The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-03-30
The Particulars OF Schenck's Resigna.
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The Particulars OF Schenck's Resigna.
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The Committee on Foreign Affairs has
made public their correspondence with
the Secretary of State, which includes
the following letter:
sts - DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 4
WAsHIsGros, March Is, 1s76.J
To he Hon. Thomas Straan, Chairman Of The C6mnsii-
tee on Foreign 46airs efthe House Of Representatives:
SIR:lIhave to acknowledge the reception
of your note of the eth inst, communicating
the resolution adopted, by the Committee on
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representa-
tiyes requesting to be informed whether
leave of absence had been granted to Gen.
Schenck, and the date thereof, and, further,
asking that all correspondence with General
Schenck, or with her Britannia Majesty's
government in reference to him, since the
Communication Of the Secretary of State,
dated February g. 1875, be communicated to
the committee. In reply, have to say, that
on the Sth of February Gen. Schenck tele-
graphed from London, in substance, that a
telegraphic dispatch published in the London
newspapers of that morning informed him
that on the preceding day the House of
hItLN 60 pt@ooCQ ACoOAutlo4 Auoti u[t-
ing the Foreign Relations Committee to as.
certain what action the Executive had taken
in relation to his connection with the Emma
Mine, and that if on account of malignant
and calumnious Misrepresentation with
which he had been pursued the President
considered that he embarrassed his admins
tration, and was no longer useful in his po-
sition, and being grateful for his past conf
dence and support, he should cheerfully
accept bis Judgment, and would resign his
commission into his hands, but that he
should remain in London in any event for
time although the cost or residence and
litigation might be injurious to him person
ally, 70 vindicate his good name, and to meet,
answer and dispose Of any threatened legal
proceedings against him, confidently relying
on the fairness of the British courts of JUS
tice. On the 9th he inquired If he could be
permitted to make pnblic in London his
telegram sent the day before, and was in
formed that the President did not think it
necessary to act upon the telegram, and that
such publication was not admissible. On
the f1th of February telegram was sent
him stating that the President retained full
friendship for him, regretted the bitterness
with which he was assailed, and adhered to
his opinion that his connection with the
Emma Mine was an unfortunate indiseretion,
4
part, and helhad hoped that his early with
drawal therefrom would have quieted the
strong public 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 Of declin-
ing to accept his rendered resignation; and,
in the latter case, of appearing to insist on
his retention in the face of public demand,
more OF less strong, under which the Presi-
dent had remained quiet, In full conviction
that his conduct had been free of wrong
purpose, and in the absence of any expressed
willingness to resign; that now, having
voluntarily expressed his readiness to re-
lieve the President from any embarrassment
which his position might involve, with kind
feelings toward him, he felt that under the
existing circumstances his resignation would
relieve him from embarrassment, and that it
could be made either by telegraph or by let
ter, and to take effect when his successor
should enter upon the duties of his post
On the 18th of February General Schenck
telegraphed that he failed to reconcile the
telegram of the 9th, informing him that the
President did not deem it necessary to act
on his of the Sth with that received Saturday
communicating his view of his offer, but he
promptly acceded to the suggestion, and
would send his resignation in writing by the
next mail. On the 2lst of February General
Schenck autographed that, having placed his
resignation at the Presidents disposal, pend
ing the inquiry ordered by the House of
Representatives, he asked leave to repair
to Washington to appear before the
committee on the 23d of February, and he
was informed by telegraph that leave of ab-
sence with permission to return to the United
States was given; that the inquiry of the
House was to ascertain the action taken by
the Executive Department of the govern
ment in relation to his connection with the
company and the prosecution Of the claim;
that reply had been sent, and that the
committee would probably report soon. On
the Oath Gen. Schenck telegraphed that he
would go to the United States as permitted,
provided the inquiry into his case proceeded;
that in the meantime he awaited the com
mittee's report, and the Presidents action
on his resignation sent on the 10th. On the
29th Of February, as Gen. Schenck had ex-
pressed desire to return, and to appear be-
fore the committee, he was informed that
the committee had reported the information
furnished BY the department, which was re-
committed; that the House had adopted q
resolution to inquire further into Minister
Schenck's connection with the mine, and to
send for persons and papers. On the LIST
of March photographed that being informed
of the Houses resolution ordering further
investigation, with the power to send for
persons and papers, he claimed the right to
appear before the committee, and would sail
on the 11th in the Java, and by a subsequent
telegram of the same date, the first Of March,
he said that Lyons statements concerning
him published in London that morning,
were tissue of infamous falsehoods, and
asked to have Parke, Stewart and others
summoned, and protested against any ex
parte proceedings against him in his absence,
and added that he would sail on the Abys-
sinia on the 4th. On the End of March Gen.
Schenck telegraphed that he had rendered
his resignation when the action OF the Ex.
ecutive was questioned, and that as his own
conduct was now 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 Presi.
dent had taken steps to fill his place imme-
diately, and on that account, and for other
reasons, he could not delay acting on his
resignation. On the 4th of March dispatch
was received from Gen. Schenck, dated the
! 10th Of February, inclosing a letter of resig
nation, addressed to the President, dated the
18th Of February, and on the 9th of March
the resignation was accepted. There has
been no correspondence whatever with her
/ Britannia Msjesty's Government, or with OF
from any agent or representative of that
government, in reference to Gen. Schenck
either before or since my communication to
you of the 9th of February.
TSigned.1 HAMILTON FISH,