Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1864-08-03


that of the President accepting it, will be
found below. In the retirement of private
life TO which Mr.. Memminser goes, he will
no. fail to receive the kindest evidences OF
public esteem. The industry, zeal and fdeli-
ty which have characterized his sdRiinistra-
ton have not failed TO illustrate the purity
OF his lie, aud will not fail to reap their re-
ward.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, !
Richmond, June 10, 1864.
His Erce1lency, the PreSidcat- s
SIR You have. been aware for severas
cnths past of my desire to withdraw from
my present official position, and of the rea-
sons which restrained me from so doing.
With an earnest purpose.to to devote to the ser
vice of my country, during the perils which
surround her, whatever faculties may pos
sess, had, nevertheless, perceived that the
enormous burdens imposedNon tue Treasury
by war on so vast scale, aud the difficulty
of sustaining them, had given rise to discon-
tent and to distrust in the ability of the OIL
GER administering the financial department
To these elements of dissatisfaction was
added another arising from essential differ
cnce IN the plans submitted by the head
of the department and those adoptodb Con.
gresS. -
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 sub
mitted.
Two considerations, however, prevented.
The first was repugnance to any set which
could be misconstrued into an abandonment
of post OF duty assigned to me durirg @
struggle in which l felt that every citizen
owed to his country whatever sacrifice OF
service was demanded of him. The financial
plan which was finally adopted by the last
Congress, had been uncertain until the end.
of the session. 1t was not matured until the
two houses had referred the matter to com-
mittees of conference, and it became law
only on the last day of the session. The
machinery which was required for its opera
ton was complex and extensive, and, by the
terms of the law, just forty days were allowed
to carry it into complete effect. No new heed
OF the department, however competent, would
have been able 10 acquire sufficient knowl-
edge 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 second consideration which prevented
was the unwillingness felt to leave you in
opposition to your desire, while yoa honored
me with such confidence as you have mani
tested; and while yor. whole energies were
still taxed by the great and varied response
bii;ttes attendant upon the Office in which
Providence has placed you.
These considerations now, no longer gov
ern. The first IS ut sn end. The funding
of the currency has been nearly completed
and the entire machinery required by thc
plans of Congress for taxca and finance is
now in full operation. No public interest
will suffer by my now giving place to sue.
cessor. The second consideration must yield
to the conviction that justice to mJssif and
the public require me to insist on our accep-
tapce of the resignation which L now tender,
in the hope that you will be successful in
choosing successor whose views shall har.
monizc with those Of Congress, 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 cannot, without deep
emotion, separate from you, aud my collea-
CUES in ihe Cabinet. Neither can do so
withoat bearing my testimony, that never,
in the utmost freedom of confidential inter-
course, have heard one word or suggestion
indicating aught but a conscientious and dis
interested desire to do what was best for our
country. It had been my hope that ere our
official connection terminated, our country
would be in full fruition of the peace and in
dependence for which she has paid 80 costly
price, and tbat,s2u, sir, would have enjoyed
in the sss Aer happiness and pros
perty7 you seek far the cease.
less eyoted to. her service.
I'll 5,s & 3ow be, I shall not
| cd ss 4 Sve my. warm cooper
1; =; 81 jonduce to the consul
mSs s1red.
nsS Va, Mr.. President, that
while desiring u Sc relieved at as early pc
riod as may be practicable, my services re,
main freely at your disposal until you shall
have selected my successor in office.
With heartfelt wishes for your health, hap,
piness and prosperity. ] remain, with the
highest respect and esteem,
Your obedient servant,
(signed) s. g. MEaAlNGER'
RrcnM5SD, Va, June 81, 1861.
DEAR SIR IL have received your letter o
the 18th instant, stating the grounds OF
which You deem that justice to yourself ant
to the public requires you to urge my accep
lance of your resignation.
Some months since you expressed a1dssirt
to retire, for the reason that in your belief
the public service would be promotedsby the
appointment Of successor whose views o
!. financial policy accorded better than yonl
! own with the legislation then lately adopted
knew the extreme difficulty Of conductin!
the Treasury Department during the pending
! struggle. / was aware that any officer, how
ever competent, must probably fail to escap
the anin:a lrassions Of those who arerealy 4