Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-12-07

necessary. and that there impuiatons therein that
could DO admitted into correspondence between the
President aud the head Of department.
Allow me respectfully 10 say that II was not with a
view TO further discussion, that presented my reasons
Tor declining to act sgreeaby to your direction, la re
moving the depsses, but TO justify my REFUSAL il
ter should be respectful or open to such supposou;
much regret.
My object throughout was to Justify the course, the
TWO points stated in my letter, which, under the most
solemn impressions, ieii to be my duty to pursue
10 shew you my ob;igs atoms presented copy OF my
commission, copy Of my oah Of Office, and copy
Of the Law giving the Secretary Of the Treasury the dis
erection TO change the public depo. DRY; shew you upon
wns relied 10 my course Of conduct, quoted your let
order TO justify my refusal resign, described the cir
cunsances under which your letter Of July e. and my
reply Of the date, written, and the ne
posture in which placed by subsequent reflection
aud occurrences.
When I en'ered your administration, had no know
ledge that you had come to any decision Oh tho epose
question, that ycu mcditsted a change of deposory
without the action oil Congress
As coon as was made acquainted with your views.
sought 10 accord with them: and, you invited
in disclosure OF my hougbts, by assuring In your
letter oil the 18th Of June that you did intend in
.eeIe with the Independent exercise Of the discretion
committed TO me by law over tho deposes. opened my
sell Freely to you, against change OF the depository;
at all subsequent stages, although have kept myself
that change, and remain la the resolution still.
Permit mo respectfully to say, that am not aware.
that my willingness unwinsness, TO afford you OPP
Portunty to select could have had any inu
ence bearing upon any question, before the Cabinet
but am willing to meet that consideration as well as
those stated TO you this day in our interview.
In short, Sir as stated to you, that interview, my
course Is jus'hcatory towards you: desire unknd
feeling, have TO ankind purposes how ardent
Allow me- Ee% rery ii to ,sse %
our interview that, under the most serious convictions
Of my duty, refuse TO aid, assist, in any way parci
pate in the proposed change OF the public
refuse TO relinquish post conferred upon by the law
-and that without in the most remote degree meaning
any sort OF disrespec TO you, protest against any inter-
ference ON yonr part. with powers and duties, which,
believe, were desgnedly withheld from the President,
aud committed TO the Secretary Of the Treasury the fiscal
agent OF the law.
With iervent wishes that your measures may conduce
to the advantage Of your country and to the your
SELL am, with the utmost considerable
Your obedient servant,
VI. DUANE
No. g.
The Secretary of the Treasury to the Precedent of the
United States.
Treasury DEPARTMENT.
Sr:-Aow me, with great respect, TO present to you
another view in addition to those stated my letter Of this
date.
If understand your WISH as it is TO be collected from
your note OF this date, which have just again Pc
rused' Is to hold me. upon principles Of delcacy at
with your decision alter enquiry and discussion Would
promptly afford you an opportunity to obtain
according in your views.
pray you dispassonatey consider, whether you did
MOI a6:ove me, even upon principles of delcscy, from
all obligation upon bi, view Of the matter.
l. On Wednesday, Sept 1S:h, sgnifed in Cabinet,
my desire to take and examine your exposition you gave
Il to me- saying, in reply to my enquiry your direc-
hon that was to consider myself directed TO act, your
responsibility
q On Thursday morning, Sept 10Th, you applied to me
TO know II had come TO decision, aud returned by
your messenger, who brought yonr note, this reply
" To the President Of the United States:
Sir-Upon matter that deeply concerns, not only
myself, bat all who dear to me, have deemed il
right, as have not friend here advise WITH ask
the counsel oil my father at this crisis; wrote him
" last night and am sure that nothing but sickness will
prevent his presence night: the ne x day,
+" trust that shall be able make communication 10
=" you. With the utmost respect, your ob't. serv't,
"September 10Th, 1888"
Secretary, Major Doneson, called say that you
proposed publish in the Globe next day your deci
sion: replied that thought you ought no that
party to il, and matter OF deicacy myself could
not approve of il.
Lest words should be forgotten wrote and delivered to
Major DonelsoR, this reply:
IA. j. Donelson, Esq
(" DEAR SIR:-The world is so censorious that am
obliged upon reflection, to TO you my hope, that
would seem TO be but delicate defer such an act
until shall either decline: however, all that
desire to have understood. is that do not approve OF
+" the course you mentioned. Were the President,
would consult at least reasonably, the feelings of
who has already anxiety enough. the
papers, they will know what has been DONE without an
P" official commune ation.
Every respectfully yours, W.. DUANE.
"Septembsr 10, 1882
A. In the Globe OF Friday Sept 90 you caused il TO be
announced TO the world, that the die cas thus ALTO
geher disregarding the rights Of the Secretary of the
Treasury and my feelings and fame refusing be-
sides, to wait until the day receive my de
cision.
Allow therefore, very respectfully but confidently
to say, that was thus discharged from any of obga
ton or respect for, or account OF the past.
You gave me opportunity TO let you know, whether
would would not afford you opportunity choose
in short the Secretary OF the Treasury was
far executive would do it, nuied; and hold
it, therefore, that after such course, may stand before
my country acquitted Of any disregard delicacy
Trusting, Sir, that you will be good permit this
TO enter into your considerations with my former Of
this date and that may close without dscred either
the pending matter.
am, with the utmost consideration, your obedient
want, W. j. DUANE.
No. 6.
The Secretary e the Treasury to the President Of the
United States.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT., Sept. 81, 1888.
STR-As you had not, in any written communication
given direction the deposites, but the contrary
had left the action TO the Secretary of the Treasury
matter Of option, deemed my duty when had The no.
to receive from YOU your exposition OF The 18th inst
to ask YOU whether con.ider myself directed TO
the depoes, and you replied that was directed
or your responsibility.
preparing to lay before YOU an exposition of our
relative position and views, from the first Of my