Mariposa Democrat., 1857-07-09
Retirement. Of Collector Latham.

The following well merited and justly de-
served compliment to NJ. $. Latham, on his
retirement from Office, we copy from the Alta,
of the 1st inst
Yesteday afternoon, at 3 O'Clock, Hon. Milton S.
Latham retired from the Collectorshp Of the Port Of
San Francisco, in accordance with his resignation ten
dered In December last, and the new Collector. B. F.
Washington, Esq, was installed in the Office.
Sace the time Collector Latham assumed the du-
ties of the Office, now nearly two years past, over three
million Of dollars have been collected and dsbursed in
the various departments under his control. The
Office Of Collector Of any port, is surrounded with
great difficulties, and that Of the Port OF San Francisco
il peculiarly Yet, such was the skill exhibited by
Mr.. Latham such was his care, such the supeiv sion
he exercised over all the subord departments that
Mr.. Secretary Guthrie in his annual report to Con-
gress, did Mr. Latham the distinguished honor, paid
him the well merited compliment. to say that his ad-
minstration of the affairs of the Office, had been bet
ter one, more deserving Of commentator, than had
any which had preceded il; and that it would
compare favorably with that of any in the Atlantic
States.
On the 10Th Of January 1851 in response to tie lei
ter of esgnation, rendered by Mr.. Latham, to take
effect at the end Of the cal year. Mr.. Secretary Guth-
rie, sent the following reply, cory of which we have
been happy to procure. exhibiting it does the re-
GARD in which the Collector held by the Secretary
of the Treasury The following is the copy of the
letter referred to.
wAsHIsGroS, January 10th, 1857.
Sir: Ihave every reason to he satisfied with the
manner in which YOU have discharged the duties Of
Collector of the Port Of San Francisco and were
to remain in charge of the Treasury Department
should exceedingly regret your leaving the position
The records Of the Department prove that you alone
of all who filed the Office, have discharged the duties
correctly and prmptly. The record you have made
a Collector, Is the highest evidence Of yonr faithful
and capacity for the place and the hest recon-
mendaton you can have for the retention Of the place.
until it shall sit your convenience to leave. This
all cause to be represented to the incoming admin
istraton.
Respectfully.
(Signed) JAMES GUTHRIE
MiLroS s. LATHAM, ESQ,
Collector &c, San Francisco, Cal.
Upon retiring with distinguished honor, from the
important and exalted position which he has occu-
pied for nearly two years. Mr.. Latham, we learn, re-
turns to his home in Sacramento to resume the practice
Of law. In parting with him in his official capacity
his friends have the proud consciousness Of knowing
that they can say without nattery, a. Well DONE
With the mercantile community he has ever been de
scrvedly popular, while he has most strictly guard
ed the interests of the Government he has exhibited
in his relations with them degree of courtesy which
has won their universal respect We understand that
previous 10 his leaving for Sacramento, te timonia
Of thanks for the able and upright well courte
manner in which he has conducted the affairs of
his Office and "a a mark of the kindneSs of feelinU
ever entertained toward him, will be- presented to Mr..
Latham, signed by the mercantile community Of San
Francisco, without regard to party.