Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-11-21
From Washington.


WAsHINGToN, D. G., Nov. 20.-rhe foil ow-
ing is the correspondence between President
Grant and Mr.. Murphy, on the resignation of
the latter as collector Of the port ofNew York :
CUSTOM HOUSE, New YORK.
COLLECToR's OFFICE, Nov. 18th 1871
To the President: | hereby tender my resig-
nation of the office of collector of the port of
New York, to take effect upon the appointment
of my successor. You are aware that during
the period have held this important trust, and
because have held it, have been subjected to
persecution which for persistent msrepresenta-
ton and unrclenting yindictiveneSs has, for
tunately, but few parallels in the history Of pc
litical strife Throughout this somewhat try
inc ordeal have been sustained, however, by a
consciousness of my own rectitude, and by the
fact that, during my official term, have ell
joyed, uninterruptedly, and still retain, your
confidence, undiminished by the Yitupcration of
my accusers. For the manner in which the
duties of the office have been performed, take
pleasure in referring to the judgment of my
official superior, the secretary of the treasury,
and to the figures Of the record in the treasury
department, which show how the revenue has
been collected, and with what diminished per-
Centage Of cost.
Unless your attention has been called TO this
record, beg that you will refer to it, Ground.
less as the aSperSlons cast upon me are, and fully
as they have been refutcd before more than one
tribunal, | am conscious that my continuance
in office will be made preteXt and occasion for
assaults calculated 10 injurc you and the repub-
lcan party, and, rather than incur such hazard,
! would rclinquiSh my position, even had been
coveted, which you know it was not. When
appointed, believed | could render service by
accepting the place, Now | believe can rem
der service by resigniug it, and gladly embrace
the opportunity. In seyering my official rela-
tons with the government, under these circum-
stances, may also properly refer TO the graft
Tying result of the recent election in this state
which leaves the control OF its atfans suhstau.
tally in tho hands of that great party OF pro
gress and reform, OF which you are the acknowl-
edged head and for the success of which il will
ever be my pride and duty TO labor.
am, dear sir, with high respect, your ohcdi,
cnt servant TnoNAs MuRRnT,
EXECUTIVE MANSION
WASHINGTON, d. G., Nov 20, 1871
Han. Thomas M,tJphy, Collector Of The Port
of NetD lOf&.-Dear Sir: Your letter of the 18th
inst, rendering your resignation of the office Of
collector of the port of New York, with the
reasons therefor, is received, II giyes me great
pleasure 70 Lear testimony to the efficiency, hon
esty and zeal with which you have administered
the office SO LONG as it has been entrusted 10
your keeping. Your own peace of mind. na
doubt, will be enhanced by leaving The office of
collectors hut ! DOUBT whether such course
will, in any sense, be a benefit to the public SER
vice. Under your administration the revenues
from the New York custom house haze been
largely increased, ana the cost OF collection,
in proportion to the amount collected, has been
greatly diminished. This is shown by the
records of the treasury department.
You have had my unqualified confidence ever
since you entered the Office Of collector. You
had that confidence before, or the appointment
would not have been rendered YOU. That conf
dence is still mistaken, and, in accepting your
resign alton, desire to give you the fullest as
surence at this fact, Whether you remain in or
out Of office, time will convince just public OF
your entire innocence Of the charges brought
against you,
With great respect, your obedient servant,
u. 5. GRANT.
ALEXIS.
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