The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-09-24


proved directly by the Secretary of the Treasury,
whose supervision is alone contemplated by law,
and also by tho President, whose wishes was
an xioua to,gta,iCy dismissed the matter from my
mind, and applied myself 10 tho faithful and sed"
ious dischnryo of nv duties. Unfortunately for the
Public Service and for the good fame Of the Pres
dent, there is too much reason TO believe TINT m in
diyiaual entitled Emo respect TO the confidence Of
the Executiy eIorlhis follow citizens, who was at
ono time Surveyor Of the Port, and moro recently
! Commssary General Of Purchases, became discon
| ,ened at tho share of influence which no had with
me in the distribution OF Office, and was active in
fomenting, by some means unknown 10 me unknd
feelings in the bosom Of The President and his fam
lily. Though reluctant to credit the possibility Of
such influence with an independent and intv
gent Chief gis,rate, am unubIe trace to any
other source the uschIevous and unfounded ru-
nors which very circulated TO my pre-
judiee at Washington. TO such extent was
this carried, that the 9th Of HIay, tho President
wrote TO me- begging fine 10 appease his anxiety, ;
and assuring mo he desired 10 hear from me, "only
to enable him to stop idcStongncs," answered
the letter without delay, and on the 10Th Of May
received tho following answer:
Washington, May 10, 1871,
'.Hy Dear Sir take moment TO say to you
that my confidence in you Is wholly undated and
that have no dOubt but that all that you have
dope will be well. My last letter designed TO
place in possession of facts which might use
|advantageously. shall give ear to nothing 10
your injury, With times, regard, yours, &c.
Hon. JoNA. ROBERTS. JOHN TYLER
On The 18th OF May, paid my respects in per-
son to The President, and was received by him with
the kindest welcome. had the pleasure to assure
him that believed tho Custom House Department
was entirely hArnonized, and tina, no difficulty OK
listed in tho successful transaction of the public
business.
About this time or soon after, collision fast
ripening between the President and the Wing par.
ty in Congress. Repeated publications appeared
in the Now York Herald, an apparently accredited
print Of the Administration, charging officers OF
the Customs in Philadelphia disaffeclion 10 Mr..
Tyler, and recommending their Immediate reno
val. Since my acceptance OF office down 10 tho
prase time, have bee 5tudiously reserved with
regard to party politics, had habituay suppressed
tho utsrnace fmy own opinions, and had inculca
ted IN same course on others. l was restrained
| not only by my of propriety, but by tho
inunclions Of Tho Inaugural Address Of Mr. Tyler,
that olicia IN Guence should never be used for tho
purposes Of party" was encouraged and sustain
ed in this by his equally solemn declaration,
" that he acOuld necer remorc indipiduat from
office who faithfully and honestly acquitted himself
Of the duties Of his oGfee.'-From this line Of
du ct never swerved.
On tho 10Th of December, 1871, the President
wrote to me, communicating among other things,
some gossip which had reached his ears in relation
10 Mr. Richard Coo, one ofthe Appraisers IAN APP
pointment not within my control,I and stating that
information OF similar import, had reached him
relative to others in my employment, but oftheso
ho adds more probably hereafter. The letter clio
SEES with of respect for my person and
wishes OF health, happiness and long life
This letter satisfied mo that a system Of doirac-
ton was in operation at Washington, which was
slowly but surely exertipg its influence the
President. Selfrespect however, forbade any far
Their action my part. contented myself with
depIor:ng the collision that had occurred between
the President and Congress, and seriously hoped
that it might BIO harmonsed
On the 9th Of April last, it announced in
the New York Herald, and auhoritivoy in
the Madsonian, that there would soon be changes
made in tho Offices at Philudelp hia. Regarding
this almost as an oficial communication, on the
2Sh addressed tho following letter to the Presi-
! dent:
! Phiadelp ha, April 80, 1912.
! Dear Ssr: At the lime you addressed to me
! your very kind letter ofthe 10Th December 1871
it was apparent your feelings had been disturbed by
representations which were erroneous if not dsin
| genuous. then replied to you with all the can
dor the obligations you had conferred on me, and
the kindness Of your letter enjoined. have been
aware, that through the whole time that has since
elapsed, there has been m unremtted pursuit OF
measures by men to effect purposes Of their
own by means far from jnsfablo. A, this mo-
ment it is announced through the public papers
from Washington to New York that changes arc
to be looked for in this city. If it be SO, not know
ing whore they may fall, only ask for anTopporu
nifty to lay before you the account of my steward
ship in the place yon have been pleased to assign
me- 1t is not my purpose to enter upon this exp!a
nation at this time, but TO express my willingness
and wish to have an interview with you pei sonal
) ly. For this end | respectfully propose 10 visit
Washington, health permitting, in all next week
1t is due to justice, before action should he had
both sides should be heard. Very truly, your obi
gcd friend JONATHAN ROBERTS.
His Exceency, JOHN TYLER.
On the 30h the following letters, dated the same
day that these annunciaons appeared in the He
aid and Sladisonian, reached me
Trspsurv Department. Anr. 27 lSIS