Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-10-12
JOHN BELL.
Washington Sept. 30 ls41.
WAsH1NeroN, Sept. le, le4l.

Washington Sept. ~ lS4I.
WASHINGTON, Sept. Is, ls4l.
Messrs. GALES & SEAToN: Ideem it
proper to offer a public explanation of
some Of the reasons which led to my re-
signation, on the 18th inst, of the Office
of Secretary of the Navy, and for that
purpose ask small space in the National
Intelligencer.
At the cabinet meeting held on the 18th
of August last, 1.-THE Attorney General
and the Postmaster General being absent
the subject of an exchange bank, or insti-
tuition, was brought forward by the Pres
ident himself, and was fully considered
Into the particulars of what passed do
not propose now to enter. 1t will be suf-
ficient 10 say that it was then distinctly
stated and understood that such an insti-
tuition met the appreciation of the Presi-
dent, and was deemed by him free ofcon-
stitutional objections; that he desired (if
Congress should deem it necessary to act
upon the subject during the SESSION. that
such an institution should be adopted by
TINT body, and that the members of his
cabinet should aid in bringing about that
result; and Messrs. Webster and Ewing
were specially requested by the President
to have a communication upon the subject
with certain members of Congress. The
institution then spoken of was to be loca.
ted in the District of Columbia; to be au-
thorized 10 establish agencies in The States
and Territories, with power to deal in
bills of exchange between the United
States and foreign countries and in bills
of exchange drawn in one State or Terri
tory; and the exercise of this powei
was not TO depend on any assent, ex
pressed or implied, of the State within
which such agencies might be established
/ In consequence of what passed at this
meeting, saw such friends in Congress
as | deemed it proper to approach, and ur.
ged upon them the passage of bill to es-
tablish such an institution, assuring them
that did not doubt it would receive the
appreciation ofthe President.
The bill was passed, as the public
knowl and was met by the veto. Now
if the President. after the meeting of the
18th August, had changed his mind as tc
the constitutional power of Congress, and
had come TO doubt or deny what he had
admitted in that meeting, (which is the
most favorable Interpretation that can be
put upon his conduct, it was, in my opin.
ion, plain duty OIL his part 10 have made
known TO the gentlemen concerned this
charge of sentiment; to have offered them
an apology for the unpleasant situation in
which they were placed by his agency
or, at least, to have softened, by full ex.
plaDation of his motives, his intended veto
Of a measure in promoting the success OIL
which they, at his request, had rendered
their assistance. But this the President
did not do. Never, from the moment oil
my leaving his house on the 18th, did he
open his lips to me on the subject. 1t was
only from the newspapers, from rumor
from hearsay, | learned that he had deni.
ed the constitutionality of the proposed
institution, and had made the most solemn
observations that he would never approve
a measure which knew was suggested
by himself,and which had been, at his own
instance, introduced into Congress. Il
was still III the Presidents power, by a
proper statement in the message contain.
ing his objections to the bill, to have sup
piled these omissions, and in some degree
at least to have repaired his former neg.
lect; but when that paper came to be
read, it was found that so far from saying
frankly that he once favored and had been
willing to sanction the bill, but had beer
led Gf such was the facD by subsequent
reflection to adoplR different views upon the
subject, he treated the measure as one evi
IDENTIFY inconsistent with his previously ex.
pressed opinions, and which it ought moi
to have been supposed for a moment he
could approve.
Whether this conduct Of the President
is susceptible of Just defence or reasona
bic excuse it is not necessary now to in
quire. ! have not beard, nor can ina
agine, any ground for either. Whether
an explanation of it has been offered IL
any one of the gentlemen concerned ]
know not, but none was at any time offer
ed TO me: and while forbear to make the
remarks, obvious and painful as they are
which the transaction suggests, | declare
the conviction that this conduct of the
President, standing without known de-
fence, excuse, or explanation, constituted
(if no other reasons had existedl ample
ground for withdrawal from his cabineI
without delay.
1t is scarcely necessary to say that
have not supposed, and do not now SUP.
pose, that a difference merely between the
President and his cabinet, either as to The
constitutionality Tor the expediency of {
bank necessarily inteTposes any obstacles
TO q full and cordial cooperation between
them in the general conduct ofhis Admin.
istration; and therefore. deeply as re-
GREETED the veto oflhe first bill, I did not
feel myself at liberty to retire on thai n.
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