Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-09-27
Treasury DEPARTMENT,
Tins PRESIDENT


in which il presents itself TO my mind, have
come to tie conclusion that ! ought 10 longer to
remain member Ut your Cabinet ! therefore
resign The office OF Secretary OF the Treasury,
aud l'eg you to accel; this as my letter OF resg-
nation.
70 avoid misunderstanding, distinctly declare
that Ito not consider difference of opinion
to the character Of Il National Bank n sufficient
reason for dssolving the ties which have existed
between us. Thongh look upon thai measure
OF vast importance TO the prosperity OF the
country, and though should have deeply dc!or-
ed your inability unwingness to accord to
The wishes of the People and the States, so une-
quivocaIly expressed through their Representa-
lives, upon this and this alone, unconnected with
other controlling circumstances, should not have
felt hound to resign the place which hold in your
Administration. But those controlling circum-
stances do exist, and will, in my own ustifica-
lion, place them IN connection before you.
1t is but jtist to you to say that the bill which
first passed the Two Houses OF Congress, and
which was returned with your objections Oh tile
10th of August, did never, in its progress, rs lar
as know, receive at any time either your express
or implied assent So far as that bill was known
10 me, or was consulted upon it, endeavored
TO bring its provisions us nearly possible in ac-
corrance with what understood TO he your
views, and rather hoped than expected your APPROX
al. ! knew the extent TO which you we're com
milled on the question. Il knew The pernacity
with which you adhered to your expressed opin-
ions, ond dreaded from the first the most dsast-
r0us consequences, when the project OF compro
mise which presented at an early day was reject
ed.
is equally matter of justice TO you and to
myself say that the bill which reported to the
Two Houses of Congress. ut the commencement OF
the session, in obedience 10 their CALI was inod-
fled so MS to meet your appropriations You may
noi il is true have read the bill throughout, and
ri nf II lint ttln pdu.
mental article, which hecaine the contested ques-
ton OF principle, was freely dismissed hetwrrD
us, md ii was understood and unequivocally sane
:i"ntd lay Yourself The last cn,,se in the bill, al
so, which contained reservation of power in
Congress, was inserted ON the 9th OF June, in
your presence, aud with your appreciation; though
you At one time told me that, in giving your sane
non TO the bill, you would accompany il with
explanation Of your understanding Of the first
clause
la This condition Of things though greatly re-
GREETED your veto on the i'll rs II passed the Two
Houses of Congress- aud though fnrctaw the
excitement and agitation which ii would produce
among HE People, Yet, cousl lerln9 the changes
which The bill hal undergone IN It's passage, and
lis variance from the one you had agreed 10 sane
ton, could not find in that act enough to disturb
the confidential relations which existed between
us. was disposed TO attribute Ibis act, !raught
with mischief as It was 10 pure and honorable
motives, aud 10 conscientious convection on
your par that the bill, in some of its provisions,
conicted with the Constitution. But that opin
ion of your course on The bill which has Just been
returned 10 Congress with your second veto, do
not and cannot entertain. Recur u what has pas
sed between us with respect TO it, ard YOU will at
once perceive that such an opinion is impossible.
On the morning of the 10th OF August call
ed nj your chaniber. AID found you preparing
the first veto message, to he despatched 10 the
Senate. The Secretary of War came IN also, nnd
you read portion of the message TO US. He OBJ
served that, though the veto would create
great sensation in Congress, yet lie thought rIle
minds of our friends better prepared for it Than
they were some days ago. aud he hoped il would
he calmly received, especially as il did not shut
out all hope of bank. To this you replied. that
you really thought there ought To he no difficulty
about ii that ynn had sufficiently Indicated III
your veto message what kind of bank you would
approve. ana that Congress might, II they saw III,
pass such one in three days.
The 18th being the day for our regular Cabinet
meeting we assembled, all except Mess;s Crten-
den aud Granger, and You told us you had long
conversation with hlessrs Berrien and Sergeant,
who proiessed 10 come in behalf of The Wings of
the two Houses To endeavor 10 strike ou some
measure which would he generally acceptable.
That you had your doubts about the proprely OF
cnnver>ing with them YOURSELF and thought il
more proper that you should commune with them
through your constitutional advisers. You ex
pressed wish that the whole subject should be
postponed ill the next session OF Congress. You
spoke of the delay in the Senate of the consider
alton Of your veto message, and expressed anxiety
as to the tone and temper which the debate would
assume.
Mr. Badger said that Oh inquiry he was happy
to mud that the best temper prevailed IN The Two
Houses. lie believed they were perfectly ready
to take up the bill reported by the Secretary Ut
the Treasury, and pass il ut once. : You replied
Talk not TO me of Mr. Ewings bill il contains
that odious feature local discounts which have
repudiued in my message then said TO you.
1 have NJ doubt, sir that The House, having as
certalned your views, will pass bill IN conforlni-
" to them, provided they can he satisfied that n
Would answer the purpose of the Treasury, and
relieve the country You then said, Cannot my
Cabinet see that this is brought about? You
must stand by me in this emergency. Cannotyou
see that bill passes Congress such as can up
proye without inconsistency? declared again
nv belief that such n bill might be pnssed.
YOU then said To me- What do you understand
to he my opinions? State them, that may
see that there is no misrepresentation about Them
then said TINT understood you TO he of opin-
ion that Congress might charter a bank in the
District Of Columbia, giving it its location here
To this yen assenied. That they might authorize
such n bank to establish offices OF discount and
,Ieposite in the several Safes with the assent of
the States TO this you replied, DONE name
discounts: they have been the Source or the most
abonnnhle corr uplions, and are wholly unneces-
snry enable the hank 10 discharge its duties 10
the country and the Government
! observed in reply that was proposing moth
ing, but simply endeavoring to state what had