The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-04-15
To the Editor.
WASHINGTON, April "A. 1910.

40 Law before il the following statement, and ask the
of YOUR columns Tor that purpose.
am well aware that, as respects the concerns of an
humble individual the public generally takes but little
interest; vet the amount OF human ills and OF human
nnression commences with isolated, and If | may so
P T with atomcal cases therefore feel emboldened
~ hone not for the sake OF any good resulting TO me
Individually but for the general good, that my case and
hat of others suffering, 10 suffer, under the pro-
scriuiiye axe, will not meet with apathy.
have endeavoed IN the following memoranda to state,
"a briefly as the circumstances admit, my own case.
Cn the stb OF March, ls49, MIR Clayton took his seat
. Secretary OF State, when the clerks OF the department,
being summoned into ms room, were seyeraly INTRO
Sncel 10 him By Mr.. Buchanan; who, in manner ex
pressve OF mnch ieelas euao3aea ,ng Serks WIN
est;rey satisfied; and that there was not one of them
;h whom he had ever had occasion Tor angry word
Mr. Clayton made very handsome reply requesting me
clerks 10 continue their several duties the ii
thers had not been change. Ne did not, he said
mnate anu change but should occasion for any arise
timely notice should be gwen
Things thus went on far my official relations
tended 10 the apparent satisfaction OF the Secretary who
treated me with frank and gentiemanly courtesy, Gas
did him with an honest devotion to the business in
trusted to mel until, on the 2sth OF March, he, III con-
yersa,ion had with him, ntimaed that there great
press made upon him for my removal; to which an.
swered that had no doubt OF 1t, and that presumed
il was on MIR Webster's account lie answered Affirm
atiyey; whereupon | told him, that II he would grant
me half hours hearing, when at leisure, had no
doubt that could from his mind any unfavorable
impressions he might entertain against me on that ac
count He replied that he would not be hurried as TO
the organization of his department; that he in
tended to reorganze it; and that might rest assured
should have full and fair hearing This the
2sth OF March On the 3ist, about % O'Clock p. m,
was summoned into the of the chief clerk who
after stating how disagreeable to his feelings TO
he the bearer OF the communication he had TO make
formed me that he had received charge from the Sec
retary the evening previous, 10 inform me that was
discontinued that my successor was appointed and would
be at the Office Monday morning TO take charge OF the
business Tts Saturday afternoon, at ha!f-past
two O'Clock He further stated. that II was not Tor any
thing that the Secretary had against me, or my mode OF
ansaciing business, that was removed, but that il
in consequence of the pressure from hout, from mem
bers OF Congress and Others IN conneXion with the Web
ser affair He stated that the Secretary could not bring
himself TO make the announcement! So much for the
timely notice and for the promised full and fair hearing
accordingly set 10 work 10 make up my accounts, and
by working that evening and part OF the following Sun
day, had so far finished that on Monday morning |
repaid into the treasury the balances OF the appropriations
remaining my hands, and so closed my accounts as 10
disbursements and moneys received from the treasury
Feeling that removal from office under this adminstra-
ton would not, agreeaby TO the mayims announced IN
General Tayors inaugural speech be regarded as mere
case OF political prescription but charge OF want OF
capacity, honesty, fidelity" on Monday, the I'd OF
April addressed 10 that officer letter, OF which the fol-
lowing is copy
WASHINGTON, April 2, lSi9.
SIR Having, after a service of nearly twenty years
clerk the Department of State been dismissed at a
moments notice, necessarily dependent tor iveli-
hood upon such exertions in business among my fellow
citizens as may now be able to make bur- 10 my success
sens an almost nsuperabe bar you sir having spent
greater part Of your life in profession in which yon
sion from which member be cashieed punish
ed except conviction OF erne-when you assumed the
duties OF the presidency actuaed by the feelings OF
party politician. but by those of OF honor and SOL
der declared you would make honesty capacity, aud
fee and the absence of either of these qualities a suti.
for removal Consequently the removal OF an
officer under rehabilitation involves loss OF char
acter aspects the qualities enumerated by you.
Under these circumstances, appealing 10 your own sense
direction be furnished with copy of the charges if any
such there be- upon which, without hearing have been
dismissed, which, although promised, was not granted to
me by the head OF Department OF State | ask this
from sense OF what is due. sir to yourself as well as to
myself and in order that before Impartial pnbhc,
sustain character which Halter myself has been hlther-
to unsullied
Late agent of the Department OF State.
Gen. ZACHARY TAYLOR, President of the United States
Having got through my business, waited at the De-
parment until about IL o'clock for the arrival OF my
successor but he did not make his appearance, and
cordingly left the office, leaving the keys with one OF
the clerks for him should he come.
On Tuesday morning called on the chief clerk TO
certain whether Of my accounts-hat for the can-
gent expenses OF foreign inercourse-which hUbeen
sent to the President for his approval Monday had
been returned He informed me that he had paper OF
mine which the Secretary had directed him to examine
but OF which he knew nothing. This my letter to
the President, mentioned above. He asked me what
intended to do-meanng, as understood, what business
would embark in. | answered that did not know
that could engage in any business whilst charges
snferrtue from my removal, hung over me; and there
fore 1t was that desired copy OF any charges thai
might exist against me, in order that might have an OPP
portunity to justify myself He replied that he did moi
know OF any charge against me-
On the Monday following, the 9th instant, having
waited IN vain for to my letter to the fTesl
dent enclosed duplicate of to him. reerating the
request for copy of the charges If any, upon which
was dismissed Receiving no answer, must conclude
that there are no charges and that am sacrlhGed if
crafty the vengeu spleen of the man who declared tina
the nomination OF Gen. Taylor for the presidency was
one ''not fiji to have been made"
throw myself still further upon your indulgence fol
the opportunity OF making some remaks upon the Web
ster affair." upon which, without informing themselves OF
the subject understanding the case some OF my fe
low. citizens have been willing to PREJUDICE me. All tina
! ask upon that or any other subject is fair hearing
that is conceded to me- and the verdict be against me
let me suffer.
1t will be recollectcd that during the session OF 1866
aer debate IN the Senate OF an unprecedented charac
ter MIR c. lngersol, in the House of Representatives
made certain charges against Mr. Webster for oficia
misconduct while Secretary of State, and that commit
lee, OF which Mr. Vinton was chairman, was appointed
to investigate those charges. The majority of that com
ml'ee IN their report exculpated MIR. Webster, and OF
Tered resolution, which was adopted, ha, ''the test
mony taken in this investigation be sealed up by thu
clerk, under the supervision of the committee, endorsed
CONFIDENTIAL and deposited in the archives of tn
House, and that The be not opened unless by it
order"
With that report and resolution have no concern
ont can with confidence appeal TO the members OF thu
committee that made it, say whether my testimony be
lore 1t was not fair and candid, and not only wthou
any undue leaning against Mr. Webster, but whether
hd not offer evidence in extenuaton of charge 10
money discussed by him, and for which he apparent
~ twice credited taking the error upon myself
fhe friends OF Mr.. Webster, either under the i'm
pulse OF alarm, from some other cause, moved for
ootalned committee TO inquire "as to the violation o
the seal OF confidence OF the State Department. &C. &c
here the assumption was broadly made by the House