Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-09-29

wrote to the President through YOU on the
SSth, bcspeaking conference with him in the en-
suing week; 1t 10 still my purpose TO be in Wash
ington early in the week, and until then, pray
you to communicate to him that wishto confer
with him before any measures be taken by the 70
execute his wishes Respectfully yours.
Hon. Walter Forward
1t is right tina, should here observe that, by
law, all subordinate officers OF the customs are 10
be nominated by the Collector, and to be approved
by the Secretary OF the Treasury. The Presiden,
has no right TO Interfere with them, nor has the
Secretary any thing to do with the original appoint,
ment. Among those whom Mr.. Tyler directed
me to remove, was one attached to the Appraisers
Department, over which the Collector has no am,
thority whatever.
| reached Washington on the evening Of IN, Ri
OF May, and immediately waited on Mr.. Secretary
Forward, informed him Of The purpose of my vi
SIT, aud OF the circumstances Of the case. He
disclaimed any participation or priyty In makiny
| out tho lists OF those To be appointed and reno
we'd, and said that he thought that i'll communities
| ted to the President what / had 10 him no would
| be satisfied with il.
| Fro what conceived 10 be the state Of thiprs
at Tho RESIDENTS House, apprchendcd might
| be denied an interview, but the Secrc,a- * re-
mark removed the suspicion from my mind On
the 4th attended the Presidents mn,echaDlb,r
lor several hours, and finally was Obliged TO retire
without having AN interview. i made a renewed
effort to see the President in the afternoon, but
the servant even refused to carry my card 10 his
master, saying that he dared not do it,
On applying for admission ON tho morning OF
me 9th, the porter at the door, who knew me- ssid
could not see the President, as he was enuapcd
win the Secretary of State; l said / would
wait an the Secretary had gone. he then asked
me II had not received a letter1 ! answered in
the negative. He then said one had been forwar.
i l.f, ab,
| business was to see the President. Tho servant
theh advanced to tho foot Of the stairs and seemed
70 announce me to some one above. | went up
! stairs, found no one there, and the door closed:
a'ter knocking and receiving no answer, | seated
myself on the only chair in the passape and re-
manned there Tor moro than an hour, several per-
sons whom did not know in the mean time me
sing IN and out Of the Presidents room. wen,
'"'o "e antcchamber opposite and directed the
servant 10 say to the President that was ,her,
ana would wait his pleasure. After rcmaininr
some time longer till The hour for reeevino ISL
ers had expired was Admitted to the pras;Jon,
whom found in conversation with an inJ;v;Jn,i
whom learned to be one Of tho SUFFRAGE ,g,n,s
from Rhode Island. On his retiring remark ,L
20 inc PRESIDENT that my obec, was, as INV letters
a ,n''ha'e"' TO Rave personal conference
with him in rotation to his recent reouisi,ion IN
me. lie said he must decline nnv conf. ~.
TIC wished his request complied with: il was no,
an oruer. 81 was surprised" said he ",ha, Won
oohurred. In very guarded and respectful
manner replied that 1 could not conscicntious,v
DO what he desired. The President thcn said.
with great vehemcnce, ..rhen, sir. Won know a.
man of honor, what Won oucbi tn a., "
answered firmly and respectfully, mir. President.
l cannot withdraw from my duty" then hand
ca 10 him and requested him to read very scur-
!lloas, abusive and rrofane letter, [,oo Improper
=" IT'S language To be inserted here, signed .John
Griffin, no. ., strawberry street" ono of the nor.
sons whom was directed to appoint, a,kinr him if
ne thought person who would write such lett,
was worthy OF his confdcncet lie read il. or an
pearcd to read it, and returned II without remark
lie then asked me abruptly how many men there
were belonging to the Philadelphia Custom
bout one hundreds GLOW many Of them :, said
he, "are Clay mcn!" j answered that none 10
my knowledge had avowed themselves such. FIR
that all had followed his instructions in enioininr
silence on political topics. Conceivinr il time 10
wthdraw, irose and took his hand he remaining
seated and remarked that this was probably The
last time we should meet; that | should ever he
mindful OF the Kindness he had manifested in an
pointing me TO Office, and that should new
CT entertain vndictive feelings towards him.. He
made no reply, not even the acknow lcdpment
""iIn ordinary courtesy to one so much his senior
would dictate, and retired.
On my return to Philadelphia, I found on nv
desk the following letter, signed ar. TYLER. Is
oecietdry,' which was no doubt the same which
| the porter at the Presidents house spoke of. 1t
has no date, but is postnarked May Sd: So
Dear Sir-'The President has received your LEI.
ter on the subject ofremovals contemplated in the
custom-house at PHILADELPHIA
lie beSs me to say TO on thai he entertains tho
n'ghest consideration Tor yourself, but that he
! thinks the public service requires that those TO-
moyals should take place.
lie therefore has ordered ne to saw 10 ven that
ne desires the requisition he has made on Won in
TINS matter to be al once and TO the letter com
piled with.
With very great respect, | am your obedent
servant, II. TYLER, p. SeerefQrv.
Hon. Jonathan oberls.
returned TO my post q resumed the performance
oil my public duties, which have been djscharn
ed from that time till this with sedulous 6deltv
During the interval from the first of JULY. when
! the compromise act expired, until the enactment
oil the tarlil act, have incurred Responsibilities
as an oincer OF Government, the nature and ex
tent OF which no one can determine No com
plant has ever been made Of my conduct in of
nee; no charge of official misconduct has been
preferred against those whom retained in Office
vi the intentions OF The President since we part
ed In May last have had no information. On
the morning OF the l2th of September, Mr. Tbos.
.. Smlih called upon me at the custom house
and informed me that was superseded, and tl,at
the PRESIDENT had appointed him in my place.
submit this PLAIN statement of facts without
comment 10 my fellow-citizens.
JONATHAN ROBERTS.
Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1912.
4. S.-Since tn above was in type. the COL
owing letter has been received by me. Thouch
dated the 10th OF September, 1912, it was moi,