Litchfield enquirer., 1846-08-13
No. ~. .WHoLE No. 1862.

Treasury; TIMOTHY PICKERING, of War;
and WILLIAM BRADFORD, Attorney General.
1t appears that Washington had Wolcotta
IN view among the persons upon whom the
once OF Secretary of State might be confer
red. MIR. jefferson says, Gle asked mes
what sort OF man Mr.. Wolcott was. /
told him knew nothing Of him myself.
had heard him characterized as cunning
man." Judging from his subsequent az
pointment to more responsible office, this
hearsay SANDER had not much weight with
Washington. Nothing could in fact be
more unjust. The last quality of Wolcott's
mind was Fcunning,'
Wolcott had at this time but lust COM
completed his 35th year but though thus
young, he possessed in an eminent degree
the requisites of a minister of finance. He
had not, 1t is true, the brilliant qualities of
genius; but he had comprehensive and
well regulated mind, a judgment matured
and reliable, strong practical good sense aud
native shrewdness. President Washington
placed the fullest confidence in his integrity
and Judgment, and frequently consulted him
on matters of great public importance. On
the 25th Of March, 1896, the President ad-
dressed to him the following inquiries:
"SIR:
The resolution moved in the House Of Rep
resentatives for the papers relative to the ne
sotlation Of the treaty with Great Britain, hav-
ing passed in the affirmative. request your
| opinion
Whether that branch of Congress hath or hath
| not right by the constitution, to cali for these
papers! Whether, if itdoes not possess the
right. II would be expedient under the circum-
stances o: this particular case, to furnish them:
And in either case, what terms would be
more proper. to comply with, or refuse the re.
quest Of the Housed
These opioions in writing, and your atten.
dance will be expected at 10 o'clock Tomorrow.
GEORGE WASHINGTON"
With the Fourth Congress- (f797,) the
administration Washington closed. Was
it strange that there were few smiles at his
last reception day, or that tears fell from
feyes unused to them upon the hand that
many pressed for the last time? The rela-
ton in which the Secretaries had stood with
the President had been one of respectful but
aAectionate intimacy. Familiarity with
him was thing impossible, but the most
cordial and unreserved friendship was ex-
tended to all whom he trusted and esteemed.
Wolcott, among others, had enjoyed much
of the domestic society of the Presidents
house. His gentle and graceful wife had
been regarded with material solicitude by
Mrs. Washington, and was the friend and
correspondent Of her eldest daughter. Hi
child had been used to climb, confident OF
welcome, the knees of the chief and though
so many years bis junior, while Wolcott's
character and judgment had been held il
respect by the President, his personal an1
social qualities had drawn towards him
warm degree of interest.
On leaving the seat Of Government
Washington presented, it is believed, an his
chief officers, some token of regard. To
Wolcott he gave piece of plate MIS-
Washington gave to his wife, when visiting
her for the last time, relic still more inter-
esting. Asking her if she did not wish a
memorial of the General, Mrs. Wolcott re-
piled, 'yes,' she. should like lock of his
hair Mrs. Washington, smiling, took her
scissors and cut off for her large lock of
her husbands, and one of her own. These,
with the originals of Washington's letters.
Wolcott preserved with careful veneration,
and divided between his surviving children
Con the retirement of General Washing.
tom" says Wolcott, "being DESTROYS that
my personal interests should not emharrass
his successor, and supposing that some other
person might be preferred to myself, ten
dered my resignation to MIR. Adams before
his inaugu, alton. The tendenwas declined.
aud retaued Office under my former COM
mission"
On the 9Th of November 1900, Mr.. VOL
colt sent the President his resignation Of
the Office of Secretary of the Treasury
which was reluctantly accepted by Mr..
Adams. At Mr.. Wolcott's request, Com
mittee was appointed by Congress to exam
inc into the condition Of the Department
which nc had vacated. The Committee
consisted of Messrs. Otis, Nicholas, Girls
void, Nicholson, VAIN, Stone, and Craik;
who, after thorough investigation, unani-
mously reported that " the financial concerns
of the country have been left by the late Sec
rotary in state of good order and pros
| perity."
Mr.. w. had now, and as he supposed for.
ever, retired from public life. The neces,
tsities of his family required that he should
= at once enter upon some active employment
i, for their maintenance-his whole property