The weekly ledger., 1857-07-18
The Merchants and Mr.. Latham.

The following testimonial to Mr. Latham
is signed by the importing merchants of San
Francisco. Coming from those who have
had the best opportunity to Judge of Mr. LIS
official conduct, and taken in connection with
the testimony of the Secretary of the Treas
ury, Nc higher tribute could be paid
SAN Francisco June 80 1857.
HoN. MnToN s. LATHAM Collector of Customs, San
Francisco:
Dear Sir:-You are about to retire. at your own
request, from the the Office Of Collector OF Customs
at this port.
AS members of the business community of San
Francisco of all classes cannot let the occasion
pass without making some expression of the regard,
confidence and esteem which you have won for
yourself, and which general your relations,
personal aud official, with your fellow citizens
1t is not only that without the aids of any previ-
Gus experience you have administered with marked
intelligence and energy the responsible and often
difficult duties OF one OF the most important Offices
OF the Government perhaps never before comm tied
to one 50 young but you have also administered
th IN with Il peri, ct AMI prompt fidelity and exact
ness which have left nothing TO desire, and, at the
same time, with II consideration and courtesy free
from just ofense TO ANY.
The withdrawal from the public service of such
an officer is nothing less than public loss but 20
will carry with you on your return TO private life
and to your home not only the priceless conscious
ness OF duty well performed, but the appreciation
of all good men, and of all who know how to value
those excellent qualities of perfect honesty and
fidelity in pubic oce. which are not oaly essential
to the administration of affairs every where, but are
three useful and salutary as an example in our
State of California.
With cordial wishes for your prosperity and hap
pness, We have the honor to be,
Your friends and servants
Signed by the Principal Juerchants.)
Mr.. Latham made the following reply:
SAN Francisco July g. 1857.
| Gentlemen Your communication, compliment
ing me upon the manner in VIII ca have discharge
the duties of Collector of the port San Francis
CO, has been received.
can oaly retLrn you my sincere and heartfelt
thanks for the generous manner in which you choose
| to regard my conduct as public officer
During my tenure of Office, it has constantly been
my aim to protect your interests while faithfully
dis ged my duty in executing the law; and it
affords me great pleasure to eara, in taking leave
of YOU that have merted your confidence and
esteem
Very respectfully, your obt. serv't.,
MILTON S. LATHAM.
Those engaged under Mr.. Latham, about
one hundred, passed resolutions highly COM
plimcntary and presented him with an elegant
service of plate We extract from Mr.. La
tham's reply to the presentation speech
al have alwaysfelt the pecuniary and individual
responsibility Of the Office have just left, arising
from the absolute necessity of assuming, at all
times power and action to relieve the wants of our
comm rcia community. So remotely situated from
the seat OF the General Government that comma
nication could not be had for many weeks. and our
anomalous condition continually presenting new
questions without precedent, have oftentimes at
the expense OF unappreciated and unchar table con-
struction of motives, assumed such line of action
as would best tend to cherish aud protect trade.
THE Revenue Laws--I have believed, and en-
deavored to act upon that beliel-were made to
protect and encourage, not to oppress comm rec
have ther fore hoped, by rigid adm nstrat on
of known rues-obedience to instruct ols from my
superors-a fixed obstinacy in following the law
twhose supremacy hal sworn to maintain aud faith
fully execute II had hopsl, say mi my oe
pirloned the honest pr.de--to m r,t some small
need of appreciation from public with whose des-
tines my own are united"