Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-08-16

given rise TO dl9contont aud dlstrust IN the |
ability ofthe officer administering the fnan- |
cial department. To these elements of dis |
was added another arising from |
essential differences in the plans submitted |
by the head of the department and those
adopted by Congress.
In this condition of things it would seem |
to have been proper to have resigned my |
Office as soon as Congress had passed its |
judgment against the plans which had
submitted.
Two considerations, however, prevented
The first was a repugnRnce to any act |
which could be miscoustrued into an aban- |
donment of a post OF duty assigned to me
durging struggle in which l felt that
every citizen owed TO his country whatever
srcri6ce or service was demanded of him.
The financial plan which was finally adopt |
ed by the last Congress bad been uncertain
until the end of the session. 1t was not
matured until the two Houses had referred
the matter to Committees of Conference,
and it became q Law only on the last day of
the session. The machinery which was re-
quired for its operation was complex and
extensive, aud, by the terms of law, just
forty days were allowed to carry it into
complete effect. No new head of the de-
pertinent, however competent, would have
been able to acquire sufficient knowledge
of Office details in time to have carried out
the provisions of the act. The public good,
therefore, demanded that should not
leave my post during this period,
The consideration which prevented was
the unwillingness l felt to leave you in
opposition to your desire, while you hon
ored me with such confidence as you have
manifested, and while our whole energies
were still taxed by the great and varied
| responsibilities attendant upon the office
in which Providence has placed you.
These considerations now no longer
govern. The first is at an end. The fund
ing of the currency has been nearly COM
pleted, and the entire machinery required
by the plans of Congress and finance is
now in full operation. No interest will
suffer by my now giving place to a sue
cessor. The second consideration is that
l yield to the conviction that justice to
myself and the public require me to insist
on the acceptance of the resignation which
now tender, in the hope that you will be
| successful in choosing successor whose
views shall harmonize with those of Con-
gress, and who may, on that account, be
better able (none can be more earnestly
desirous) than have been to do valuable
service to our country.
confess, sir, that l cannot, without deep
emotion separate from you and my col
leagues in the Cabinet. Neither can do
80, without bearing my testimony, that
never, in the utmost freedom of confden-
tial intercourse, have heard one word or
suggestion indicating aught but a consci-
entious and disinterested desire to do
what was best for our country. 1t had been
my hope,lthat ere our official connection
terminated, our country would be in full
fruition of the peace and independence for
which she has paid SO costly price, and
that you, sir, would have enjoyed, in the
spectacle of her happiness and prosperity,
the only reward you seek for the ceaseless
cares and lsbors devoted to her SERVICE
Though this may not now be, shall not
cease in private life to give my warm CO.
operation in whatever may conduce to the
contamination so ardently desired.
l need scarcely add, Mr.. President, that
while desiring to be relieved, at as early a
period as may be practicable, my services
remain freely at your disposal until you
shall have selected my successor in Office.
With heartfelt wishes for your health,
happiness and prosperity, l remain with
the highest respect and esteem, your ODE
dent servant, G. G. MEMMIEGER.
RICHMOND, Va, June 81, 1864.
DEAR Sir: have received your letter of
the 18TH inst, stating the grounds on which
you deem that justice to yourself and the
public requires you to urge my acceptance
of your resignation.
Some months since you expressed de-
sire to retire, for the reason that, in your
belief, the public service would be promo
ted by the appointment of a successor
whose views of financial policy accord bet
ter than your own with the legislation then
lately adopted. l knew the extreme diff
entity of conducting the Treasury Depart
during the pending struggle. was aware
LIT l.
probably fail to escape the animadVeIsions
of those who are ready to attribute to in
efficient administration the embarrassments
due to deficiency of resources and the want
of legislation best adapted to the existing
circumstances, The experience acquired
by you in the organization and manage
ment of the department could not be i'm
medistely replaced, and for these reasons
was satisfied that the general welfare
would be injuriously affected by your with
drRwal at that time. You have now, at
least, the consolation and satisfaction to
know that your personal wishes were sur
rendered to a conviction of public duty.
Recent events do not warrant me in re-
fusing your renewed request that should
accept your resignation. The regret you
express at the prospect of our official sep
aration is shared by me. From your an
trance on the duties of your Office l have
observed and appreciated the cheerful and
unremitting devotion of all your faculties
to the public service, and do not fail to
remember that it was at the sacrifice of
private inclinations that you continued to
fulfil the arduous duties of your post. The
offer you make of your services until your
successor can assume Office, is in the same
patriotic spirit, and is accepted as thank
fully as 1t is generously rendered. AT as
early period as practicable | will en-
deavor to comply with your request to be
relieved.
With my grateful Acknowledgements for
your past assistance, and for your very