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

4
! quainted with the following details, bearing on
| these points.
Although never directly or indirectly asked
any personal favor Of the President | do him the
justice TO say, that he manifested desire on Sc
veral occasions TO promote what he, doubtless
! considered my advancement. With the advice
and consent OF the Senate, he appointed me a di-
rector OF the Bank ofthe United States, bat de-
ciined the trust. He afterwards rendered me the
Office of attorney for the eastern district of Penn
| sylvanla, which | also refused Without my
knowledge, he appointed me, with the concur
renee OF the Senate, a commissioner under the
convention with Denmark; and, when hesitatcd
TO accept. he pressed the trust upon me, on the
ground that to accept would be duty TO the pub
lie and relief TO himself from embarrassment.
Before Ihad executed the duty under the con-
yention with Denmark, was, on the 9TH De
cember, 1882, Unexpectedly invited TO accept the
Office Of secretary of the treasury. And lest any
representation Of the circumstances attending the
offer, should be open to cavil on that account,
shall not trust 10 my memory but present the fol-
lowing statement extracted from a confidential
letter, which wrote the 4th of December
last.
EXTRACTS. The President has in formal,
kind and pressing manner, asked me to accept a
seat in his cabinet. ! confess, | was surprised,
and not only surprised but distressed; hut il is
best, while the incidents are all fresh in my me-
mory, that should give you sketch. mem
Der of the cabinet said--'Mr. Duane, | have been
particularly desired by the President TO seek this
interview with you, on matters OF much conse-
quence, not only TO himself but to the country.
The President has Tor some time past meditated
a change in his cabinet il has been deferred I'M
til after the termination Of the elections in the
states, and, as they now over, the proposed
change is urged anew. The present secretary
of state is to 60 to France; the present secretary
of the treasury is TO take his place in the depart
ment of state; and the question is, who is 10 60
into fhp trea is n
Pennsylv ania is to be appointed; the President
and his friends have sought In that state tor
person in all respects competent as an ofhcer and
faithful as a friend. A list of names has been
looked at, and, after due inquiry, the President
is decidedly convinced, that you, Sir, present the
fairest claims to official and personal consdera-
ton. You are OF the old democratic party Of
Pennsylv ania, and have grown with its growth;
you are known mild but unvarying friend OF
the great political principles which Pennsylvania
cherishes your personal reputation too, gives you
a moral influence, Of the extent of which you are
not perhaps yourself aware; you were the early,
and have been the steadfast friend oil General
Jackson, and should continue in every proper
way 10 sustain him whom you contributed 10 eic-
yatc So satisfied, indeed, is the President, OF
your peculiar fitness for the department, and of
your being just such apcrson as he can politically
as well as personally rely upon, that cannot use
too strong terms, in describing his solicitudc that
You should not refuse the station
"Ths is more brief than the reality, but per-
fecty correct; replied-'I have listened, Sir, TO
what you have stated, with surprise and distress;
so that il cannot be supposed that can give apo-
sitive reply. Icannot express how grained and
proud am at this mark of confidence; 1t, howev-
er, am now to give utterance to what feei' IT
is TO ask the President to blot this matter from
his mind 1t true that have been and am sim
cerely friendly to the President that possess
the personal and political confidence OF many
worthy men in Pennsy lvania: and that have a
strong inclination TO do all in my power to evince
nv principles and promote the welfare OF the
ncopie But il is also true, that my abilities
over rated; that my influence in Pennsylvania -
more limited than Is supposed; and THAT no weight
can be given, by my accession to the admins
tration. Such an occasion as the present cannot
be heedlessly regarded by me, but all considera-
tons united forbid me to assent. have through
life sought the shade, and whenever have been
out of it, it has not been from choice; have al
WAYS desired TO tread on the earth, lest In as
cendng even single step OF the political ladder,
/ should BE- obliged to resume my former place.
Perhaps this is morbid pride, but be what II may,
il has a powerful influence over me-.
"'Fo this il was reioined-'AH you have said,
Mr. Duane, shows you have the merit you deny
yours If the possession Of. You have, by declin-
ing Office several occasions omitted TO advance
Yourself am the Presidents friend and yours,
and am not the man TO advocate any thing OF a
doubtful nature, by which the public may be al
| fected. Others more competent perhaps, 70
Judge of your qualifications than you are yourself;
| heretofore, there have been difficulties; there
| NAV be some at this time, owing TO excitement
| in The South but that will soon cease, and in a
few months YOU will be perfectly au fat as to all
| general duties. As to your standing in Pennsyl-
| yana we have information to be relied on; we
| believe your appointment would be pleasing
| there and the President desires TO do what VIII
| crafty that State. Apart from other consIdera-
! lions, the Presidents own spontaneous preference
| of Won is compliment not TO be overlooked; you
| viii derive credit from il where you are not
known amongst all who respect the patriotism
and pure intentions, well as the natural sagaci-
| ~ of the President. | am persuaded that the
| appointment would be acceptable to many of the
| Presidents most distinguished friends; indeed,
the fact that he goes TO the people, and not to
congress- to select, will give weightto the choice
| You will earn high reputation IN the oihce pro-
| posed and the labors will be less burdensome
! than those to which you have been accustomed,
| &c.
81 then said, that to tear up, as II were, by
the roots. nv business in Philadelphia, on TN
| uncertainty, or even certainty oil continuing
office here for years, would be very lmprudent
that changes of residence, associations, and ex
pendture, were sound objections; that trends u
me, ought not to urge proceeding OF SO doubtful
"To his il was replied-'that every man owe'
| something to his country, that even on the que 5
lion of mere interest, the change would De al
ment for 4 wears, at six thousand dollars pc
wear; that the mode Of living was that OF prlvat
gentlemen in Philadelphia; that by ldentiiyIn
myself with General jackson and his TRENDS, an
making sacrifice, if it was one, estaolishea
claim for continuance in this, or appointment
some other station.
al closed by saying, shat, out oil thankiaines
, and desire to make return for such confidence
,, NV heart urged me to say yes, but my mead
no means assented; that it would be rude as we
as unkind to the President to decide at once, an
upon so sudden an appeal, on so serious sup)e'
and that therefore would reflect
# Such fellow citizens, is brief but iaithiu r'
G | presentation of the manner, IN when was
rT;ted 10 enter the cabinet. My Discrimination
d take office as above expressed, renamed unalte
i ed Valued friends, whom consulted eAer't
IS Themselves 10 induce me to serve: ana, "he y
% was called upon for decision, on the SUN o. .
IS mary, 1888 i reluctantly consented When
r consent was given, the President, on the -.
!, February, caused his satisfaction to be express
\ AT nv determination, and his "wishes that
A. might confer lasting benefit upon the count
TO | and myself'' When saw HIM IN March, ne
b. iterated what had been before communicate
me, assuring me that he had himself selected
= name from the list before him. This declara'l
\ aNfen a