Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-25
From the New York Herald.
Thomas Richie and the Establishment Of the
ssUniOnv Newspaper.

From the New York Herald
Thomas Richie and the Establishment Of the
'.Unionv Newspaper.
The Richmond Enquirer of a recent date
contains memoir of the late Thomas Richie,
written by a friend, who has no doubt proved
himself capable of the task; but SO far as Mr..
Richie was concerned in establishing the
Union at Washington, some particticulars are
are omitted which ! propose to supply. That
part of the memoir which relates TO this matter
is correct in every particular: that Mr.. Richie,
on two occasions, when propositions were made
to him to take charge of a paper in the city of
Washington, positively refused, even though
the request came through committee of gen.
tlemen who occupied the distinguished position
OF member Of the United States Senate and
House of Representatives. 1t was only after
the President had positively concluded hot to
recognize the Globe newspaper as the official
organ of the administration that third at.
tempt was made to induce Mr.. Richie to take
charge OF the administration paper, and it was
brought about as follows:
With the President it was understood that
was to be connected with the paper; but the
great difficulty was in regard to the editor.
Finally, Mr.. Polk sent for me and stated that
he had fixed his mind upon Mr.. Thomas
Richie or Major A. J. Donelsen, then acting
as our minister to Texas; but as Mr.. Richie
had positively declined to come to Washington
under any circumstances, had better make
my arrangements to depart Immediately for
Texas, and consult with Major Donelson; in
the meantime, he would prepare letters for me,
calculated to accomplish my object. / then
suggested to the President the propriety of
making another effort to Induce Mr.. Richie to
take charge of the administration paper, on the
ground that he had more editorial and political
experience than Major Donelson-believing as
| did, that it was an important matter to have
an old and experienced head in such position,
particularly at the commencement of a new
and important administration. The result of
this interview with the President was, that on
the following day instead of starting for Texas,
started for Richmond, with letters from the
President and from Mr.. Ritchie's old friend,
William Selden, esq, then treasurer of the
United States.
On my arrival at the latter place, laid my
business before Mr.. Richie, who received me
in his usual courteous and hospitable manner,
but appeared to be somewhat astonished that
he should be again urged to accept position
which he had already several times refused.
Finally, after discussing the subject for some
time, and spending most delightful evening
with his agreeable family, he informed me "he
would see about it-consult his friends, and
let me know the result. The following morn
ing | left Richmond for Washington, and then,
as the writer of his memorial states, "Mr.
Richie held frequent and anxious consultations
with some of his warmest and most intimate
political friends in the city of Richmond Some
OF them counselled him warmly against the
step, but advised him first to visit the President
for the purpose of ascertaining for himself the
great principles upon which his administration
was to conducted-whether they were in &C
cordance with those which Mr. Richie had ad.
vocated and cherished through long life, and
whether it was expected that he should yield
his independence Of thought or action in as
Stunning the position rendered him. After
making this visit, and receiving from Mr.. Polk
frank ezpose of his views feelings, principles,
and policy, and believing they we're in all re-
spects in accordance with his own, he con.
sented to waive all objections"
From that time until the close of Mr.. Folks
administration, Mr. Richie had the entire con.
idence of the President and not question of
importance was brought before the government
that he was not cognizant of and most gen.
orally consulted upon. To show his perfect in.
dependence, which he would not have given up
to have been the organ Of all the governments
in the world, l will relate single fact Before
the Union was regularly under way, and while
preparations were making for the same, the
prospectus was written and laid before the Cab.
met. 1t embraced Mr.. Ritchies doctrines 1.-THE
oldfashioned democratic creed) throughout.
1t was read in Cabinet council, met the ap.
proval OF the President, and only objected to
by one member, on account Of its freetrade
doctrines. He thought that, although they
might be correct in the main point, policy
would dictate that it was unnecessary to say
anything on the subject, particularly in the
prospectus of the new government paper. This
question would come before the country at a
proper time from the proper quarter; but to
send forth such free trade doctrines in this
shape, at the present moment, having, it would
be supposed, the entire endorsement of the ad.
ministration, it would have an unfortunate
effect in the State Of, and perhaps turn
the election in the fall against the democracy.
Bot Mr.. Richie would not submit to the al
iteration Of word or sentence, and the pros
pectus stood as il was originally framed by
him.
During Mr.. Riches connection with the
Union, he was, without doubt, the most labo-
L