Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-02-06

j questions were connected with my case.
and was unwilling, by any reference TO
th-m, to afford PreteNt for saying. that
had an inclination % affect the action Of
9COngress: besides the disinclina tlon TO
1separate in feelings Of discomfort, from
4fiends still attached TO the President. I
Dad a repngnancn even TO repel the blows
ef oae, whom had so long supported. es- /
Pecislly as | considered him the victim Of
unworthy Influences and unhappy pas
slons 30 confident. indeed. was Of the
propuefy oil my course, whilst 10 office.
hat, II had not been officially. falsely
<pnd mali snanily assailed. I would have
pbsersed ihs silence which had imposed
upon myself, on my retirement TO private
1iie. The right Of private corre,pondence
exercised; but an the extracts, from two
letisrs, which were published without INV
ronsent. there is no trace OF resentment.
mueh lee. malisni,y; nor i. there . senti-
fsnent IN them IN relation 60 the Chief Ma
fy'''rate, which am not ready TO maintain
by fact and Argument.
III may not, even on this occasion, ad.
vert TO the incidents OF my brief official
career. II seems 10 be due to YOU that I
should not leave the subject wholly IN
noteed. The service which I was asked
10 perform, seems not 20 be distinctly un-
<derstood. The official reason. for perCor
ming what ! refused 20 execute, do not
4embraee an explanation which I consider
fdue to myself. If not TO the people or their
representatives. The true nature Of the
{service required, consisted. not in the act
OF removing the deposites, butin removing
Them from an unwillingnsss to await the
action OF Congress. or to resort 10 the
appropriate agency Of the Judiciary, upon
&9uestions connected with the Bank Of the
~ nited States-not IN the mere subsiitu.
hon Of one Fiscal agent for another, but
sn exercising, for penal ends. a power Civ.
en- solely Tor conservative purposes Hos
tiie - was to the Bank, aud Hing as I
WAS 70 investigate the transactions OF its
othcers IN the strictest manner, in the le-
+ gitimate way. I perceived that a co-opera.
ZION. IN The scheme proposed, would be in.
consistent with my duty a, n public ageot
my principles aS a citizen, and nv ,ympa.
thies rs man. And, although, owing TO
my friendship for the President, and nv
anxiety to be certain that I was right, I
kept myself open TO conviction. still my
first impressions remained unchanged TO
the end. IL had thought proper 10 re-
sign, might have received the mission 10
Russia. on the spontaneous assurance Of
the Executive himself; but I could not
favor change which was at variance with
my duty, and which would have given
scope for plausible, if not just. reprosch.
On the contrary, released, as I finally was.
From all obligations Of delieacy. by sets 90
'ran'on as TO have meditated insult stamp
ed upon their front. I determined, so "A,
4as II depended on ME. to preserve the pub
JIG Treasure from the invasion OF the Fe.
aderal Executive" by not voluntarily re.
hnqni'hing its guardianship. conferred on
sne by law.
Recurring to the past. find nothing on
my part TO reprove. did not profess TO be
a eourtier, or to be free from the influence
4of feelings, which perhaps become mi.
vaie rather than public life. To tho last
moment struggled 70 believe. that the
weapons with which I was assailed, were
IN unseen hands. and that they were en-.
pioyed. not on account OF any hostility on
my part. which never existed. towards the
President but because Twas his true frien
STRIVING to Illustrate = purpose, in jurisus 10
his country and bis own fame, and " hich.
81 successful. could serve those only .bo
hold places that belonged TO better men.
oir. IL there ever Was q man. Associa-
tted with the President. who had fonder
7tiesire than another. TO win him back 10
he observance Of early professions-to
lead hun 10 the performance. on his own
part TO what he had recommended TO one
Of his predecessors-to aid him in increas
ingi his fame, by elevating the character
Of bis country, abroad, and reconcilinc
his countrymen 20 each other at home
a humble as ] may he. aver that was that
+. Whathar 4 rn1sgn,k Il
q Of the Chief Magistrate, or he forgot him
self. il 10 sufficient for me 90 know, that.
Whi!stapart from duty TO the public had
no motive 10 resist his will. there was eve.
Wv Involvement to retain his friendship
tBut much as preferred his confidence to
heafiless prescription. on the loss Of H..
dared not do. what iC done, ought Co have
deprived me Of his favor. and Of my own
esteem
That have the support Of your weigh
4 " opinion. not only upon the main aues.
Ton, but on other points. on which my
sentiments have been made known, is a
source OF sincere pleasure 10 me II il
possible. and barely 80, that when the main
question was first unexpectedly presented
TO me, may have expressed some senti
ment' IN which you or your fellow citizens
may not concur If so, haVea guaran-
Tee for liberality IN the wishes FOR my vel.
fare and happiness. which you have so clio
+ quentiy and fselingly expressed
Those wishes accept with due sensi.
biiiy; | viii cherish a remembrance OF
4 item TO the latest moments OF my e1is.
tence; and until then shall not erase 10 De.
sire that you and your fellow citizens may
have all the rewards that are meriied by
\ patriotic citizens and generous men.
With the utmost respect, am, Sir,
Your obedieBt servant.
w J DUANE
Hon. l. w TazEwELL