The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-10-20
MR.. wooDBURY's LETTER.
WASHINGTON. lst Sent. lS39


"DEAR Sin: Yours of the 24th ult was re-
ceiyed last evening. thank you sincerely for
the friendly sentiments il expresses towards my
self personally but must confess, that the tone
OF il, and Of Mr.. Haynes letter. which you en-
close, are such f0lcdrds the administration,
as to create much regret and painful disappoint-
ment in respect to the boundary question.
When every thing-even war, was hazarded
by the President last spring for that question
the Secretary of State in efforts to advance the
interests Of Maine, and when all the rest of us
here have sustained the claims Of Maine as firm
iy, at least, as the strange democrat, some Of
your politicians recommended to be special min
lister to England, this subject-t is really dis
couraging, and causes sickness at the heart to
hear the complaints reiterated by our friends of
the apparent apathy and unconce,n Of The
General Government in regard to the North
and unavoidable troubles with our enemies at
home and abroad, that to have these increased
and aggravated by our friends makes me utterly
Respondent
/ have now been left alone here, struggling
with embarrassments without parallel in our
financial history, for over two months-and TAX
ing the additional burden on my shoulders of
advising all the other Departments, in the abb
sence Of their Heads, when cases of doubt,
to have this new source Of discomfort, danger
and threatened war upon us re-opened is more
than am able to bear. 1t is said to be the last
feather, which breaks the horses back
But with this heavy and additional pressure,
when it was hoped that all was in favorable
train my exhausted frame must soon Weld
will do all in my power for my friends and the
cause while am here but cannot work mira
cles, and neither my mind nor body is made of
Il n
my present situation the first moment the Presi-
dent will consent to it and l sincerely pray,
that some one from New England may succeed
me, more successful and able in giving satisfac-
ton, not only on the Boundary question, but all
others of importance. This year is my eighth
one in the Executive Department, and it is high
time Tor rotation-not that love the good cause
less, but that Hove principle more, and the wishes
Of my friends more, TO promote better by the
services Of other men, Of different or similar
politics, the great interests of at least some OF
the States, if not all of them.
complain not word. Indeed, had been
left to my own inclinations and judgment,
should have resigned over a year ago. But as
some of the obstacles, then existing, have been
since removed, | think glimmer of light to my
self personally breaks through the clouds.
will show, as you seem to wish. your letter
and Mr.. HIS to the President on his return at
the close of the month. After the glorious re-
actions in the West | trust, that our leading
friends in the East have not so conducted as to
lose caste with the people and to lessen our ma
jorities there as you fear. Even Rhode Island
has gained largely on the democratic side within
two years and if Maine is determined to throw
herself into the arms of the opposition, or to
play into their hands-during such crisis as the
present one-lef us beseech a kind Providence
TO sdre the Republic, FOR NO ARM OF FLESH CAN
AVAIL US. had rather have lost Tennessee and
Indiana united.
'Truly yours,
LEVI WOODBURY..
"Hon. ALBERT SMITH, Portland, Me-"