Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1833-11-28

In reply to this letter, Mr.. Duane
Explained his object in 50 wording the
instructions, declared that his mind was
still open to conviction, and pledged
himself, in the most explicit terms, that
I"J, after receiuing the information and
hearing the discussion, he should mol
consider It his duty, as the responsible
agent Of the lar, 10 carry into effect Me
decision the President might then make,
he aoouid, from respect for the President
and himself AFFORD THE PRESE
DENT AN OPPORTUNITY TO Sc
lLECT A SUCCESSOR WHOSE
VIEWS MIGHT ACCORD WITH
HIS OWN ON THE IMPORTANT
MATTER IN CONTEMPLATION"
As if his sense ofhonor and proprie-
", On this point, were not satisfied
with such pledge, he again, in the
same letter, explicitly promised, "that
when tlhe moment for decision, after in
quiry and discussion, shall arrire, HE
WOULD CONCUR WITH THE
PRESIDENT OR RETIRE"
This was about the 22d Of July.
A few days afterwards, the Agent
started on his mission 10 the State
Banks, whence he returned and made
report about the first of September. In
the meantime, the Report Of the Go
vernment Directors had been received,
disclosing the startling fact that all the
funds Of the Bank had been placed at
the disposition of Mr.. Biddle for cleo
tloneerlng purposes; that more than
hundred thousand dollars had been
used in that way; and that the Board
Iof Directors had solemnly resolved,
after warning and discussion, TO pro.
coed in the same career.
Finding there was no difficulty in
making arrangements with the State
Banks, the President, confirmed in all
his previous opinions by these disclo-
sures, made those opinions formally
known to his Cabinet, by the paper
which has already gone to the public.
What was Mr.. Duane's course? Did
he concur with the President No.
Did he stafford The President an oppor-
tunity TO select a successor whoSc pie,cs
might accord vith his own on the impor.
tant matter in contemplation" Nor AT
ALL. He would neither "CONCUR''
nor "RETIRE."
However, instead of giving prompt
decision when the Presidents final OPT.
Mon was announced, he held out the
idea that his mind was get open; that
the paper presented some new and
strong views; that he might finally
concur in the course recommended;
and he requested to have the document
for further consideration!
His only further consideration was
to prepare a reply, inaccurate in its
assertions, and indecorous in it's lam
guage, which was returned to him.
Among other extraordinary things, this
paper substantially stated that it was
not his Mr.. Duane's) intention to com.
'ply with his promise to resign when
he made lt-that lie did not, at the time
he gave the pledge, suppose the State
Banks would enter into the Executive's
views, In relation to the deposites, and
that, therefore, the occasion would not
occur, which would require the fulfil
ment of the expectation he had created;
but that, as it had arisen, he would dc
right by refusing to resign, rather
than do wrong by voluntarily giving
way to enable the President to accom-
plish his purposes. This was followed,
on the same day, by another note,
which he withdrew, and then on the
same day, by another and another!
both of which were also refused.
These papers were not onl y inaccurate
in their contents, but evinced n dsre-
spect for the President, and a total
alienation OF feeling, which would have
rendered any further association be.
tween the President and Secretary a
once unpleasant and improper.
Here, then, was a Secretary of the
Treasury, who had given solemn
pledge thrice, and emphdticdHy repeated
tchich, he REFUSED TO REDEEM
Not content with thwarting the wishes
Of the man to whom he owed his eleva
ton, he treated him rith rudeneSs ana
diSreSpect. He 1odS determined to Fore,
A DISMISSAL, that he might throu
himself into the hands Of the Bank Par
ty, TO be used as a 'ceapOn against onc
'chO had inuited him to a high and hon
ord6le trust. Was this ingenious, frank
liberal, gentlemanly, or juSR
What should the President have
donel Ought he to have kept in hi:
Cabinet a man ON WHOSE WRIT
TEN PLEDGES, HE COULD NOT
RELY Ought he to have kept near
him man, who not only refused tC
redeem his pledges, but ovinced a tota
want Of the courtesies which shoulc
characterize official intercourse? Ought
he to have retained, as his confidential