Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-04-26
The Formation Of the Cabinet.

iOiloNiHS CoiicS poAucLCc, WllCh,d do ~ ~ q
part of the history Of the country, and hon.
orable to all concerned, we take, pleasure
in laying before the public -
TO THE PUBLIC.
My name having been, to some extent,
brought before the public, CONTRARY to my
wishes, as being among those from whom
Gen. Taylor would be likely to select his
Cabinet, l deem it to be due TO myself and
friends to publish the subjoined cores
pondence, for which have the permission
Of the President. Notwithstanding the
purposes Of Gen. Taylor, as to the compo-
sition Of his Cabinet, underwent consider
able modification subsequent to my decli-
nation of his offer, vet desire it may be
understood that | retract nothing of the
views, sentiments, and avowals contained
in my letter of the I'd of March.
TRUMAN SMITH,.
Washington, March II, l849.
w1LLARD's HOTEL, Friday, March 2.
DEAR SIR: Having the greatest conf
dence in your ability to fill any office I'M
der the Government, desire to say that,
should the bill creating Home Depart
ment become a law, it is my purpose to
tender you the appointment Of Secretary
Of that Department.
I have the honor to remain, with high
respect, Yours, very truly,
Hon. TRUMAN SMITH,
blouse of Reps Washington, D. c.
WASHINGTON, House of Reps.) March ., 1s4s.
Gen. ZACHARY TAYLOR
DEAR SIR: receive, with profound
sensibility, the offer of a seat in your Cabi-
net as Secretary ofthe Home Department,
(should the bill now pending in the Sen
ate become law which you do me the
honor to tender to me by your note ofthis
days date. For this distinguished ex-
preston Of your confidence, be pleased to
accept my heartfelt thanks. | assure YOU
that nothing could be to me a source of
more pride, than to be associated with you
in the administration of our Government,
or to have imposed on me the duty of Sc
conding your efforts to promote the happi-
ness and prosperity Of the American peo-
pie ); but many considerations would call
on me to pause before could assume such
high responsibilities.
You are, sir, not unaware of the part
which, as delegate to the Philadelphia
Convention, | felt it to be my duty to take
in promoting your nomination to the Presi-
dency, after giving full expression to the
respect and confidence which the people
Of Connecticut have long cherished for the
distinguished statesman Of Kentucky, MOI
of the labors and responsibilities which
were devolved on me as the organ of the
Wing Executive Committee Of the two
Houses of Congress during the subsequent
canvass and ! can say with truth, that in
performing that duty, and in undertaking
those labors and responsibilities, | did not
FOR moment harbor the thought Of deriv-
ing any other advantage from your success
than such as would rebound to the coun-
try at large. Were l now to accept office
at your hands, should, fear, lay myself
open to the imputation of having been ac-
tuated by other than patriotic motives.
turn, therefore, from the allurements of
place and power, under your benignant
auspices, to the high duties to which |
have been called by the people Of my ma
tive State, to whose generous confidence
l am indebted for all that am, and all
that expect to be. As member of the
Senate of the United States, (however
humble may be my position in that august
body,) flatter myselfthat can contribute
something to the success of your Admin
istration, and to the welfare Of the Repub-
lie.
And, furthermore, deem it best not TO
renounce my seat in that body, as | am by
no means satisfied with the spirit of al
ienation which seems to be springing up
between different sections of our beloved
country. While it will be my purpose to
represent faithfullythe predominating feel
ing and sentiment Of my own section, | do
not intend to be put on extreme courses,
and hope, by concurrence in wise and
moderate counsels, to aid in allaying the
irritation now existing, to some questions
in such manner as to satisfy good men in
all parts Of the Union. ~
cannot conclude this response without
protfering my sympathies on account ofthe
unexampled difficulties and embarrass-
ments which have attended the discharge,
by you, of one Of the most delicate duties
which can devolve ON one about to become
the Chief Magistrate of the Republic
Having spent large portion of your life
on the frontiers, far removed from the
abodes Of civilized men, and much Of the
residue in the tented field, amidst the din
of arms, and the clangor Of war, you have
not enjoyed the usual opportunities to OBJ
tain, by personal observation and inter-
course, thorough knowledge Of our pub
lie men. and having postponed your arrl-
val at the seat Of Government until late
day, you have been plunged into the midst
of the raging political elements Of this me.
tropolis, and are obliged 10 grope your way
through all sorts Of representations, vehe-
men,ly urged, to a safe and proper orga-
nization Of your cabinet. think, sir
you must be something more than human
if you do not make, under such trying cir
cu,nstances, some mistakes and, in con-
sideration Of those circumstances, your
ultimate arrangements should, in my judg-
ment, be received with great indulgence by
your friends Throughout: the country.
- can bear testimony to the protoune