Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-03-27

/ President would soon speak to me on the
subject; that the paper referred to, would
be put forth as the Proclamation had
been, and would be made rallying
point; that he (Mr Whitney, had, at the
desire Of the President, drawn a memoir
or exposition, showing that the measure
might be safely adopted, and that the
State Banks would be fully adequate to
all the purposes Of government. He then
read the exposition 10 me, and as de.
sired TO understand matters SO importont
and SO sing ularly presented to me, ask
ed him to leave the paper with me, which
he accordingly did. He also read to me
divers letters, from individuals Connect
ed with State BANS. The driit OF his
further observations was TO satisfy me
that The Executive arm alone could be
relied on TO prevent renewal Of the u.
5. Bank Charter.
The communication thus made to me
created surprise and modification. !
was surprised at the position Of affairs,
which it revealed, and mortified at the
low estimate which had been formed of
the independence Of my character. !
listened, however, respectfully to one
who gave such evidence Of the conf
dence reposed in him, and awaited the
explanation which he intimated the Pre-
sident would give.
Soon after this interview, took occa-
sion to express my modification al my
position, to the member of the cabinet,
who had represented the President in
asking me to accept office.
! On the next evening, Sunday,) MIR.
Whitney again called on me in compa-
ny with stranger, whom he introduced
as Mr.. Amos Kendall, "a gentleman in
the Presidents confidence, and who
would give me any further explanation,
that might desire, as to what was med
itated in relation to the U. S. Bank, and
who then called on me because he was
about to proceed to Baltimore. did
not invite, nor check commune alton. -
Very little was said, and perhaps be-
cause could not wholly conceal my
modification at an attempt, apparently
with the sanction Of the President, to re-
duce me to a mere cypher in the admin
straiiOn.
The next morning, June Sd, l waited
upon the President, and, as | had been
aPprised by Mr.. Whitney would be the
case, he soon introduced the subject Of
the bank. l stated that MIR. Whitney
had made known to me what had been
done, and what was intended, and had
intimated that his communicat was
made at the Presidents desire. The
President replied, in tone Of dissa,is-
faction, that it was true he had confer
red with MIR. " hitney, and obtained in
formation from him as To the bank, but
that he was not his confident, nor had
he told him to call on me. enumera.
ted the representations which Mr.. Whit
ney had made, and their correctness W as
admitted. / said | feared that | should
not be able to see the subject in the
light in which the President viewed it;
to which he remarked that he liked
frankness, that my predecessor and him
self had sometimes differed in opinions
but it had made no difference in feeling
aud should not in my case; that the mat.
| ter under consideration was OF vast con.
sequence to the country; that unless the
bank was broken down, it would break
us down; that if the last Congress hat
remained week longer in session, two.
thirds "" uld have been secured for the
bank by corrupt means; and that TIE like
result might be apprehended al the mex
Congress; that such State Bank Agen
cy must be put in operation, before thu
meeting of Congress, as would show tina
the U. 5. Bank was not necessary; ant
thus some members would have no ex
cuse for voting for it. My suggestion
as to an enquiry by Congress, as in De-
cember, 1882, or recourse to the Ju
dietary, the President repelled, saying
it would be idle to rely upon either; re-
terring, as to the Judiciary, TO decisions
already made, as indications OF wha
would be the effect OF an appeal to then
in future. Alter mentioning, that HI
, would spca> 20 me again, before he de
parted to the eastward, he said he mean
TO take the opinions OF the members o
the cabinet with him, but would sen'
them to me from New York, togethe
with his riers, and would expect me, ol
) his return, to give him my sentiment
frankly and fully.
On the 9Th of June, ] had brief con
, versation with the President in the cours'
Of which, as at all other times, | do hin
3 the justice to say, he emphatically de
4 clared that his views were altog ethe
public-spiritcd. lie concluded by say
+ ing, "remember, do not wish any bod
to conceal his sentiments; give you m.
views, you give me yours; all ask Is