The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-09-24
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MR.. ROBERTS'S EXPOSE.
From tho u. 8. Gazette

Ii has pleased the President OF me Ohileo states
10 make q change in tho office OF Collector OF the
port of Philadelphia, and it is due to myself that
Won should be informed Of the facts connected with
this proceeding pray to be allowed to disc'a'm
any personal unkindness towards the President,
while own deep sense of the injury which he
has boen induced to inhiot on me by cGuselessiy
removing me from posi- in which he voluntarily
placed mo.
On the 18th of April, IS4l, | received an auto
graph letter from President Tyler, announcing my
appointment Collector of tho Port OF Philadel
mia. expressed in the strongest OF confidence
and kindness. Though had been, in the course
of nv public life, ofen terms of intimate asses
citation with incumbents Of the Executive office,
both State aud Federal, had never minated
wish for favors from them, nor did ever receive
any assurance OF willingness to do service. This
appointment was unsolicited and unexpected 1t
reached mo in retirement Of nearly fifteen years,
duration, and was accompanied by circumstances
which mado it moro honorable to accept than de-
cline il.
] came into community where wholly
stranger, and which, as the President had Informed
me, was disturbed by very active competition for
the Office to which was appointed. brought no
friend with me, andScalled none to me. had no
private ends to serve, and in good faith about
healing, az Ear possible, the irritation that had
before existed. Before receiving my commission,
I had written to Mr.. Tyler, commencing the ap
pointmsnt of Dir. Henry Morris Collector, To
this letter received the following answer, and al,
abe same tins The intelligence of my appointment
Washington, April Is, 1941.
+" Nh Dear SIR Your letter is before me, and
has been read by me with all the respect which
sincerely feel for your character and past services
recognise in you my elder in that political school
to the advancement Of the principles of which
have alike devoted anxious days and nights. The
regretted death of General Harrison has cast deep
gloom ovsr TIE Country, and has been moro pain
fully felt by myself Than any other, because not
~ Of the strong personal ties which existed between
as, but because Of the high and delicate reepons
bilities which il has 6evolved upon How
shall acquit myself in the discharge of the duties of
my high Office, depends, nnder Providence, to be
set seen. ejoice that among the first acts OF my
Presidential life, is that of comforting office
true and sound patriot, such as you are. The mail
which bears you this, will also convey to you n
commission Collector of thePo of Philadelphia
Your dsinterested ness in recomme nding another,
who, should have been very happy to have oblig
ed, has wrought no injury to yourself | knew
you would not ask offce, but acted on tho ground
that il you had merits, they would be known to
the appointing power. Besides, my dear sir, the
warm personal contest which this office has created
in Philadelphia, seemed 10 me TO render il proper
to have neither a triumph or defeat. have,
feelings, but sound policy, in making tho appoint
msnt You will, doubt not, by a somewhat equal
distribution Of your avors, reconcile the friends of
all the parties. Err. Badger and Mr.. Tyson have
been the warmest contestants. They may have
made promises in antic patton Of success particu
lar persons, whom you may quiet by carrying Thorn
out. merely make you suggestions as from one
friend to another, to be adopted by you your
;udgm ent may dictate. have one WISH confess
and it is that Governor Shuze should have the
place OF Principal Weigher--an office, the duties
Of which arc light, and the Income OF some moment
to him.
30 pleased 70 accept, my dear sir, assurances OF
my great respect, CO nhdeuce and friendship.
Hon. JONATHAN ROBERTS, JOHN TYLER.
II was a conceded fact, that during the political
canvass of l840 from the head of Inclusion House
through large portion of the persons engaged in
The performances Of its duties, there had been the
most ardent political action There had been ar
avowed assessment on the compensation OF officers
for election purposes. There of firm
and honorable non com pance, well comp
ance, by worthy and estimable men, under wha
seemed to them to be an irresistible necessity
With regard 10 those who had thus abused tbei
trusts, l had no hesitation. The dictate OF propri
ETY. was az once TO remove them. The inofensv
were, so far as my kno wledge extends, without C.
cep,on, retained; and my appointments were gov
erned throughout by tho expressed wishes Of lht
Rresldenr, my anxiety peihS 10 see tnat no uhWo
thy individuals were thrust upon me. So far as
could rely the testimony OF others, had reason
to think that those appointed of cha
acter, Of Wing principles, and Gas directed by III,
President,) the friends Of those whom in this rel
pect, he was DESTROYS to oblige.
took Office on the 2lst April, 1s4l and on the
9th, the list OF my appointments forwarded tc
the Secretary Of the Treasury, from whom, on the
9th Of May, | received the following letter Of az
provak
Washington City, May 8, ls4l
my Dear Sir have just received your lelte
ofyesterday. Do not. pray you, suppose that TIT
President or myself, for moment, doubt the CO
restness Of your course, under the trying and diff
cult circumstances in which you have been placed
Far from it. You may have made mstake this w
think probable in among the many
We know that we have. But you have our fu
and entire confidence your sound discretion ant
uuwaverins patriotism, and it is not in the leas
shaken BE assured Of this.
am, very truly, yours, Il. EWING.
Hon. JoRNArHAN RoBERTs.