid proof that he is honest in the OF
human liberty; but when ain invoked to give my
sanction to dark intrigue political n,anageme It and
corruption, the hazard of mourning the dis 1eas-
ure of those who feel power and forget n ght."
l will fearessly and faithfully discharge the utss
reposed in me by my country, by firm vndIc atioa
of the moral feeling of the people who com pose
this young and gigantic republic. l will rep rove
and correct the influence of vice, by INJECTING mer-
tied chastisement on all who perpetrate it.
The letter referred to by Mr. p was from Sa mu-
ell Z. Clement, recently Postmaster, at Brooklyn N.
Y. and Editor of the Long Island Patriot Jack son
| Paper. The following is extract from it,
Washington City, Jan. "a, 1882.
I Soon after the dissolution Of Gen. Jacksons first
Cabinet, while the ex-Secretary of State, Mr.. Van
Buren,, was N New York, waiting the arrival of Mr.
| Louis McLane from the Court of st James, saw
him. Being then the editor of paper supporting
| the measures of the administration, | felt. as was
natural, some interest in the events which had
TRANSFERRED, and which were yet to transpire. ask
ed Mr. Van Buren, who was to take the place of
Mr.. McLane at the Court of st. James He re-
piled that he had the offer of the mission but that
he was yet undecided as to the proprety of accepting
it. He said his friends were of different opinions
as to the policy of his leaving the country at that
time, there being some arrangements to make in
the Republican party for future operations He OBJ
served that he was anxious to huve interview"
with MIR. McLane before leaving if he should con-
real causes Of thedissoluton of the Cabinet wheth
er it was, had been alleged by some of the edi-
tors, caused by Mrs. Eaton, or by mutual dssen-
ton among the heads of departments He answer
ed, that Mrs. Eaton had no agency in the matter,
but that it was caused more by the conduct of Mr..
Calhoun and Mr.. Ingham. who desired the retire.
ment of General Jackson from office at the expira-
tion Of the first four years of his term of service,
and who had endeavored to consummate their de-
signs by trGducing The character Of a chaste and
nrr NJ.
that thought he had managed well to pass un-
scathed through the fiery ordeal, he laughingy re-
piled, Yes, l had seen fer two or three
months the approach of trouble, and that dissolu
! ton of the Cabinet must ensue,-the material of
which it composed being too discordant to
continue together in harmony-and to SAGE myself
though it better to retire in time-knowing that
if led the way, the rest must follow.
have the honor to be, most respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
SAMUEL E. CLEMENT.
| Hon. G. Pondexter.