Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-02-27

mo r. hel;eve that the removal Of the depostes
was not advocated with any view to public utl-
ity, but urged to accomplish selllsh II not fac-
tous purposes. | sought no intercourse Win
those, who felt satisfied, had an UNDUE lnhu-
ence over the President, at least in relation to
tho crave questions connected with the removal
of the deposits. w henever any one OF them
called on me- there was no hesitation IN urging
me TO accord in the proposed measure. 1t was
commended that the removal OF the deposits
would be made rallying point, at the opening
of Congress, or flag up, for the new members.
Whenever | urged a recourse, in the hrst IN
stance to Congress, or the Judiciary, such
step was secuted at, ana delay represented ds
hazardous.
Ehad heard rumors Of the existence of an int1u-
ence at w ashington, unknown to the constitution.
The conviction, that such an influence existed,
at least in relation to the matters then pressed
upon me- was irresistible. | knew that four OF
the six members of the cabinet before became
a member of it, had been opposed to any pre-
sent action in relation to the deposits; and al
so knew that four Of the six members of the ex
listing cabinet entertained the same views. l felt
satisfied not only that the President was not in
the hands of his constitutional advisers, but that
their advice was successfully resisted by persons
whose views considered at variance with the
public interest and the Presidents fame.
Such were my impressions, when, on the ISL
i
dated e Boston, June 26, 1885," together with
his uieps, and the opinions of four Of the men,
bers of the cabinet, voluminous papers, in the
examination of which was engaged, when the
President unexpectedly returned to Washing
ton on the 4th Of July
In the vieps, given by the President he ex-
pressed his opinion that the Secretary of the
Treasury would be wisely exercising the discre-
ton conferred upon him by law, by directing the
deposits to be made in the State banks, from
and after the 15th1of September if arrangements
to be made with them should be then completed.
In his letter, he stated that the only difficulty
he for some time had, was as to the time when
the change should commence; that he thought
the time should be from the 1st to the 18th
of September that an agent should be sent
toSconsult with State banks upon the practical
bility of an arrangement, such as the President
then proceeded to detail; but that he did not
contemplate removal Of funds deposited, I'M
less when wanted for public purposes. This
letter closed with this emphatic assurance;
In making to you, my dear sir, this frank
and explicit avowal of my opinions and feelings,
it is not my intention to Interfere with the indie
pendent exercise of the discretion committed to
you by law over the subject. | have thought
it however due to you, under the circumstances,
to place before you, with this restriction, my SEN
timents upon the subject, to the end that you
may, on my responsibility, allow them to enter
into your decision upon the subject, and into
any future exposition of it, SO far as you may
deem it proper"
Prior to the reception of these communca-
tons, | had feit embarrassment not only in re-
laton to the general subject but as to constitu-
tional and legal questions. was in doubt as
to the view which the President would take Of
the 10th section Of the law, chartering the Unit
ed States Bank, which gave the discretion, as to
the deposites, to the Secretary Of the Treasury.
When, however, read the above passage in his
letter, my anxiety was in great measure, if
not wholly removed. If it meant any thing, |
concluded, that the President now confirmed,
what the law had already declared, that the Sc
cretary of the Treasury had the exclusive right
to exercise that discretion independently Of the
President, and that in thus writing to me, he
had pledged himself not to interfere beyond the
expression of his own opinions and the en-
ployment of argument to have an influence up
on mine. Rejecting, however, upon the means
that might be used to induce the President to
disregard this pledge, considered it my duty
to comply strictly with his direction, to give him,
my sentiments frankly and fully; and these you
will find in my next letter w. ]. DUANE.
Phladenha, Feb. g. 1884.