Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-09-22

y
suspicion from my mind. On the 4ih,
attended the Presidents anti.chamber for
several hours, and finally was. obliged TO
retire without having an interview. J
made renewed effort to see the Pres-
dent in the afternoon, but the servant even
refused to carry my card TO his master,
saying that he dared not do IT.
On applying for admission on the morn
ing of the 5th, the porter at the door VINO
knew me, said could not see the presi.
dent. as he was engaged with the Secre-
tary Of State. | said would wait TIL the
SECRETARY had gone. He then asked IT
had not received letter. | answered 10
the negative. He then said one had been
forwarded TO me. urged an admission,
saying that my business was TO see the
President. The servant then advanced
10 the foo, OF the stairs, and seemed to an.
nounce me TO some one above. went
I'D stairs, found no one there, and the
door closed. After knocking and recev.
inp no answer, seated myself on the on
" chair in the passage and remained there
for more than an hour, several persons
whom | did not know in the mean time
passing in and out Of the Presidents room.
| went into the ant-chamber opposite,
and directed the servant to say to the Pre-
sident that | was there and would wait his
pleasure. After remaining some time
longer til the hour for receiving vlslters
had expired, | was admitted to the Presl-
dent, whom found in conversation with
an individual whom learned to be enc
of the Suffrage agents OF Rhode Island.
On his retiring, | remarked to the Presl-
dent that my object was, as my letters
had in,ima,ed, to have personal confer
erce with him in relation to his recent
reouisition on me. He said be must
decline any conference.-the wished his re-
CUES, complied with, II was not an order.
" was surprised" said he, that you de-
murred." In very guarded and re-
spectful manner, replied that could not
conscientiousy do wha, he desired. The
President then said with great vehemence,
:" Then sir you know that os man OF
honor what you ought to do" answer
ed firmly and respectfully, "Mr. Presi.
dent. cannot withdraw from my duty. y
| then handed to him and requested him
to read a very scurrlous, abusive and
prolane letter, too improper in It's lar.
puage to be inserted here signed John
Griffin, No. Strawberry street, one OF
the persons whom was directed TO ar-
point. asking him if he thought person
who would write such letter was worthy
of his confidence. He read il or appear
ed 10 read it, and returned II without a
remark. He then asked me abruptly
how many men there were belonging 10
the Philadelphia Custom House. My re.
ply was" Including laborers, about one
hundred" "How many of them," said
he. "are CLAY menW answered that
none to my knowledge had avowed them
selves such, for that had followed his
instructions in enjoining silence on poIil-
cal topics. Conceiving it time to with
draw, rose and took his hand, no re-
naming seated and remarked that this
was probably the last time we should
meet tina, should ever be mindful of
the kindness he had manifested in appoint,
ing me to office, and that should never
entertain vindctive feelings towards him.
He made no reply, nor even the acknowl-
edpment which ordinary courtesy to one
so much his senior would dictate, and !
retired.
On my return to Philadelphia, found
on nv desk the following letter, signed
ar. TYLER, P. Secretary" which no doubt
was the same which the porter at the Pre-
sidrn,'s House spoke Of. 1t mas no date,
but is post marked May 3D..
DEAR SIR The President has receiv-
cd your letter on the subject Of removals
contemplated IN the Custom House al
Philadelphia.
He begs me to say TO you, that he en-
,ertairs the highest consideration for your
self, but that he thinks the public service
| reonitts that those removals should take
place.
He therefore has ordered me to say TO
Won TINT he desires the requlslt!on he has
made on you in this matter, to be at once
and to the letter, complied with.
With very great respect,
am your ob't. serv't.
r. TYLER z. Secretary
| jonathan RoBERTs, ESQ
| returned TO my post and resumed the
performance of my public duties, which
have been discharged, from tina, time Ill
this, with seduous fidelity. During the
interval from the first of July when the
Compromise Act expired, until the enact
ment of the Tariff Act, have incurred
RESPONSIBILITIES as an officer Of Govern.
ment, the nature and extent OF which no
one can determine. No complaint has
ever been made of my conduct in office.
No charge OF official misconduct has been
preferred against those whom retained
in office. OF the intentions OF the Presl-
dent, since we parted in May last, have
had no information. On the morning OF
the 10Th of September, Mr.. Thomas 5.
Smith called upon me at the Custom
House and informed me that was super
seeded and that the President had appoint
ed him iE my place.
submit this plain statement OF facts
withou, comment TO my fellow-cItzens.
JONATHAN ROBERTS,
Philadelphia, Sept. ID, 1912.
P. S.-Since the above was in type,
the following letter has been received by