The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-10-07
From III Boston Daiiy Morning Pc.
JON NATHAN ROBERTS.

The conduct of this Philadelphia collector towards
the President as been, in my estimation, Of the
meanest and basest kind. Ii shows the lowest depth
of ingratititde, most detesable vice. The avowed
appreciation of the wing press, and Of too many indi-
v,duas among the Clay wings is any thing but Gre
dltable to them. In so doing, they partake of the
baseDess Of the man himself.
What are the one-sided facts in this case, as they
are partially stated by himsei' He is the Presi-
dents own motion aud unsolicited, appointed to the
important office of collector at Philadelphia, place
for which many were seeking, and of which thou
sands were ardently DESTROYS. Roberts mmed ateIy
accepted the office. Now, it is perfectly well known
and understood, by every man OF common ,ense and
even moderate knowltdge of the world, that When
ever person accepts office, especially high Office,
under any government administration, he thereby
undertakes to sustain that administration and give
his assistance to carry into effect the and
plans OF the leader and drec of that administra-
ton. This Is a universally known and admit ed rule.
IT, afterwards unforeseen measures determined
on, unacceptable to such officer and in which he is
unwilling to unlte then there is but established
course Tor him to pursue-that is, 10 resign There
is other honorable course to which any homo able
can resort
After Roberts had accepted the Office, he sends his
nominations OF subordinaies lover one bundred) to
the Secretary of the Treasury for his sanction. 1t
seems that the list not entirely satisfactory for
Mr. Ewing, the then Secretary, says in reply " Do
not pray you, suppose that the President or myself
for moment, doubt the correctness Of your course ~
Ohat is suppose, Of his ini n,ions y but you may
have made Mistakes" sc. The nominations how C.
yer, appear to have been confirmed. This was on
the 9Th of May, lS4l. On the 5th of May the Pre-
sdent had written TO him for certain facts or about
certain complaints respecting those subordinaes; but
this letter, which would doubt enable us to unde
stand the origin and merits Of the disagreement is
carefully suppressed. On the 10TH the President
again writes, TO assure him of his undated conf
dence.
About TITS time, the contest between the Clay
wings and MIR. Tyler had commenced and many of
the custom-house officers, doubt had taken sides
and openly expressed their hostility the President
and his friends. Those who were interested report
ed the facts, no doubt, to him. Mr. Roberts per-
ceving the state of affairs, and the dissatisfaction
that was arising, found il necessary to proceed TO
Washington about the 18th Of MAY, where he was
cordially received. Between this period and the
18th of December, we know not what occurred for
Mr. X. is silent On this day, the President again
wrote TO him, stating facts and complaints respecting
custom house officers, which had reached him. This
letter, again, is audousiy suppressed by Roberts The
President no doubt expected Of he did not suggest)
removals, or proper measures TO redress these co
plants. But Roberts remarks here Self-respect
hos ever, forbade any further action on my part |
contenied myself with deploring the collision" SC.
His "sclt-respect' would not permit him TO comply
with the wishes Of the President or to rown upon or
dismiss his enemies and caumniaors,