Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-12-06
nro,note doub, and mischief in the operations Of

-
IN foster local banks. which, in their muiuP'i.
cation and cupidity, derange. deprec'ate. ana
Danish the oply currency known to the consul
tuition. that Of gold and silver. -
II. Because il is not prudent to conhde, IN the
crude way proposed by your agent, 10 ,oea'
hanks. when ON an average OF oil the oanks'
dependent in great degree upon each o'ner'
one dollar in silver cannot be paid Tor SIX dol
lars of the paper in circulation.
1e. Because it is dangerous TO place. IN Inc hanas
of a secretary Of the treasury, dependent 'oe
Office on executive will, power to favor OF Pu'
ni,h local banks. and consequently make them
political machinery.
IS Because the whole proceeding must tehu W
diminish the confidence OF the world IN our re-
gard for national credit and reputation mas
much as, whatever may be the abuses " "e
directors of the bank l.. S. the evil now 10 oe
endured must be borne by innocent persons
MANY of whom, abroad, had right to conhds
in the law that authorised them to be holders OF
Stock.
a. Because believe that the Efforts, maue w
various quarters to hasten the removal OF the
deposites. did not originate with patriots or
statesmen, but in schemes to promote seihsh
and factiOus purposes.
Il. Because it has been attempted by persons
and presses known to be in The confidence ana
raw of the administration. to iniimidate and
c,ns,ran the secretary Of the treasury, TO exc
cute an ait in direct opposition to his own SOL
emn convictions.
And, now, sir, having with frankness, that
means no disrespect, aud with feelings sach as
lately declared them to be. stated to you, why
refuse to execute what you direct, proceed 10
perform necessarily connected act OF duty. ny
announcing to you, that do not intend volunta.
r,ly to leave the post. which the law hos placed
under my charge, and by giving you my reasons
for SO refusing
1t is true, that, on the 22d Of July. you signifi
ed in language sufficiently Ineligible, that you
would then remove me from office, unless would
consent to remove The deposites, on your hnal
decision: it may also be true that should then
have put it to the test; and il is also true, that
under well grounded assurance. that your bank
plan, the only one then embodied IN the lnstruc-
tiuns drawn up by me tor your agent, would be,
as j, proved, aborive, that Tor this and other eau
ses. YOU would be content, did state my will
lingne-s to retire, If could no, concur with you
But am not afraid to meet the verdict OF gen
erous men, upon my refusal, on reflection, and
after what has since occurred, to do voluntarily
what then believed never should be asked to
do II had fraii reputation, or had any sin.
lister purpose to answer, might be open TO cen
sure, for a neglect OF punciilious deIcacy; but
can have no impure motives, much less Can at
tam any selfish end: | barely choose between
one mode OF retirement and another: and choose
that mode, which should least OF all have pre-
ferred, if had not exalted and redeeming con-
siderations in It's favor.
1 have, besides, your own example; do not
saw that after you had promised .'not to interfere
with the independent exercise of the discretion
vested IN me by law" you were wrong in interior
Ing, If you really thought the public welfare su-
perior consideration to mere observance OF as.
surances made to me; nor can Jou say that err,
when upon a solemn sense uf duty, prefer one
mode of removal from this station to another
The course is due to my own self preservation
a. we'll as tn the public. Tor you have in all your
PAPERS held out an assurance, that you would
moi interfere with the independent exercise of
the discretion committed TO me BY law" over the
deposltes; and, yet, every thing but actua reno.
val of me from Office. has been done to effect that
end. So that, we're to 60 out Of Office volunta.
rilv you might be able to point to official papers,
that would contradict me, if said you interior
ed, and should thus be held up as a weak or
faithless agent, who regarded deIcacy rot shewn
to himself, more than duty to bis trust.
Sir, after all, | confess to you, that have had
scrupes, for it is the first time that have ever
condescended TO weigh a question Of the kind:
but am content, that It shall be said Of me, that
in July las, forgot my sell, and my duty too. ra
tber than that il should be said. that, now, know
ing the course that you pursue. had in any way
favourcd it; on the contrary. Il, have erred,
am willing to be reproved, but my motives no
man can impugn.
NV refusal to resign cannot keep toe. one mo-
men longer than you please, in an Office that |
never sought, and at a removal from which
shall not greve my own account; it must. on
the contrary, hasten my exit. So that, if you
shall proceed in wrestling from the Secretary Of
the Treasury the citadel in bis possession, the
act can only be accomplished by mandate,
which will be my apology for no longer standing
in the breach.
And now, sir. allow me TO repeat to you, in
sincerity Of heart, that IN taking the present
course, under a solemn sense of my obligations,
feel sorrow on your account, far greater than
on nv own. Ihave been your early, uniform,
and steadfast friend; can have no unknd dis
position, but shall cherish those OF kind nature
that feel. You proudly occupy the hearts of