Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-09-09
RESIGNATION OF GOVERNOR DAVIS

HESlGNATlON OF GOVERNOR DAVIS
We mentioned yesterday that Gov Davis, of
Oregon, had resigned his office The Governor
arrived in Washington last evening, on his re-
turn to his family in Indiana The cause of
his resignation is of private and domestic
character. The Oregon Statesman contains q
letter from large number of prominent citi-
zens Of Oregon, rendering public dinner to
Governor Davis, and expressing the highest
appreciation Of his whole official course, and
warm admiration Of his personal worth.
Gov. Davis was unable to accept the invita-
ton, and in his response to the letter, says:
tits true, as you have learned, that owing
to reasons wholly of q private and domestic
character, have felt it to be my duty to for
ward my resignation to the President, to take
effect next month. It is impossible, perhaps,
for any one holding public station, to escape
censure, but during my short sojourn among
you, l have studiously endeavored to redeem
ever errors might commit should be those of
my judgment only. As there may have been
those who misconstrued my motives in coming
here, so there may have been those who will
misinterpret my intentions in leaving; to such,
IT any there be, have no apology or expla-
nations to make. I have been taught the Les.
son by an experience in public life of more
than quarter of a century, that the duty of
public officer is best discharged by following
tae dictates Of his own best judgment, regard.
less OF the opinion Of the uncharitable
Honorable as the position of Governor of
this territory may be, it is we'll known to my
friends in Washington that the place is not one
of my seeking am indebted to the kind
partially Of President Pierce, for Voluntarily
rendering, and to fortu;tous circumstances
alone for accepting it. 1t is one should be
proud to continue to fill, if my duty as the head
of family did not forbid but there are du.
ties in our domestic and social relations quite
equal, if not paramount, to our duties as citi.
zens. So soon as unforeseen circumstances &C.
curred-so imperative in their charaeter-as
to preclude the hope of my becoming a perma-
nent citizen Of the territory for the present, I
felt it Incumbent upon me to surrender the
trust confded to me as have done and can
only regret that I had not the power 10 con.
tribute my mite to the formation of constitu.
ton for the State of Oregon before my depar-
ture; as, in that event. my highest ambition
would have been gratided. hope the good
their late decision Of this question, and that
Oregon will assume her position in the galaxy
OF States, where, by the intelligence and en-
terprising spirit Of her population, she is 90
well qualified to act we'll on her part; no mer-
cenary consideration should for moment be-
brought to weigh in favor of the psuedo- citi.
zenship peculiar to the inhabitants Of terri
tory; and which is so restrictive Of the many
inalienable franchises peculiar to the Ameri-
can citisen.
We have space only for portion of the let
tor which concludes as follows:
1t is not beyond the pale possibility, that
may yet become resident Of Oregon, but, if
should do so, /: will be in the Independent
character of private citizen but, whether
this be 90 or not, shall never cease to feel for
the whole people Of the territory, tho kindest
regard and the iiveliest interest in their pros
perity-nor will I ever forbear to offer for each
OF you, gentlemen, my fervent aspirations for
your individual health and happiness.
Sincerely your obliged friend,
JOHN W. DAVIS.
Hon. Geo. H. Williams and others s
The Oregon Weekly Times Of the 5th inst d,
remarks: When Gov. Davis arrived here, We
looked upon his appointment as most valua-
BILE acquisition to our territory; button account
Of continued sickness in his family, Governor
Davis deems 1t his duty to return to them, and
has consequently resigned. He has performed
his trust. while among a., credibly, and to the
entire satisfaction, We believe, Of the men Of
all parties, and carries with him on his return,
the kindest wishes and regards Of the Oregon
people. Although Oregon has lost Governor
Davis, sound and able statesmsn, We are