The Portland daily press., 1876-03-16
MINISTER SCHENCK.
Correspondence Between Him and
the State Department.
How His Resignation Came
About.

WASHINGTON. March ia letter from Sec
rotary Fish to the chairman of the House Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs, details the circum-
stances connected with Gen. Schenck's resigna-
ton of the English mission. 1t appears there
from that Schenck, ON the Sth of February, in
consequence of the publication of the House
of Representatives in London, telegraphed that
il the President considered that he embarrassed
his administration he (Schenck) would resign
his commission, but would remain for some
time in London to vindicate his good name and
dispose of any threatened legal proceedings
On the 9th Schenck again telegraphed asking
permission to publish his despatch sent the
previous day. This was declined. On the 18th
a telegram was sent to Schenck stating that the
President retained full friendship for him, re-
GREETED the bitterness with which he had been
assaied and adhered to the opinion that his
connection with the Emma mine was an unfor-
tunate indiscreton but without improper mo
tives. He had hoped his early Withdrawal
therefrom would have quieted the strong pub
lie criticism, and also regretted that such had
not been the result; that his Telegram of the
9Th threw upon the President the responsibility
of accepting or declining to accept a rendered
resignation, and in the latter case of appearing
to insist on his retention in the face OF a pub
lie demand more or less strong under which
the President had remained quiet; that now
having voluntarily expressed his readiness to
relieve the President from any embarrassment
which the position might involve, with kind
feelings towards him, he felt that under exist
ing circumstances his resignation would re-
lieve him from embarrassment. and that it
could be made either by telegraph or by letter.
and to take effect when his successor should
enter upon the duties of the post.
On the 14th Mr.. Schenck telegraphed that he
acceded to the suggestion aud would send his
resignation by the next mail. On the 21st he
telegraphed that having placed his resignation
at the Presidents disposal, he had leave to
repair to Washington to appear before the
Committee of the House. This was granted on
the 23d, and on the got he was informed that
the House had ordered further inquiry into his
connection with the mine. On the LIST of March
he telegrapbed that he claimed to appear be-
fore the House Committee, and would sail on
the 11th in the Java. Ia a subsequent des-
patch on the same day he said Lyons state
ments concerning him were infamous false
hoods, and asked to have Park, Stewart and
others summoned, and added that he would
sail in the Abyssina on the 4th. On the I'd of
March Scheuck telegraphed that he had ten
dered his resignation. When the action of the
Executive was questioned, and as his own
conduct was now the subject of charges and
investigation, he assumed that the Presidents
decision on his offer would be suspended while
this proceeding was pending. On the Sd Of
March he was advised that the President had
taken steps to fill his place Immediately, and
on that account and for other reasons could not
delay acting on his resignation. On the 4th a
letter was received from Gen. Schenck,
dated February 10Th, enclosing his letter of
resignation, addressed to the President, dated
February 18th, and on the 9Th of March the
resignation was accepted.
There has been DO correspondence whatever
with Her Britannia Majesty's government, or
with or from any agent or representative of
that government, in reference to Gen. Schenck.