The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-07-20
Resignation of Secretary Mcmmingef
correspondence with the rfesi~

Resignation of Secretary Memminser
correspondence with the i'fesi-
dent
The following correspondence which
passed between Secretary Memmiuger and
President Davis, on the occasion OF the iSs
ignation OF Mr. Nj is published:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.,
Richmond, June ID, loGi.
HIS Etce'teney, the President.
Sir: You have been aware for several
months past OF my desire To withdraw from
nv present official position, and oil the rea-
sons which re strained me from so doing
With all earnest purpose to devote to tho
service OF my country, during the perlis
which surround her, whatever facilities |
may possess, had nevertheless perceived
that the enormous burdtn ns inpost on the
Treasury by war on SO vast scale, and the
difficulty Of sustaining them, had given rise
TO dis e ontent and To dstrust in the ability
of the officer administering the financial
department TO these elements OF dissatG-
faction WAS added another arising from s.
sential differences 10 the plans submitted by
the head of the department and those adopt
ed by Congress.
In this condition of things, it would seem
to have been proper to have resigned my
office IS soon as Congress had pass. d lis
Judgment against the plans which L had
| submitted.
Two considerations, however, prevented.
| The first was a repugnance to any act which
| could be misconstrued into an abandonment
| Of post Of duty assigned to Inc during a
| struggle in which felt that every citizen
| owed to bis country whatever sacrifice or ser.
| vice was demanded Of him. The financial
| plan which was finally adopted by the lasi
Congress had been uncertain until the end ol
| the session. Ii was not matured until The
two houses had referred the matter to COM
| mittees Of conference, and it became law
only on the ;ast day of the session. The
| machinery which was required for It's ope'
| ration was complex ard extensive, and, by
the terms OF the law, just forty days wer,
| allowed to carry 1t into complete effect. NJ
new head Of the department, however com
petent, would have BEEN able to acquir,
sufficient knowledge OF Office details in lim'
| to have carried out the provisions oil th'
act. The public good, therefore, demande,
that l should not leave my post during fhi
period.
The second consideration which prevent
ed was the unwillingness felt to leave 30,
In opposition to your desire, while you hon
ored me with such confidence ae you hass
manifested, and while your whole energie
were still taxed by the great and varied re
sponsibilities attendant upon the office II
which Providence has placed you.
| These considerations now no longer gov
err. The first 10 ut an end. The funding
of the currency has been nearly com
pleted, and the entire machinery required
BY the plans OF Congress for taxes aud II
nance is now in full operation. No pubil
interest will suffer by my now giving plac'
TO successor. The second consideration
must yield to the conviction that justice Il
myself and the public require me to insis
on your acceptance OF the resignation whiel
1 now tender, In the hope that you win b
suec eksfnl In choosing successor who's
| views shall ha1mOpize with those Of Con