New-York tribune., 1841-10-02
Mr.. Ewing saws in the letter communicating


himself also in communicating with those gentle
men Messrs. Berrien and Sergeant rot 10 com
nj, YOU personally lest this being recognized IS
YOUR measure, it might be made subject OF con-
parison to your prejudice in the course OF discus
sion
Thus it is seen tina; the power TO communicate
the Presidents views, and commit MIN, was eN-
presslv limited. and /, : presumed this limitation
was not exceeded.
After this communication wa' made TO Mr. Der
rien End Mr.. Sergeant. these gentlemen prepared
bill and Mr.. Ewing says - am aprr'sed OF the
fact. though it did no, occur IN my presence that
after the b, was draw H. and before It was report
ed. i. wa. seen and examined b. Yourself that
your attention was especially called to The 18th
fundamental article that on full examination you
concurred il the provisions, &c.
Thu. then it appears thar the President suisse
ouertlv ratified what ne had agreed 10 in Cabinet
Council; ne never disavowed statements made BY
the member, Of his Cabinet on his behalf. ou; ne
changed his mind and he certainly gave an intiFn-
alton 10 hi, Cabinet. by no mean. OF equiyocai
character. that he had changed his mind, or that
he was not prepared. at that time, to give hi a.
sent to a Bank Bill Alter the appearance OF Mr.
Bots. letter, the President asked. and earnestly
urged The members OF his Cabine, IL postpone the
bill saws Mr.. Ewing Now. can there be any
doubt that taking this earnest request OF the Pre-
,ident in connection with what occurred in ms
Cabnet-hs hesitation and embarrassment. and
fear Of acting counter to opinions previously eN-
pressed-every member OF MS Cabine- must have
perfectly understood that he was not now prepared
TO act on the Bank question. Need ne 10 have
said Gentlemen am much embarrassed, and do
not see ms way clear proceed in this business
now-but give me more time l' Was not all this
sufficiently apparent Can any one hesitate IN
believing that if the members OF the Cabinet were
indeed his friends DESTROYS OF extrlcatng him from
difficulties. they would nave been no loss to dis
cover his state OF mind and would not have required
at the hand OF the Presidcn, any Illuminating con
ie>sions on the subject
His reques, for PostPonemen, was denied, be-
ca7se the President refused TO make promises a.
to his futurs course on the subject of Bank Bill.
From strong disposition 10 oblige friends he had
already made promises which had exceedingly
embarrassed him. and now, because he would nor
make further promise request Is denied MIN,
which. in view of all that had been done al
the called session of Congress, does seem very
unreasonable. The denial, ;oo is put upon the
ground, rnaniestly. OF a want Of confidence in the
fidelity and honor of the President.
Under these circumstances the President when
the Bill Is prese ,ted TO him. returns it with objcc-
tons and the members of the Cabinet with one ey
cep,ion retire because OF personal ndignity offer
ed them by the President. The personal indignity
consisted in ,his-the President did not consult
them "a to the Veto message, did he apologize.
for his change of mind.
Now that the President did change his mind
very deeply regret, and TO me it appears that the
publication of Mr. Botiss letter is not Il sufficient
reason FOR this change, but nm at loss to
how, under all the circumstances, this change OF
mind can be regarded as a personal indgnity TO
the members of the Cabinet-especially such an
ndignity as would authorize them TO surrender
their post.
Mr.. Webster did not so regard it, and believe
the country after little time given for reflection,
will not so regard it. 1t canno, be doubted thar
Mr.. Webster was reluctant separate himself
from the members of Gen. Harrison's Cabinet, but
when the other members had determined to leave.
upon consultation with each other, and with their
friends he did not feel himself called upon to take
the place assigned him in the retiring procession.
He was, it may be presumed, willing to enter into
this compact-that If any one member should b.
turned out under circumstances at all dcrogatory
TO him, all should retire with the member 50 re-
moved.
believe few person. are disposed to cast cen
sure upon Mr.. Webster for remaining in the Cabi-
net. bu, many are no; pleased with his letter. UNI
der date of 18th September addressed to the edi-
of the National lntelligencer, in which it is
said, he reflects njuriously upon the member, Of
the Cabne, who withdrew
Let thi, matter be examined with little care
Ga the Hin September, Mr. Webster addresses
letter to correspondent, in New-Yorls He ad-
yeris 10 the resignation Of his colleagues, and r.
marks: This occurrence can hardly cau-, you
the same degree OF regret which it has occa-ioned
20 me- they not only nay friends but per
sons with whom have had, for some time, daily
official intercourse. could not partake in tai,
movement. 1t is supposed 70 be justified, pre-
sumo - the differences which have arisen De-
tween the Presden, and Congress, upon the mean,
Of establishing a proper Fiscal Agency, and re