Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-03-09
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
WASHINGTON, Feb. rs,

passed s. at meeting of the Republican members
| of the Legislature Of New York" on the rejec-
ton by the Senate of the United States OF the
nomination of Martin Van Buren, as Minister TO
England.
| am profoundly grateful for the appreciation
which that distinguished body OF my republican
| fellow. citiZens of New York have on that occa-
sion, been pleased to express Of the past admin
istration of the affairs placed in my charge by
the people of the United States, and for their &C.
nervous offers of continued confidence and sup
bort, Conscious of the rectitude Of my inten.
tons, nv reliance, in all the vicissitudes OF my
public life, has been upon the virtue and patriot
ism of an enlightened people. Their generous
support has been my shield and my stay, when,
in time past, the Jealous performance OF the ar
duOus military duties allotted TO me, though
crowned with success. was sought to be made a
ground Of reproach and this manifestation on the
part of my fellow citizens of the great State OF
New York, assures me that services not less faith
full IN the civil administration will not be less sue
cesstuIy defended.
When such reliance fails the public servant,
public liberty will be IN danger; for, If the peo-
pie become insensible to indignlties offered to
those, who, with pure intentions devote them
selves to the advancement Of the safety aud hap
piness Of the country. public trusts will be sought
for other rewards than those of patriotism.
cannot withhold my entire concurrence with
the republican members of the legislature in their
nigh estimation of their eminent fellow-citizen.
whom they have 80 generously come forward to
sustain. To this will add the assurance Of my
undiminished respect for his great public and pei
| vate worth. and my full confidence in the integ-
rty of his character.
In calling him to the department Of state from
1t L. ak-n hxk hn emf
frages Of the people OF his native state, was not
Influenced more by his acknowledged talent and
public services, than bv the general wish and ex-
Union. The signal ability and success which dis.
tinguished his administration Of the duties Of that
department., have fully justified the selection.
| | owe it to the late Secretary Of State. to my.
SELF and to the American people, on this occasion
to state. that as far known to me, he had no
participation ~haeveri in the occurrences relative
| to myself and the second officer of the govern
| ment, or in the dissolution Of the late cabinet;
and that there is no ground for imputing to him
the having advised those removals from Office
which, IN the discharge of my constitutional func-
tons, it was deemed proper to make. During
his continuance in the cabinet, his eyertions were
directed W produce harmony among its members;
and he uniformly endeavOred to sustain his COL
leagues. His final resignation was sacrifice OF
Official station TO what he deemed the best inte-
rests of the country.
Mr.. McLane, our then minister at London,
having previously asked permission to return, it
was my own anxious desire to commit the impor
tant points remaining open In our relations with
Great Britain, 10 successor in whose peculiar
fitness and capacity had equal confidence; and
to my selection Mr.. Van Buren, yielded reuc-
In hat /
did not doubt that | was doing the best for the
country, and acting in coincidence with the pub
lie wish; and it certainly could not have been an
ticipated that, in the manner of successfully con-
Quoting and terminating an important and com.
pick ne,n ion, which had previously received
the sanction OF both houses VI congress, there
would have been found motives for embarrassing
the executive action and for interrupting an i'm.
portant foreign negotiation.
can never be led to doubt that, in the Instruc-
tons under which that negotiation relative to the
trade with the British West Indies was conduct.
ed and successful, concluded, the people Of the
United States will find anything either derogato-
ry to the national dignity and honor, or improper,
for su ch an occasion.
Those parts Of the instructions which have been
used to justify the rejection of Mr.. Van Buren's
nomination by the Senate of the United States,
proceeded from my own suggestion; were the re.
suit Of nv own deliberate investigation and re-
Election; and now, as when they were dictated,
appear to me to be entirely proper and consonant
to nv public duty
feel. gentlemen, that am incapable of tar
nishng the pride dignity Of that country, whose
glory, both in the field and in the civil admins
iration, it has been my object to elevate; and
feel assured that the exalted attitude which the |
American people maintain abroad, and the pros |
perity with which thev are blessed at home, fully
attest that their honor and happiness have been |
unsulied in my hands.
A participation in the trade with the British |
West India Islands. upon terms mutually salts
factory to the United States and Great Britain,
had been an object Of constant solicitude with
our Government from ITS origin. During the
long and vexatious history Of this subject. vari-
Gus propositions had been made with but partial
success; and in tie administration of nv imme-
date predecessor. more than one attempt to ad.