Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-11-28

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forehsnd, which would have made the mis-
sion Of the Agent nugatory and ride ulous,
drew from the President q letter, in which he
desired to know whether Mr.. Duane was al
ready determined not 10 execute the mea-
sure, IL, after full inquiry and Amusement
with his Cabinet, the President should be Of
opinion that il ought 10 be done.
! In reply 10 this letter, Mr.. Duane explain
ed his object IN so wording the instruct ton,
declared that his mind was still open TO con.
viction, and pledged himself, in the most ex-
/ piicit terms, that "if, after receiving the IN
formation, and hearing the discussion, he
should not consider II his duty, as the respon-
sibic agent OF the law, To carry into effect the
decision tho President might then make. he
would, from respect for the President and
himself, afford the President an opportunity 10
select sseesaor, whose ritrs might accord 1;ih
hrs o'cn on the important matter in eonlempis-
hon."
! As il his sense OF honor and propriety on
This point were not satisfied with such
pledge, he again, in the same letter, explicit.
Iy promised, "that when the moment for de-
cision, after inquiry and discussion shall ar
rive, HE WOULD CONCUR WITH THE
PRESIDENT, OR RETIRE"
This was about the 22d OF July. few
days afterwards, the Agent started on his
mission to the State Banks, whence he re-
turned and made report about the first of
September In the t.ean time, the Report of
The Government Directors had been received.
disclosing the startling fact that all the fund.
oil the Bank had been placed at the DISPOSE
tion or Mr. Biddic, for clectioncering pur.
poses, that more than a hundred thousand
dollars had been used in that way and that
'ne BOARD Of Directors had solemnly resoly-
cd, after warning and discussion, 10 proceed.
| IN the same career.
Finding there was no difficulty in making
arrangements with the state Banks. the Pre-
sidcnt, confirmed in all his previous opinions
by these disclosures, made those opinions for
mally known 10 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
anord The President an opportunity 10 select
successor, whose views might accord With
his own on the important matter in coo,em.
Piationi" NOT AT ALL. lie would mel.
iher CONCUR" nor RETIRE
however, instead Of giving a PROMPT de-
cision when the Presidents final opinion was
announced, he held out the idea that his mind
was YET open; that the paper presented some
new aud strong views; that he might finally
concur IN the course recommended; and he
requested 10 have the document for further
consideration
''S o"iy iuIther consideration was TO pre-
pare reply, inaccurate in its assertions, and
"uecorous " Its language, which was return
eu 10 MN. among other extraordinary things
TINS paper substantially stated that il WAS moi
ms (Mr. Duane's) intention 10 comply with
ms promise to resign, when he made it-tbat
nc ola not, nj the time he gave the pledge
suppose the State Banks would enter into the
executives views, in relation 10 the deno.
ties, and that therefore, the occasion xcuId
not occur which would require the fulfil
ment OF the expectation he had created : bnt
mat as u had arisen, he woald do right. ra.
ther than do wrong by voluntarily giving wav
TO enable the President 10 accomnlisb HE r,,:'
poses. Pu'-
This was followed, on the same day nv an.
o'her note, which he withdrew, and then on
we same Gay, by another and another, bo,b
Oh which were also returned These paner.
were not only inaccurate in their con,en,.
Out evinced disrcspect for the President
and total alienation Of feeling. which would
nave rendered any further association be- |
tween tho President and the Secretary nj
once unpleasant and improper.
here, then, was Secretary Of the Trea !
suy VINO nad given solemn pledge, twice,
and emphatcally repeated, which he Pr,
FUSED TO REDEEM. Not content With
thwarting the wishes OF the man To whom hc
owed has elevation, he treated him with rude !
ness and dlsrespeot. He was determined IN
fokCE A DISMISSAL, that lie might throx, /
nimscii into the hands Of the Bank Party 10
DC used a. q weapon against one who had in !
wed him TO high and honorable trust
was this ingenious, frank, liberal, gentle |
manly, or justi
:, what should the President have done,-l
ought he 10 have kept ia his Cabinet a man
on 'ehose rriifen pledges he could moi rel, -
ought he to have kept near him a man. who
not only refused To- redeem his pledges hat
esnced total want Of the eourtesies which
should characterize official intercourses
ought ne TO have retained, as a confidential
ADVISER, one who was ready TO declare ,La,
a measure which the President held to lac de-
manded BY the public interests, aud the will
OF aus constituents, was unnecessary. I'M
WISE v'ndietlVe, arbitrary, aud unjusi'' The
PRESIDENT did not think So
mr. duane was dismissed for Gsiikisssnsss 70
his SOLEMN ,erisn pledges, and Ior m, ,yk;b;,;on
of bad FEELINGS. Whieh made him iofaiiv unc, e,r
me station 10 'rhieh ne had been ,I,rSs,d uc
was NOT dismissed merely for re ltlsipg To re-
move the deposiles
Let US not bc misunderstood We main
tain The right of tlo President To dismiss ans
executive officer for refusing 10 do what re-
Chief Magistrate may believe IL hi. dnty a.
40. IN this case, IL Mr.. Duane had NOT siVen
"e NTtten pledge, and had not shown any Of
h's bad feelings. the President might have
dismissed HIM, aud probably would. nut
"s' P"sl' ooes NOT belong 10 the case. and
cannot be brought into discussion. f,r Lave.
yer clear u IS, that the President had a riyb,
20 dismiss him for that cause, IL \, eo,slI,
clear That this was not the immediate induce
ment
FROM these facts, tie Bank party will per-
ce'e that the case - a little different fror,
y ha' theJ have supposed. To reach the Pre-
''ueh', they VII be OBLIGED 60 prove. not that
he has no power over the deposjtes La, ,b,,
hc has no right 10 dismiss a secretsr, G,r IA.
~ ing his wriiien pledges aud Using iEsuita,r
language towards tie chef Magistrate. q, hon. ,
y y h's duty 10 treat with respect Tbry
must not Only prove that the President h,.
no night 10 Discharges from his council. men
ln " lose word he cannot rely. snd whose !
'o'us, ara Opinions arc with his worst es- !
mes. but ltaI he