Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-03-06

tHff dfN VI tnat hIuag &c
Notwithstanding this appeal, Il will be found,
on reference TO the Gle Of the official paper, that
vile insnuations were subsequently made re-
spectng my motives for resisting the President
Yet, out Of respect for orr Institutions, forborc
to repel imputations upon my character for near
ly five months; and il shall now mention any
facts which, under ordinary circumstances, i'll
might be improper to state, ] hope il will be re-
rnembered, that do so, not under the influence
OF resentment, but in self defence. Parts Of my
correspondence and conversations have been used
in order to infusc foul suspicious respecting me;
and now barely show that ] am not the only
accused or suspected person, but that share the
tate OF all who will not sacrifice their principles,
not at the feet Of the President, but at those OF
men who govern the country through the instrH-
mentality Of his passions and preiudces
My commission bore the date OF May
y, 1898, and on the Both ! reached Washing
ton. After waiting upon the President. on the
next day, Invent TO the Treasury Department,
and took the oath Of office on the lst Of juno.
On the evening Of that day, Mr. Reuben M.
W hitney called upon me at my lodgings, at the
desire, as he said, Of the President, to make
known to me what had been done, and what was
70 be done, in relation TO the United States Bank
He stated, that the President had concluded TO
take upon himself the responsibility Of directing
the Secretary Of the Treasury to remove the pub
lie deposites from that Bank. and TO transfer them
TO State Banks; that he had asked the members
OF the Cabinet TO give him their opinions on the
subject; that the President had said, MIR. fancy
and Mr.. Barry had come out like men for the re
moval;' that Mr. M'Lanc had given long OPT
MON against il; that Mr.. Cass was supposed 10
be against it, but had given written opinion;
and that MIR. Woodbury. had given an opinion,
which was, yes and mo-; that the President
would make the act his own, by addressing pa
per or order to the Secretary Of the Treasury;
that Mr.. Amos Kendall, who was high in the
Dr. hat
paper; that there had been delay, owing TO the
affair at Alexandria; but, no doubt, the President
would soon speak 10 me on the subject; that the
paper referred to, would be put forth as the Proc
lamation had been, and would be made railylng
point; that he (Mr. Whitney, had, at the de-
sire Of the President, drawn a memoir, or eX-
position, showing that the measure might be
safely adopted, and that the State Banks would
be fully adequate 70 all the purposes Of Govern
mcpt. He then read the exposition TO me, and,
as desired to understand matters so important
and so sngularly presented TO me, asked him TO
leave the paper with me, which he accordingly
did. He also read to me divers letters, from in
divduals connected with State Banks. The DRIFT
of his further observations to satisfy me that
the Executive arm alone could be relied on to
prevent a renewal of the United States Bank
charter.
The communication thus made TO me created
surprise and modification. | was surprised at
tilted at the low estimate which had been form
cd Of the independence Of my character. list
encd, however, respectfully to one who gave
such evidence o. ne confidence reposed IN him,
and awaited the explanation which he lntlmated
the President would give.
Soon after this interview, ! took occasion TO
express my modification at my position, 10 the
member of the Cabinet who had represented the
President in asking me to accept Office.
On the next evening, (Sunday,) Mr. Whit
ney again called on me, in company with stran-
ger, 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 meditatcd in re
lation to the United States Bank. and who then
called on me because he was about 10 proceed to
Baltimore. did not invite nor check communi-
cation. Very little was said, and perhaps be-
cause could not wholly conceal my mortiiica
tion at an attempt, apparently with the sanction
of the President, to reduce me TO mere cipher
in the Administration.
The next morning, June Sd, ! waited upon
the President, aud. as had been apprzed by
Mr.. Whitney would be the case, he soon intro
duced the subject of the Bank. stated that Mr.
Whitney had made known TO me what had been
done, and what was intended. and had intimatcd
that his commit n cation was made at the Presi-
dents desire. The President replied, in tone
of dissatisfaction that il true he had confer
red with Mr.. Whitney, and obtained information
from him rs TO the Bank, but that he was not his
confidant, nor had he told him TO call on me. |
enumerated the representations which MIR Whit
ncy had made, and their correctness was admit
ted. | said feared that should not be able to
see the subject in the light in which the Pres.
dent viewed ii, to which he remarked that he
liked frankness, that my predecessor and him
self had sometimes differed in opinion, but il had
made no difference in feeling, and should not in
my case; that the matter under consideration
W of asf cOn IN fho
less the Bank was broken down, il would break
us down; that if the last Congress had remained
a week longer IN session, two thirds would have
been secured for the Bank by corrupt means; and
that the like result might be apprehended at the
next Congress; that such a State Bank agency
must be put in operation, before the meeting Of
Congress, as would show that the United States
Bank was not necessary; and thus some members
would have no excuse for voting for it.
My suggestions as to an inquiry by Congress,
as in December, 1882, or a recourse TO the Judi.
ciary, the President repealed, saving il would
be idle to rely upon either; referring, as to the
Judiciary, TO decisions already made, as indica-
tons of what would be the effect of an appeal to
them in future. After mentioning that he would
speak to again. before he departed TO the east
ward, he said he meant 10 take the opinions of
the members of the Cabinet with him. but would !
send them 10 me from New York, together with !
his uie,cs, and would expect me, on his return, TO
give my sentiments frankly and fully,
On the 9th of June, had brief conversation
with the President, in the course Of which, as at
all other times, do him the Justice TO saw, he
nphatically declared that his views were alto
sether public spirited. He concluded by saving
Remember, do not wish any body 10 CON
ceal his sentiments; give you my views, You
give me yours; all ! ask is that you will reflect |
with view TO the public good
The President left Washington on the 9th of
June. During his absence, further circumsta |
ccs came TO my knowledge, which induced me
to believe, that the removal of the depositcs was
not advocated with any view 10 public utility |
but urged to accomplish selfish, if not factious
purposes ] sought intercourse with those,
who, felt satisfied, had an undue influence over
he President, at least in relation TO the grave
questions connected with the removal of the de-
1ositcs. Whenever any Of them called on me
here was no hesitation in urging me to accord in
he proposed measure. 1t was contcnded that
he removal Of the deposites would be made raj
wing point, at the opening of Congress, or a flag
Ip, for the new members. Whenever urged a
ecourse, in the first instance, to Congress or the
Judiciary, such step was secuted, and delay
represented as hazardous
j had heard rumours Of the existence of an in
luence at Washington, unknown to the Consti.
uiion. The conviction, that such an influence
xisted at least in relation 10 the matters then
PRESSED upon me, was irresistible. knew that ,
our of the six members OF the Cabinet, before