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

tv as 10 demand no 1urtner ala OF tndt knu" &C.
Notwithstanding this appeal, it will be found on
reference to- the file of the official paper, that vile
insinuatons were subsequently made respecting
my motives for resisting the President Yet out
of respect for our Institutions forbore to repel
imputatiOns upon my character for nearly i've
months; and if | shall now mention any facts,
which under ordinary circumstances, it might be
improper to state, hope it will be remembered,
that | do so, not under the influence of resent
ment, but in sef-defence. Parts of my cores
pondence and conversations have been used, in
order to nfuse foul suspicious respecting me;
and l now barely show that am not the only
accused or suspected person; but that snare
the fate of all who will not sacrifice their
principles not at the feet OF the President, put at
those of men who govern the country through
the fundamentally of his passions and preJudl-
ceS.
- NV commission bore the date OF May
30. 1893. and on the 30th, | reached Washing
ton After waiting upon the President on the
next day, went to the Treasury Department,
and took the oath of office on the lst OF June
On the evening of that day, Mr.. Reuben M.
Whitney called upon me at my lodgings al the
desire, as he said, of the President, to make
known to me what had been DONE and what
was to be done, in relation to the United States
Bank He stated, that the President had con-
Guided to take upon himself the responsibility,
of directing the Secretary OF the treasury 10
remove the public deposites from the 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, Mr. fancy and MIR. Barry had come
out like men for the removals" Mr.. MLane had
given long opinion againstit; that Mr. ass was
supposed to be against it, but had given no writ
ten opinion; and that Mr.. Weodbury* had Civ
en- an opinion which was ''yes' and "no;" thatthe
President would make the act his own; by ad-
dressing paper or order to the Secretary OF
the Treasury that Mr. Amos Kendall, who was
high in the Presidents confidence was now pre-
pairing that paper; that there had been delay
owing to the affair at Alexandria; but no doubt,
the 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 MIR. Whit
new had, at the desire of the President drawn
memoir or exposition, showing that the mea-
sure might be safely adopted, and that the State
banks would be fully adequate to ali the purpo-
ses of government: he then read the exposltlonto
me, and as desired to understand matters SO
important and so singularly presented to me, |
asked him to leave the paper with me, which he
accordingly did. He also read to me divers let
ters from individuals connected with State
banks. The drift of his further observations
was to satisfy me that the executive arm alone,
could be relied on to prevent renewal OF the U.
States Bank charter
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 confidence reposed in him,
and awaited the explanation which he intimated
the President would give.
Soon after this interview | took occasion to
express my modification at my position, to the
member of the cabinet, who had represented
the President in asking me to accept office.
On the next evening Sunday Mr.. Whitney
again called on me in company with stranger,
whom he introduced as Mr.. Amos Kendall,
gentleman in the Presidents confidence, and
who would give me any further explanation,
that might desire, as to what was meditated IN
relation to the United States Bank, and who
then called on me because he was about to pro-
coed to Baltimore. | did not invite, nor check,
communication. Very little was said, and per-
haps because | could not wholly conceal my
modification at an attempt, apparently with
the sanction Of the President to reduce me to
a mere cypher in the administration.
The next morning June 3d. waited upon the
President, and, as ] had been appraised by Mr.
Whitney would be the case, he soon introduced
the subject of the bank. stated that Mr.. W hit
ney had made known to me what had been
DONE and what was intended, and had intlmat-
ed that his communication was made at the
PreSlQ6ntS QeSiTe. ne TleSluellI ltpIltu, III a
tone of dissatisfaction, that it was true he had
conferred with Mr.. Whitney, and obtained in
formation from him as to the bank, but that he
was not his COnfidant, nor had he told him to
call on me. | enumerated the representations
which Mr. Whitney had made, and their cor
rectness was admitted. said feared that
should not be able to see the subject in the light
in which the President viewed it; to which he re-
marked that he liked frankness, that my prede
cessor and himself had sometimes differed in
opinion, but it had made no difference in feeling,
and should not in my case; that the matter under
consideration was of vast consequence to the
country; that unless the bank was broken
down. it would break us down; that if the last
Congress had remained 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
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 enquiry by Congress,
as in December, 1882, or recourse to the Ju-
dietary, the President repealed, saying it would