Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-09-13
RESIGNATION OF GOV. COOKE.
OF A. n. SHEPHERD
TO BE GOVERNOR OF THE
TERRITORY.
Letter OF Gov. Cooke to the President
The President's Reply.
appointment OF DIR. John II. Blake TO
the Board of Public Works.

The President has forwarded here Tor record
the appointment of A. R. Shepherd, esq.,, to be
Governor of the Territory of Columbia, vice
Henry ID. Cooke, resigned.
The following is Gov. Cookies letter of resig-
nation and the Presidents reply:
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, September, 10, 1873.
His E1celieRcy. U. s. Grant, President,
DEAR SIR: L beg to tender my resignation of
the office of Governor of the District Of Colum-
bia, to take effect on Saturday next, the 18th
instant.
1 am urged to this action by the fact that the
combined demands from my private business
and my public duties have been SO exacting that
l am no longer able to meet both or either of
these demands as thoroughly as could wish
Yet it has been my sincere purpose 30 to admin
lister the government of the District as best to
and to advance the national capital to that po-
sitiOn which it ought to occupy as the seat of
tn, national government.
This purpose has been ably seconded by the
other officers of the District government, and
especially by the vice president of the Board of
Public Works and my other associates of the
board whose energy courage and comprehensive
judgment have achieved such brilliant results.
have also to thank you, Mr.. President for
the unvarying confidence you have reposed in
me, and for the substantial encouragement and
support you have given to me and my associates
in the management Of the affairs of the District.
With sentiments of great regard and sincere
respect, your obedient servant,
H. d. COOKE.
To this letter the President replied as fol
lows:
LONG BRANCH, n. j., Sept. IL, 1873.
DEAR SIR: Your letter of resignation of the
office of Governor of the Territory of the Dis
trict of Columbia Is received, and it Is with
regret that accept it. You being the first Gov
ernor of the District of Columbia SINCE the pres
ent form of civil administration has been ap-
piled to 1t, am aware of the labor you have
been called on to perform in organizing and
systematiZing new forms and modes of admins
tration; and also how Zealously and ably you
have performed those duties.
Under your administration of the affairs of
the territorial government of the District OF
Columbia, assisted you have been by able
and energetic subordinates, the national capt.
tai has advanced towards what it should be
with a rapidity that astonishes and pleases
every one who has been away from 1t for few
years and returns.
If your successors in the office give the salts
faction you have, property owners in the Dis
trict OF Columbia, the people at large, and all
who have an interest in the nations capital will
have reason to congratulate themselves on the
new form of government given to them.
Yours, truly, US. GRANT.
Hon. II. ID. COOKE, Governor Territory d. G.
DR.. John B. Blake has been appointed to ill
the vacancy in the Board of Public Works occa-
stoned by the appointment Of Mr.. Shepherd to
the governorship. 1t Is expected that Mr..
Henry A. Willard will be elected Vice President
Of the Board, in place of Mr.. Shepherd.