The New York herald., 1876-12-02
THE CUSTOM HOUSE.

RESIGNATION OF ASSISTANT COLLECTOR cIINcH
For some time past Mr.. Charles r. Clinch, Assistant
Collector of the Port OF New York for many years. had
his mind made up his connection with the
United States service, in which he has grown gray,
and finally carried his intention into effect yesterday
will DC seen from the annexed correspondence:
Custom Housk, NEW YORK
CoLLEcToR's OFFICE, Nov. g. 1876.
DEAR SyR-Lengl lhcned years aud falling health have
at last made the daily discharge ot my Official duties
burden to me. Having concluded 10 end my robIc
services with the close o the current mouth hereby.
or ihen resign The oilice Of Assistant Collector
OF the port OF New York, having served in various
capacities an officer OF the Tor tho last
thirty eight years and more In taking this step
the loss OF habiiua ASSOCIATION with yourself
Official friends Very respectfully anu with much
gard. yours always, CHARLES r cLiNCH
To which General Arthur replied as ioliows:-
NOVEMBER 20 1876
My DEAR SIR-I am in receipt OF your conInunca.
ton OF the 9th inst conveying TO your resignation
OF the office OF Assistant Collector OF The port Of New
York. IL has been my earnest DESIRE on account of
the interests Of the public service and lCr myself per-
sonay, that you would reconsider this proposed
hnquishme the Office which you have adm
for many years with honor to yourself and advan.
tage the governments but tho terms OF your letter
and the assurance you have since gwen me that you
adhere TO the determination then made leave
choice but TO acceae TO your wishes ard TO accept
your resignation. Cordially rccprocating your
grcts upon this separation and hoping that your pr-
vatc HE may ue rs happy your public lie has been
useful ana honorable. with great personal respect
& a. ARTHUR, Collector
CHAsLEs =. CLScn, Esq, Assistant Collector, &C.
If Mr. Ciinch had been an ordinary employ6 Of tho
Custom House his resignation would scarcely need
passing notice, but valuable govern
ment during a space OF nearly forty years, and his
great literary attanments call for than a brief
mention. Mr. Charles 7. Clinch born at No. 81
Plnc street in this city October 20. 1897, aud was
trained mercantile lite, which he very sue
ccssiu until the great fire OF 1885 robbed him OF his
hard earnings. When but young no was elected
to represent his section Of the city the New York
LEGISLATURE, where he served with distinction with
such Sllas Wright Francis B. Cutting rhurIow
Weed, GeneralJohn A. DIX Azariah G. Flagg others
of tho same prominence. In 1888 he appo ntcd
an ins specor IN the custom House. and IN 1889 pro-
noted to deputy collector. In lS46 he was made q
weIsher, and shortly attcrward appointed deputy
ut large, and IN lo4s and Io49 as
deputy collector proper. Ia 1906 he was placed
charge of the correspondence ia the Custom House,
ana appointed SPECIAL deputy act IN tho
of the Collector with iul power The Appro.
pralon OF 1865 provided for the Office oil assistant
collector ior the irst time, and ms 1T is understood,
passed especially ior Mr. Clinch. AS
us TINS became law Collector Hiram Barney
at once appointed Mr. Clinch TO the
position. When Preston King died, IN 1865,
Mr Chnch succeeded him by virtue OF section % act
1873. The utmost pressure was brough, ON Pres-
dent johnson TO hIi the vacancy by nominating Mr.
Clnch ana none we're more clamorous Tor ID than the
press OF that day However. Henry a. Smyth was
made Collector, who reappointed Mr.. Ciincn. as did
also Collectors Moses H. Grinncll, Thomas Murphy and
General Artuur.
In The Treasury Department. aud by the officers Of
tho several boards Mr. Clinch IS regarded as tho
Ncstor OF the unitcd states customs service.
General Arthur has not yet determined who is TO
succeed Mr.. Ciinch. Mr. Joseph Trelvar, who has
intimately associated witn and enjoyed
deuce of Mr. Ciincn tor twenty-one years, and en-
ploycd in Custom House for twenty three years. is
in charge OF the division.
In politics Mr. Cnnch Us an ardent democrat but has
always been good Union In his rctlrement the
service loses All able anu efficient officer