Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-09-30

or the 9th inst. enclosing one oil inc sa'he
date from the President, addressed to you,
suggesting changes to be made at the Gus
tom House at Philadelphia, to commence on
the LIST proximo. The Existing appoint-
mcnts were made in conformity with the
suggestions ] had received from the Presl-
dent in communicating to me my appoint
ment. They were confirmed by the Secre-
tary in due-lornl, with the Presidents APP
probation, as am bound to presume. Many
of the men whose names are given in the
Presidents letter, are wholly unknown to
me others know to be unfit and unworthy
of my confidence, and think, knowing what
do, both the President and yourself would
concur with me. feel, that having given
heavy and substantial security Tor the DIS
charc of the duties and accountabllties OF
this Office, ! have also TO attest my sltslac-'
ton with the official acts of the gentlemen
designated to be removed. have no. par
TALLY for any of them that would induce
me to hesitate n moment TO comply with the
wishes of the President in their removal, If
any creditablc evidence was given that they
had spoken lightly Of him,
wrote to the President through you on
the 2Sth bespeaking conference with him
in the ensuing week it is still my purpose
to be in Washington early in the week, and
until then, pray you to communicate to
him that wish to confer with him before
any measures be taken by me to execute his
wishes.
Respectfully yours,
J. ROBERTS.
"IJon Waiter FonwARD"
1t is right that should here observe that
by law all subordinate officers of the Gus
toms, are TO be nominated by the Collector,
and TO be approved by the Secretary of the
Treasury The President has no right to
interfere with them, nor has the Secretary
anything to do with the original appointment.
Among those whom Mr. Tyler directed me
to remove, was one, attached to the Apprai-
ser's Department, over which the Collector
has no authority whatever. 90"
reached Washington OH the evening of
the Sd May, and Immediately waited on Mr..
Secretary Forward, informed him of the
purposes Of my visit, and of the cIrcum-
stances of the case. He dsclaimed any
participation or privity in making out the
lists of those to be appointed and removed,
and said that he thought that if | COMMUNE
Gated to the President what | had 10 him, he
would be satisfied with il. '"
From what conceive to be the state of
things at the Presidents House, ! apprehend-
ed might be denied an interview, but the
Secretary's remark removed the suspicion
from my mind. On the 4th, attended the
Presidents ante-chamber for several hours,
and finally was obliged to retire without
having an interview. made n renewed
effort TO see the President 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 an admission on the
morning of the 9th, the porter at the door
who knew me, said could not see the Pres-
dent as he was engaged with the Secretary
Of State. | said | would wait till the Sec
rotary had gone. He then asked me if
had not received letter, answered in
the negative. lie theE said, one had been
forwarded to me. / urged an admission,
saying that my business was 10 see the Pres
ident. The servant then advanced to the
foot OF the stairs and seemed to announce
me to some one above. went up stairs,
found no one there and the door closed af-
Ter knocking and receiving no answer, seat
ed myself on the only chair in the passage
and remained there for more than an hour,
several persons whom did not know in the
mean time passing III and out Of the Presi-
dents room. | went into the ante-chamber
opposite and directed the servant to say to
the President that | was there aud would
wait his pleasure. After remaining some
time longer till the hour for receiving visit
ers had expired | was admitted to the Presi-
dent, whom found III conversation with an
individual whom | learned to be one of the
Suffrage agents from Rhode Island On
his retiring, | remarked to the President
that my object was, as my letters had intima-
ted, to have personal conference with him
in relation to his recent roquieition of me.
He said that he must decline any conference
he wished his request complied with, it
was not an order. 81 was surprised" said
he 'that you dcmurred." In very guard
ed and respectful manner replied that
could not conscientiously do what he desired. |
The President then said with great vehe-
mence ''Then sir you know what as a man
of honor you ought to do" | answered
firmly and. respectfully "Mr, President, /
cannot withdraw from my duty" 4 then
handed to him and requested him to read
q very scnrrilous, abusive aud proiane letter,
too improper in its language to be inserted
here] signed John Griffin, No 2, Strawber-
ny street, one of the persons whom was
directed to appoint, asking him if he thought
a person who would write such letter, was
worthy Of his confidence. lie read it, or
appeared to read it, and returned it without
a remark he then asked me abruptly how
many men there were belonging to the PHI |
laadephia Custom House. My reply was,