The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-06-02
THE ADMINISTRATIONS ANSWER.


RETIREMENT.
WASHINGTON, May 19.-Gen. Grants letter to SEN
ator Jones, published in New York to-day, has
ELECTED the following authoritative statement re-
garding the circumstances attending Mr. Fish's
retirement from the diplomatic service and the
selection of Mr. CraIner to succeed him Charge
dAnaires of the United States at Berne: ssWhen
Gen. Grant was in Washington In March, shortly
after President Garfleld's inauguration he made
several requests OF the President of which the latter
made d written memorandum in Gen. Grants pres
ence The request in regard to Mr.. Cramer was that
he might be transferred from Denmark to a more
southeriy climate. Gen. Grant specified that he did
notask higher grade, only milder climate The
resignation of Mr.. Nicholas Fish from the Swiss
mission, the same grade as Denmark opened the
way for complying with Gen. Grants request, and
the President promptly awaited himself Of ii in sup
posed compliance with Gen. Grants earnest wish,
personally expressed In regard to the resignation
of MIR. Fish from the Swiss mission, papers on file
In the Diplomatic Bureau of the State Department
show the following facts; On the 18th of February
last Mr. Nicholas Fish, Charge d A1faires of the
united States at Berne, switzerland, addressed to
Mr.. Evarts, Secretary of State, the following:
1nclose herewith dispatch rendering nv resig-
nation. feel that can no longer retain my posi-
ton here with justice to myself and my family.
When accepted it 1 hoped it would be restored to
Its former rank and pay, and you were kind enough
to lead me TO believe that upon such restoration
should be retained In Office = s = ! know what
a Hood of applicants the announcement of my resg
nation would create and, therefore, TO protect the
Department from them sent my resignation in an
unnumbered dispatch to you
On March L in communication addressed to Mr.
Blaine Mr.. Fish wrote as follows.
On the 18th ult. addressed to your eminent pre-.
tecessor in office dispatch marked separate "
which inclosed in private letter to Mr. Evarts
My reasons for inclosing solely 10 protect
the Department from the possible and almost fnevi
table annoyance which disclosure of its contents
might impose on the Department. 1 have the
honor to inclose herewith copy of the same, and
now for the first time, place the file here
shall await your wishes to the time
when may be relieved from my duties here, but
hope may have timely notice by cable concerning
the time when may expect my letters of recall.
lett of raSic uafio
foregoing note to Secretary Blaine is given full
1t is the dispatch marked separate" and was du-
pllcated to Mr. Blaine. 1t is as follows:
SEPARATED
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES
BERNE, 18th February, 1881. {
SIR In order that President Garfield NAV be free
to select the representative he may desire to fill
this mission, have the honor to tender herewith,
through you my resignation of the office of Charge
dAffatres of the United States the Swiss Confed-
Grafton, TO take effect March 4th next or as soon
thereafter as my successor may be appointed 1 beg
that you will assure President Garfield that my ac-
ton is prompted by want of sympathy for his
Administration, and that on the contrary 1 should
be most happy to contribute my heartiest support
thereto in any capacity suited to nv Abilities and
that he will find, whether in private life or in an
official position no more Jealous supporter of the
great principles which the people Of the United
States have Endorsed in his election. In thus ten
dering my resignation permit me to thank you and
the gentle men Of your Department for the many
period of nearly ten years. have been extended to
1t is with regret that thus to be relieved
L
when In justice to myself should have some more
important position if am to remain in the service
or that should find some more remunerative en-
Payment by leaving it, respectfully request that
may be informed when it will be most agreeable
to the Department to relieve of my office. have
the honor to be sir,
Your obedtent Servant,
NICHOLAS FISH.
THE ACCEPTANCE.
Secretary Blaine formally accepted Mr.. Fishs
resignation in the following letter.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON, March 26, 1881.
Nicholas Fish, Esq etc., etc..
SIR; have to acknowledge the receipt of your
number sol, OF the 18th inst in which you tender
your resignation of the post of Charge Affaires of
the United States at Berne In accepting your resg
nation the President desires me to express to you
the high sense which he entertains of the able and
faithful manner in which you have represented the
interests of the United States at Berne during the
continuance of your term of office, and to thank you
at the same time for the cordial sentiments which
you express in reference to his Administration. In
forming you that Mr.. Cramer now at Copenhagen,
mas been appointed to succeed you as Charge
AHalfeS OF the United States in switzerland, also
that the customary letter of recall will be sent to you
by early mail, am sir ETC., ETC.,
JAS. G. BLAINE.
On April f. several days before Secretary Blaine's
letter accepting the resignation had reached Mr.
Fish, the Secretary having received an intimation
that Mr. Fish would be glad remain in the dipIo-
matte service. offered him the mission TO Denmark.
which Is of the same grade Switzerland. Mr..
Blaine made the offer by cable in these words;
would 1t be agreeable to you to go to Denmark ?'
Mr.. Fish answered the same day by cable as fol-
lows: mo, thank you. Want promotion" On the
succeeding day, April 5, Mr.. Fish again cabled to
secretary Blaine as follows: Can have Berlin ?''
AS the Administration not able to tender Mr..
Fish the Berlin Mission, and as he had declined
u enmark, the CORRESPONDENCE ceased.