The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-23
$5,oia,7o5 OF
From The National Iateiiigeneer
TO THE EDITORS.

Mcssrs. GALES & SEAToN: deem it proper to Of
fer a public explanation Of Of the which
led 10 my resignation, The llth instant, of the of
fee of Secretary Of the Navy and for that purpose
ask a small space in the National lntegcncer.
Al the Cabinet meeting held the 18th of Au-
gust last (the Attorney General and the Postmaster
General being absent the subject Of an Exchange
Bank institution, was brought forward by the Pre-
sdent himself, and fully considered. Into the
particulars of what passed do not propose to
Ter II will be sufficient that il was then distinctly
stated and understood that such an institution met
the appreciation of the PRESIDENT and deemed by
him free of constu ional objections; that he desired
Gf Congress should deem il necessary to act upon the
subject during the SESSION. that such institution
should he adopted by that body and the members of
his Cabinet should aid in bringing about that result
and Messrs. WEBSTER and EwISG specially re-
quesed by the President TO have a communication
upon the subject with certain members of Congress
The institution then spoken Of TO be located in
the District of Columbia TO be authorized to estab
lsh 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 State Territory and payable in an
other State or Territory; and the exercise Of this
power not to depend on any assent, expressed
implied, of the States within which such agencies
might be established.
In consequences Of what passed at this meeting, |
such friends in Congress as deemed il proper
approach, and urged upon them The passage Of bill
TO establish such institution, assuring them that
did doubt il would receive the appreciation Of the
President.
The bill was passed as the Public know, and was
met by the Veto. Now if the President, after the
meeting of the 18th Of August had changed his mind
TO the constitutional power Of Congress, and had
come to doubt deny what he had admitted in that
meeting (Which il the most favorable Interpretation
that be put upon his conduct) II was, in my OPT
nion plain duty on his part 10 have made known TO
the gentlemen concerned this change of sentiment
TO have offered them an apology for the unpleasant
situation in which they were placed by his agency
or al least to have softened by full explanation Of
his motives, his intended Veto Of measure in pro-
noting the Of which they, at his request, had
rendered their assistance. But this the President did
not do. Never, from the moment of my leaving his
house the 18TH did he open his lips TO me on the
subject. 1t was only from the newspapers from ru-
NOR from hearsay | learned that he had denied the
consttuonality OF the proposed institution, and had
made the most solemn asseseralions 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 in the Pres
dents power, by a proper statement in tie message
containing his objections TO the BILL to have supplied
these omissions, and in degree at least have
repaired his former neglect but when that paper
to be read il found that far from saying frank
Iy that he favored and had been willing
ton the bill but had been led lf such the iact)
by subsequent reflection 10 adopt different views upon
the subject, he treated the measure evidently
Inconsistent with his previously expressed opinions
and which IL ought not to have been suppo Ied for
mcnt he could approve.
Whether this conduct OF the President IL suscep,i-
BILE Of Just defence reasonable excuse il is mt me-
cessary now inquire. have not heard, nor can
imagine any ground for either. Whether an expla
nation Of ii has been offered TO any one Of the gentle.
men concerned know not, but at any time
offered TO and while forbear to make the re-
marks, obvious and painful they ae which the
Transaction suggests declare the conviction that this
conduct Of the President, standing without known
defence, excuse, or explanation, constituted (if no
other had existed) ample ground for with
drawal from his Cabinet without DELAY.
IL is scarcely necessary TO say that have not sup
posed, and do suppose, that difference
ly between the President and his Cabinet either as to
the constilutonaiiy the expedicncy Of bank ne
cessary nicrposes any obs acles full and cordial
co operation between then the general conduct OF
his Administration; and Therefore deeply as regret
ted the veto Of the first b did no, feel myself al
liberty to retire on that from my situation
But the attending the imitation and dsapproval
OF the last bill made totally different from that
II is believe ed without pal ale in the history Of
our Cabinets; presenting, to say nothing more,
sure embraced aud then OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES prompted
and then acknowledgements rendered aud then treat
ed with scorn or neglect. Such a case required in
my judgment upon considerations, private and pub.
lie mat the official relations subsisting between the
President and my self should be Immediately dissolved
GEO. Z BADGER
WAsHNoroS Sept. Is, 1910.
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