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

fELlow-CIrszESs:- ~ announced on tho
gun UT, that at an early day would apes ar
before you, at least TO rePel imputaiions cast
upon my character. contained In a pubIica-
,.on an The Globe, the official paper Of the
Executive, OF the preceding day.
the caiumuious attack referred 10 had
not been obviously sanctioned by the Presi-
dent OF The Cnited States, such is the eharac-
ter OF the newspaper under his protection.
that should not have felt myself called upoo
! to notice IL.
In addressing you. I have hesitated be-
tween tho adoption OF \ general exposition,
and oil a brief defensive address, accompanied
oy that part OF the correspondence bet~ cen
the President and myself, which the official
paper seems to have challenged mo 10 pro-
doce. ! adopt the latter course. IN the cor
resPondence you will find ample material.
Tor an accurate comprehension of my case
one Of insult and oppression.
On the 9Th Of December, 1882, without
any solicitation on my part, was uncxpect-
eddy invited To accept the Office OF Secretary
oil the Treasury. sought TO shun the sta.
tion-did not consent 20 serve until asked for
my oeeision, on The 10Th Of January, and
then consented Reluctantly.
No doubt, subsequently, 10. n, befor, N.
adjournment OF Congress, spocuIator, for
their own selfish ends, agitated the dcposite
question, and kept up IN excitement, felt by
the President; but IL was never minated To
me that he desired TO concentrate in himself
the power TO judge and cxecute-,o absorb
the discretion given TO the Secretary of the
rreasury--and even TO nuihfy the law itself.
never heard until after my entry into Office
that te meant to remove the deposites, with
out iuriher inquiry by Congress, or that he
had asked the opinions Of the members of
the cabinet, on the SUBJECT; on the contrary.
when, after having entered the treasury do.
partment, unpledged, untrammelled, and un-
suspicious was informed OF what was medi-
tated, ! feit surprise nj tho intelligence, and
mortihcation at the manner in which il was
communicated to me.
On the I'D Of June, the President himself
made known TO me what was in contemp,a-
ton, and that he had taken the opinions of
the members Of the cabinet on the point; two
oil whom concurred with him, two Of whom
did not concur, and the fifih had not vet gi-
ven 4 written opinion. lie said he would
| submit TO me the written opinion, OF the fonr
members OF the cabinet, with his own RINGS:
and that he would expect me 10 give him INV
opinions frankly and fully. As if TO urge me
10 avoid all reserve, he assured me, in a let
ter, dated Boston, June %, transmitting the
opinions and risIrs, that III was not his inten.
ton to interfere with the independent exer-
else OF the discretion committed 10 me by
| law over this subject
But when, on the ioth July, gave my opin-
ions frankly and fully, as an honest minister
ana man should do, there was every return
but that of appreciation. On the contrary.
on The I'D Of July, was asked, whether il
was my intention TO refuse 10 remove the de-
Postes, 1t, after inquiry by an agent and adj
viserent with the cabinet, the President
should decide TO remove them, as, in such
case, 1t would become his duty, in frankness
and candor, to suggest the course, which
| would be necessary on his part
Not on my own account, but as an act
| Of duty to the country, ! now subjected nv
pridc aud feelings to restraint, by rendering,
IN order 10 avert present hostile breach, a
future surrender Of my post, in case should
not ultimately concur with the President
But, before my concurrence OF non-concur-
renee was made known, and whilst I still
neid IN my hands the manuscript exposition.
which was read in the cabinet on the Iah
| September, and then delivered TO me by the
President for my consideration, he virtually
dismissed me rs an officer, and insuIted me
as man, by causing the official annunciation.
hereto appended, No. l, TO be published 10 tue
Globe Of the Goth September.
Yet, after this, when ii must have been oh
vious that, independently Of other considera-
tions Of great weight, was absolyed from all
respect for any past assurance, as letter No.
=, which personally presented TO the PresE
dent on the 2ld Of SepfeBlJer, according To-
my promise OF September 10, was contume-
i,Isiy sent back TO me, in letter 80. 3. init
mating 'he existence OF improper inputations
IN mine, No. ,, calling my attention 10 nv
assurance Of July -, and inguiring whether
! concurred VA removing the de posites. Prom
this letter, No. 3, ii must be evident that when
/ Il was written, my dismissal was not deemed
| I4a
ed for whsn the President wrote Il, he knew
that refused To resign: be knew tie contents
\ OF the letter deemed offensive, and yet he ID
the correspondence open.
| What, then, ! ask, subsequently occurred
Instead OF treating this new indignity (the re-
tuTn Of my letter With silence, or esincfa
any other mode Of Dissatisfaction, felt that
I ] vas "n duty at public post and that I
ought not 90 sC.ier Il % be taken By surprise
] could not now mistake, m concluding that II
was intended Ca insult me out Of Office, or 10
draw iroGI INC some expression which might
form protest. for my removal on a MINOR
point. - doubtful va. the President, after
all, Of ihe proPtieiy Of removing IA onirer
! Tor not ieiding, when desired thc discretion
given g. him by Jaw.
Accordingly. ! cent letter No 4 subsequent.
~ Withdrawn Tor alteration. and then letters
Sos. and b--So. , especially the
President I'D not seen 90 comprehend nc
when, in ny letter NO. ., SAID, that, ofteI
~iat had occurred subsequently 60 J,dy ~
I felt absolVed from al obligations 90 observe
the assurances given az that tiuic
These last appeals, indicative Of any thins
but bal feeling or disrespect. were also sen
back ~ me, 10 letter No. :, declaring mJ
services no longer necessary. submit 10 al
Just mcu % determine, by whom ~ assgranc,
= vas gwen, aud without cause disrrrardeh
Thus Wasi thrust FROM oificc-uot bccaus,
had neglected my dHy-not because ! hs,
differed pith The President On any other POLO
q public pOiicy-not because ! had didere,
VIII him about the Bank of the q states bu
because I refused, without further inquiry %
action by Congress 20 remove the depostrs
10, in ny letter no 2, there - any tim
that sho.id not have been there osk q .
be borne Ia mind that Il Was written under