New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-09-17
THE T RIBU n E.
elR. RoBERTs's EXPOSE.
''4sh -
To ehc Public,
From the U. $. Gazette

From The L. y Gazette.
To thc Public.
II has pleased the President OF the United
STATE. to make charge in lie Office of Collector
OF The port of Philadelphia, and it is due TO my
self that you shoald be Informed of the facts CON
pec,ed with this proceeding. pray 10 BE- allowed
TO disclarn aoy feeling OF personal unkindness to-
wards the President while | own deep of
the injury which he has been induced 10 inhict on
me by causeessly removing from post in
which he voluururiiy placed me.
Or the 4h OF April, l34l, received an au-
tograph letter from President Tyler, announcing
my appoinreu' as Collector Of the Port of Phila-
delphia, expressed in the strongest terms of con-
fdence and kindness. Though had been, in the
course Of my public life, often on terms Of init
mate association with incumbens OF the Execu
tive Office, both State and Federal l had never In
timated wish for favors from them, nor did
ever receive any assurance OF a willingness TO do
me service his appointment vas unsolicited
and uncx pecied. 1t reached III retirement
of nearly fifteen years duration, and was accora-
panied by circuIa stances which! made it moro
orable toaccept than 10 decliEc it.
came into community where ! ~ a
stranger, and which, as the President had nIormed
me, was distur-ed b very active competition
for the Office to which was appointed. brought
no friend with ne, and called noae to me. had
no private ENDS to serve, and in good faith set
about healing, as far possible, the irritation
that had before existed. Before receiving my
commission, | nad written to Mr.. Tyler, recon-
mendng the appointment of Mr.. Henry Morris
Collector. To this letter received the following
answer, and at the same tine the intelligence OF
my appointment:
WASHINGTON April 10, 1911
MY Dear SW: Your leteris before me. and has been
read by me with all the respect which sacerey feel for
cha mad misc Rly
elder in that political school 10 the advancement OF the pD.
nights The regretted death OF General Harrison has
deep COON over The Country and has been more paiui
y felt by myself han other, because not only OF The
strong personal ties which existed between but because
OF the high and delicate responsibilities which il mas de
volved upon How shall acquit myself In the discharge
OF the duties of high office, depends under Providence,
to be yet rejoice that among the first acts OF my
Presidential life, is hat of comforting cities on true ard
sound patriot, you The mail which bears you
this will ais convey 10 you commission as Collector OF
the Port OF Philadelphia. Your disinlerestetnss in
commencing another who | should hare been very hap
by have obliged, has wrought no injury TO yourself
knew you would ask Office but acted the ground
thai YOU had merits, they would be known the appoint
ng power. Besides, dear sir, the warm persos con-
es, which this office has created in Philadelphia seemed TO
me render proper have neither triumph de-
feat have therefore, obeyed not only the suggestions of
my feelings bu, sound policy, making the appointment
your favor reconcile the friends OF ali the parties Mr.
Badger and Mr Tyson have been the warmest contestants
to particular persons whom you may gu ct by carr, them
cut merely make you suggestions as from Ole friend 10
tate have one wish, confess, and it that Governor
Shulze should have the place of Principal weigher-an Of
fee, the duties OF which are light and the income of some
moment TO him.
Be pleased accept my dear sir Of great
respect, confidence aud friendship JOHN IfLER-
Hon. JONATHAN RoBekTs.'
1t was a conceded fact, that during the political
canvass of lS40, from the head of the Custom
House, through a large portion of the persons
engaged in the performance OF its duties, there
had been the most ardent political lion. There
had been an avowed assessment on the compcnsa-
ton of the officers for election purposes. There
were cases Of firm and honorable noncompliance
as well as of compliance, by worthy and cstmable
men, under what seemed to them TO be an irrcsst-
ible necessity. With regard TO those who had
thus abused their trusts, ! had hesitation. The
dictate OF pfopriety was at once to remove them
The inoAensive were, so far my knowledge ex-
tends, without exception, retained; and my APP
poinsnen,s were governed throughout by the
pressed wishes of the Pres lent, r.,y anxiety being
to see that no unworthy individuals were thrust
upon me. SO far as could rely the testimony
ct Others I had reason TO think that those APP
pointed were men of character, of Wing princi-
piles, and Gas directed by the President, the friends
of those whom in this respect, he was DESTROYS to
oblige.
/ took office on the DIST April, 1871, and on
the 9th. the list of mv appointments was for
warded 10 The Secretary of the Treasury from
whom, the 9th of May. | received the follow
Ing letter OF approval:
WASHINGTON CITY, May 5, 1871.
NY Der Sir have Just received your letter oil yes.
terday Do uo pray suppose that The President or
myself FOR mome, doubt the correctness OF your course
have been placed Far from it ion may have made nus
take this thhk probable in cases alAons the many
We know that have. But you have our iu and chtiIe
confidence in your sound discretion and unwaverng pa
tio,ism end no, m the least shaken Be assured OF tnis
am very ttuy, yours. J. E"i+>1.
hon. JONATHAN ROBERTS,
A, this point Of time | had right TO believe
that all Incasiuess the subject OF the appoint
ments was tyauquillzed. aud my conduct being
thus approved directly by the Secretary of the
Treasury, whose supe vision is alone contemplated
BY law, and also sy the President, whose wishes l
was anxious sralit,', dismissed the matter from
my mind, and applied myself 10 the faithful! and
seduloas discharge of my duties. Unfortunately
for the Public Service and for the good fame Of
tho President, there is too much reason to believe
that an Individual entitled in 30 respect to the
confidence of tho Executive or his fellow citizens,
who was at one time Surveyor of the Port and
more recent, CemuiisSary General ct Purchases,
became discon;ented at the share of influence
which he had with me In the distribution OF olhce,
and was active in fomenting, by some means un'
known To me, unkind feelings III the bosoms OF the
President and his family. Though reluctant 10
credit the possibility Of such influence with an
independent and Intelligent Chief Magistrate, |
am unable to trace any Other source the mis-
chieyous and umoundcd ruuao,s which we're very
soon circulated to my prejudice at Washington.
To such au extent was this carried, that on the
9th of May, the prcsiden, wrote to me, begging
" me to appease his anxiety, and assuring me ne
desired to hear from me, :. only 10 enable ham TO
stop idle tongues answered the letter without
Il ntb oSN |
lowing answer: