Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1833-11-28
Political.
From the Globe Of Tuesday last,
WILLIAM J. DUANE, ESQ.

Bank papers. This wanton and un-
provoked attack upon the integrity,
discretion and honor Of the President
and his Cabinet, must surprise those
who do not know the man, and are
unacquainted with the ground assumed
by him in Washington. For reasons
which will hereafter appear, 1t excltes
no surprise with us.
There follows Mr.. Duane's letter
which was published 10 the Martinsburg
Gazette of the 21st instant.
Mr.. Duane processes, as he constant.
" mas done heretofore, that be is oppo.
sed to the Bank o. the United States.
1t was undoubtedly his supposed ac-
cordance with the President in IL
views relative to that institution, which
produced his selection as a member Of
the Cabinet. At the time that selec-
ton took place, the subject of reno
val of the deposites was under discus
sion in the country and in the cabinet.
At the commemorate Of Congress then
pending, the President and Secretary
of the Treasury had expressed dis
trust of the safety of the public depo-
sites in the Bank of the United States,
and the latter had gone further and
said, that this, "taken IN connerion
nth the necessary arrangements, in an
ticipation Of finally closing its business,
hare suggested an enquiry into the Sc
curity Of the Bank, as the depository of
the public funds" When Mr.. Duane
consented to take charge of the Treas
ury Department, the House of Repre-
sentatives had expressed no opinion
upon the subject, and he well knew
that it was under consideration and
undecided.
After the opinion Of the House was
expressed, the subject continued to be
agitated in the news papers, and we
are informed that memorial praying
for their removal was circulated in
Philadelphia, to which many signatures
were obtained, and it is scarcely pos
slble that Mr.. Duane could have been
unapprised Of it before he came to
Washington.
He agreed to accept the Depart
ment, therefore and actually went into
it, with perfect knowledge that this
subject was in agitation.
On coming into office, he found that
the President had already required from
the members of his Cabinet, written
opinions upon the subject; that three
members viz: the Secretary of the Ma.
Wy, the Postmaster General and the
Attorney General, had given opinions
favorable to removal, and that only
one member had given a written OPT
Mon against it. There were, there
fore, three opinions in fauor of the re-
moral, and only one against it. The
President, and the three in favor of
removal, constituted majority, oil
four to one. Another member of the
Cabinet, who, gave no written opinion,
although some what disinclined to the
measure, assured the President of his
support, if resolved on by him.
This was the state of things when
Mr.. Duane took charge of the Treas
ury Department. Not a doubt wes
entertained, we believe, but that he
was already with the majority in OPT
Mon, and would proceed, in convenient
time, to execute a measure which was
deemed essential to the interests of the
country.
While on his northern tour, the Pre-
sident communicated to Mr.. Duane,
by letter, his deliberate opinion upon
the subject, not iii spirit Of dictation,
but of kindness. From Mr.. DIS new.
ness in office, it was supposed, we pre-
sumo, that he would feel heavy weight
ofresponsibiIity in executing so impor-
tant a measure, and this the President
was DESTROYS to diminish as far as the
expression of decided convictions could
do it.
A few days after his return, the
President was astonished at being in.
formed, in tone and manner scarce.
ly respectful, that Mr.. Duane differed
with him in opinion, and would not,
with his existing impressions, remove
the deposites, but promptly intimated
that he would not continue in q situa.
ton to embarrass his measures.
A free interchange of opinions then
took place between him and the Prcsi.
dent, and as, in case of removal, il
would be necessary to ascertain be,
forehand from the principal State Bank:
on what terms they would receive the
depostes, it was mutually agreed tha
a final decision should be postponed
until an Agent should be sent to OBJ
tam this Information. Mr.. Duane main
tanning that, although his present i'm.
pressions were adverse to the measure
his mind was open to conviction.
In drafting instructions for the A gent.
however, he inserted sentence de.