Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-12-19


10. Because II has been attempted by per
sons and presses known TO be In the conf
dencc and pay OF the administration, 10 in
tinidatc and eonstrain the Secretary Of the
Treasury, 10 execute an act In direct oppo-
sition TO his own solemn convictions.
And, now, sir, having with = frankness,
that means no disrcspect, and with feelings
such as had lately declared them 10 be, sta.
tod 10 you, why refuse TO execute what you
direct, ! proceed TO perform q necessarily
connected act Of duty, by announcing to you
that do not intend voluntarily TO leave the
post, which the law has placed under IN,
charge, and BY giving you my reasons for SC
refusing.
II Is true, that, on the Dad Of July, you
signihed In language sufficiently ineligible
that you would then remove me from Office
unlcss I would consent TO remove the depo-
sites on your final decision; it may also be
true, that should then have put il to the test
aud IL is also true, that under a well-srounded
assurance, that your bank plan, the only one
then embodied in the instructions drawn up
by me for your agent, would be, rs il proved
abortive, that for this and ether causes, YOU
would be content, did state my willingness
to retire, if could bo: concur with YOU.
But am not afraid to meet the verdict OF
generous men, upon my refusal, on rehec-
ton, and after what has since occurred, To do
voluntarily what I then believed 4 never
should be asked to do. II had a frail rep,i-
tation, or had any sinister purpose TO aus wer
might be open To censure for neglect OF
punciilious del,cacy; but Z can have no i'm.
pure motives, much less can I attain any SCI
h'h end: barely choose betw cen one mode OF
retirement and another: and I choose tina,
mode, which should least OF all have pr..
ferred, IL had not exalted and redeenling
considerations In its favor.
1 have, besides, your own example: I do
not say, that after you had promised "nct to
interfere with the independent exercise OF
the discretion vested in me by hw," you
were wrong in interfering, if you really
thought The public welfare a superior consid-
Grafton to n mere observance Of assurances
made to INC; nor can you say that err, when
upon solemn sense Of duty, I prefer one
mode of removal from this station TO another
The course is due TO my own self prcscrva.
ton, as well rs TO the public; for you have ia
all your papers held out an assurance, that
you would not "interfcre with the indepen.
deaf exercise Of the discretion committed &c
me by law" over the depositss; and, yet
every thing but actual removal Of me frou
Office, has been done TO effect that end. Sc
that, were TO 60 out Of Office voluntarily
that would contradict me, if said you inter.
fered, and should thus be held up as a weak
or fsithless agent, who regarded delicacy mol
shown IN himself, more than duty TO his trust
Sir. after all, Z confess to you, that have
had scruples, for it is the frs: time that
have ever condescended to weigh a question
OF tho kind: but am content, that Il shall be
said Of me, that in July last I forgot myself
and my duty too, rather than that IL should
be said, that now. knowing the course that
YOU pursue, I had an any way favored il: on
The contrary, II have erred, attn willing to
be reProved. but my motives no man Can i'm
pugn.
My refusal to resign, cannot keep mo, one
moment longer than you please, in an Office
that never sought, aud at a removal from
which ] shall not grieye Oh my own account
1t must on the contrary hasten my exit. Sc
that, If youshall proceed in Wrestling from the
Secretary Of the Treasury, the citadel in hi.
possession, the act can only be mplished
by mandate, which will be- my apology fou
no longer standing IN the breach.
And now, sir, allow me TO repeat TO you
IN sincerity OF heart, that in taking the pre-.
sent course, under = solemn sense Of my OBJ.
legations. feel a sorrow on your account, FAT
greater than on my own: ] have been youI
early, uniform, and steadfast friend; I car
have no unkind disposition, but shall cherish
those OF q kind nature, that focl. You
proudly occupy the hearts Of your country.
men; but atiII a - the lot Of humanity, Of
times, to err. do ample justice 10 your
motives, but I am constrained 10 regret your
present proceedings; and deSoutly wish
that you may 1--we To see all my forcboding.
contradicted, and Jour measures followed 6y
results beneficial To your country, aud ho.
noura5le 10 yourself.
With the utmost consideration, your obe.
dent servant, ". J. DUANE.