Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1842-09-22

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confidence, and think knowing what do, both the Pre-
sident and yourself would concur with me- feel that
having gwen heavy and substantial security for the
discharge OF the duties and accoun,abili,ics Of this Of
nee have also 10 attest my satisfaction with the Of
icia acts Of the gentleman designated to be
have no paralily for any of them that would induce
nc nolnen' TO hesitate 10 comply with tho wishes Of
'he president Ia Their removal. any Credible evidence
was given that they had spoken lightly Of him
woie 10 tho President through YOU on the oSih he
speaking conference with him in the ensuing week. II 10
still my purpose to DO in Washington carly IN tho week.
and until then, pray you to communicate him tina,
wish 10 confer with him before any be taken by
| me TO execute his wishes
:, Resp'y yours. J, ROBERTS,
Hon. WALTER FORWARD.
| II Is right that should horc observe that by law all
subordinate occis the Customs are be nominated
by the Collector and 10 be approved by the Secretary of
tho treasury. The President has no RICH, to Interfere
with them. nor has the Secretary any thing 10 do with
the original appointment. Among those whom NJ. Ty.
Ter directed me TO remove was attached TO the APP
praser's Department over which the Collector la, no
a,i'h"riy whatever.
reached Washington on the evening Of I'll, 3rd
May, and Immediately waited on Mr. Secretary For
ward, informed him OF the purpose Of my visit. and Of
the circumstances of the case lie disclalmed any par
tcpatien prvy in making the lists Of those TO be
appointed and removed aud said that he thought that
communicated 10 To the Prcsiden, what had 10 him.
he would be satisfied with it,
From what conceived be the state Of thugs Mt the
Presidents House, apprehcndcd might be denied
interview; but tho Seeetays remark removed the
pcon from my mind. On the dth, attended tho Pres
den anti chamber for several hours, and finally
obliged TO retro wiihon, having an interview made 4
ed eor, to the President In tho afternoon but
the servant refused To carry my card To his master
saying that he haired not do il.
On applying for admission the morning Of the 9th,
the porter AT the door, who knew me. said could moi
see the President he engaged with the scereia
~ ni &tnp | I tbo had
gone. lie then asked mo il had not received letter
answered in tho negative. lIe then said, ono had
been forwarded TO me. | urged an admission, SAYING
That my business was 10 the President. The str
want then advanced to the foot Of the stairs and seemed
to announce me 10 some above ] went up stairs.
found no ihorc. and the door closed. After knock
ing aud receiving no answer. ! seated myself on tho
only chair in tho PASSAGE aud remained there hr more
than an hour several persons whom did not know IN
Tho time passing in aud Of tho Presidents
! went u'o the an,o-chambcr opposite. aud directed
the servant To say the prcsden that was here aud
would wait his pleasure. After remaining some t'lno
longer I'll iho hour for receiving ylsers had expired,
was admitted 10 tho President. whom found IN cot
vcrsaiion with individual whom learned 10 be ate
Of the Suffrage agents from Rhode Island. On his 70
trlng remarked Ia the President that my opjeci was,
ms my letters had inmaed, 10 have personal confer
ence with him IN relation To his recent rc1usition
me. lie said he must decline any conference he
wished his requcs, complied with II was not order 49,
"lwas surprised" said he. 'that you dcmuned" IN
n very guarded and respectful manner | replied that
could conscientioisy do what no desired. The
President then. said with great vehcmencc "Thnn. sir
you know. as man of honor, what you ouah, 10
do" ] answered. firmly and respectfully. 'Mr prcsi-
dent, lcannot Withdraw from my duty" ! then hand
cd to him and requested him 10 read very scurrous,
abusive and proano letter. too improper in ils language
to be inserted here, signed John Griffin No. Snwber
ST.. one of the persons whoml was directed appoint,
asking him il he thought person who would write such
I,tt. nf Il
pearcd to read il, and returned il without remark. lie
then asked me abruptly how many mon there be
longing To the Philadelphia Custom House. My reply
was, Including aborers. about hundred How many
Of thom. said he. Clay mcn7' answered that none
to my knowledge had avowcd themselves such, for that
had followed his instructions In enonng silence on
political topics Concciving il time 10 Withdraw,
rose and took his hand. no remaining seated and
marked that this was probably the last time should
ever meet that should ever be- mindful of the kindness
he had manifested in appointing to office, and tina,
should never entertain vndctivc fcelingsiowars him..
lie made no reply, nor the acknowledgment hich
ordinary courtesy to one much his senior would die
tate. and retired.
On my return to Philadelphia, ! found on my desk
the following letter. signed n. Tyler, p. Secretary,
which no doubt was the which the porior a, lhe
Presidents House spoke Of II has no date but Is post
marked May 3rd.
Dear Sir:-Thc President has received your letter
on the subject of removals contemplated in the Custom
House at Philadelphia
iic begs me u say TO you, that he cnicrtans the
highest consideration for yourself. but that ho thinks
the public service requires that those removals should
take place.
lie has therefore ordered to say 10 you thai he dc
ses The requisltiop he has made you this matter,
to DO al once, and TO the letter. complied with.
With very great rcspect,
] am your obi.
X. TYLER, p. Secretary.
jonathan RopEnTs. Esq.
] returned 10 my post and resumed tho performance
Of my public duties which have been discharged from
that time till this with sedulous fidelity During the
interval from the first Of July when the Compounds
Act expired until the enactment Of Il Tariff Act, !
have incurred responsibilities officer Of Govern
ment the nature and extent Of which no de
termino. No complaint has never been made of my
conduct in office. Ne clarge Of official misconduct,
has been preferred against those whom retained in
Office. or the intentions of the Pf-,ucnl, snco we
parted in May last, | have had no information. On
the morning Of the 18th Of September, Mr.. Thomas
S. Smith called upon at the Custom House and
informed Inc that superseded; and that tho Prosi
dent had appointed him in my place.
submit this plain statement offacs withouconment
to my fellow citizens.
JONATHAN ROBERTS.
Philadelphia, Sept. Is, l642.
p. S.-Slnce the above was in type. the following
letter has been received by Though dated The 10th
of September 1872 it mailed until the l2ih.
Smith had in person informed me that had been reno
we'd from office
TREAsuRy DErARrMLHr,
10Th September lsse
Sill am directed ny tho President to inform you
that he has apnoiued Thomas Smith Tn he Collector