Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-06-26
REMOVAL OF MIR. VAN NESS

1t was well known that the Old Hunkers of
New York had fully determined that Mr.. VAN
Mss should pay the penalty of his "Calhoun-
ism" by the loss of his Office Collector of that
port; and it was equally well known that the
President, MIR. Polk, although standing out in
resistance to it, would ultimately be compelled
to yield. Still it was matter of some curiosity,
MS so much had been said about it, TO see how
the President would get out of the scrape, with
the semblance, at least, of Official dignity. Well
the deed has been done---and how hand somely,
let the following notice Of it in the official organ
speak! Truly Mr.. Richie is no SLOUGH in his
new ofIice.-He writes like one '.bred to all the
arts of the Court.''
In order that the reader may be able, however,
fully to comprehend the pith and point of this
notice Of the Court Journal, it is necessary he
should be advised of the fact that the offer of the
CollectorshiP to Mr.. LAWRENCE by the President,
had been duly announced in The New FORK papers
some days beforehand; and Mr.. VAN Ness, thus
seeing his fate had been settled made virtue of
necessity, and resigned!
IMPORTANT APPOINTMENT.
"Mr. Van Ness has resigned the collectorship
OF New Sork--Me resignation to take effect on
the LIST of July next The President has accepted
ms resignation, and appointed Cornelius w. Law
renee 10 thls most important office. 1t is believed
no appointment could be made, more satisfactory
TO The democracy of all classes, than that of Mr..
Lawrence. ~ as due 10 Mr.. Pan Ness to say, that
ne has discharged the duties Of the office toiM great
d6thfy. lie retires with the best wishes for the
success OF the administration, of which he has al
ways been an efficient supporter, and retains, in
his retirement, the respect and confidence of all
our friends at this place.
Since the above was written, we have met with
the following, which is said 10 give a fair state
ment of the facts of the case. Ii is from cor
respondent of the New York Commercial Adver-
tlser in w Arlington:
"Governor VAN NESS was assured by Mr..
POLK that he would not be removed unless for
cause, nor unless charges should be preferred a.
gainst him, which, after due notice to him and
lair hearing, should be substantated.
The Collector. learning, however, that Mr..
FOLK was embarrassed and bored by those who
wished 10 GUST him. wrote private letter TO Mr.
secretary WALKER, saying that he was ready TO
resign whenever it should be found necessary for
the convenience ofthe President. Subsequently,,
The Secretary Informed the Collector that his of.
Ter had been considered by the President and was
accepted, and that the President would expect to
receive the resignation. The Collector sent the
resignation to his brother, General VAN Ness, of
this city, with directions to present it or not, as
he might deem proper. The General would not
present 1t, and it was soon countermanded by the
Collector himself Mr.. WALKER, the Secretary
OF the Treasury learning that the letter of resiG
nation had been sent, applied 10 General VAN
NESS for it, and insisted upon its being offered
ne CANNED II on the ground Of the tender made
by The Collector in his private letter to him. upon
which ground the President had acted
The General maintained, on the other hand,
that the tender was unofficial and not binding,
and that the letter of resignation had been with
drawn.
AT this stage Of the business friend of the
Collector left this city for New York and immed-
ately returned with the resignation. The Col
iector, upon consultation with his friends, was
advised to resign, after what had taken place.
General VAN Ness had an interview with the
PRESIDENT and demonstrated strongly against the
treatment OF his brother. He subsequently adj
dressed letter, with copies 10 each head Of De-
partment, to the President, on the subject, which
is said TO be very severe"