The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-05
Communications.

THE LATE CABINET.


Messn. Ewing Badger and Bell have made an
appeal 10 the Public, and have denounced the fres-
dent for the circumstances which led TO then resgha
ton. II is admitted that the nigh. before the
resignaiions took place, Mr. Clay met Messrs Ewing,
Bell Cnttenden and Badger al the house Of the latter
II is admitted by MI Ewing that he acted in concert
with the Wig members Of both Houses Of Con-
pressp and thai he submitted them the question Of
postponing the second Bank bill II il known that
all questions Submitted To the Wing members Of both
Houses were decided by Caucus. Il Is also known
that Mr. Clay claims To be, and Is admitted a., the
head Of that part Of the Wing members Of the two
Houses who have denounced the President. MIR.
Clay was the chairman Of the Committee Of Finance,
who had charge of the Bank question-his opinions
were adopted by the Wing pary-he made the issue
in relation The branching power, which defeated the
bill. The retreaiing Secretaries had hrst pledged
themselves TO support the President, and Afterwards
had after pedging themselves TO stand by the Pfesi
dent gone over to Mr.. Clay This is important
point in this case and deserves be fully estab
lished.
Ii should be remembered that the late Cabinet
appointed by General Harrison, after eonsuitd-
non Nth Mr.. Guy; that, after his election, before
their appointment General Harrison went to Lexing-
ton TO see Mr. Clay that al a dinner at Versailles
he declared his preference for Mr. Clay and admitted
his desire 10 see Mr. Clay, President, 10 such terms
that the editor Of The Louisville Journal Mr. Clays
organ and devoted par,inan, published that he said
that il by doing he could elevate Mr.. Clay TO the
| Presidency, he would resign.
| |, Is but natural that, under such circumstances
the first Cabinet should have had strong bias for
| ~ Il. n r. AZ AZ. IL
more indebted Mr. Clay than to Mr. Tyler for their
places-and that all their political and personal sym
pathes should be with Mr.. Clay.
| The Cabinet the Presidents confidential ad-
visers They should be men in whom he could most
implicitly rely they should sympaihize with him per-
sonsly and politically, II is seen that, SO far from
sympathizng with him, they sympathized with MIR
Clay. Hence, upon the coming in Of the second
Veto we find them in secret conclaye with Mr.. Clay
on the night before their resignation !!
We know that it has been denied on the authority
Of Mr. Ewing, that Mr.. Clay participated in the con-
sultation relation the resignation. II should be
borne in mind that three Secretaries have mpeached
the eandor of the President. They do charge the
President with falsehood, but with want OF candor-
with insneeriy The charge rests on the allegation
that he President gave them to believe that although
be had vetoed the first BILL yet he would approve the
second if il was prepared in accordance with the un-
Outstanding between them; and they insist that the
second bill such bill the President had agreed
he would sign and ask the public to believe that they
| resigned because be refused TO do 80
| II should be remembered that although the three
Secretaries have given their statements, the Pre-
sident has not been heard and it may be that
if hi, statement were made, additional facts and
circumstances would show that he under no
pledge or obligation to sign the second bull, and
that the S Secretaries 10 their desire to get Bank,
misunderstood the President, and that when he
to ex anime and reflect the bill prepared at their
suggestion he became satisfied that the fundamental
difference of opinion between them the subject of
the Bank was such that he could no longer rely on
them as his constitutional advisers. 1t may be- that
while his mind laboring to this conclusion, and
before he had arrived al fixed purpose, there had
been such suspension or withdrawal Of confidence
as to beget state of feeling that forbade the eYpana
tons Indispensable to right understanding of his
their opinions. The conversation. of the 18th, all
must admit binding the Secretaries
the President. If it shall appear that the Secretary
did not feel bound to comply with their part Of the
Outstanding with what face they complain that
the fresldent nol Ieel nihseI pOund-and espe-
ciay If il shall appear from their showing that
hey were the first TO violate that understanding.
Mr. Ewing says, speaking of the conversation with
the President on the 18th of August, that MI Badge
told the President that the best temper prevailed in
the two Houses" and that he Mr. Ewingl sasl, al
have doubt sir, that the House, having ascertain
ed your wishes will pass bill in conformity them
provided they be satisfied that will answer the
purposes of the Treasury and relieve the country"
| You then said (" cannot my Cabinet that this 10
brought aboutl You must stand by me in This emer-
geney Cannot you that bill passes Congress
such approve irittout inconsistency 2" ~ de-
ctdred again my belief that such bill might be pass-
| ed"
Here was pledge on the part Of Mr. Ewing that
he would stand by the President and that he would
use his influence to get up such bill the President
would approve without inconsistency.
Mr. Badger declines to state the conversation but
says that an exchange Bank considered and met
the appreciation of the President. Upon reading his
letter no one could suppose that there had been any
reference to the Presidents constitutional objections
tits aedged that the President approved an exchange
Bank" Mr. Bell goes more into detail He says
"Tbe President adverted briefly, but without much
connexion, to the relation in which he stood to the
Bank question, and his disposition to go as far as he
could TO comply with the wishes of his friends He
spoke of the relation that existed between him and his
Cabinet, and how necessary il was that he should
hare their support. Would they stand by him2 He
much preferred that the whole subject should be post
poned until the next session. But if it necessa-
sary act now he though, a plan might be devised
which with their operation might be carried through
| He wondered why the Senate continued TO postpone
acting upon his Veto message, which was yet to be
disposed Of He supposed it might be to hold il as
49, I-l .L..L,A =.